11 January 2002 Editorial:
A Debt We Owe

Larry Kirkpatrick

Unheralded, and doubtless, like all churches, tripping over random failings and deficiencies on occasion, there exists a Seventh-day Adventist church in Texas to which we all owe a considerable debt. This church was where one Vernon Howell became a member of this denomination. For a brief period in fact, he was active in that church. But time reveals many things and is the great helper. Time began to show deepening problems in this individuals conduct, and eventually the church had to take action. In a proper manner, according to the pattern set out in the inspired writings, decent and in order, Vernon Howell, was disfellowshipped. It was 1984.

Just a few short years later, Vernon Howell, having changed his name to David Koresh, was involved in the Waco disaster. Yes, there are questions about how the government authorities handled that whole chilling event. But it is rather clear to many who study into it in some measure that for Koresh, a variety of very troubling moral issues pre-existed the stand-off with the BATF.

One cannot escape a sense of appreciation for the fact that this church in Texas acted responsibly and although doubtless it was an uncomfortable thing to do, they were responsible and acted in harmony with the facts as they knew them, disfellowshipping Mr. Howell from their -- and ours as a denomination -- number.

We know not what embarrassment their responsible action at that time, unpleasant though that matter was, saved God's people. And what's more, when they took their action, they did not know this either. But they did what they had to do.

All this calls to mind the necessity of each church being thoughtful and responsible in how it approaches those always-uncomfortable matters that call us to responsibility. We must always be fair. We must always be as impartial as we can be. We must always seek for justice and mercy. Yet we must always have resolve. As we conduct ourselves, let us continue to be responsible and be willing, no matter how we inevitably risk being misunderstood, to do right. We owe that church a debt; by our care we can protect their reputation just as they have protected ours. Let each do his part to earnestly guard the reputation of the church of the living God.

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.