Leaders of Adventism Dialogue

SDARM GC
March 1, 2019
United States
Statement regarding the meetings between the Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement and the Seventh-day Adventist leadership.

Dear Brethren from the SDARM,

 

For many years, our brethren in various capacities have been requesting meetings with the mainstream Seventh-day Adventist Church (“SDA Church”) regarding the issues that separate us. This was especially true during the 1950s when official letters were written to the president of the SDA Church. It was not until the early to mid-1980s that our brethren had an opportunity to share our beliefs and hold discussions with the then-retired president, Robert Pierson, along with some other retired ministers. Since that time the only discussions were in local areas.

 

Then, in August 2017 we were approached by two brethren from the SDA Church regarding the possibility of holding meetings to understand why we hold differing views and to know where we agree.

 

In response to the Great Commission: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15), we accepted the invitation. Some of our teachings are unique to any other denomination and we believe they are vital to the preparation of God’s people who will be alive when Jesus comes the second time.

 

“Our ministers should seek to come near to the ministers of other denominations. Pray for and with these men, for whom Christ is interceding. A solemn responsibility is theirs. As Christ's messengers we should manifest a deep, earnest interest in these shepherds of the flock.”—Testimonies, vol. 6, pp. 77, 78.

 

Let us keep in mind that every time we give a Bible study to someone, we also have something to learn. For this reason, we thank the Lord for giving us this opportunity to meet not just with those who have retired in the Seventh-day Adventist Church but also to have a dialogue with those who are still in active service and in leadership roles. These meetings are NOT negotiations of any kind. We are simply meeting together to share what we believe to be important truths for the people of God living in the last generation of this world’s history and to understand one another’s point of view on the same topics.

 

After reading the combined statement below, please listen to the links provided (both video, audio, and written documentation) as presented by selected brethren regarding the views on several issues. The presentation of the subject of Closed Communion as submitted/delivered at the initial meeting in Silver Spring, Maryland, was not recorded, but a more detailed document that was given after the meeting is also linked below.

 

Please pray for those participating in the meetings, that the Spirit of the Lord may be in our midst, guiding and directing us to clearly present the points in which we differ and at the same time recognize, uphold, and encourage each other on the points upon which we agree.

 

Below is a joint statement from participants in the ongoing conversation.

 

Joint Statement of Participants in the Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement and Seventh-day Adventist Dialogue

December 2018

 

As representatives of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and the Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement General Conference, we are delighted to have the opportunity to meet and dialogue together in a spirit of Christian friendship and respect. Our shared heritage, and our many intersecting areas of doctrine, values, and practice, have allowed us to quickly establish a strong foundation of understanding and fellowship. As Sabbatarian Adventists, we share unique ties of spiritual kinship, each treasuring the Sabbath truth and looking forward eagerly to the soon return of our Savior.

 

We acknowledge, though, areas of clear difference in theological understanding and church practice, and these we express forthrightly and humbly, sharing with each other from Scripture and the writings of Ellen White. 

 

We meet in order to better understand one another, to open up a warm and cordial space for discussion and fellowship, and to affirm one another as we each seek to share Jesus Christ and His salvation in a fallen world. We look forward to meeting again in the Spring of 2019 to continue our conversation.

 

Presentations given at the dialogue between representatives of the Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement General Conference and the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, held December 5 and 6, 2018, in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional link (a study presented at the meeting on April 19, 2018):