Important study on the Emergent Church and its infiltration into Protestantism and the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The Omega of apostasy will deceive many people, for the devil is behind it. Our only safety is in an abiding relationship with Jesus Christ, and serious study of the Bible.
2. We are reaping the rewards
of sending our pastors and
worship leaders to Willow
Creek and Saddleback
Community
3.
4. Like Israel of old, Satan wisely brings his deceptions to
the leaders of the church, knowing this is the most fruitful
ground for the spreading of his false teachings.
“Princes Enlisted in Rebellion.--Those men of Israel
were determined to resist all evidence that would prove
them to be wrong. . . . Who were these? Not the weak, not
the ignorant, not the unenlightened. In that rebellion there
were two hundred and fifty princes famous in the
congregation, men of renown. “ (Letter 2a, 1892) {1BC
1115.2}
6. Dr. George Barna
George Barna, a well-known CGM
strategist and supporter of both Hybels and
Warren, has even gone so far as to say:
It is . . . critical that we keep in mind a
fundamental principle of Christian
communication: the audience, not the
message, is sovereign. If our advertising is
going to stop people in the midst of hectic
schedules and cause them to think about
what we're saying, our message has to be
adapted to the needs of the audience.
So who is God ???
“the audience is god”
13. The following letter was sent by Don Schneider to every conference president in the North American Division:
"August 10, 2004
"Conference Presidents
"North American Division
"Dear President,
"Ron Gladden met with me and two other church leaders for several hours this past Saturday night following the ASI meetings in Cincinnati.
He outlined his plan to create a church planting ministry immediately. This follows on the heels of his termination from the Mid-America and
North Pacific Unions in March of this year.
"Briefly, his plan includes the following points:
" He is creating a very congregational network of churches committed to church planting.
" Churches in his network will subscribe to a set of beliefs similar to the Adventist Church's beliefs.
" Churches in his network will give 10% of their tithes and offerings to Gladdens ministry office.
" No church in his ministry network will return any tithe or offerings to the conference or any other part of the Adventist Church.
" No pastors in his network will carry any credentials from the Adventist Church.
" Ron indicated that he is aware that churches in his network cannot be part of the Adventist Church.
"I am deeply saddened that Ron has chosen to develop a ministry that cannot work with the Adventist Church. (I even made one more appeal
last evening to Ron, asking him to back away from this plan and build plans that can work within the Adventist Church.) He is, however,
adamant that his plan which he acknowledged Saturday night will create a new denomination is better than the church's governance structure
and church planting plans.
"We've had significant success in planting churches in the past eight years since we first established the SEEDS conferences. We’ve planted
about 1,000 churches, most of which are still healthy, growing parts of the denomination. On Saturday night, I asked Ron to continue to work
within the church's successful program of church planting, but he said he had gone too far with his plans to turn back now.
"Very sincerely,
"Don C. Schneider
www.sdadefend.com/Defend-foundation/Gladden's-church.htm
"President
14.
15. Ron Gladden’s website....
Gladden is now training and planting his own
churches. You can call for a personal consultation on
how to get started.
21. Coming Together - Experiencing
God Through Comtemplation
By: Bill Ashlock - Treasurer of Creative Ministry
Description
Experiencing God Through Contemplation is
designed for small group leaders and others who
want to learn about contemplation as means of
hearing God's voice in our lives.
Discover:
◦ What Contemplation Is- and Isn't
◦ Is There One "Right" Way to Comtemplate?
◦ Contemplation and Ups and Downs or Life
◦ The Value of Group Contemplation
This book is part of a 4-volume series. It's all
about starting a Spiritual Formation group whose
members seek to find intimacy with God in
community. Join a movement that is coming
together to experience God through Scripture,
prayer, contemplation, and spiritual mentors.
33. “I also want to give a word
of precaution. In the silent
contemplation of God we
are entering deeply into the
spiritual realm, and there is
such a thing as
supernatural guidance that
is not divine guidance.
While the Bible does not
give us a lot of information
on the nature of the
spiritual world, we do
know… there are various
orders of spiritual beings,
and some of them are
definitely not in cooperation
with God and his way! …
But for now I want to
encourage you to learn and
practice prayers of
protection… “All dark and
evil spirits must now leave.”
~ Richard J. Foster
Notice he says...
34. Foster comments on the Companion to the
Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius:
“This book of reflections on spiritual
teachings of Ignatius Loyola is an excellent
treatment by a noted Jesuit spiritual director
and retreat leader.” Foster and Griffin, p. 299.
(emphasis added)
35. Richard Foster explains....
“[W]e must be willing to go down into the recreating
silences, into the inner world of contemplation. In their
writings, all of the masters of meditation strive to
awaken us to the fact that the universe is much larger
than we know, that there are vast unexplored inner
regions that are just as real as the physical world we
know so well. . . . They call us to the adventure, to be
pioneers in this frontier of the Spirit." (Richard Foster,
The Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual
Growth(New York: Harper Collins, 1988), p. 13.
36. Remember his books are
being used at Andrews Theological
Seminary
Nouwen, the Roman Catholic priest wrote, “The Way of the
Heart,” one of Spiritual Formation’s most essential books of
instruction. He also happens to be the mentor of Richard Foster, a
name those familiar with Spiritual Formation recognize as one of, if
not the foremost leader of today’s “Emerging Church,” the name of
the Spiritual Formation movement sweeping the Protestant world.
This is the same Richard Foster, interviewed in an issue of the
Review a few years ago, an issue, in which his personal “Renovare
Spiritual Formation Bible,” was advertised and recommended by the
“Center for Creative Ministry,” of the Ohio Conference of Seventh-
day Adventists.
37. Richard Foster is one of the guru’s of the present Spiritual Formation movement
in America.
In a recent DVD, put it this way, “this silence, is like a “portable sanctuary,” where
all carry around with us the “presence of God.”
Do you see the significance of this remark? It reveals the belief of all that practice
Spiritual Formation’s “Contemplative/Mystical Prayer,” including those in the
Seventh-day Adventist Church. Satan’s deception has led them to believe they have
been in Jesus presence and many have heard His voice. To them, it is as if they were
carrying around with them a “Portable Sanctuary.” If we carry with us a “Portable
Sanctuary,” and have Jesus speak to us any time we enter into the “Silence,” who
needs the sanctuary in Heaven, or for that matter, who needs the Seventh-day
Adventist Church to tell the world that Jesus is in the Most Holy Place, of Heaven’s
Sanctuary? What does it matter, that Jesus entered the Most Holy Place? There would
be no need for a Most Holy Place, for they always carry Jesus with them in their
hearts sanctuary; all their own, with Jesus available when needed. All they have to do
is slip into the “Silence,” to conjure Him up and do their bidding.
This teaching throws out
the sanctuary message.
39. Just who is the “glorious
unseen” referring to?
40. Just which spirit is
meeting with them?
Looks like Taize
to me. I thought our only
hope is in Christ? And
is that bird falling or
flying?
41. POSTmodern Ministry
Ministry to Postmoderns
How is the Seventh-day Adventist church doing in attracting people of today’s culture and generation? Is it possible that the Seventh-
day Adventist Church in North America and Europe could be at a crossroads? Many churches in Europe are near empty, or are being
filled for uses other than worshipping God. Could this happen in the United States?
George Barna states in his book, Revolution, that “eight out of every ten believers do not feel they have entered into the presence of
God, or experienced a connection with Him, during the worship service.”[1] He then says, “Regarding faith-based conversations, most
Christians believe that since they are not gifted in evangelism, such outreach is not a significant responsibility of theirs.”[2] This seems
to be a formula for ineffective church growth.
In The Second Coming of the Church, Barna states, “Most American churches...are holding fast to programs and goals established by
their charter members years ago. Many of these ministries have mastered the art of denying the cataclysmic cultural changes around
them, responding with cosmetic changes that make little difference.”[3] He further states, “Only one out of four adults – and even fewer
teenagers – believe that there is such a thing as absolute moral truth. They believe that the Bible is relegated to nothing more than a
book of riveting stories and helpful suggestions….[4]
So here is the equation that happens in the minds of these people. “Without absolute moral truth, there can be no right and wrong.
Without right and wrong, there is no such thing as sin. Without sin, there can be no such thing as judgment and no such thing as
condemnation. If there is no condemnation, there is no need for a Savior.”[5] If this seems scary, it is even more frightening to think
that this is not a future prediction but a present reality!
