Author Topic: LUC takes stand with GC  (Read 2537 times)

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Immanuel

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LUC takes stand with GC
« on: October 11, 2012, 10:15:35 PM »
Office of Communication
The Seventh-day Adventist Church Lake Union Conference
8903 U.S. Hwy. 31
Berrien Springs, MI 49103
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Release Date: Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012
Contact info: Gary Burns, communication director
Email: editor@lucsda.org | Office: 269-473-8246

Lake Union Conference Executive Committee
Affirms Unity with the World Church
and Commitment to the Theology of Ordination Study Process

Berrien Springs, Mich.̶Today, at its regularly scheduled October meeting, the Lake Union Conference Executive Committee voted to affirm its unity with the World Church and its commitment to the General Conference process of examining the theology of ordination, including a study on the issue of women’s ordination.

At the beginning of this process, Don Livesay, president of the Lake Union Conference, commented: "Before us is a wonderful opportunity for men and women from all cultures — whether conservative, progressive or liberal, and everyone in between — to collectively seek God in a way that opens our hearts to the power and divine guiding of the Holy Spirit.”

In a second vote, the Executive Committee affirmed the continuation of the LUC's participation in the study process, which has involved the Lake Union, Illinois, Indiana, Lake Region, Michigan and Wisconsin Conferences’ officers. That process will now expand from the Union and Conference officers to include the full Executive Committee.

Livesay stated, “It is important that we provide opportunity for all to have a part in the process.”

The actual wording for these two votes are provided here:

VOTED:
The Lake Union Conference Executive Committee affirms its unity with the World Church and commits to the General Conference process of examining the theology of ordination, which includes a study on the issue of womenʼs ordination.

VOTED:
To continue our process that moves to an Executive Committee engagement in study. The February 2013 Executive Committee will begin the evening of the 13th and continue into the afternoon of the 14th. Prior to that date, the LUC will provide Executive Committee members with materials on the discussion of womenʼs ordination. The February study time will include: presentations, a review of materials and small group study. The Executive Committee will consider what position, if any, we may wish to pass on to the General Conference study process.

The Executive Committee also voted to expand its February 2013 meeting to begin the evening of the 13th and continue into the afternoon of the 14th. Prior to that date, the LUC will provide its Executive Committee members with a range of pertinent resource materials on the discussion of women’s ordination. The February study time will include presentations, a review of materials and small group study. At that time, the LUC Executive Committee will consider what position, if any, it may wish to pass on to the General Conference study process.

As part of the Executive Committee’s regular business, two individuals were approved for Ordained or Commissioned credentials according to policy. A minister was affirmed for ordination, and a female chaplain was affirmed in ministry for commissioning.

The Lake Union Conference Headquarters is one of nine regional offices throughout North America. Its administration and staff provide support and services for the Seventh-day Adventist churches and schools in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin. The Seventh-day Adventist Church, a worldwide church with established work in 209 of the 232 countries and areas recognized by the United Nations, has a membership of 18 million.

Mimi

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Re: LUC takes stand with GC
« Reply #1 on: October 12, 2012, 05:35:56 AM »
Amen!
  For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89 

Richard Myers

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Re: LUC takes stand with GC
« Reply #2 on: October 12, 2012, 08:54:49 AM »
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a representative organization. These votes are important. We do not have a hierarchy. The vote to not ordain women was jointly made by representatives from the World Church.  The voting for representatives begins with each individual church member electing a delegate to vote for their conference leadership. It then works its way up to the General Conference of the World Church.

The Lake Union Conference support for the Seventh-day Adventist Church reveals that it understands this process even if some do not agree with the conclusion regarding ordination. The correct way to deal with the issue is to present the Bible support for which ever position one holds, at the meetings appointed for that study. We praise God for the faithful leaders in this union who voted their support for the World Church.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.