Adventist in the News

[Don777]

Adventist in the News

This thread intends to provide a collection of news items relevant to Adventism.

[Don777]

Seventh-day Adventists: From doomsday sect to health advocates

United States, June 7, 2013

The church, celebrating its 150th anniversary this month, traces its origins back to a doomsday sect of disillusioned believers in the prophecy of William Miller. The Harold Camping of his day, Miller proclaimed a date for Jesus Christ’s return, and when that didn’t happen, about 3,500 disappointed believers regrouped to form the Seventh-day Adventists in Battle Creek, Mich...

http://bangordailynews.com/2013/06/07/he...alth-advocates/

[Don777]

Adventist Soldier Sues KDF Over Saturdays

Kenya, June 12, 2013

A former army officer sacked and detained for 42 days for declining to work on Saturday which is considered the Sabbath by the Seventh Day Adventist church has sued the government citing violation of his rights...

http://allafrica.com/stories/201306121010.html

[Don777]

Dalton Urges Parents On Good Parenting

Uganda, June 14, 2013

Renowned Seventh-day Adventist educationist, Dalton Segawa has recommended parents to play a pivotal role in their children's lives through character building and family value development...

http://allafrica.com/stories/201306141302.html

[Don777]

Former courtroom stenographer Rita Colquhoun captions Albion Seventh-Day Adventist church sermon

Australia, July 3, 2013

Rita Colquhoun can type a minimum 200 words per minute, an ability honed by 16 years on a courtroom stenograph...The church came up with a first for its denomination by introducing real-time captioning of the sermon on the big screen...

http://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/...y-1226673143420

[Gail]

I wish I had that skill!

[olger]

Dr. Ben Carson, lectures a fuming Obama on the merits of capitalism and Biblical values at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington DC.

(I like that sort of thing.)

[debbym]

i watched it, never saw Obama fuming. sorry you spread this sort of thing.

[Don777]

As they turn 150, Adventists still pray for the apocalypse

April 10, 2013

Over the past 150 years, Seventh-day Adventists have built one of Christianity’s most inventive and prosperous churches, all the while praying for the world to end as soon as possible...You might expect Adventists to celebrate their success while marking their church’s 150th anniversary this May. There’s just one problem: the church wasn’t supposed to last this long...

http://www.religionnews.com/2013/04/10/as-they-turn-150-adventists-still-pray-for-the-apocalypse/

[Don777]

Ban on homophobic teacher upheld

United Kingdom, April 12, 2013

The High Court has upheld a classroom ban on a Christian school teacher who condemned the "homosexual lifestyle" in front of pupils...In what is believed to be the first case of its kind, a judge rejected an appeal by science teacher Robert Haye against the decision to ban him indefinitely - a decision he says is likely to end his teaching career...

Mr Haye told a Year 11 class of students aged 15-16 that the way homosexual people lived was "disgusting" and a sin, according to the Bible.

He also told Year 9 pupils aged 13-14 on another occasion that "anyone who worships on Sunday is basically worshipping the devil".

Mr Haye, 43, and his family belong to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which observes Saturday as the Sabbath...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/9989926/Ban-on-homophobic-teacher-upheld.html

[olger]

"DR. CARSON TELLS THEBLAZE HOW OBAMA REACTED TO HIS BOLD PRAYER BREAKFAST SPEECH."

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/02/...just-be-fuming/

I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me...and what can be the use of "it" is more than I can see.

`G

[Don777]

Pacific Press Publishing could merge with Review and Herald

United States, June 27, 2013

The boards of Pacific Press Publishing Association, located in Nampa, and Review and Herald Publishing Association, located in Hagerstown, Md., agreed to consider a yet-to-be-developed merger proposal...As the next step, a task force with representation from the General Conference, the North American Division and each publishing house will prepare a blueprint for merger. That report is expected to be presented to the boards by late September, and each board will then have the opportunity to determine a response...

http://www.idahopress.com/news/local/pac...1a4bcf887a.html

[Don777]

Netherlands Union Conference Votes to Ordain Female Pastors

July 6, 2013

On May 30th, 2013 the Executive Committee of the Netherlands Union Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church decided to ordain female pastors, recognising them as equal to their male colleagues. During the Union Session last year the delegates from the churches in the Netherlands charged the church leadership with the task of implementing equality between men and women in the church as soon as possible. After much discussion, and after weighing the many options, the Executive Committee has decided that the best way to implement this equality is through the equal ordination of men and women...

...it was decided that from June 1st, 2013 all ordained and commissioned pastors, regardless of gender, will be considered ordained in the Netherlands. In practice this means that Pastor Elise Happé-Heikoop (pastor of Arnhem, Nijmegen and Doetinchem) is now considered ordained, and that on September 21st Guisèle Berkel-Larmonie will be ordained together with her (male) colleague Enrico Karg...