Barna then goes on to say, “Increasingly we find that young people view sermons as lectures, or class presentations, and are one-sided
communiqués that are ineffective.”[6] If this is the experience of believers, and an accurate representation of today’s culture, what are
we as the church to do? How can these people be reached with the truth of Jesus Christ?
Dr. Miroslav Pujic, TED Director of Ministry to Postmoderns, has come up with the following identifying characteristics of this group. [7]
What is a postmodern, and what distinguishes them? Postmoderns value the process of participation rather than finding “the answer.”
Instead of one universal truth, they find significance in many little truths. Instead of programs, they are more interested in discovery.
They are not isolationists – they value community, belonging, and friendship over wealth and prosperity. They are technologically
savvy, and media is important to them. They are highly interactive which means they don’t do well in one-sided lectures. Images are
their method of conveying meaning. They are not interested in religion, but are intensely spiritual, and open to spiritual things,
including the occult. They are political in a global sense, not believing or trusting one main political authority, but in universal
decentralization of power and process. Where a person of the modern age values individual pride, autonomy, and builds self-
confidence, postmoderns find value in and admire self-sacrifice and selflessness, yet have anxiety over the ever-changing paradigm of
their lives. Truth to a postmodern is relative – it is a reality based on personal life experience (whatever form that might take), and
whatever is believed to be personal truth then becomes truth. Their belief is, “if it’s true for me, then it is truth.” Because of this, they
are very open-minded, and acceptance comes easily. They poke fun at one another, and affectionately spoof what moderns would
define as serious issues.
To the postmodern mind, the style of evangelism the church has previously relied upon brings a “one size fits all” message. The
church’s hope is that after an evangelistic effort has finished, new converts will see and understand the truth, and make major lifestyle
changes in a matter of weeks. In the culture of the modern mind, this seems logical, but a postmodern person simply cannot connect
with this. It is obvious that these two cultures are speaking different languages. How can the gap be bridged?
One lay-led postmodern, urban Atlanta church, New Life, meets in the Vineyard Church at the corner of Jimmy Carter Blvd. and
Peachtree Industrial, and is reaching out to postmoderns in Atlanta (website). Another postmodern group, Fusion, led by Pastor Chris
Bullock, meets at the Defoor Centre. For more information about Fusion, check out their website
Looking for more on POSTmodern training etc., please contact Bill Levin at wflevin@gccsda.com.
47. Mike Tucker says...
In the third session of HeartQuest Mike Tucker presented the following instructions:
“One form of meditation involves softly repeating the words of Scripture over and
over again. The word suggests that we actually murmur the words to ourselves,
until they become a part of our being. If you have had difficulty knowing how to do
this, I’d like to offer a few suggestions today. . . . First, choose a passage of
Scripture no longer than six to eight verses in length. Begin with a time of silent
preparation during which you come in touch with your desire to hear from God.
Next, read the passage through. Read it once or twice slowly as you look a word
or phrase that strikes you. It is a word or phrase that stands out from all the rest in
the sense that you either resonate with it or you find that it brings out a sense of
resistance. Once you have found that word or phrase, spend a brief period of
silence during which you savor or repeat it without trying to figure out what it
means or understand why you have reacted to it as you have.”
51. Muslim raised Adventist Pastor Samir
Selmanovic’s most recent book
The emerging church has been making
inroads into Seventh Day Adventism as it
has in most of “religion in the Western
world.” Samir Selmanovic is a Muslim
turned-Seventh Day Adventist pastor-
It’s Really All About God turned emerging figure.
is a very personal story
and a thrilling exploration Samir Selmanovic … has some interesting
of a redeeming, dynamic, and alarming views on Christianity. He
and radically different way states:
to hold one’s religion.
The emerging church movement has
Readers will deepen their
come to believe that the ultimate context
religious identities while
of the spiritual aspirations of a follower of
discovering God, Jesus Christ is not Christianity but rather
goodness, and grace the kingdom of God…. to believe that God
beyond their own religious is limited to it [Christianity] would be an
boundaries. attempt to manage God. If one holds that
Christ is confined to Christianity, one has
chosen a god that is not sovereign. Soren
Kierkegaard argued that the moment one
decides to become a Christian, one is
liable to idolatry.1
On Selmanovic’s website, Faith House
project, he presents an interfaith vision
that will “…seek to bring progressive
Jews, Christians, Muslims, and spiritual
seekers of no faith to become an
interfaith community for the good of the
world. We have one world and one God.”2
53. Selmanovic is co-leader and
Founder of
www.faithhousemanhattan.org
“Experience Your Neighbor’s Faith”
Mission
We are an experiential inter-religious community that comes together to deepen our personal and
communal journeys, share ritual life and devotional space, and foster a commitment to social justice and
healing the world.
Looks like he’s jumped on
board with this ecumenical
movement.
66. www.crossroad.to/Quotes/spirituality/lighthousetrails/08/9-sweet-adventist.htm
The 4Th Annual National Conference On Innovation, sponsored by the Ohio Conference Of
Seventh Day Adventists, will take place in October in Columbus, Ohio and will feature New Age sympathizer/
emerging futurist Leonard Sweet. On the conference website, it states:
Partners in Innovation is a convergence of people and organizations committed to providing the environment, encouragement,
resources and support for the emergence of the Adventist Church of the future in North America.... We ask you to consider
becoming a partner in developing this far-reaching initiative to energize a new future for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in
North America.
Leonard Sweet, who promotes mysticism, christ-consciousness, and the "New Lights" movement that touts people like
Matthew Fox, Ken Wilber, and other mystic proponents, recently spoke at Rick Warren's Small Groups Conference. Sweet
states in his book Quantum Spirituality that the "power of small groups is in their ability to develop the discipline to get people
'in-phase' with the Christ consciousness (meaning the divinity of man) and connected with one another (meaning
interspirituality)(p. 147).
The emerging church has been making inroads into Seventh Day Adventism as it has in most of "religion in the Western
world." Roger Oakland, in his book Faith Undone, discusses Samir Selmanovic, a Muslim turned-Seventh Day Adventist
pastor-turned emerging figure:
Samir Selmanovic ... has some interesting and alarming views on Christianity. He states:
The emerging church movement has come to believe that the ultimate context of the spiritual aspirations of a follower of Jesus
Christ is not Christianity but rather the kingdom of God.... to believe that God is limited to it [Christianity] would be an
attempt to manage God. If one holds that Christ is confined to Christianity, one has chosen a god that is not sovereign. Soren
Kierkegaard argued that the moment one decides to become a Christian, one is liable to idolatry.1
On Selmanovic's website, Faith House project, he presents an interfaith vision that will "...seek to bring progressive Jews,
Christians, Muslims, and spiritual seekers of no faith to become an interfaith community for the good of the world. We have
one world and one God."2
www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/newsletter090808.htm (non-Adventist website)
67. Innovation Conference
NAD
Leonard Sweet
talks about Kundalini
in his book,Quantum Spirituality
"Energy-fire experiences take us into ourselves only that we might reach outside of ourselves. Metanoia is
a de-centering experience of connected-ness and community. It is not an exercise in reciting what Jesus
has done for me lately. Energy-fire ecstasy, more a buzz than a binge, takes us out of ourselves, literally.
That is the meaning of the word 'ecstatic.'" —Quantum Spirituality, P. 93
"A surprisingly central feature of all the world's religions is the language of light in communicating the
divine and symbolizing the union of the human with the divine: Muhammad's light-filled cave, Moses'
burning bush, Paul's blinding light, Fox's "inner light," Krishna's Lord of Light, Bohme's light-filled cobbler
shop, Plotinus' fire experiences, Bodhisattvas with the flow of Kundalini's fire erupting from their
fontanelles, and so on." P. 235
68. “The truths most plainly revealed in the Bible
have been involved in doubt and darkness by
learned men, who, with a pretense of great
wisdom, teach that the Scriptures have a
mystical, a secret, spiritual meaning not
apparent in the language employed. These men
are false teachers. It was to such a class that
Jesus declared, "Ye know not the Scriptures,
neither the power of God." [MARK 12:24.]”
