Grassroots Rejection of
Pacific Union Action Gaining Ground

23 September 2001

In spite of a denominational news blackout that has continued since the vote on August 27, some 27 days ago, numerous SDAs from around the United States and even overseas have become aware of the action of Pacific Union and have made many phone calls and written many letters regarding the action. During the constituency session of August 26-27, the Pacific Union Conference delegates voted to change their constitution and bylaws to make it possible for a non-ordained leader to serve as Union president. This action, known to be in violation of the expressed will of the world church, the NAD Working Policy, and the Church Manual, was knowingly voted and passed on August 27. On that day, the Pacific Union Conference went on record as defying the world church in this matter.

You'd never have known about it though, if certain among leadership had their way. News of these events has been kept from the people. It has yet to be carried (as of this writing, Sunday, 23 September 2001) by the Adventist News Network (www.Adventist.org), the NAD news service (Monday Fax), or the Pacific Union Conference website (www.puconline.org). The Adventist Review (www.adventistreview.org) has carried no mention, although they have been just as able, nay, more able than we, to let the people know. In spite of this cover-up, we are told that dozens of phone calls have come in to the North American Division and other places, and letters have been arriving for awhile now.

We know that sometime soon, either due to the fact that the news is already out or just because it has to be reported sooner or later in the Pacific Union Recorder and Review, news will be out and available. Further, we learned from the Pacific Union Conference office that a videotape of the proceedings of the constituency session will soon be mailed, one per church, to all the churches of the Pacific Union. Every church member should view this tape. We only hope that what is received by the churches will be "unedited" in respect to the commissioning deliberations and vote. Judging by the track record on this one so far, we are unsure what will be presented to us when that tape is finally delivered to the people.

For an action to be voted with such far reaching and broad implications, and then hidden from the people for so long, perhaps only (someday) to be made public because of having come to attention of our people through other than regular means, seems to many to be an open scandal. The language voted by the Union is in defiance of the wording of the Church Manual voted by the SDA world church in Toronto Canada in the year 2000 General Conference Session. At that time, the assembled authority of the world church rejected the very wording now being implemented--wording that advances the gender agenda of those insisting on forcing the church to change its convictions of what the Bible teaches on roles in spiritual leadership.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church was built upon a firm adherence to the teaching of the Scriptures, and acceptance of their authority as determinate in all matters, including Christian leadership. The Bible indicates that the qualifications for such leaders include one's being "the husband of one wife" (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6). It also indicates that substantial role distinctions pre-existed the fall, having been introduced into the creation before sin, and thus constituting part and parcel of the original order (1 Corinthians 11:8; 1 Timothy 2:13; Genesis 2:7, 21-22).

In any case, the issue at hand is yet broader than that of gender roles. What we have in view in this whole matter is the unity (Fundamental Belief #13) of the whole church. The authority of the church is being challenged. The decision of no less than three General Conference Sessions (1990 Indianapolis, 1995 Utrecht, 2000 Toronto) is being violated. Church members are appalled. They are not submitting to this violation of trust. They have every right to express their disapproval of the silence of leadership. Leadership at the NAD and GC levels must respond, must publically affirm their rejection of the action taken by the Pacific Union. The Pacific Union Executive committee should call a special session of the Pacific Union constituency to undo the ill-advised decision of August 27 at its earliest opportunity. It cannot wait another five years. The world church is watching!

And wondering.

We, as members of the SDA church, wherever we are in the world, have a voice, and just now we should be responsible and exercise it. Everyone should, and especially should the voices of our members in the Pacific Union, be heard.

We suggest the following action be taken by everyone reading this article:

1. When you have done your best to get the facts (difficult to do because they have not bothered to share them with you), you should make a phone call to the General Conference, and ask to speak to one of our vice presidents. You should plead with them to publically reject the action of the Pacific Union. Make your phone calls between Monday and Thursday. General Conference is in the eastern time zone.
2. You should write to the Pacific Union Executive Committee and insist that they call a special session of the constituency at the earliest possible time to undo the action taken on August 27 and bring us back into harmony with the world church. Until they do, our union sends to the world church an example--an appearance at the very least--of rebellion. But most of us wish to harmonize with our brethren around the world. We should be firm about making this happen.
3. We should write personal letters, in our own words, insisting that this action be undone, to the North American Division president, the General Conference President, and the Pacific Union president.
4. Every church in the Pacific Union should insist on accountability in the delegates it elects and the work they do. Take your responsibilities very seriously in these things. Insist that decisions like the Pacific Union action be publically reported in a timely manner. Insist that actions adopted at such sessions not jeapordize the unity of the world church.

Today is a new day. Decisions made in quiet can no longer be hid. We know what has been done. Now we are responsible to rectify it. Addresses and contact information follow.

General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
12501 Old Columbia Pike
Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600
(301) 680-6000

Pacific Union Conference
P.O. Box 5005
Westlake Village, CA 91359
(805) 497-9457

North American Division
12501 Old Columbia Pike
Silver Spring, MD 20904
Tel: (301) 680-6400
Fax: (301) 680-6464

Phone calls are most effective, especially when followed by clearly written short letters making specific requests for specific action to be taken. Be friendly but firm. It is a time for firmness. Pray for wisdom and courage to act. For too long we have permitted unsound developments to go unchallenged, until the very cohesiveness and mission of the church is at stake. You voice will make the difference. May God bless you as you act responsibly to bring healing and unity to the body of Christ.

Other items on this topic:
5 Sept 2001: Pacific Union Conference Defies World Church
6 Sept 2001: Supporting the World Church in Crisis
7 Sept 2001: SDA News Services Hide Union Action
8 Sept 2001: Express Yourself and Lift Up the Hands of Moses and Aaron
9 Sept 2001: Will This be Another Case of Institutional Paralysis? by Kevin D. Paulson
9 Sept 2001: What is at Stake
9 Sept 2001: Action That Could be Taken by Kevin D. Paulson
10 Sept 2001: Details: What Happened in Ontario by Larry Kirkpatrick
12 Sept 2001: Open Letter to the Pacific Union Conference Executive Committee by Larry Kirkpatrick
13 Sept 2001: Let the Good Men Cease From Doing Nothing by Larry Kirkpatrick
15 Sept 2001: Pacific Union Crisis--Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
20 Sept 2001: Mammon, Jello, and Expediency
23 Sept 2001: Grassroots Rejection of PU Action Gaining Ground

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