Because of the potentially delicate nature of this topic, it was decided that the communication of this decision would be delayed until July 5th, 2013. This gave the leadership enough time to properly and correctly inform the Trans-European Division. The Netherlands Union Conference has 5276 members, spread over 55 churches and 16 church plants...

http://www.adventist.nl/2013/07/06/netherlands-union-conference-votes-to-ordain-female-pastors/

Some observations

1) This is an executive committee decision based on the wishes of the 2012 union session.

2) The committee action makes the past commissioning of female ministers to be their ordination moment; kind of retroactive.

3) This action calls for wisdom on the part of the world church as it responds.

4) It seems that the only way forward in unity is to have different world fields manage the ordination process based on the wishes of their constituencies; unity in diversity.

[Don777]

Obama and Carson meet briefly after the speech

"DR. CARSON TELLS THEBLAZE HOW OBAMA REACTED TO HIS BOLD PRAYER BREAKFAST SPEECH."

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/02/...just-be-fuming/

Here is the related part of the story cited:

Quote:

The doctor said that, following the speech, Obama approached him, thanked him for his words and told him that the address was very good.

“I was kind of surprised, because I figured he would just be fuming. But he probably figured that’s what everyone figured and he knew people were watching,” Carson said...

Dr. Carson thought that Obama would be fuming, but Obama actually thanked him for the speech and told him that it was good.

[Don777]

Is this news?

Egypt, 7 July 2013

Quote:

Muslim Brotherhood: New Egyptian President Secretly Jewish - and Adventist!

A very strange story has been winging its way around cyberspace over the last four days: The Muslim Brotherhood said on its official website that Egypt’s interim president, Adly Mansour, is considered to be a Seventh Day Adventist (sic), and therefore is of Jewish descent...

The story is obviously ridiculous, but it has still spread from blog to forum and even to the Washington Post’s blog, with posters using it to show how the Muslim Brotherhood is promulgating conspiracy theories after its close ally Mohamed Morsi was ousted from power...

http://spectrummagazine.org/blog/2013/07...h-and-adventist

The Washington Post blog

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worl...world&clsrd

The Facebook screen shot???

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/files/2013/07/BOaW2TaCYAAesDN.jpg

Translation of the Facebook page:

http://mbinenglish.wordpress.com/2013/07/05/ahmed-mansour-reveals-a-jew-in-egypts-seat-of-power/

[olger]

[Don777]

Christianity makes a person a "gentleman" or a "lady."

@Olger, as I watched Dr. Carson give his speech, I also noted the somber appearance of the president. It was refreshing to read that he responded quite civilly to the doctor following the speech. Politicians sometimes behave better than church people.

[Tom Wetmore]

Also, if you watch the whole video instead of a freeze-frame intentionally picked and spun, you will see it is not an angry or somber expression any more than a look of someone listening with serious attention, or most likely a fairly neutral expression. That last possibility tends to be interpreted by any observer according to their own POV and preconceived idea of the person. Very likely if he had been laughing at some isolated point, some observers would have immediately assumed he was mocking Carson and not taking him seriously.

Also if you watch the whole video, you will also see a nearly identical expression on the Republican leader's face sitting on the other side. Nobody is saying he was angry or fuming.

And finally (Seriously - least this degenerate into an off-topic political food fight) If you listen to Obama's own remarks you will hear his gracious, positive and engaged reaction to Ben's remarks. It is also worth noting the "prophetic" observation that unfortunately the media would very quickly lose sight of the essential fact that the country's leadership from both sides came together and prayed. Even here it is quickly forgotten that it was a prayer breakfast. That should give us all a bit of hope.

[Don777]

Loma Linda University Fosters Higher Education in the Philippines with Collaboration on New Medical School

New medical school at Adventist University of the Philippines is slated to accept its first class of students in June 2014.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/7/prweb10906931.htm

[Don777]

Tarlac’s Adventists implement ‘No Plastic’ policy

Philippines, July, 2013

Quote:

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Tarlac City, Philippines -- The Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church in the North Tarlac District particularly the Tarlac Central Church implemented the prohibition of using styrofoam and plastics in their institutions including schools, offices and churches beginning July 01.

This is in pursuant to EC# 2013-08-087 taken during the SDA Central Luzon Conference executive committee meeting on March 10, 2013 approving the “No Plastic, No Styrofoam Policy.”

Adventist world leader Ted Wilson in his statement said that it is the belief of the SDAs that humankind was created in the image of God, and is thus to represent God as His steward and to manage the natural environment in a faithful and fruitful way.