GC. pg 598
69. 2007 Innovation
Keynote Speakers
For sake of space you can research Doug
71. Here’s Rabbi Marcia as a
keynote speaker, on
meditation, at the Tibet
Center to be held at the
Cathedral Church of St. John
the Divine.
72. Today the mysteries of heathen worship are replaced by
the secret associations and seances, the obscurities
and wonders, of Spiritualistic mediums. The
disclosures of these mediums are eagerly received by
thousands who refuse to accept light from God's Word
or through his Spirit. Believers in Spiritualism may
speak with scorn of the magicians of old but the great
deceiver laughs in triumph as they yield to his arts
under a different form. {RH, January 15, 1914 par. 9}
There are many who shrink with horror from the
thought of consulting spirit mediums, but who are
attracted by more pleasing forms of spiritism... Still
others are led astray by the teachings of Christian
Science, and by the mysticism of theosophy and other
Oriental religions. {RH, January 15, 1914 par. 10}
74. The Kaiser’s have founded a
school called “Two Worlds
Wisdom” which we will look at
shortly.
75. Kevin Kaiser recommended this book to the attendees at the
2005 Ohio Seventh-day Adventist Conference on
Innovation. What concerns me is that the Kaisers, who
were honored guest speakers, use this book, and witches,
practitioners of magic, astral travelers, Shamans, etc.
also use it. This is straight occult language being
brought right into the Adventist church, under the
blessing of the Ohio Conference of Seventh-day
Adventist’s and their President Raj Attiken.
77. Alchemy:
A seemingly magical power or
process of transmuting.
Two Worlds Wisdom School (operated by the Kaiser family)
www.twoworldswisdom.org
...learn to harness alchemy...
80. Two Worlds Wisdom School Presents
The 2009 Annual Wisdom Gathering:
A JOURNEY INTO THE WORLD OF KARMA
With Rabbi Gershon Winkler, Rabbi Miriam Maron, Leanne
KeiserCarlson, Lench Archuleta, Kevin Kaiser, and others.
November 2-4, 2009 at “The Crossings” in Austin, Texas
This year we explore the mysteries of why things happen.
We journey into the roots of repeating patterns, cause and
effect cycles, and consequence. We look at seeds we sow
throughour own action as well as seeds generated by larger
groups, or originating before birth in our ancestral DNA. We
questionseeming twists of fate. Connect what appears
unrelated. See paths of learning. And we explore how to
accelerate, mitigate, and ultimately use karma to shape our
destiny. For more information, and to register,visit
www.twoworldswisdom.org
http://www.idrah.org/?page_id=488
81.
82. Title: Hello :) http://forums.riverofenlightenment.com/index.php?action=printpage;topic=2677.0
Post by: Tiger on July 27, 2008, 02:12:59 PM Notice the web address above... read what this guy has to say and then
Hello everyone, notice who he is directed to contact.
Well I'll try to make it short and sweet for everyone. I am a 23 year old male from middle of nowhere America. I am currently attending a local
university and will graduate with my RN BSN degree (nursing). I have played approx. 3 years of college baseball, but am now done due to both
injury and elgibility reasons.
Metaphysical wise- I have been projecting etherically (real time zone) for about the last 5 years, and have had close to 100 in this time period.
They started off occurring at random, and I have now gained SOME control over it. Projection led me into energy work, in which I found energy
healings. I am now on course to becoming a certified healing touch practioner, so that way I can incorporate healing touch into my field of work.
I want to help people with not only traditional western medicine, but non traditional treatments as well. I am taking courses, and right now I am
a level 2 of 5 student. The results I, and my mother have had are pretty unreal. I am looking to get healing touch implemented into the local
hospitals. I am a practicing Rosicrucian, although I have been slack on my monographs and studies as of late (any questions, just ask or
google). I have been slowly developing my auric vision as of late...it has been occurring spontaneously over the past year, but I have also
learned to control it as well. One of my most memorable moments, of all the things I have accomplished, is seeing my aura extend in a cone-like
shape about 2 feet above my head (which I found out was my crown chakra), into an array of unreal, vibrant colors. I am also an ordained
minister through the Universal Life Church, which I use as my 'license' to touch until I get my RN, so if I choose to charge for my services as a
student of healing touch, I can do so legally. I am also a staff member of astral commune, so if my nickname sounds familiar, that is probably
why.
My mother also visits this site on occasion, and she is also a Rosicrucian, a practicing healing touch student, and is clairvoyant. Hey mom, if you
are reading this...lol.
Any questions or concerns just pm me. Nice to be here :).
Title: Re: Hello :) Let’s just briefly look at riverofenlightenment.com
Post by: Leswan on August 07, 2008, 04:27:05 AM
Hey Tiger, thanks for posting your introduction.
Have you heard of Two Worlds Wisdom School run by Leland Kaiser? Google 'gnosticnotes' to find his blog. Leland is a health care
consultant who's goal is to integrate spirituality into healthcare and the wider world of business and commerce.
I think you'd like his blog - I find it very inspiring.
If you get a chance it would be great to hear about some of your most profound / strange / exciting OBE's.
Take care
Matt says... “Leland is a health care consultant
Matt
who’s goal is to integrate spirituality into healthcare
Title: Re: Hello :) and the wider world of business and commerce.”
Post by: Aunt Clair on August 07, 2008, 03:54:10 AM
Hello and welcome to the River ! (http://forums.riverofenlightenment.com/Smileys/default/sal.gif)
93. Kaiser endorsing
Return To The Sacred
Read If you want to understand what the spiritual journey is really like – this is the book for you. Dr.
Ellerby has given us an intimate, exciting view of walking with Spirit. It is a true inner look at the
spiritual world along with 12 powerful spiritual practices that will greatly assist your own passage.
This is a great introduction to what spirituality is all about. If you are ready to graduate from
traditional religion to spirituality - this is your roadmap. What a delightful book Jonathan has
given us!
—Leland R. Kaiser, Ph.D. Spiritual Coach, Co-founder of Two Worlds Wisdom School
http://www.jonathanellerby.com/return-to-the-sacred
94.
95. The Kaiser’s travel far and
wide presenting their
“futurist” ideas to hospitals
and others in the health
community. These businesses
pay top dollar to have the
Kaiser’s come and share their
“magic”. Let’s look at just a
few people on their client list.
96. Kevin Kaiser gave his definition of what he thinks the Adventist Church is, at the 2006
Conference on Innovation, in Columbus, Ohio. On Monday, October 2, 2006, in his
presentation entitled “Spiritual Capacities of Innovative Leaders,” beginning at the minute
mark of 65:00, here is what he said:
“See, the Adventist Church isn’t the 28 fundamental beliefs, and we know that. The
Adventist Church is alive—it’s always re-creating itself. It is an alive entity. It is an
expression of God. It’s always changing. It’s always in metamorphosis. And, although
we’re always gonna have structures to support that, and ways to try to explain what it is,
you certainly can’t contain that. The Adventist Church is an epiphany. It’s something,
that, without any of the structures—without Sabbath, without the 28 fundamental beliefs,
without the Bible, without Christianity—there is a consciousness, where a group of people
now for a long period of time have come together to talk to God and to create something.
And if that energy—that pure energy of inspiration and creativity—moves through your
voice, moves through your words, then anything that you do is going to be effective with
anyone with any kind of openness.” ~ Kevin Kaiser
"The essential task of cutting through decades and centuries of tradition and ritual, and
rediscovering the beauty and simplicity of following Jesus into His mission field, has
meant that we reevaluate our priorities, assumptions, and loyalties. Applying the
principles of Jesus' ministry has meant that we displace and rearrange some cherished
practices and habits. The task of engaging ourselves in distinguishing what is essential to
preserve from our heritage from what is expendable is daunting."
~ Raj Attiken, in written introductory remarks given to the public at town hall meetings in
2010
97. Kevin Kaiser, son of Leland Kaiser, spoke at both the 2005 and 2006
Conferences on Innovation, in Columbus, Ohio. In the 2006 conference, Kevin
Kaiser recounted an experience he had at the Cliffs of Moher, in Ireland. In this
experience he was laying face-down, with his head hanging over the cliff. The
Cliffs of Moher are a traditional sacred spot for Celts and Druids. Here is what
Kevin Kaiser said on Monday, October 2, 2006, in his presentation entitled
“Spiritual Capacities of Innovative Leaders,” staring at the minute mark of 8 min.
