Published Dec. 15, 2016 in Outlook the MAU magazine.
The Mid-America Union Conference executive committee, after reviewing the “Unity in Mission” document voted by the General Conference executive committee at the 2016 Annual Council, wishes to express the following thoughts about this action:
We share the need for and pray for worldwide unity and mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
We affirm the document’s call to mutual listening, consultation, and prayer as we work together over differences.
We, as a Protestant organization, believe the true authority of our church lies with the local members comprising our churches. Furthermore, we recognize our working policies delegate authority to our constituencies as voted by our church members.
We believe all members and entities in the church should be held accountable when needed by the constituencies to which they are responsible, as has been outlined by our church’s working policies. We see this as paramount, because to do otherwise would be a departure from our Protestant heritage. By staying with and following our long-held policies for accountability, the appearance or threat of kingly power is held in check.
We express grave concern with the Unity Document’s establishing working policy as on par with our fundamental beliefs. Whereas policy is made for the organizing of our church for the purpose of mission, our fundamental beliefs speak to the Biblical truths we hold as a people.
We are alarmed by the “Unity in Mission” document and object to the direction it is taking our church. True unity will not be achieved based on voted policies, but rather through showing our spirit of “Christlike forbearance,” as Ellen White counsels us to do.
How long has the rebellion been active? How long have conferences been going contrary to their bylaws, the world church constitution, and the Word of God? Forbearance? God has been more than patient, and so has the church, towards the rebellious conferences.
The MAUC executive committee voted the following statement:
"We affirm our prior voted action regarding our support of women in ministry and believe there is no biblical barrier for ordaining women."
Gary Thurber, the union president said “These are serious times.“ "And right now it is important for us to speak our concerns. God has a plan and a way forward. I don’t know what it is yet, but He has a plan.”
Speaking concerns is one thing, voting to go contrary to the Word of God and the World Church is rebellion against God and His church. Has the Mid America union been ordaining women pastors? It was the first union in the NAD to vote to do so in 2012. Thus, it was a leader in the rebellion against God and His church.
The Mid America Union is part of the organization of world churches. They do not stand apart from the sisterhood of churches. The doctrinal beliefs of God's church are not decided be each church or each conference, but by a representative government. When decisions are voted by this representative government, they are law to be followed by all churches. And when the law they are organized under is not followed, then what shall happen to the organization they have agreed to be a part of. This is not a hard subject, but one that has been left out of the discussion we are reading about.
It appears Elder Gary Thurber has been careful to not cross the line and join in the rebellion. For this we are thankful. We love him and pray for him and his fellow ministers in the Mid America Union. May they give much prayer to the decisions they make in what Elder Thurber has called "serious times." Precious souls hang in the balance.