Recently retired after 40 years of pastoral ministry, my last 19 years were in the Northern California Conference [NCC]—a wonderful place to live and work! I remain excited about the love of God and the gospel. I love the church and the people concerning whom I am writing here. I continue to pray for all of us. I am sad about having to write this article—and I have searched my own heart first. I regret that I did not write this article years ago. But maybe it’s not too late now.
Before the September 25, 2022 NCC Conference Constituency Meeting where leadership will be elected for the coming term of office, it is appropriate to review some history: Our official church beliefs and practices stand in stark contrast to administrative responses to the baptism of a married lesbian on June 4, 2016, into the Chico Seventh-day Adventist church.
Before the illicit Chico baptism took place in 2016, Pastor Dan Wysong, then-senior pastor at Chico, said he spoke with NCC administration about the issue.
“My president said that I couldn’t do the baptism, since it would place me in violation of church policy. I went back and told my elders I couldn’t do it, and one of them volunteered to do the baptism instead. Alice was baptized, and the church strongly voted her into church membership.”[1] (Emphasis mine.)
With Alice’s baptism, she and her spouse, Amber, were both baptized Seventh-day Adventist members at Chico. Rose Durant, an aunt of Amber (the other married lesbian) realized that their church membership would confirm both women in their sin. Accordingly, Rose wrote to higher levels for administrative intervention—all in vain. She appealed first to NCC, then to the Pacific Union Conference [PUC], and then to the North American Division [NAD]. Finally, she broke the story on Fulcrum7.
In the meantime, I learned that the local elder who performed the baptism was an ordained[2] credentialed woman named Ginger Harwood, who before her retirement taught SDA ministerial students at La Sierra University.
Starting in May of 2017, I wrote President Ricardo Graham at the Pacific Union, the entity having authority to approve and remove ordinations, asking—based on written church policies—that Harwood’s credentials be removed and her ordination rescinded. Graham refused to give me the contact information for Pacific Union executive committee members, and after months of stonewalling, eventually responded that the Conference presidents within the Union (including Southeastern California Conference President Sandra Roberts)[3] declined to discipline Harwood. This neglect set the tone for what followed. Finally, in February 2018, I unsuccessfully appealed in writing to the North American Division [NAD] and the General Conference to intervene.
In the meantime, on June 23, 2017, Dr. Hugo Leon and I personally interviewed Chico senior pastor Dan Wysong. We learned that Wysong allowed the lesbian baptism to happen because he was intentionally trying to broaden the membership parameters of the Seventh-day Adventist church. I shared our findings with administration.
Repentance, together with confession and making wrongs right, are key elements of the gospel itself and are requirements for baptism, the door of entry into the church:[i]
How can we teach people the importance of repentance, confession, and surrender as conditions of receiving forgiveness when we baptize them before they repent and turn from their sin—or when we don’t require the same steps of pastors like Wysong?
How can we give the world hope of salvation from sin when we baptize into membership those practicing sin?
How can we tell the world that God judges us according to the Ten Commandments when we ignore Bible instruction to judge those within our membership who practice open violation of this holy law?[4]
How can we call the world to worship God as Creator by keeping the Sabbath holy [Revelation 14: 6-7] when we hold in membership those who violate the Creation order of marriage?
How can we hold together as a global church when we allow individual churches to set their own parameters for church membership?
Seventh-day Adventist teachings are a biblical and tightly interwoven system of truth. Compromising on LGBT+ issues actually undermines the whole system. Other doctrines affected include:
1. The Holy Scriptures;
5. The Holy Spirit;
7. The Nature of Humanity;
8. The Great Controversy;
10. The Experience of Salvation;
11. Growing in Christ;
12. The Church;
13. The Remnant and Its Mission;
15. Baptism,
16; The Lord’s Supper;
18. The Gift of Prophecy;
19. The Law of God;
20. The Sabbath;
23. Marriage and the Family;
24. Christ’s Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary;
25. The Second Coming of Christ; and
28. The New Earth.[ii]
Denial of the gospel and our fundamental beliefs is the very first cause for discipline of church members, according to the Church Manual.[5] Does a lower standard somehow apply to pastors? It appears to be so in within the authority of the NCC, PUC and NAD.
