Author Topic: NAD and Chico Seventh-day Adventist Church Baptism of Homosexual  (Read 7292 times)

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Richard Myers

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NAD and Chico Seventh-day Adventist Church Baptism of Homosexual
« on: February 16, 2017, 08:13:13 PM »
The North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists has made a public statement regarding the baptism of an active homosexual last summer at the Chico Seventh-day Adventist Church. We place it in this topic since it is a revelation of the North American Division. "While defining the requirements for church membership, the North American Division Statement on Human Sexuality also affirms the role that the church must play in reaching out to today’s rapidly changing society:"


Statement from the North American Division on Baptism at Chico Seventh-day Adventist Church

“I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12, KJV).

The North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church believes that all people, no matter their sex, race, or gender identity or orientation are called into a lasting relationship with Jesus Christ. As imitators of Jesus we welcome all people, inviting them into our faith communities and sacrificially serving them. Followers of Jesus, regardless of their views on human sexuality, treat people with dignity and respect, and extend hospitality and grace to all.
 
The North American Division affirms the Seventh-Day Adventist Church Manual, which explains the criteria for becoming a member. “Individuals desiring membership are expected to affirm and commit to the Seventh-day Adventist Fundamental Beliefs and the responsibilities and practices of membership. This includes holding to a biblical view on human sexuality. Principles and criteria relative to membership are to be applied with fairness, consistency, and an attitude of love.”*
 
In the summer of 2016, a baptism was performed by a retired denominational employee, and the baptized person was voted into membership at the Chico Seventh-day Adventist Church. This person was part of a same-sex couple who had been married in a ceremony elsewhere two years earlier. Northern California Conference administrators did not learn of the baptism until afterward, and the conference administration has met with the pastor to work through the situation. The North American Division has full confidence in the leadership of the Northern California Conference in addressing this issue.
 
While defining the requirements for church membership, the North American Division Statement on Human Sexuality also affirms the role that the church must play in reaching out to today’s rapidly changing society: “In today’s world where there are divergent perspectives regarding human sexuality, God uses His church to work out His divine purpose of bringing salvation to all people. Therefore, the church must provide freedom and protection from social marginalization (Gal. 6:1) and must point people to Christ (Matt. 22:36-40) for forgiveness, redemption, and a new life (Rom. 8:4-14; Eph. 4:13).”
 
* North American Division Statement on Human Sexuality, November 2, 2015, by the North American Division Executive Committee.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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Re: NAD and Chico Seventh-day Adventist Church Baptism of Homosexual
« Reply #1 on: May 20, 2017, 11:58:18 AM »
There does not appear to be any movement by the Chico Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Northern California Conference, the Pacific Union Conference, the North American Division, nor the General Conference in regards to the violation of Scripture and church law. But, then we do not see all that is transpiring. It may be that the Chico pastor has already been warned and given a period of time to rectify his action.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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Re: NAD and Chico Seventh-day Adventist Church Baptism of Homosexual
« Reply #2 on: November 05, 2017, 12:47:30 AM »
The Northern California Conference has disciplined the pastor at the Chico Seventh-day Adventist Church according to a letter the conference president sent to conference pastors.

In the letter it was stated:  "In 2016 the Chico Seventh-day Adventist Church accepted into membership a person who is in a same-sex marriage. The pastor did not perform the marriage or the baptism of this person. NCC Administration met with the pastor and a disciplinary process was instituted. We are not able to discuss what that discipline was. Other actions may be taken in the future if deemed necessary. The person (a retired minister) who performed the baptism is not credentialed or licensed through the Northern California Conference."     The letter was dated October 10, 2017 and was signed   James E. Pedersen, President NCC.

There was no mention of the Conference asking the Union to deal with the local conference whose pastor did the baptism. Apparently, to this point, there has been no action taken to discipline that pastor. The South-eastern California Conference which is in the Pacific Union Conference is already in rebellion along with the Pacific Union Conference by operating outside of their by-laws which prohibit the ordination of women pastors.

Many have been warning that when the world church's decision to not ordain women pastors was thrown aside by non-compliant unions, that the acceptance of homosexuality in the church would follow. When the constitution and bylaws which govern conferences is set aside, then why would we expect any constituency in these rebellious unions to follow any church law? Are we free to accept and reject what we consider to be right or wrong in our own eyes?

We are hopeful the Pacific Union Conference will deal with the rebellious pastor who performed the  baptism. And, we ask the question as to why the pastor was allowed to perform a baptism outside of his/her own conference? Was the pastor an ordained pastor? And if so, was the pastor legally ordained, or was the pastor a female pastor?
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.