Wilson added that Adventism advocates a simple, wholesome lifestyle, where people do not step on the treadmill of unbridled over consumption, accumulation of goods and production of waste.

He stressed that reformation of lifestyle is called for, based on respect for nature, restraint in the use of world’s resources, revaluation of one’s needs and reaffirmation of the dignity of created life.

“As a good Christian, the Adventists should be aware that plastic bags and wrappers and styrofoam containers are possible sources of cancer and also cause of clogging of drainage and flooding,” Wilson pointed out.

Instead of using plastics for food and drink containers, Adventists are encouraged to use and reuse non-plastic bags until their usefulness has been exhausted.

They are also advised to refrain from buying products using plastic bags and wrappers. (Eden Gutierrez)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pangasinan/loc...c-policy-290676

Observations

1. I am unaware of other such SDA initiatives regarding plastics and the environment.

2. President Wilson is quoted in support of this environmental step. Is this environmental leadership common to his presidency?

3. The Philippines SDA Church are to be commended for this action.

[Don777]

Trades sought for home renovation project in Port Moody

British Columbia, Canada, July 2013

Quote:

...Kathleen Black and her family have been selected by Cornerstone Seventh Day Adventist Church for a project planned planned for Sept. 16-22 and a spokesman said electrical, plumbing and trades are needed to help out.

"Once again we are appealing to our many partners and supporters who have been a blessing to the Home Team for 11 previous projects dating back to 2007 to assist us in this," stated Russ McCann in a press release...

http://www.tricitynews.com/news/214661221.html

[phkrause]

i watched it, never saw Obama fuming. sorry you spread this sort of thing.

[phkrause]

Also, if you watch the whole video instead of a freeze-frame intentionally picked and spun, you will see it is not an angry or somber expression any more than a look of someone listening with serious attention, or most likely a fairly neutral expression. That last possibility tends to be interpreted by any observer according to their own POV and preconceived idea of the person. Very likely if he had been laughing at some isolated point, some observers would have immediately assumed he was mocking Carson and not taking him seriously.

Also if you watch the whole video, you will also see a nearly identical expression on the Republican leader's face sitting on the other side. Nobody is saying he was angry or fuming.

And finally (Seriously - least this degenerate into an off-topic political food fight) If you listen to Obama's own remarks you will hear his gracious, positive and engaged reaction to Ben's remarks. It is also worth noting the "prophetic" observation that unfortunately the media would very quickly lose sight of the essential fact that the country's leadership from both sides came together and prayed. Even here it is quickly forgotten that it was a prayer breakfast. That should give us all a bit of hope.

Exactly

[Don777]

Students at Orlando Junior Academy compete in Adventist Robotics League national championship

Florida, July, 2013

Quote:

Orlando Junior Academy's RoboJags robotics team recently competed in the Adventist Robotics League national championship competition in Sacremento, Calif.

According to an Orlando Junior Academy release, "The RoboJags Robotics team from Orlando Junior Academy (OJA) recently competed at the Adventist Robotics League (ARL) national championship at Sacramento Adventist Academy in California, sponsored by the School of Engineering at Walla Walla University, Washington.

At the national championship, the OJA RoboJags won a first place plaque for the design of their robot. They also won second place for project presentation, third place for core values, and third place for robot performance."

Orlando Junior Academy is at 30 E. Evans St., Orlando.

For more information, visit

http://www.floridaconference.com/news/2013/06/flec-oja-robotics-teamwork.

Source:

Orlando Sentinel

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/loca...0,4599485.story

Observations

1. This competition was sponsored by the Walla Walla University's School of Engineering. Consider this inspirational role of an Adventist higher education institution.

2. This robotics competition is quite far removed from Adventism's early role as Sabbatarian reformers. IMO not a problem, but an interesting feature of SDA development, nonetheless.

3. Adventist Education plays a very important role in helping keep our feet on the ground as a church; an important feature of an active faith.

[Don777]

The Center for Adventist-Muslim Relations on the Oakwood University Campus

Alabama, June 2013

Quote:

Huntsville's Interfaith Mission Service awards recognize barrier-breaching volunteers

When a Christian minister is recognized for his work in bridging Christian-Muslim understanding with an award named for a Jewish rabbi, you know you’re in the company of a visionary, barrier-breaching organization, said David Person as he presented an award during Monday, June 24, 2013’s, Interfaith Mission Service banquet.

Person was presenting the Rabbi Jeffrey L. Ballon Memorial Interfaith Award to Dr. Keith Augustus Burton, who founded and directs The Center for Adventist-Muslim Relations on the Oakwood University campus...

http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2013/06/interfaith_mission_service_awa.html