Not sure where I belong...

[MidnightCry]

I am a member of the SDA Church and plan on staying a member of the SDA Church. My problem is I don't accept all the teachings of the pioneers and Ellen White.

I believe God has a message for this generation, the people that will be alive when Jesus returns; which I think will be within the next 10 years. I don't think Ellen White or the pioneers have the final say on endtime prophecy because God knew they would not need that information; they wouldn't be alive at the end of time.

I believe Ellen White had important information that God wanted His church to have. She was chosen to deliver that information to the church. I have no problem with that.

However, God reveals information He wants us to know shortly before it is going to take place. I believe He has a message for the endtime church.

So, now I don't know where I belong.

 

[SharonL]

Maybe God is drawing you closer by causing you to doubt - don't put so much emphasis on religion, but on a relationship with God - you don't need a label to be close to God - there will not be places sectioned off in Heaven with a label on it of different religions - Once I found the Spirt Filled life - religion became unimportant. The only thing that matters is my relationship with God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit. Not SDA, Baptists, Catholics, etc.

 

[MidnightCry]

Thanks for your reply SharonL.

But I still like to attend Sabbath School and worship every week. I feel like I have to be careful what I say, so I don't step over the line or something. It's like you can't question certain parts of the SDA doctrine.

Does this ever happen to anyone else?

 

[Adventist Dissident]

join my group

 

[tessa04]

Not all the pioneers accepted all the 'official' teachings of the church in the 1800's and alot of them were in charge of church publications and things like that. So you're in good company. And if you look at the history of how many and which fundamental beliefs we've had over the course of our history it makes for a fascinating study. If you want to know where you belong, ask God. Ask him to show you what you need to know and discuss things with people you trust both spiritually and theologically.

 

[Princessdi]

You belong where ever God leads you to be........It is a shame that this question is even necessary, as those who require more than God make others feel "less than". That should never happen in the Family of God. Just pray and ask for the leading of the Holy Spirit, He will lead exactly where you belong.....even if that means staying put!

 

[Rottiedog]

Having a sense of belonging can be difficult sometimes. I think there can be advantages to "church shopping". I did it for years until I finally found an SDA group that loves Jesus to death (no pun intended) yet can be addicted to Starbucks, eat clam chowder, drink an occasional glass of wine, and coordinate a crab feed for their child's school fundraiser without fearing what people may say or think. The key to your (and any one else's) contentment in a church is to find a congregation that stands fast in their primary beliefs of salvation and one's relationship with Christ yet isn't so anal retentive that you have to walk on eggshells all the time. Especially in the SDA area, it may take some time but I think God will lead you to where He thinks is best. And that's my two cents.

 

[ciaradawn]

Lots of good advice here
I think too often we consider worldly things when looking for a church; where do my friends go for instance... Pray that God will lead you to the church that He wants you to be in. And you know what, that may change... the church that is right for you now might not be the church that is right for you 5 years from now. Pray and then listen and slow down; don't be in a rush to hear God's voice. We can't hear Him when we're rushing.

I really enjoy my little church. There are not a lot of young people in it. I'm in that awkward age range... everyone is either way older than me or way younger. I wish there were more people my age there, but it is what it is. I feel like I'm in the right place and that's what counts.

Not only that, but think about this... we search and search for the things WE want in a church instead of asking God what He wants from us. Maybe He will lead us to a church and then ask us to add to it our own talents. Maybe my awkward age range in my church means that I should be involved in the youth department and helping it grow.

You will find the right place. Just listen