"Matters of Interest and Concern" The President's Blog for June 12, 2009
Today, I thought to address a few matters and questions that have come to my attention over the past weeks.
I invite you to respond to this article is you so desire. You would have to become a member of Fellowship Hall. You can place your coments or questions at the end of the article.
Female Pastor
Some persons have expressed concern over the fact that we have in our employ a female ministerial graduate serving as a chaplain and interning in one of our districts. The concern is whether or not this is biblical and has the executive committee of the Conference crossed the line in appointing the person as a ministerial intern? What about the future? Will the next step be one calling for ordination? Fellow leaders and elders, I wish to assure you that we will not go ahead of the General Conference. The current policy and practice of the Seventh-day Adventist Church does not prevent females from serving as pastors. In fact, there are many examples of such throughout the world, near and far from the Bahamas. For years the church has permitted females to serve and to be ordained as elders at the local church level. However, a policy of ordination of female pastors does not exist, and the leadership of the Bahamas Conference is fully aware of that fact. There is no attempt now or later to contravene the policy of the world church. On the other hand, females can be commissioned; but let me be clear, this is not ordination.
While we in administration are aware of the personal feelings of some of our members who would rather not have a female serve as an intern or a pastor; and while we are aware there are some who have no problem with a female serving in that capacity, the leadership of the church looks at the total picture which includes policy, practice and the level of acceptance and readiness of the members. Again, I assure you that having a female serve as an intern who is on the path to becoming a commissioned minister is not contravening church policy.
Inviting Government Leaders to our Church Conventions
Some members have expressed reservation regarding inviting the prime minister, opposition leader and other members of parliament to our conventions. These members strongly object to the parliamentarians being asked to offer greetings.
Elders, on behalf of my administrative colleagues, I wish to clarify that our church is not opposed to inviting civic leaders to our services to observe and, where necessary, to bring greetings. This practice predates the current administration and has augured well for the church and, in some instances, has benefited many of our members and persons in the community. For instance, I was informed that there was a time when government workers worked 6 days a week. Through the church’s relationship with the then government, consideration was given for a 5-day work week. This allowed Saturday worshipers, and not just Sunday worshipers, to have their day of worship off.
Through the years without compromise, both leaders and members of our conference have been used of God to sensitize governments and various leaders in the community to health principles, education and family values. Recently, the Ministry of Education purchased hundreds of our books to teach the course “Family Life” in public schools. If we stay isolated and not become involved, how do we expect to win others? On several occasions I have heard and read of union, division and general conference leaders of our church calling for the church to be visible and involved n the community. Our presence ought to stand out; and this we can do without compromise.
Last week, I was pleased to read of the joint statement by our current Union president and NCU president speaking in response to a remark made by the Commissioner of police in Jamaica which showed little regard for Sabbath worshippers who are interested in sitting the police entrance exams.
On a positive note, my fellow officers and I were able to address concerns pertaining to church properties with the prime minister of the Bahamas. Were it not for a strong relationship with successive governments, our visit would not have been positive. Some of you may remember that our first prime minister was re-baptized by Pastor Hugh Roach. I need not tell you that at his death, our late Conference president, Pastor Keith Albury and Pastor Roach memorialized and eulogized Sir Lynden on national television. This provided significant opportunities for the church. Well, I believe the point is made –we can reach out, invite and have such persons worship with us and offering greetings without compromising our beliefs.
Thought to Ponder:
Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, “Follow Me.”—Ellen White --The Ministry of Healing, p. 143.
BA needs your support! When last did you give?
I invite you to respond to this article is you so desire. You would have to become a member of Fellowship Hall. You can place your coments or questions at the end of the article.
Female Pastor
Some persons have expressed concern over the fact that we have in our employ a female ministerial graduate serving as a chaplain and interning in one of our districts. The concern is whether or not this is biblical and has the executive committee of the Conference crossed the line in appointing the person as a ministerial intern? What about the future? Will the next step be one calling for ordination? Fellow leaders and elders, I wish to assure you that we will not go ahead of the General Conference. The current policy and practice of the Seventh-day Adventist Church does not prevent females from serving as pastors. In fact, there are many examples of such throughout the world, near and far from the Bahamas. For years the church has permitted females to serve and to be ordained as elders at the local church level. However, a policy of ordination of female pastors does not exist, and the leadership of the Bahamas Conference is fully aware of that fact. There is no attempt now or later to contravene the policy of the world church. On the other hand, females can be commissioned; but let me be clear, this is not ordination.