16 seconds on the recorded CD of the event:
“And then something amazing happened for me that really started a lot of my
thinking and moving towards what I’m going to talk to you today. And this is a
kind of connection that you so eloquently talked about, that didn’t have to do with
separation, religion, or classification; it had to do with community. And I noticed
that as I was laying on my chest with now—now everyone was sort of, you know,
they were emboldened—almost everyone was laying on their stomachs, hanging
out over the cliffs. I noticed that as I was laying there with these fifteen to twenty
people, that I felt really connected. I felt really connected to this space. It was as
if I had always been at the cliffs. It was so familiar to me in the moment. And I
noticed that the people around me, who, at face value, seemed like complete
strangers, were so familiar. It was as if I had always been with them. And you
talk about seeing the Kingdom of God in any person! I’m sure there was
probably an atheist there—maybe there was a Wiccan—I’m sure there were
a couple of Southern Baptists, and maybe a Muslim or two, and maybe a
Zen Buddhist—and there was a moment of connection where it simply
didn’t matter; that the thing that was Divine in all of us was simply moving
through us into the ground.”
98. Now, you would think that the Conference president, or one of the other Conference
personnel, or maybe one of the many pastors who were present—somebody would have
right then and there stood to their feet and said: “I’m sorry, but you will have to leave. You
are of a different spirit altogether.
But no. Nobody stood up and said anything of the sort. Instead, 130 or so people stayed
right in their seats, and continued to listen to Kevin Kaiser, as he led them in an exercise
regarding how to create and hold “sacred space” in their lives.
The following Pagan site mentions the Cliffs of Moher as a sacred site (scroll way down):
http://paganpages.org/content/tag/ireland/
This next site also mentions the Cliffs of Moher as a sacred site. Here is the opening to
the author’s page: “As Christians look to the Holy Land or Muslims revere Mecca, those of
us who walk a Druidic or Celtic Pagan path regard Ireland, or Eire, as the spiritual home of
our tradition.”
Scroll down about one third the way down the page:
http://www.aquarius-atlanta.com/archivesview.php?issueid=470
Letʼs look at what organizations are clients of the Kaiserʼs....
104. 01 September 2000
NAD K-12 Teachers' Convention in Dallas Makes History
by Patricia Humphrey and J. D. Victor Fitch, Superintendent of Education, Manitoba-
Saskatchewan Conference
Inspirational - Excellent - Awesome - Spiritual - Spectacular - Enriching - Refreshing
These are just a few of the expressions teachers used to describe their experience at the first-ever North
American Division K-12 Teachers Convention held in Dallas, Tex., August 13-16.
More than 6,000 teachers, school administrators, conference
and union personnel, including family members, from the
North American Division (NAD), along with special guests
from outside the NAD, converged at the Adam’s Mark Hotel
in Dallas for the largest gathering of educators in Seventh-day
Adventist history. “The convention far exceeded our hopes,”
says Dick Osborn, vice president for education at the NAD
Office of Education. “Teachers left here feeling proud to be Adventist educators, realizing that they are
part of a bigger system.” page. 1 of NAD K-12 Teachers' Convention in Dallas Makes History
“Also addressing the large gathering of educators during the opening session was special guest Joe
McTighe, executive director of the Council for American Private Education. “Adventist schools are a
vital part of the private education community,” McTighe remarked. “I am in awe of your energy and
spirit, and I have a deep respect for the commitment you bring to your noble work.”
Three eminent general session speakers inspired the attendees. Dr. Harry K. Wong, one of the most
sought after speakers for Adventist education, challenged educators on how to become a successful and
effective teacher. Besides giving more than 3,000 presentations to a half-million people, almost one
million copies of his book, The First Days of School, have been sold. Dr. Leland Kaiser is a
consultant and university professor and one of the world’s leading futurists, working with corporations,
health care and education. A dedicated Adventist layperson, he focused his futuristic eyes on Adventist
education in the 21st century with provocative, passionate ideas that stirred the thinking of each listener.
Dr. William Glasser, one of the most influential thinkers in education for the past three decades, focused
on the characteristics of quality schools.
page. 2 of NAD K-12 Teachers' Convention in Dallas Makes History
107. Pastor Loren Seibold of the Worthington SDA Church in Ohio writes this
article in Spectrum Magazine applauding the National Conference On
Innovation and is unhappy with those speaking out against it.
108. "There shall not be found among you [anyone] who makes his son
or his daughter pass through the fire, [or one] who practices
witchcraft, [or] a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a
sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or
one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things [are] an
abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the
LORD your God drives them out from before you.”
Deut. 18:10-12
"For you have trusted in your wickedness; You have said, 'No one sees me'; Your
wisdom and your knowledge have warped you; And you have said in your heart, 'I [am,]
and [there is] no one else besides me.' Therefore evil shall come upon you; You shall
not know from where it arises. And trouble shall fall upon you; You will not be able to
put it off. And desolation shall come upon you suddenly, [Which] you shall not know.
Stand now with your enchantments And the multitude of your sorceries, In which you
have labored from your youth -- Perhaps you will be able to profit, Perhaps you will
prevail. You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels; Let now the astrologers, the
stargazers, [And] the monthly prognosticators stand up and save you From what shall
come upon you. Behold, they shall be as stubble, The fire shall burn them; They shall
not deliver themselves From the power of the flame; [It shall] not [be] a coal to be
warmed by, [Nor] a fire to sit before! Thus shall they be to you With whom you have
labored, Your merchants from your youth; They shall wander each one to his quarter.
No one shall save you.” Isaiah 47:10-15
109. Pastor Alex Bryan, a fellow graduate of Southern Adventist
University in Tennessee, has been repeatedly featured in the
Adventist Review. His former congregation, The New Community
Church in Atlanta, Georgia, broke away from the Georgia
Cumberland Conference and became an interdenominational
congregation over tithe and doctrinal issues (one being the
Sabbath).
110. Alex Bryan has been named the new associate pastor for the Collegedale Seventh-day Adventist
Church.
Bryan led an evangelistic initiative in Atlanta in 1996, the New Community Fellowship, aimed at
reaching secular young adults with the Gospel. Bryan resigned from denominational employment
in 2002 to pursue this evangelistic passion, and not without success. Earlier this year, however,
Bryan and his wife, Nicole, came under increasing conviction to reconnect with the Seventh-day
Adventist Church. Months of candid dialog in various settings culminated in a clear vote of
support from the Executive Committee of the Georgia-Cumberland Conference October 24,
offering Bryan renewed employment and this position.
“I learned many things through this experience,” reflected Bryan. “Here are just two. First, I
learned how to begin and enjoy authentic relationships with people outside the church, how to
love them unconditionally, and how to have spiritually significant conversations with non-
Christians. Second, I learned to appreciate the unique gifts of Adventism (the seventh-day
Sabbath, global community, the consistent grace of God) from unexpected vantage points.”
“I believe Seventh-day Adventists are uniquely positioned to address (the) three big issues of our
times,” Bryan continued: “stress, uncertainty, and ugly gods. God’s remedy for stress is
Sabbatical life. God’s remedy for uncertainty is the surety of heaven. God’s remedy for ugly gods
(visions of deities as terrorists, who torture people in hell forever, or blow up buildings, for
example) is a picture of a graceful God, the desire of this and every age, Jesus Christ.”
“It is my pleasure to welcome Alex back to the Georgia-Cumberland Conference,” says Ed Wright,
D.Min, President of the Georgia-Cumberland Conference. “I am honored to represent an
organization that is clear in its own identity, but also bold in acting as an agent of reconciliation.”
Bryan will serve as Pastor for Mission and Ministry on the staff of the Collegedale Church, led by
John Nixon, D.Min., Senior Pastor. He will begin responsibilities in early December, 2007.
Bryan graduated from Southern College (now Southern Adventist University) in 1993. He earned
a Master of Divinity degree from Andrews University in 1996, and is currently a Doctor of Ministry
student at George Fox University in Portland, OR.
by Pastor Ed Wright - Current President of the Georgia Cumberland Conference
* This article was taken from the “Communique” a magazine published by the Georgia Cumberland Conf.
111. This is Pastor Alex
Bryan’s blog page...
Let’s look at Henri Nouwen....
