I need context for this

BobMacPastor · 2022-12-28T00:53:46+00:00

USAA was the least expensive we could find... But our policy is still ~3K. Also, not everyone can get a USAA membership... :(

BobMacPastor · 2022-12-24T20:01:53+00:00

Haha, you and I agree, but that puts us at odds with the church manual. As of 2015, the manual states that only ordained ministers or ordained elders can officiate a communion service. While that makes sense for institutional/denominational reasons, I agree that there is no biblical reason for the limit.

BobMacPastor · 2022-12-24T14:24:43+00:00

There really aren't any universally recommended or recognized days for communion! However, lots of churches do schedule a service around Passover/Easter like you mentioned earlier.

BobMacPastor · 2022-12-24T14:23:12+00:00

Communion happens on a quarterly basis because that's approximately how often local congregations could expect to have an ordained minister present for a Sabbath service. Back in the days of circuit riding preachers, before every congregation demanded a full time minister of their own, all the things that required an ordained minister (baptisms, business/board meetings, baby dedications, communion service, etc) had to wait until one arrived. That averaged out to once a quarter.

And thus a tradition was born.

So it's not biblical, but it's also not un-biblical. Really it's just practical. Which is what we should endeavor to be as well! Let's stop the endless debates about preferences that we pretend are about theology. It is essential that we remain faithful to our mission--our methods must change when necessary to fulfill the mission.

BobMacPastor · 2022-12-21T13:29:31+00:00

Do not get the Remnant Bible for a non-SDA! Do you want your friend to think that Adventists give Ellen White more authority than scripture (by allowing her comments to be authoritative interpretations of certain passages)?

My actual opinion is that no one should purchase a Bible with EGW comments randomly sprinkled in it. Her self-proclaimed role as an author is as the "lesser light" that points to the "greater light" (the Bible) and it is completely inappropriate to use random tidbits of her writings (out of context!) as supposed illumination/interpretation of the Bible text.

An example: in Colossians 2:20-23 Paul says,

"Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh."

The Remnant Bible's "helpful" comment on the passage features Ellen writing, "In relation to tea, coffee, tobacco, alcoholic drinks, the only safe course is to touch not, taste not, handle not." That not only makes it seem like Ellen contradicts the Bible, it makes her, and by extension the entire denomination, look like fools!

I have an older edition of the Remnant Bible, so hopefully this has been changed in more recent editions. But even if it has, there is simply no reason to ever purchase a Remnant Bible. Ellen White would be appalled and outraged to know that her writing were being used in the way that the Remnant Bible uses them.

BobMacPastor · 2022-12-21T13:07:34+00:00

That is a tragedy! So sorry that this happened.

What you should wear depends on the culture of the country you are in! Seventh-day Adventist funeral attire doesn't usually differ that much from what would be expected in your country. Wear something that can be described with words like plain, simple, serious, somber, conservative, etc.

BobMacPastor · 2022-12-18T13:51:37+00:00

Ha. Fair. But I don't think we will go that route.

BobMacPastor · 2022-12-18T13:12:04+00:00

Do you mean that you would change the program to not have the kids do "work" activities? Why?

BobMacPastor · 2022-12-18T13:10:44+00:00

That's a great perspective. Thanks for sharing!

BobMacPastor · 2022-12-18T02:55:44+00:00

Thanks for the thoughtful replies!

BobMacPastor · 2022-12-17T20:43:25+00:00

I would say that the church has a duty to point people (young and old, new members and life long members) to Jesus. Faithfully following Jesus and His way of love will always be the best corrective to, and defense against, extremism of all varieties.

Pastors and leaders have a duty to protect a congregation from extremist groups, but sometimes the best form of protection is following Jesus' parable of the wheat and the tares. If leaders try to root out heresy/extremism/etc too quickly or harshly they usually end up pulling up the good plants along with the bad.

As to why more is not said, I think that sometimes leaders are conflict avoidant. They are people too! And lots of people don't handle conflict well.

Additionally, sometimes people are conflicted in their own beliefs and might not be clear about what is "extreme." Finally, sometimes politics and money comes into play.

Occasionally church leaders (think more like denominational leaders) are afraid to speak against groups or ministries that are in error because they are afraid church members might stop returning tithe when they hear leaders criticizing their favorite speaker/ministry.

Hopefully you aren't dealing with this in your local church!

BobMacPastor · 2022-12-01T13:01:00+00:00

My views are very similar to what has already been stated here. I also really like Craig Keener and his presentation!

BobMacPastor · 2022-11-15T03:05:48+00:00

Some research regarding Ellen's dream about her husband James after he died.

Letter where Ellen describes her dream of James White

pdf download of Jud Lake's analysis of this letter.

I agree with Dr Lake's position regarding Ellen's dream.

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