Interested in becoming a SDA

[GracetotheHumble]

I'm considering joining your denomination but I need to do more research. Can you please aid me in my learning about your Church? I was going to go and visit this past Saturday but I've been ill and was unable to attend. I also tried to contact a Pastor but haven't heard back. Thank you in advance for any assistance you can give.

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

Hello and thank you for wanting to learn more about us...

The best material I have found for understanding what we believe as adventists is a DVD series called "Revelation Speaks Peace" by Shaun Boonstra.

If you searce Youtube or Vimeo you might find it.... it is a 24 part series of 1 hour seminars each dealing with an aspect of prophesy, the Bible and how and why Adventists believe what they do.

I hope you can find it and watch it, even if you start attending a church as many of the topics covered in the series may not be preached from the church you attend.

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

Found a video album of 20 seminars from this series... May God bless you as you watch these. Don't forget to ask God to give you wisdom and understanding before watching these.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-4qukq5n4M&list=PLOunAhp-LqBBq_iLxq-zMuw7ItsgR2YEO

 

[JojotheBeloved]

GracetotheHumble...

Thank you for your interest!

I would suggest to do some reading about our agreed upon beliefs. The SDA Church is fairly diverse and it is a worldwide denomination, so there's going to be differences of opinion among Adventists but we all tend to agree on a number of beliefs that make up our official stance as a church. To find this feel free to go to Beliefs: The Official Site of the Seventh-day Adventist world church. Also, to get a feel for who we are as a people, not just our intellectual thoughts and bible study, there are a number of churches that livestream or record their church services and sermons. Two of my personal favorites are the Toledo First SDA Church and the Loma Linda University Church. There are many others that broadcast their worship services, so feel free to look at several to get a good idea.
Toledo First SDA Church website is Toledo First Seventh-day Adventist Church Toledo OH : Home
Loma Linda University Church website is Loma Linda University Church | Loma Linda CA : Home
Amazing Facts is also a media ministry within the SDA Church so they have lots of different resources you may enjoy. Their website is Amazing Facts - Christian Media.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask us on this forum too. Just realize that you may get some differences of opinion, but all of us seek to be as honest in our Bible study as we are able and we want to be helpful.

 

[GracetotheHumble]

I am so grateful to both of you for the knowledge you shared. I will spend as much time as I can reviewing the material. I apologize that it took me so long to respond as I was very ill again yesterday.

I was really wondering will you please explain to me your obsession with Ellen White and your beliefs on 1844? Are these essential beliefs in order to be a SDA?

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

While some within our denomination are Ellen White centric, the vast majority of us regard her writings a supplimentry to the Bible. It's hard to explain but after reading even some of her writings you will know the authenticity of what she brings to the table... expounding upon the scriptures like you'll find nowhere else. While some have been fanatical about her writings, some have almost rejected them because of not wanting to be identified with the fanatics... if you take a balanced approach, you will find the blessing intended.

In addition to the sources already mentioned, the best EG White book you can read is The Great Controversy... it is free online. This lays out in great detail the history of God's church from apostolic time to our own time and beyond. Highly recommend... you will understand 1844 (and a whole lot more about history), after reading this one book.

 

[GracetotheHumble]

While some within our denomination are Ellen White centric, the vast majority of us regard her writings a supplimentry to the Bible. It's hard to explain but after reading even some of her writings you will know the authenticity of what she brings to the table... expounding upon the scriptures like you'll find nowhere else. While some have been fanatical about her writings, some have almost rejected them because of not wanting to be identified with the fanatics... if you take a balanced approach, you will find the blessing intended.

In addition to the sources already mentioned, the best EG White book you can read is The Great Controversy... it is free online. This lays out in great detail the history of God's church from apostolic time to our own time and beyond. Highly recommend... you will understand 1844 (and a whole lot more about history), after reading this one book.

Awesome. I'm doing so much studying I'll try and read The Great Controversy and examine the rest of the resources you are offering as I love learning.

 

[GracetotheHumble]

So the SDA does not have women Pastors?

 

[GracetotheHumble]

Did I post this in the correct area? Are SDA considered Traditional Adventist or are they considered Progressive/Moderate Adventist?

 

[GracetotheHumble]

I guess one thing I'm wondering is am I allowed to be a SDA as long as I keep the Sabbath and the dietary laws and believe in Jesus Christ and the basic tenants of Christianity but I don't follow Ellen White or the 1844 beliefs?

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

Awesome. I'm doing so much studying I'll try and read The Great Controversy and examine the rest of the resources you are offering as I love learning.

I know you will enjoy it tremendously!!

Our study group just got finished reading through The Great Controversy again and it was as inspiring the second time as the first... imo, the best book ever written on the history of God's people.

Also to add, that Ellen White only had a grade 3 education, so you will see the undeniable hand of God in her writings. He loves using those that are not of high standing or education to do His work... for His glory and none of our own!

 

[JojotheBeloved]

I was really wondering will you please explain to me your obsession with Ellen White and your beliefs on 1844? Are these essential beliefs in order to be a SDA?