Over 2 years had passed since the baptism. Constituent churches had heard nothing in regard to the repentance of Wysong, Harwood, nor the Chico church; nor of any visible[6] corrective administrative actions. Wysong remained as Chico lead pastor; Harwood remained an elder and Sabbath School teacher at Chico; the Union declined to rescind Harwood’s ordination and credentials; and the Chico church continued to operate in good standing within the NCC.
Concerned about this picture, the Sacramento Central Church submitted to the 2018 NCC Constituency Session a motion, [iii] based on church policies, to discipline both pastors if they were still unrepentant and to discipline the Chico church itself, if it could not solve its internal discipline problems within a year.[7]
It is a right of constituency, provided in the NCC-governing By-Laws, to bring such concerns to the church in session.[iv] Overstepping the authority given them by the NCC Constitution, the Conference Executive Committee (CEC), chaired by current NCC President Woodson, declined to put Sacramento Central’s motion on the agenda (along with 4 other motions).[v] Finally, Woodson wrote that “The case is overstated… that the Chico church is in apostasy; the Chico church is not considered by the CEC nor conference administration to be in apostasy.”[8]
Apostasy
For the Seventh-day Adventist Church, who defines what apostasy is? Not a local church, not the local Conference, not the Union or even the Division, but only the General Conference in session, which establishes membership guidelines in the Church Manual.[9]
What does the Manual say about membership requirements? It says candidates should demonstrate “by practice and conduct . . . a willing acceptance of Church doctrines.” [10] Officially, we espouse only the creation view of marriage—between one man and woman.
Conversely, the Church Manual lists denial of faith in the gospel and our fundamental beliefs as the first cause for church discipline of members and it lists homosexual practice among the sins which require discipline of members.[11]
According to these official membership standards of the world church, are not President Woodson and those who support his stance defending apostasy? If unrepentant, should they be reelected? If still unrepentant, should they be allowed to remain part of the church? Should any NCC officer be reelected without a thorough screening process as to their beliefs?
I am sure Chico has faithful members within it, but regarding President Woodson’s claim that Chico church is not in apostasy, please consider the following facts and administrative responses:
A Chico leader, Ginger Harwood performed the illegal lesbian baptism at Chico.
The Chico church strongly voted the baptism--a controlling majority.
The Chico church has voted to retain Harwood as a local elder and SS teacher.[12]
In 2018[13] Chico church elected Harwood and Richard Kannenberg,[14] who also supported the lesbian baptism, as delegates to the NCC Constituency Meeting.
President Woodson permitted Harwood and Kannenberg to come as delegates to the NCC constituency meeting to help shape the future of our conference.
Kannenberg also continues as an elected elder at Chico.[15]
Harwood was also elected to the organizing committee which appointed the NCC nominating committee in 2018. PUC President and committee chairman Graham allowed her to participate.
Harwood was present as a NCC constituency delegate in 2018 when her role at Chico was discussed and she offered no statement of repentance.
Harwood was a featured speaker at an NCC Women’s Conference shortly after performing the illicit baptism.
She spoke at a June 2019 Loma Linda University conference on the role of women in our church history.
Not only Chico church, but administrators who allowed the above to happen without consequences are in apostasy. In contrast, the 1st step in discipline is to remove a person from all leadership roles and from voice or vote in church affairs.[16]
Is there such a thing as corporate guilt?
When Achan sinned, God held all Israel accountable even though his sin was secret and not known. There were many good people in Israel. But God withdrew his blessing anyway. People died at Ai because God was not with them. Not until Achan and his family were removed from Israel did God bless them and help them defeat Ai. Can we expect God to treat us any differently today especially when we have knowledge of the sin and do nothing about it?
Back to the 2018 Constituency Meeting: A Point of Order asked that the five rejected motions be added, including Sacramento Central’s. After the motions were outlined (without their supporting rationales), a motion to add them to the agenda was defeated.[vi]
When Harwood’s role at Chico was referenced as the motions were read, NCC President Woodson, PUC President Ricardo Graham and NAD President Dan Jackson were all there. Not one of them spoke in support of upholding Biblical doctrine and discipline. They all failed in their roles as leaders. So this picture of compromise extends all the way to the NAD.
