Moderators Gregory Matthews Posted March 2, 2018 Moderators Posted March 2, 2018 As published by the REVIEW, the GC is taking a stand, see: http://www.nadadventist.org/news/new-website-dedicated-crafting-welcoming-statements-seventh-day-adventist-churches and https://adventistchurchwelcomingstatements.org/ NOTE: The second URL is of interest in that it lists individual SDA congregations that comply with the suggestion. Is your congregation listed? Kevin H and GayatfootofCross 2 Quote Gregory
Members rudywoofs (Pam) Posted March 2, 2018 Members Posted March 2, 2018 funny how 9 out of 22 of the listed churches don't use the name "Adventist" or "SDA" in the name of their church... aside from that, this business of using the terms, "safe territory", "safe space", and "safe spot", are just politically correct words, and they annoy me... places are only as "safe" as the rudest person there. GayatfootofCross 1 Quote Pam Meddle Not In the Affairs of Dragons; for You Are Crunchy and Taste Good with Ketchup. If we all sang the same note in the choir, there'd never be any harmony. Funny, isn't it, how we accept Grace for ourselves and demand justice for others?
GayatfootofCross Posted March 2, 2018 Posted March 2, 2018 5 hours ago, rudywoofs (Pam) said: aside from that, this business of using the terms, "safe territory", "safe space", and "safe spot", are just politically correct words, and they annoy me... places are only as "safe" as the rudest person there. True! ^ The church I grew up in at one point had on their weekly bulletin that was given at the door "The Welcoming Church" And I remember a dear Saint said to me " When I first saw this..I thought it was a lil egotistical. But then the thought came to me .. It is to Remind us." I always think back about that with fondness. I must add That as long as church people hold to the belief that my Spirituality, Relationships, and Life is "less than theirs" ..People wont be a real Safe Place. Paul says God does not inhabit buildings. Jesus and Paul and John Says He is in Us. We are His Sanctuary ( a Place of Safety ) to bring to others. phkrause and Kevin H 2 Quote For all Eternity God waited in anticipation for You to show up to give You a Message - YOUR INCLUDED !!! { a merry dance }?️? " If you tarry 'til you're better You will never come at all " .. "I Will Rise" by the late great saved Glen Campbell If your picture of God is starting to feel too good to be true, you're starting to move in the right direction. "My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite." Romeo and Juliet
Bill Cork Posted March 3, 2018 Posted March 3, 2018 If all we are doing is trying to be welcoming when people come through the door, we're missing the boat. Why should they come to the door in the first place? We wouldn't have to tell people how welcoming we are if we spent more time in the community, getting to know people, and getting known by them. I was recently at a meeting with officials from the county public health office on building partnerships with faith-based organizations. One person in front of me mentioned the great things Adventists do (I had identified myself). But though I had invited others, I was the only Adventist present. That's just one example. We want to say we are welcoming, but at the same time many Adventist churches still advertise evangelistic series using deception. Leaving off the name, "Seventh-day Adventist." Hiding the sponsorship until the Sabbath is introduced. I'm glad I go to a church that is very welcoming. That's why I attend. But it also has a history of involvement in the community; it was a founder of the community's interfaith social ministry organization. A former pastor, retired in the congregation, is involved in campus ministry at the local high school. I'm active in local veterans organizations. People won't come to us to be welcomed if they don't see us on the streets, and in their lives. GayatfootofCross, CoAspen, Kevin H and 1 other 4 Quote
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