Ellen White was a primary influence in the development of the SDA Church. She continued to be a leader in the church throughout her lifetime, and since she was also an author her influence has continued to the present day.

She was the author of the Great Controversy and other books.

I think EastCoastRemnant summed it up pretty well. SDAs tend to agree that her books and her influence can be very helpful, but they tend to differ on how strongly they hold to her advice. October of 1844 was an event that Adventists call The Great Disappointment. It was a time when the Advent Movement was in its infancy and lots of people believed very strongly that Jesus was coming back and they were very excited for that to happen. They predicted that it would happen in October 1844, and when it didn't they were very disappointed. As to what actually did happen in 1844, there's a variety of theories and Adventists don't all agree. But we tend to agree that something important happened, even if we may not agree on what that was. If you're interested in Advent history, a good resource is author George Knight. He has several short books on Adventist history and I think he does a good job of being objective and fair. I would suggest A Brief History of Seventh-day Adventists and/or Meeting Ellen White.

As far as their being essential beliefs to join an SDA Church.... I think you're thinking of our beliefs in a different way than we intend them. The 28 Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists are not a creed one must adhere to in order to join the Adventist church. They are a statement of what we tend to agree upon, as a way to be clear in our teachings for the benefit of new converts and evangelism and as a way to make sure we're all on the same page as a church community. You don't have to agree with every point in order to associate with us. And even if you do agree with the core beliefs, you don't have to agree with every way they are taught by every person. There's room for a lot of diversity within our community. Personally, I really appreciate that about our church family.

 

[JojotheBeloved]

So the SDA does not have women Pastors?

That statement is very loaded for us. It's not necessarily true that we do not have women pastors. It is true that women pastors are not currently ordained in the SDA Church. Right now, female pastors are given a ministerial credential labeled "commissioned" in North America and Europe. There are also female pastors in China, but I don't know what credential they are given or if they're given any. The commissioned credential signifies that they have the same educational qualifications and competency skills as their male colleges. However, it is a clear label for churches and conferences when they are looking to hire pastors that the person is female and that brings up discrimination issues. That is currently a point of contention among Adventists. Some are very passionately wanting female pastors to be ordained and recognized in equal standing, others are very passionately opposed. Both cite biblical sources for their views. For someone who is new, I wouldn't encourage you to get too bogged down by that argument for a while. It tends to get complicated and sometimes a little nasty.

We are a church family united in core beliefs that we agree on, but we are just as human as anybody else. Sometimes our fallen human nature creates issues we have to work through as a family. This is one of those issues. And like biological brothers and sisters, we don't always agree and we sometimes push each others buttons. But I think it's still a blessing to be brothers and sisters in Christ and have opportunity to hear each others' opinions and views and openly discuss our differences. I hope we will come together in harmony on this issue eventually, but I think it can be very depressing if you get too caught up in it too fast.

If you are interested and you are ready to take on a complicated and controversial issue... there is a thread in this forum which discusses the subject of ordination for women pastors in the SDA Church. Just try to be objective when reading and try not to judge either side too harshly. It can get kind of nasty and bogged down.

 

[JojotheBeloved]

Did I post this in the correct area? Are SDA considered Traditional Adventist or are they considered Progressive/Moderate Adventist?

Lol. Yes, you did post in the correct area... but you could've posted in the Progressive/Moderate area too. Even though the two are labeled separately in CF they actually represent different views within the same church denomination. We all go to the same churches, send our children to the same Adventist schools, read the same publications, and study the same Bible. The difference on CF is that they represent two different sides of the same coin - "traditional" Adventists tend to think differently than "progressive/moderate" Adventists and apparently (according to others, I wasn't on CF at that time) the two groups were fighting so much that they split them on this forum. We often still post in both areas, but whenever we go to one or the other we are aware that we are talking mostly to people holding a general viewpoint. To use the example you brought up about women pastors... it's a generalization and thus not always true, but "traditional" Adventists tend to argue that women should not be pastors and "progessive" Adventists tend to argue that women should be pastors. It's a simplistic example of a complex issue, but I hope you get the main point. We're all one family...

 

[GracetotheHumble]

Ellen White was a primary influence in the development of the SDA Church. She continued to be a leader in the church throughout her lifetime, and since she was also an author her influence has continued to the present day.

She was the author of the Great Controversy and other books.

I think EastCoastRemnant summed it up pretty well. SDAs tend to agree that her books and her influence can be very helpful, but they tend to differ on how strongly they hold to her advice. October of 1844 was an event that Adventists call The Great Disappointment. It was a time when the Advent Movement was in its infancy and lots of people believed very strongly that Jesus was coming back and they were very excited for that to happen. They predicted that it would happen in October 1844, and when it didn't they were very disappointed. As to what actually did happen in 1844, there's a variety of theories and Adventists don't all agree. But we tend to agree that something important happened, even if we may not agree on what that was. If you're interested in Advent history, a good resource is author George Knight. He has several short books on Adventist history and I think he does a good job of being objective and fair. I would suggest A Brief History of Seventh-day Adventists and/or Meeting Ellen White.