Notice what Alex says
112. Henri Nouwen (1932-1966) was a Dutch-born Jesuit priest whose spiritual journey
began in his native Holland and took him to America where he became a writer, academic
and theologian, and a campaigner for social justice. Henri Nouwen is known as the
“Wounded Healer”, turning his own wounds and sadness into compassion and care for
others.
http://henrinouwenhouse.com/henrihistory.html
Henri Jozef Machiel Nouwen (Nouen), (Nijkerk, January 24, 1932 - Hilversum,
September 21, 1996) was a Dutch-born Catholic priest and writer who authored 40 books
on the spiritual life.
Nouwen struggled with his sexuality.[2] "Although his sexuality was known by those close
to him, he never publicly claimed a homosexual identity."[3] Although he never directly
addressed the matter of his sexuality in the writings he published during his lifetime, he
acknowledged the struggle both in his private journals and in discussions with friends,[4]
both of which were extensively referenced by Michael Ford in the biography Wounded
Prophet, which was published after Nouwen's death.
Henri Nouwen was strongly influenced by Thomas Merton and because of this is seen by
some as one of the founders of the Emerging Church. He had visions of Jesus and Mary,
but also of Ramakrishna and the Dalai Lama. Although he found contact with God very
important, Henri Nouwen always struggled, in his own words, with redemption by faith.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Nouwen
113. Go online and watch their taize service ...
Their church also observing Lent
114.
115. Pastor Ryan
Bell
Ryan has this to say on his blog...
Moltmann on the Mystical Experience of the Sabbath
"I discovered something else as well: Teresa [of Avila]'s
interior castle and Thomas Merton's mountain and many other
descriptions of mystical journeys use the number seven: on
the seventh level the soul finds its way to God, and it is in the
seventh chamber of the soul that the mystical marriage takes
place. This is nothing other than Israel's teaching about the
Sabbath. The person who keeps the Sabbath, and who on the
Sabbath experiences the union of the Shekinah with the
Eternal One, is already at the place which the Christian
mystics strive to attain through meditation and
contemplation" (Moltmann, A Broad Place, 214).
123. Stavanger, Norway
www.adventistmission.org
About 120 participants gathered 4-6 April, to attend the Life Development seminar hosted by the Adventist churches in
Sandnes and Stavanger, in the south-western part of Norway.
In the introductory meeting on Friday evening, Dr. Miroslav Pujic, director of the Global Mission Centre for Secular and
Postmodern Studies, held an inspirational lecture on what challenges the Adventist church, and Christians in general, are
face in conveying the gospel to the culture in which we live.
On Sabbath morning, Dr. Pujic presented the characteristics and values of post moderns, and what makes them
skeptical of belonging to one specific denomination or faith. This was followed by his sermon, which focused on trusting
the Lord with all our hearts (Proverbs 3:5,6). Based on this text, Dr. Pujic illustrated how God uses our various levels of
relationships for strengthening human relations; and that through these processes, our relationship with God may be
strengthened.
During the Sabbath afternoon session, Dr. Pujic outlined how to communicate the Christian message in a postmodern
age. The emphasis was on evangelizing through spending time with others, showing sympathy and care for others'
needs, and following the methods Jesus used in dealing with people.
Concluding the seminar on Sunday, Dr. Pujic presented the LIFEdevelopment model. Church members responded
positively, showing that they are very motivated to adjust the church activities to a postmodern level; that music,
lectures, group and club activities, and communication at large may be adjusted also. This seminar was of great
inspiration to all of us attending, and the church members are motivated to make use of the model, methods,
and resources.
We thank Dr. Miroslav Pujic and his team for presenting this model in such simple and motivating package. "What a great
weekend! says Reidar J. Kvinge, the local pastor of these two resourceful churches. "We all came alive with new visions
and energy to reach out to new target groups."
Gaute Steinkopf/TED News
Miroslav Pujic is the director of the Global Mission Centre for Secular and Postmodern Studies-CSPS. He works to
increase awareness of emergent culture among members and pastors, and offering the LIFEdevelopment
discipleship pathway as a model for reaching postmoderns. Pujic also serves as the director of Media Ministry for
the Trans-European Division of Seventh-day Adventists.
For more information on the Centre for Secular and Postmodern Studies and other Global Mission religious study
centers, click here.
124. Developed by the Georgia
Cumberland Conference to
specifically target postmoderns
127. In 2006, Brian McLaren was a guest speaker at the
Adventist Loma Linda University. McLaren rejects the
traditional view of the atonement (substitutionary
death of Christ for sins). Loma Linda now has spiritual
formation as an integral part of school life.
Interestingly, they are using the Journal of Spiritual
Formation that is put out by Biola University (a
strong proponent for contemplative).
Pastor John Jenson, an Adventist pastor in Torrance,
California, says, “There’s a need for spiritual
formation with the [Adventist] Church . . . without
spiritual formation, a person would be ’spiritually
uncivilized.’” If this line of reasoning is shared among
other Adventist pastors, then no doubt contemplative/
emerging spirituality will place its heavy mark on the
Adventist movement as it has already done in so
many other religious groups. And with Leonard Sweet
speaking at Adventist conferences, this process will be
speeded up all the more.
www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com
128.
129. http://67.15.157.7/~adventi6/images/CommiteeMinutes/YoungAdults/ NAD Young Adult Ministry Advisory 030407 Page 5
nadyamadvisorymin030407d.pdf
7. Incorporated with #6 have it be a directional place for things like
“ask a pastor”, “cruise with a mission”, “GODencounters”,
training, discipleship, Bible studies, etc.
8. Notes: be sure our mindset is in tune with the culture; address
why people are not already connected; don!t try and run the
conversation but listen to what they need; look into
www.secondlife.com, www.progressiveadventist.com.
Brad Forbes – Came at very end to endorse that AdventSource/PlusLine is committed
to provide strong support for the resourcing and networking of young adult ministries.
7. Other Items
a. Para-Church agencies: i.e. General Youth Conference (GYC) - (GYC is
developed from ASI and other sponsors as a response to the “contemporary
Read what the board is saying ministry philosophies”.) The question was posed as to what the “buzz” about
about GYC... the recent GYC gathering and the feedback from the field. [feedback
requested by NAD Youth/Young Adult Ministries]
i. We can!t let it divide the church by being liberal or conservative but just
all work for the same goal and emphasize the positive
ii. Funds are being directed to this organization rather than to the
organized church where we need the support
iii. Name causes some confusion
iv. If they can do it better, let them
v. "Small tent! view of Adventism and if you aren!t there you aren!t right –
would like to see more cooperation and less mudslinging
vi. Attendee reported phenomenal presentations and rich blessing to him
though music and KJV tense were frustrating
vii. Overwhelmingly positive, concern to be Christ-like in our relationship
with GYC and concern that if everything presented is agreed with by
those who attend they will come back and not be able to support what
the organized church is doing
viii. Negative/conservative so we don!t want to be part of it
ix. “Four-letter word” in some areas – same people who go to GYC are
divisive in their home church
x. Does not support the structure that is in place but with the
endorsements of the GC it is confusing to the local leadership
xi. Confusion as to whether it is official
xii. Theme/emphasis: Purpose for your life and a reason for you to exist –
which is good and to be encouraged
xiii. Suggest writing to the GC and letting them know what the image is to
the local church
xiv. When we define our faith by demonizing the other there is a significant
issue with that approach. Caution to keep from this tendency which is
130. NAD Young Adult Ministry Advisory 030407 Page 6
xv. Note: GC has met with the president of GYC and needs prayer related
to how to handle the on-going relationship.
8. Discipleship
Agreed at the Advisory in January that discipleship is key in Young Adult ministry.
GODencounters (GE) was presented as a curriculum to use in addressing this need.
GE [www.GODencounters.org] is a place where young adults want to seek a 24/7
experience with God and live lives based on discipleship principles. Currently it is a
seven topic series:
• Worship – living in an attitude of worship 24/7
• Gospel – kingdom living begins now
• Grace – reality of grace every day
• Prayer – as part of life and expressed freely
• Sabbath – Sacred Space in life
• Morphing – discipleship
• Jubilee – permission to celebrate Jesus in your life
a. Regionally developing around the United States
b. Café at JCI on Friday night – modeled after GE café - 400-500 people. Great
success!!
c. Ask for a concerted effort from this committee to develop this type of effort
and use GODencounters as a template
d. Consensus was that this was a good model but many would like to see first
hand and have more exposure.
