Rebellion is often incurable. Thank you for your thoughts, John. You have gotten to the difficulties we will face today. Let's consider them.
First, let's think on the blessings. Elder Wilson was re-elected by a very large majority. If those in rebellion had been successful in replacing him, we would be in great sorrow today. But, there are inconsistencies in the election of GC officers. How could the Session place two men who led the rebellion as vice presidents? God is in control and has allowed this. It is a second chance for both men, but it appears from the statement made by Jackson that he is unrepentant for his rebellion against his employer, the General Conference. There have been discussions in the NAD as to what course to follow in the event the Session continued to say no to women's ordination. We see the extent of the rebellion against Scripture and church order in the comments made by Oberg and Roberts. They are intentional in their rebellion. They are not going to submit to the world church, nor the still small voice of God. Jackson has not publicly reproved those in rebellion. Has he done so privately? He was their leader as evidenced by his attitude, actions, and their great glee at his re-election.
I am interested, John, in why you think those not recognized by the world church as ordained, will be able to retain ordination credentials issued by the rebellious unions? There is no doubt in my mind that Sandra Roberts will not be recognized as a Conference president by the World Church. And, if she continues to be recognized by the NAD, it is my hope that the General Conference will find a replacement for a rebellious division head. If the church is to move forward, it must do so with church order, not rebellion in high places. As for the SECC, I see little hope they will remain in the sisterhood of churches if they continue their present course. We pray for a better outcome, but there is a shaking and the church will be united in Spirit. Many were buried alive when they came into the church, and what we see now is the perplexities Ellen White spoke of as the result of so many not being dead to self.
John, you brought up the ordination of women elders in the local church. That is inconsistent with the vote to not ordain women as ministers in the church. The underlying principle is that women are not to usurp the authority given to man in the home and the church. The executive committee of the GC usurped the authority of the GC in Session when they made that ruling many years ago. It is my hope that today or tomorrow there will be a motion made from the floor at this Session to undo that illegal action taken by the executive committee of the General Conference.
The ordination of women so they can rule over men is only a symptom of a much deeper problem in the church. It has always been my desire to move past this issue to the real difficulty that Jesus wants to correct, the transformation of character of those who call themselves Seventh-day Adventists. In the Laodicean message to our church, Jesus speaks of needs that ought to be addressed as pointedly has the subject of women's ordination.