While we in administration are aware of the personal feelings of some of our members who would rather not have a female serve as an intern or a pastor; and while we are aware there are some who have no problem with a female serving in that capacity, the leadership of the church looks at the total picture which includes policy, practice and the level of acceptance and readiness of the members. Again, I assure you that having a female serve as an intern who is on the path to becoming a commissioned minister is not contravening church policy.
Inviting Government Leaders to our Church Conventions
Some members have expressed reservation regarding inviting the prime minister, opposition leader and other members of parliament to our conventions. These members strongly object to the parliamentarians being asked to offer greetings.
Elders, on behalf of my administrative colleagues, I wish to clarify that our church is not opposed to inviting civic leaders to our services to observe and, where necessary, to bring greetings. This practice predates the current administration and has augured well for the church and, in some instances, has benefited many of our members and persons in the community. For instance, I was informed that there was a time when government workers worked 6 days a week. Through the church’s relationship with the then government, consideration was given for a 5-day work week. This allowed Saturday worshipers, and not just Sunday worshipers, to have their day of worship off.
Through the years without compromise, both leaders and members of our conference have been used of God to sensitize governments and various leaders in the community to health principles, education and family values. Recently, the Ministry of Education purchased hundreds of our books to teach the course “Family Life” in public schools. If we stay isolated and not become involved, how do we expect to win others? On several occasions I have heard and read of union, division and general conference leaders of our church calling for the church to be visible and involved n the community. Our presence ought to stand out; and this we can do without compromise.
Last week, I was pleased to read of the joint statement by our current Union president and NCU president speaking in response to a remark made by the Commissioner of police in Jamaica which showed little regard for Sabbath worshippers who are interested in sitting the police entrance exams.
On a positive note, my fellow officers and I were able to address concerns pertaining to church properties with the prime minister of the Bahamas. Were it not for a strong relationship with successive governments, our visit would not have been positive. Some of you may remember that our first prime minister was re-baptized by Pastor Hugh Roach. I need not tell you that at his death, our late Conference president, Pastor Keith Albury and Pastor Roach memorialized and eulogized Sir Lynden on national television. This provided significant opportunities for the church. Well, I believe the point is made –we can reach out, invite and have such persons worship with us and offering greetings without compromising our beliefs.
Thought to Ponder:
Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, “Follow Me.”—Ellen White --The Ministry of Healing, p. 143.
BA needs your support! When last did you give?
Comment
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Comment by SHANDERA SMITH on June 12, 2009 at 9:45pm -
I think that all government ministers should be invited to our convention. It helps them to learn a bit of what seventh-day adventism is all about, it gives us the opportunity to minister to them, it provides the opportunity for both of us get to know each other better.
As for female pastors...well personally, I prefer to see males in this role, but if they are lacking then the Lord will use who is available and willing.
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Comment by Barrington Brennen on June 12, 2009 at 3:38pm - My dear Monique, I believe you are making some Biblical assumptions that we (traditional Adventists) have held on for long that might not be truly Biblical. For example, "Eve leaving Adam side." Recent study are showing that it is more likely that Eve was right beside Adam when they sinned. The Lesson Quarterly hinted that a few quarters ago. Also, we are assuming that "leaving his side" was truly the problem or was it the sinning. Also note that power was given to both Adam and Eve equally (Genesis 1 & 2). It was after sin that this got corrupted. Jesus came to redeem us through the Cross. The "covering that comes through man" -- I believe you mean male man" If it is that, that's another misinterpretation of scripture. The times of the New Testament was riveted with male domination, laws that demeaned women and children. Paul and Jesus was trying to elevate women to there original Edenic condition.
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Comment by Monique on June 12, 2009 at 3:22pm -
Commissioned or ordained. Explain the difference. Can the commissioned pastor 'christen' a baby? Perform a wedding? Baptize a member? And what about the covering that comes through a man in Christ. We preach that in the home but isn't it more important in a church where there are so many differences. Pastor Brennen's comment about spiriit on all flesh; did the bible refer to pastoring a church? And don't we teach that Eve was more readily deceived because she left Adam's side etc. Which shows how important it is to have the male covering.
As to Government ministers as conventions, the more the merrier. Why should we keep this sweet doctrine to ourselves?
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Comment by Barrington Brennen on June 12, 2009 at 11:38am
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Female pastors, great! God's spirit will be poured on all flesh --male and female. I believe our Church have suffered for decades because we left out the female perspective on leadership and ministry. Thank God things are changing. Male and female have equal voice, vote and power.
Government Ministers to Convention. Not so many and so often. We perhaps should avoid having an official at every service of the week of Convention all the time. Give them the opportunity to come on their on volition. That is really when people will change. It is great to have them. But is also great not to have so many.
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