Washington Adventist University & Unity

[Gregory Matthews]

Washington Adventist University responds publicly to the call from the GC for unity.

See:

http://spectrummagazine.org/node/7712#discourse-comments

 

[Gregory Matthews]

Dog Collars:  In that early days of the developing SDA denomination some SDA clergy did wear them.  As a matter of fact, all of the official photos of one elected officer of the General Conference show him wearing what you have referenced as a dog collar.  In the early 1940s, SDA clergy generally stopped wearing such.

However, from time to  time there have been exceptions.

 

[debbym]

TI believe the GC is addressing a conflict in the church that is not merely a conflict between members and those at the GC.  This conflict of views extends throughout the membership.  It not an us vs them, the people versus the GC.  So when readers take Issue with the actions and policy generation of the GC it appears as though it is an us the people vs them the GC.  Efforts to conflict resolve with the GC level is not a dialogue that is effectively taking place through out the world church where this issue is causing disunity.  When people look to the GC to solve this by generating an enforceable policy, it will not solve anything.

This conflict is deep in the whole body of the church, and it is divisive.  I view it as being a spiritual issue that human hands and hearts and efforts will not be able to resolve.

The GC actions seem like an attempt to make peace, a very human attempt to make peace.  It seems to merely exposes more clearly the reality of the disunity church wide and that human bandages will not mend this problem.

In surrender to Christ is unity, outside of any other contrivance it is not a reality.  When you love the church i understand it is natural to try anything to bring about agreement and peace, and goodwill throughout the whole body of believers.  But this is something God alone can bring about.  To pray and wait and watch God work, ready to be and do whatever God alone is truly asking you to do, is also something we cannot humanly do.  God asks us to do those things we can only do in His strength, and that is offered abundantly, with tests of love and obedience coming closer and cutting closer each step towards heaven. 

So truly the Ark is coming home and no one is to put their hand out to steady it.  The consequences are swift.  But God makes alive again does he not, if we will be open to Him and respond to Him.

This seems another struggling and growing chapter in church history, and we cannot see all the outcomes, but it is not pretty as we go.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

I seem to recall that an Adventist pastor in England would sometimes wear a clerical collar when he was a volunteer chaplain at the 2012 London Olympics.  It helped to identify him as a chaplain when he was needed.

[debbym]

4 hours ago, The Wanderer said:

i am not sure exactly why but i find these photos hilarious!!

[Gregory Matthews]

Pam said below:

Exactly.

In the mid 80s I often wore one.  I even went to a Conference Education Committee meeting wearing a clerical collar and I did not attract any attention of comment.  I was simply introduced to the group as an Adventist minister and that was that.

 

I seem to recall that an Adventist pastor in England would sometimes wear a clerical collar when he was a volunteer chaplain at the 2012 London Olympics.  It helped to identify him as a chaplain when he was needed.

[Gregory Matthews]

Wanderer:  No, EGW never wore a clerical collar.