Major Issue

[Gregory Matthews]

The following exhaustive article reports on a major developing issue in the heart of Adventism, Berrien Springs, which cannot be ignored.

https://spectrummagazine.org/news/ground-zero-ron-kelly-and-conrad-vine-continue-to-break-things-in-berrien-springs/

 

[Joe Knapp]

Yes, this has grown to be a big problem. 

Quote

While Kelly builds outside the denomination, Vine continued to challenge conference authority from within it. After Village Church voted on August 3, 2025 to reinstate him as an elder in good standing and restore his right to preach, the Michigan Conference quickly pushed back.

What Pastor Kelly is building is an independent ministry. It is not new. Independent ministries are the lifeblood of the church. Many church employees do not like them, including the famous remarks by P Ted Wilson last year. 

But the continued attacks by P Vine are a problem. There may be truth to some of his accusations.  But his methods are abrasive. He may be doing this because of prompting by the Holy Spirit.  Often God uses imperfect people because that is who is willing to answer the call. 

As someone who was seen as a troublemaker in the Michigan Conference, I can tell you this is not an easy job for him. It was not for me. It was only through lots of prayer and fleeces that I was able to do what I did.  I am glad to be out of that role. 

But sometimes God chooses to shake things up. 

I wish the GC would appoint a committee to look into the accusations he is making and report on them. But, I will not hold my breath waiting for that.