10. Adjournment
Chair called for adjournment, Rebeca Clay-Flores concluded meeting with prayer.
131. NAD Young Adult Ministry Advisory 030407 Page 2
1. Sacred Space: Devotional/Prayer
Sacred Space: not just good at Sabbath chronologically, but also in every day life –
Remember where the term making time for the spiritual moments as well. Question – “What are you wanting to put
“sacred space” comes from ? back into you busy life? And what are you willing to give up doing it?” Discussion
time/prayer
Jeremiah 24.7
[Definition of Young Adult age group: “post high school-pre parenthood”]
2. Minutes
Minutes were reviewed from 011007 advisory meeting, by consensus accepted with the
revision noting Ron Pickell!s presence.
3. Team Appointments
a. Recording Secretary: Chair solicited nominations for recording secretary.
Elisa Brown was nominated and by consensus appointed as recording
secretary.
b. Point Persons: Important part of creating a network is to appoint “point
people” for young adult ministry around the NAD. (* indicates member was
not present and has not confirmed willingness.)
i. Ron Pickell – North/Central California, Nevada/Utah [Northern portion of
Pacific Union]
ii. Tuesday Roberts – Southeast
iii. Matthew Gamble – Northwest [North Pacific Union]
iv. Marc Woodson – Southern California/Hawaii [Southern Pacific Union]
v. Lane Campbell – Southwest
vi. Elisa Brown – Midwest
vii. Sonja Perez – Northeast
viii. Cyril Millett – Canada
ix. Kirk King* [Cassie Martsching*] - Central/Plains
4. Leadership Development
Leadership training needed for Public Campus ministry – Ron Pickell
a. Create a NAD organization to give strength and resources for SDA students on
public campuses – voted in November 2005 to have a SDA Campus Crusade
organization.
b. Estimated 70% of SDA college students are not in SDA colleges/universities
c. www.acflink.org - resource for local public college campus – become an official
SDA organization of public campuses
d. Leadership training for young adults on secular campuses – need to focus on
SDA young adults but not to the exclusion of others
e. Suggest a 3-4 day leadership conference before or after the Ivy Jungle
(www.ivyjungle.org) conference in November in Orlando, FL.
132. NAD Young Adult Ministry Advisory 030407 Page 1
North American Division Young Adult Ministry Advisory
Hyatt Regency Hotel, Dallas, TX
This meeting happened in Sunday, March 4, 2007 9:00am – 1:00pm
2007 Invitees and ex-officio members present:
Tony Avila, Youth Ministries, Texas Conference
Elisa Brown, GODencounters, Illinois Conference
Lane Campbell, Young Adult Ministries, Texas Conference
Steve & Marit Case, Involve Youth & Northern California Conference
Rebecca Clay-Flores, DecideDecide, Houston, TX
Laffit Cortes – Young Adult Ministries, New Jersey Conference
Manny Cruz, Youth/Young Adult Ministries, North American Division
Falvo Fowler, Sabbath School Department, General Conference
Matthew Gamble, Grassroots Productions, Washington Conference
Van Hurst, Youth/Young Adult Ministries, Mid-America Union, Adventist College Network
Chin Kim, Pastor, Southeastern California Conference, Korean American Youth Ministries
A Allan Martin, Young Adult Ministries, North American Division
Cyril Millett, Youth/Young Adult Ministries, Ontario Conference
Japhet De Oliveira, Center for Youth Evangelism, Campus Ministry—Andrews University
Sonia Perez, Youth/YA Pastor, Potomac Conference
Ron Pickell, Adventist Christian Fellowship, North American Division
Tuesday Roberts, Young Adult Invitee,
Lloyd Schanffenberg, Youth Ministries, Greater NY Conf
Alejandra Torres, Youth/Young Adult Ministries, Florida Conference
Sergio Torres, Youth/Young Adult Ministries, Florida Conference
Erik VanDenburgh, Youth/Young Adult Ministries, Arizona Conference
Tara VinCross, Cruise With a Mission, Center for Youth Evangelism
Bill Wood, Youth/Young Adult Ministries, Atlantic Union
Marc Woodson, Young Adult/Missions, Southeastern California Conference
Nick Zork, Andrews Music and Worship Conference
Guests
Robert Hines, Youth Ministries, England Conference
Nicki Carleton, Blissful Ministries
Invitees Sending Regrets:
James Black, Youth/Young Adult Ministries, North American Division
Terry Clem, Young Adult Ministries, Carolina Conference Read this...
Bill Crofton, Youth/Young Adult Ministries, Florida Conference
John Grys, Advent House, Georgia Cumberland Conference
http://gycweb.org/documents/
Claude Harris, BAYDA GYCStatementofClarification.pdf
Roy Ice, Campus Ministry, Pacific Union College, SalvationCoach
George Johnson, NAD Communications
Leah Jordache, Loma Linda University Church, Southeastern California Conference
Paul Kim, Vervent, North American Division
Charlyn Kimball, 011007 Advisory attendee
Sam Leonor, La Sierra University, Hey Everybody
Carolyn Macomber, Encounter Sabbath School, Andrews University
Kimberly Maran, Cutting Edge Edition, Adventist Review
Ron Pollard, Young Adult Ministries, Southern California Conference
Brett Schlishner, the 7, San Luis Obisbo Church
Mike Stevenson, Youth/Young Adult Ministries, Ohio Conference
Adrienne Townsend, New Life Church, Andrews University
Ron Whitehead, Youth/Young Adult Ministries, Lake Union
Allan Williamson, Youth/Young Adult Ministries, Southern Union
133. “The sophistries regarding God and nature that are flooding
the world with skepticism are the inspiration of the fallen foe,
who is himself a Bible student, who knows the truth that it is
essential for the people to receive, and whose study it is to divert
minds from the great truths given to prepare them for what is
coming upon the world. I have seen the results of these fanciful
views of God, in apostasy, spiritualism, and free-lovism. The
free-love tendency of these teachings was so concealed that at
first it was difficult to make plain its real character. Until the
Lord presented it to me, I knew not what to call it, but I was
instructed to call it unholy spiritual love.”--Testimonies, vol. 8,
pp. 291, 292. (1904) {Ev 602.3}
2717 Contemplative prayer is silence, the "symbol of the world to
come"12 or "silent love."13 Words in this kind of prayer are not
speeches; they are like kindling that feeds the fire of love. In this
silence, unbearable to the "outer" man, the Father speaks to us his
incarnate Word, who suffered, died, and rose; in this silence the
Spirit of adoption enables us to share in the prayer of Jesus.”
The New Roman Catholic Catechism under the heading “Contemplative Prayer”
134. Logic dictates that it makes no difference whether we go to other
Protestant churches to learn something new or invite them to our
churches or colleges for the same reason. There is no difference between
going and reading their books, listening to their tapes or watching their
presentations. If we do any of these things for the purpose of gaining
spiritual insight or for spiritual growth, or go for any other reason without
the Lord’s direct providence telling us to do so, it is a rejection of the
counsel in the Spirit of Prophecy.
I direct your attention once again to Ellen White’s inspired advice:
“I was shown the necessity of those who believe that we are having
the last message of mercy, being separate from those who are daily
imbibing new errors. I saw that neither young nor old should attend their
meetings; for it is wrong to thus encourage them while they teach error
that is a deadly poison to the soul and teach for doctrines the
commandments of men. The influence of such gatherings is not good. If
God has delivered us from such darkness and error, we should stand fast
in the liberty wherewith He has set us free and rejoice in the truth. God is
displeased with us when we go to listen to error, without being obliged to
go. . . . EW 124, 125
135. Notice some characteristics of this counterfeit revival:
"Popular revivals are too often carried by appeals to
the imagination, by exciting the emotions, by
gratifying the love for what is new and startling.
Converts thus gained have little desire to listen to
Bible truth, little interest in the testimony of prophets
and apostles. Unless religious service has something
of a sensational character, it has no attractions for
them. A message which appeals to unimpassioned
reason awakens no response. The plain warnings of
God's word, relating directly to their eternal interest,
are unheeded" (GC, 463).
