27 December 2001 Editorial:
2001: A Denominational Odyssey

Larry Kirkpatrick

Some years ago a science fiction movie was made where the computers actually talked and we met a machine named HAL. It has been many years since I saw that, and I don't even recall the plot well. But what I do know is that when it was produced it was a vision of what might eventually come. Some of that technology is here today, other still some ways off. But long before Stanley Kubrick was, 1844 and the divine launch of Seventh-day Adventism was. Would any of our pioneers have imagined that when 2001 rolled around we would still be here and not there -- in the new Jerusalem finally? Another year sinks back into the sands of time never to return. And an interesting year it has been for us as a people -- troubling in many ways. Perhaps a moment of reflection will interest us.

Our church has become more pluralistic this past year. The divide between what members here and members there of the same denomination believe has grown visibly wider. We grow further apart rather than closer together.

Action in the western United States continues to take troubling direction. In mid-year my own Pacific Union voted itself out of harmony with the denomination on the issue of whether a non-ordained person could serve as its president. Denominational personalities all the way up to the top have admitted that this is out of order, but on the public front silence has reigned. Nothing (apparently) has been done. The matter has been kept out of the public eye. Will something be done in the General Conference spring meeting, or will these troubling developments be permitted to accelerate?

The Sabbath School curriculum for our precious young people has been very troubling, and we wrote about it. GraceLink is a denominational embarrassment. Improvements are promised, and we hope for them. But many churches have found they couldn't use those materials. Is it too much to ask -- could the church produce some recognizably Adventist materials? Thank you.

In the Review we continue to see the authentic gospel of our churches heritage ground into little pieces and replaced by a destructive pseudo-gospel of destuctive pseudo-grace. It is long past time for change in the Review office. Will we finally get it in 2002? Since it appears to be open season on conservative Adventists it would seem to be time for such a change.

On the positive side, "evangelism" is being strongly encouraged. But we need to look carefully at just what brand of Adventism is being taught and how soundly the baptismal candidates are being prepared. We cannot fulfill our commission unless we do an Adventist work. Only as we do Adventist evangelism will such work be blessed with souls prepared for eternity. Remember our goal is not to break the abacus, but to facilitate the development of a holy people. There is a reason why our denomination did not begin in Willow Creek.

Here at GreatControversy.org we've written and published on most of these items. If we sound grumpy, don't forget that also during this year we've published several dozen positive sermons presenting real Adventism. We thank God for every opportunity to do that.

The fewness of moments available to me right now limits the length of this document. But against all the challenges of time and opportunity still the website is here. Through computers we do the 24/7 thing. And that's good for Adventism. While others publish their doubts and tear at the message meant to end sin, we, in our own bumpy way seek to sustain what God has given. We encourage all who read this to lift up every agency advancing the truth in your prayers. Don't forget the leaders and pastors and laypeople who are working so hard to do what is right. Please remember us in your prayers too. Only heaven's intervention has made this site what it is -- in its own small way, a beacon of hope set in a world of confusion and present denominational odyssey. God grant that through agencies He has set in the velvet blackness of end-time night His truth still will light the pathway home as a lamp that burns. God grant that we be found faithful each one and live to see the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with eyes battle-weary but undaunted, is our prayer.

Pastor Larry Kirkpatrick is an ordained minister of the gospel. Since 1994 he has served in the American Southwest as pastor to several churches. He received his BA in Religion from Southern Adventist University in 1994 and a Master of Divinity from Andrews University in 1999 with a specialization in Adventist Studies. While in Michigan he was employed by the General Conference at the White Estate Berrien Springs branch office. More important than his scholastic preparation has been his immersion in the biblical and Spirit of Prophecy materials. He is author of the 2003 book Real Grace for Real People. Presently he serves as Pastor of the Mentone Church of Seventh-day Adventists, located near Loma Linda, California. Larry is married to Pamela. The couple presently live in Highland, California along with their two children, Etienne and Melinda.