As far as their being essential beliefs to join an SDA Church.... I think you're thinking of our beliefs in a different way than we intend them. The 28 Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists are not a creed one must adhere to in order to join the Adventist church. They are a statement of what we tend to agree upon, as a way to be clear in our teachings for the benefit of new converts and evangelism and as a way to make sure we're all on the same page as a church community. You don't have to agree with every point in order to associate with us. And even if you do agree with the core beliefs, you don't have to agree with every way they are taught by every person. There's room for a lot of diversity within our community. Personally, I really appreciate that about our church family.

Thank you for your post Lady it was very informative. I have several threads going right now so I am doing the best I can to evaluate them all and give proper responses. Can you please post a link to the 28 beliefs of the SDA?

 

[GracetotheHumble]

Lol. Yes, you did post in the correct area... but you could've posted in the Progressive/Moderate area too. Even though the two are labeled separately in CF they actually represent different views within the same church denomination. We all go to the same churches, send our children to the same Adventist schools, read the same publications, and study the same Bible. The difference on CF is that they represent two different sides of the same coin - "traditional" Adventists tend to think differently than "progressive/moderate" Adventists and apparently (according to others, I wasn't on CF at that time) the two groups were fighting so much that they split them on this forum. We often still post in both areas, but whenever we go to one or the other we are aware that we are talking mostly to people holding a general viewpoint. To use the example you brought up about women pastors... it's a generalization and thus not always true, but "traditional" Adventists tend to argue that women should not be pastors and "progessive" Adventists tend to argue that women should be pastors. It's a simplistic example of a complex issue, but I hope you get the main point. We're all one family...

Oh I see. Once again thank you for the response Miss. So I guess you could say that Traditional Adventists are more conservative and Progressive Adventists are more liberal? But these are all members of the same denomination I guess I understand what you are saying. They are all SDA but their beliefs vary. Thank you and God bless you!

 

[JojotheBeloved]

I guess one thing I'm wondering is am I allowed to be a SDA as long as I keep the Sabbath and the dietary laws and believe in Jesus Christ and the basic tenants of Christianity but I don't follow Ellen White or the 1844 beliefs?

You are allowed to be an SDA, because you are seeking to follow Christ and desire to be a part of our community. Most who are SDAs feel comfortable being a part of our community because we tend to agree with core viewpoints, such as the belief statements we suggested reading on adventist.org/beliefs. We tend to understand and empathize with each other's views and that helps us be in harmony in our mission to spread the Gospel of Christ. But our beliefs were never intended to be harsh or dogmatic. And it's a misunderstanding to say we hold to dietary laws. We don't. We encourage overall healthful living, because it's a good idea for quality of life on this earth. But not all SDAs are vegans... or vegetarians for that matter. Not all SDAs keep to OT clean and unclean meat choices either. Most tend to, because it's valued in our community to be healthy and those are healthy choices... but it's not a creed or dogma anyone must conform to.

Before you write off Ellen White, I would encourage you to read The Great Controversy. Then you can form an educated opinion.

And before you write off 1844 happenings... realize that you don't have to agree with any particular interpretation of what that event means, but it is important to understand that the event was a turning point for the Adventists of that time and without that event the SDA Church may not exist. God used our mistakes to bring about something wonderful - church family passionate about Jesus and His return. It is important to be respectful of that, because of the blessings God brought out of ashes and disappointment.

Sabbath is very important to us as well... but it is meant to be a blessing not a burden.

Do some research. Ask your questions. Go and hang out at an Adventist church in your area for a while or look up some service broadcasts online. Listen to what God's Spirit tells you and look for Jesus Christ in our church family. Seek Jesus. He will take you where you need to be.

 

[JojotheBeloved]

I know you will enjoy it tremendously!!

Our study group just got finished reading through The Great Controversy again and it was as inspiring the second time as the first... imo, the best book ever written on the history of God's people.

Also to add, that Ellen White only had a grade 3 education, so you will see the undeniable hand of God in her writings. He loves using those that are not of high standing or education to do His work... for His glory and none of our own!

The Great Controversy was definitely a God thing... and it's awesome reading. I love that about God - that He uses the least likely candidate for His amazing work. It's AWESOME! God is AWESOME! The more I learn about who Ellen White was as a person, the more I respect her opinions and her influence as a leader in our community. God blessed our community to have such a strong and passionate woman on the team.

 

[JojotheBeloved]

The 28 Fundamental Beliefs are what I posted initially, but I can post it again. It's found at Beliefs: The Official Site of the Seventh-day Adventist world church.

 

[JojotheBeloved]

Oh I see. Once again thank you for the response Miss. So I guess you could say that Traditional Adventists are more conservative and Progressive Adventists are more liberal? But these are all members of the same denomination I guess I understand what you are saying. They are all SDA but their beliefs vary. Thank you and God bless you!

Generally speaking, yes. I think you get the main idea.

Thank you for asking such great questions! God bless you too and your research as you're seeking His heart.