136. “Truth, present truth, is all that the word of God
represents it to be. The Lord would have his
people keep themselves from all superfluities,
from all that tends to mysticism. Let those who
are tempted to indulge in fanciful, imaginary
doctrines sink the shaft deep into the quarries
of heavenly truth, and secure the treasure that
means life eternal to the receiver.”
{SW, April 4, 1905 par. 7}
137. “But ministers who bear the last message of mercy to fallen
men must utter no random works; they must not open doors
whereby Satan shall find access to human minds. It is not our work
to experiment, to study out something new and startling that will
create excitement. Satan is watching his chance to take advantage
of anything of this order that he may bring in his deceiving
elements. . . . They will act as though it was their prerogative to use
the Holy Spirit instead of letting the Holy Spirit use them, and mold
and fashion them after the pattern of the divine.” {2SM 60.1}
“The Lord has permitted this matter to develop as it has
done, in order to show how easily His people will be misled,
when they depend upon the words of men instead of
searching the Scriptures for themselves, as did the noble
Bereans, to see if these things are so. . . .” {1BC 1114.4}
138. Jeremiah 2:13,18 - 13 "For My people have
committed two evils: They have forsaken Me,
the fountain of living waters, [And] hewn
themselves cisterns -- broken cisterns that
can hold no water. 18 And now why take the
road to Egypt, To drink the waters of Sihor?
Or why take the road to Assyria, To drink the
waters of the River?
139. “With stern and commanding voice Elijah cries: "How long halt ye between
two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him. And
the people answered him not a word." Not one in that vast assembly dared
utter one word for God and show his loyalty to Jehovah.
What astonishing deception and fearful blindness had, like a dark cloud,
covered Israel! This blindness and apostasy had not closed about them
suddenly; it had come upon them gradually as they had not heeded the word
of reproof and warning which the Lord had sent to them because of their
pride and their sins. And now, in this fearful crisis, in the presence of the
idolatrous priests and the apostate king, they remained neutral. If God abhors
one sin above another, of which His people are guilty, it is doing nothing in
case of an emergency. Indifference and neutrality in a religious crisis is
regarded of God as a grievous crime and equal to the very worst type of
hostility against God.
All Israel is silent.” [3T pg. 280]
140. My message to you is: No longer consent to listen without protest to the
perversion of truth. Unmask the pretentious sophistries which, if received,
will lead ministers and physicians and medical missionary workers to ignore
the truth. Every one is now to stand on his guard. God calls upon men and
women to take their stand under the blood-stained banner of Prince
Emmanuel. I have been instructed to warn our people; for many are in danger
of receiving theories and sophistries that undermine the foundation pillars of
the faith. [1SM p. 196]
141. As you will see in the next few slides, these and
others are taking a stand against these teachings.
Please write, e-mail or call people within leadership
and kindly ask that they not support these teachings.
Join us as we strive to alert others and pray earnestly
for our leaders.
142.
143. One sermon in a
whole series that Dr. Pipim
has on this subject, very
interesting.
144. Will Baron shares
his personal testimony
of how God brought him
out of the New Age
movement.
Will Baron's autobiographical account of his experiences in the New Age
Movement provide a sobering wake-up call.
151. Hopefully you’ve been able to catch just a
glimpse of the emerging church movement. Its
essence is... mysticism, ecumenism, pantheism,
interspirituality, down-playing the authority of
Scripture, a non-biblical view of the atonement,
and a kingdom-now eschatology. Really, the
emerging church should be called the merging
church, for it is a merging together of all beliefs,
all faiths, and all gods.
152. “If God has any new light to communicate, He
will let His chosen and beloved understand it,
without their going to have their minds enlightened
by hearing those who are in darkness and
error.” {EW 124.2}
Ellen White stated, “Much of the history that has taken place in
fulfillment of this prophecy will be repeated.” Then she said the
following: “In the thirtieth verse a power is spoken of that “shall be
grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant:
so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them
that forsake the holy covenant.” {13 MR 393.5};
The prophecy in Daniel 11, predicts that he, The King of the North
(Papal Rome) would have “intelligence” with those who have forsaken
the holy covenant. It should be pointed out that those “that have
forsaken the holy covenant” must refer to people who, at one time,
were in a covenant relationship with God, but then turned from it. It
goes on to say that the King of the North has “intelligence” with them.
This word means to “cunningly observe, choose and separate out in
order to instruct.” The word suggests secret observation,
manipulation, and instruction in order to conquer. It is interesting to
note that this unique word that Daniel chose is used only this one time
in the entire Bible.
153. For the time will come when they will not
endure sound doctrine, but according to their
own desires, [because] they have itching
ears, they will heap up for themselves
teachers; 4 and they will turn [their] ears
away from the truth, and be turned aside to
fables.
2 Timothy 4:3
2 Thes. 2:9-12 “The coming of the [lawless one] is according to
the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,
and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish,
because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they
might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong
delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be
condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in
unrighteousness.”
154. • Ellen White confirmed that in the last days, there would be two kinds of
revivals--a true revival and a false revival. One will be the work of the Holy
Spirit and the other will be the work of Satan. And both kinds of revivals will
impact the whole world.
• The enemy of souls desires to hinder this work [of revival]; and before the time
for such a movement shall come, he will endeavor to prevent it by introducing a
counterfeit. In those churches which he can bring under his deceptive power he
will make it appear that God's special blessing is poured out; there will be
manifest what is thought to be great religious interest. Multitudes will exult that
God is working marvelously for them, when the work is that of another spirit.
Under a religious guise, Satan will seek to extend his influence over the Christian
world" (Great Controversy, 464)
155. God's workmen must not follow after the world's practices
and customs in the least. Any course that the minister shall
pursue that will lead the people to look to him and depend
upon him, is not after the working of the Holy Spirit. The pure
word of God alone must be preached to the people in clear
lines, and its convincing, controlling power on heart and life
will alone transform the character and save the soul. "The
word of the Lord endureth forever." "The entrance of Thy
words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the
simple." {Bible Echo, May 21, 1894 par. 4}
156. In analyzing this statement, Ellen White is saying that the fallen churches will be
deceived right up until the time of the “loud cry,” and that it will only become worse as
Satan ushers in a false revival just prior to it.
“I saw that God has honest children among the
nominal Adventists and the fallen churches, and before
the plagues shall be poured out, ministers and people
will be called out from these churches and will gladly
receive the truth. Satan knows this; and before the
loud cry of the third angel is given, he raises an
excitement in these religious bodies, that those who
have rejected the truth may think that God is with them.
He hopes to deceive the honest and lead them to think
that God is still working for the churches. But the light
will shine, and all who are honest will leave the fallen
churches, and take their stand with the
remnant.” {EW 261.1}
157. 3 Fold Union-
“Through the two great errors, the immortality of the soul and Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring the
people under his deceptions. While the former lays the foundation of Spiritualism, the latter creates a bond
of sympathy with Rome. Protestantism will yet stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of
Spiritualism; she will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence
of this threefold union, our country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience.
Spiritualism is now changing its form, veiling some of its more objectionable and immoral features, and
assuming a Christian guise. Formerly it denounced Christ and the Bible; now it professes to accept both.
The Bible is interpreted in a manner that is attractive to the unrenewed heart, while its solemn and vital
truths are made of no effect. A God of love is presented; but his justice, his denunciations of sin, the
requirements of his holy law, are all kept out of sight. Pleasing, bewitching fables captivate the senses of
those who do not make God's word the foundation of their faith. Christ is as verily rejected as before; but
Satan has so blinded the eyes of the people that the deception is not discerned. As Spiritualism
assimilates more closely to the nominal Christianity of the day, it has greater power to deceive and
ensnare.” {4SP 405}
“When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when
she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold
union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican
government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may
know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near.” {5T 451.1}
158. “How the Roman church can clear herself from the charge of
idolatry we cannot see... And this is the religion which Protestants
are beginning to look upon with so much favor, and which will
eventually be united with Protestantism. This union will not,
however, be effected by a change in Catholicism, for Rome never
changes. She claims infallibility. It is Protestantism that will
change. The adoption of liberal ideas on its part will bring it
where it can clasp the hand of Catholicism. “
-RH June 1, 1886 (LDE pg. 130)
“When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such
points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the
state to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, then
Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy,
and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably
result...” -GC pg. 445
“The substitution of the laws of men for the law of God, the
exaltation, by merely human authority, of Sunday in place of the
Bible Sabbath, is the last act in the drama.”
-Test. vol. 7 pg. 141 (LDE pg. 135, 136
159. The Work-Free Sunday Movement Getting Organized in Europe - Religious Liberty Association
A "Work-Free Sunday" and the need of legislation to enforce the concept was the topic of a conference held this week in
Brussels, Belgium. Last year the European Parliament rejected such an attempt. This conference comes as a response. It
is but the beginning of a more strategic movement to revitalize the discussion for a work-free Sunday. Daniela Weichhold
attended the conference and reports that László Andor, the new Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs, saw the
conference as " a new chapter." As Weichhold points out the EU Commission can still launch the legislative procedure even
if it fails. There is now a serious attempt to convince the hearts and minds of Europeans that Sunday legislation is
necessary for the health of all citizens.
The conference was organized by a number of trade unions, political parties, Roman Catholic Bishops, and Protestant
Churches including the Baptist, Methodist, Church of England, and Evangelical Lutherans. The supporting website
www.workfreesunday.eu argues "More than any other day of the week a free Sunday serves the aim of reconciling work and
family life: As childcare facilities, schools and universities are usually closed on Sundays, parents and children can spend
time with each other. Sunday is, moreover, the weekly rest day for children and adolescents according to EU law. .... If
the father has the weekly rest day on Monday, the mother on Wednesday and the children on Sunday, a situation is created
that is contrary to the aim of fostering a reconciliation of work and family life."
Karel Nowak, Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Director at the Euro-Africa-Division of Seventh-day Adventists and
Secretary General of the International Association for the Defence of Religious Liberty, was also present at the Conference.
He raised the question how this new proposed legislation would protect minorities who keep another day than Sunday. As
Weichhold noted he didn't get an answer.
"While we strongly support the right to rest," states John Graz the director of the public affairs and religious liberty
department at the General Conference, "we believe the individual should be permitted to choose which days to rest on -
not the state in cooperation with churches. We view this movement as a grave danger to religious liberty."
"Seventh-day Adventists have long encouraged members to keep a weekly rest day - as enjoined by the Ten Commandments
- the Sabbath (which is Saturday or sábado in Spanish) and practiced by the early Christian Church," states Barry Bussey
who represents the Adventist Church to the US Government. "Throughout history we have seen these attempts to use state
regulation to enforce a particular interpretation of the Sabbath Commandment. That is not the state's role - ultimately it
will cause hardship for minority faiths that do not accept the majority's regulation of a Sabbath."
"We will continue to monitor the situation," says James Standish, who heads up the UN Relations for the Adventist Church.
"This is a disturbing movement. Now is the time for us as a people to share with others the importance of maintaining
religious freedom for all citizens."
160. “I saw that as the Jews crucified Jesus, so the nominal churches
had crucified these messages, and therefore they have no knowledge
of the way into the most holy, and they cannot be benefited by the
intercession of Jesus there……they offer up their useless prayers to
the apartment which Jesus has left; and Satan, pleased with the
deception, assumes a religious character, and leads the minds of
these professed Christians to himself, working with his power, his
signs and lying wonders, to fasten them in his snare… Satan
deceives some with Spiritualism. He also comes as an angel of light
and spreads his influence over the land by means of false
reformations. The churches are elated, and consider that God is
working marvelously for them, when it is the work of another spirit.
The excitement will die away and leave the world and the church
in a worse condition than before.” {EW 260.1}
161. “We are under obligation to declare faithfully the whole
counsel of God. We are not to make less prominent the special
truths that have separated us from the world, and made us what
we are. At this time, when we are so near the end, shall we
become so like the world in practice that men may look in vain
to find God's denominated people? Shall any man sell our
peculiar characteristics as God's chosen people for any
advantage the world has to give? Shall the favor of those who
transgress the law of God be looked upon as of great value?
Shall those whom the Lord has named His people suppose that
there is any power higher than the great I AM? Shall we
endeavor to blot out the distinguishing points of faith that have
made us Seventh-day Adventists?” italics supplied.” {Ev 121}
162. “God has placed in our hands a banner upon which is inscribed:
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the
commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Revelation 14:12.
This is a distinct, separating message, a message that is to give no
uncertain sound. It is to lead the people away from the broken
cisterns that contain no water, to the unfailing Fountain of the water
of life.” {7T 150.2}
“We cannot be complete in Christ and yet be ready to grasp those things that come
from the so-called great men of the earth, and place their wisdom before the
wisdom of the greatest Teacher the world has ever known. To seek knowledge from
such sources is represented in the word as seeking to drink from broken cisterns
that can hold no water.” {7T 204.4}
163. Colossians 2:1, 8 “For I want you to know what a great
conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and [for] as
many as have not seen my face in the flesh... Beware lest
anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit,
according to the tradition of men, according to the basic
principles of the world, and not according to Christ.”
“The enemy of souls has sought to bring in the supposition that a
great reformation was to take place among Seventh-day Adventists, and
that this reformation would consist in giving up the doctrines which
stand as the pillars of our faith, and engaging in a process of
reorganization. . . The principles of truth that God in His wisdom has
given to the remnant church would be discarded. Our religion would be
changed. The fundamental principles that have sustained the work for the
last fifty years would be accounted as error. A new organization would be
established. Books of a new order would be written. A system of
intellectual philosophy would be introduced. The founders of this system
would go into the cities, and do a wonderful work. The Sabbath, of course,
would be lightly regarded, as also the God who created it. Nothing would
be allowed to stand in the way of the new movement.” I SM pg. 204
164. “I told her [Mrs. Lida Scott] how mother regarded the experience of the remnant
church, and of her positive teaching that God would not permit this
denomination to so fully apostatize that there would be the coming out of
another church.”
{W.C. White to E.E. Andross, May 23, 1915, White Estate Correspondence File.} (LDE pg. 56)
“The Lord has NOT given you a message to call the Seventh-day Adventists
Babylon, and to call the people of God to come out of her. All the reasons you
may present cannot have weight with me on this subject, because the Lord has
given me decided light that is opposed to such a message... I know that the Lord
love His church. It is not to be disorganized or broken up into independent
atoms. There is not the least consistency in this; there is not the least evidence
that such a thing will be.”
[(2 SM pg. 63, 68, 69)(LDE pg. 51)]
165. 1 Thes. 5:19-23
“Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all
things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and
may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at
the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Isaiah 8:20
“To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to
this word, [it is] because [there is] no light in them.”
166. A nation [and a church] can survive its fools, and… the ambitious.
But it cannot survive treason from within.
An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known
and carries his banner openly.
But the traitor moves amongst those within the gate freely,
his sly whispers rustling through all the alleys, ...
... For the traitor appears not a traitor;
he speaks in accents familiar to his victims,
and he wears their face and their arguments,..
... He rots the soul of a nation [and the Church], he works secretly and
unknown in the night to undermine the pillars ...
he infects the body... so that it can no longer resist.
A murderer is less to fear.
The traitor is the plague.
--Marcus Tullius Cicero
168. “The greatest want of the world is the want of men -
men [and women] who will not be bought or sold, men
who in their inmost souls are true and honest, men who
do not fear to call sin by its right name, men whose
conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole,
men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.”
Education pg. 57
169. "Son of man, speak to the children of your people, and say to them:
'When I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land
take a man from their territory and make him their watchman, 3
'when he sees the sword coming upon the land, if he blows the
trumpet and warns the people, 4 'then whoever hears the sound
of the trumpet and does not take warning, if the sword comes and
takes him away, his blood shall be on his [own] head. 5 'He heard
the sound of the trumpet, but did not take warning; his blood shall
be upon himself. But he who takes warning will save his life. 6
'But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the
trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and
takes [any] person from among them, he is taken away in his
iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand.' 7 "
So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of
Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn
them for Me. 8 "When I say to the wicked, 'O wicked [man,] you
shall surely die!' and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his
way, that wicked [man] shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will
require at your hand. 9 "Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to
turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die
in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.” ~Ezekiel 33:2-9
170. Please prayerfully consider what you have just read and seen. We especially need to pray for our
leadership and kindly ask them to address these issues. We can no longer be silent.... we cannot
continue to ignore what is happening, turning a blind eye. We need to wake up!!!
I understand more fully now why Ellen White said she trembled for our church....