“If God abhors one sin above another, of which His people are guilty, it is doing nothing in case of an emergency. Indifference and neutrality in a religious crisis is regarded of God as a grievous crime and equal to the very worst type of hostility against God.” {3T 280.3} (Emphasis mine.)
Pastor Wysong’s failure to support our beliefs was again referenced at the 2018 NCC Constituency when delegates voted to renew credentials—his name was on the ministerial list recommended by the executive committee. A motion to send the list back to the CEC for individual screening because of this concern was narrowly defeated (55% to 45%). Again, the NCC, PUC and NAD Presidents gave no ethical or moral guidance.
On December 15, 2018, Wysong said, “I had been doing everything in my power to help the Seventh-day Adventist Church move forward, and instead it continues to move backwards… If we can’t even get the inclusion of women right, I’m not all that hopeful about Adventism’s capacity to grow to the point where it includes LGBTQ people as equals.”[17] (Emphasis mine.)
Announcing his resignation, Wysong wrote on October 24, 2018, in Chico Church’s newsletter, “I’m not making this choice because I feel unsupported by you. I have felt encouraged and loved by the vast majority of you.” Then he emphasized that “I am not being asked to step down nor forced out.” (Emphasis mine.)
So why did Wysong finally resign? Here is what he wrote:
“Dear Church Family, your mother and I continue to grow apart. We have increasingly different interests, values, and practices, and are no longer compatible - but this doesn’t mean we love you any less.” [18]
In summary: Wysong allowed the lesbian baptism because he believed it was the right thing to do. His ending statements show he never did change. He never expressed public repentance for wrong. Yet the NCC leaders left him as pastor of the Chico church for over two years and even recommended to the 2018 Constituency Session that his credentials be renewed. The majority of delegates essentially voted to leave him in.
Who is responsible in this case? In light of Achan, until this situation is corrected the whole conference is responsible, which brings us back to the title of this article: In light of all of the above, is the NCC a viable part of the SDA church?
After his resignation from the Chico Church, Wysong quickly became the pastor of a United Church of Christ congregation. After this his SDA ordination was finally rescinded. Ginger Harwood’s retirement credentials were not renewed, but she is still a leader at Chico Church. Shouldn’t Ginger and other members at Chico who still support her wrong be removed both from leadership and finally from membership if still unrepentant?
Is it too late for the 2022 NCC Constituency meeting to
1) remove wayward members of the CEC and to
2) replace delinquent NCC administrators, electing leaders who will bring biblical and redemptive consequences to the errant Chico church?
Dear President Woodson and those who support your errors. You and your mother continue to grow apart. You have different interests, values, and practices which are not compatible with the official church. This doesn’t mean we love you any less, but isn’t it time for you to depart as Wysong did? Start your own denomination. Take with you those who believe as you do. It’s a free country! But do not continue to protect and defend apostasy within the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
What can you do?
Examine yourself. Ask God for a deeper level of humility, repentance and spiritual victory.
Pray without ceasing for yourself, the church, our leaders, and for a credible election process on September 25, 2022.
Most of all, pray that each of us will be ready to go home when Jesus comes, without one missing.
With love and prayers to all,
Pastor Larre Kostenko
[1] In an interview published December 15, 2018 https://atoday.org/an-interview-with-dan-wysong/ (last accessed 8/26/2022)
[2] Current PUC President Brad Newton, then Secretary of PUC, officiated at Harwood’s ordination. Did he adequately screen her beforehand? The conference that had sponsored Harwood’s credentials was Southeastern California Conference, where Sandra Roberts served as the President at the time.
[3] Roberts is now the Secretary of the Pacific Union, 2nd in command to the President. Roberts has failed, along with the others at the Union, to annul Harwood’s ordination.
[4] Compare 1 Corinthians 5 with 1 Corinthians 6: 1-11. In 1 Corinthians 5, the church fails to judge immorality in its midst. In 1 Corinthians 6, it has forgotten that such people will not inherit the kingdom of heaven.
[5] “The reasons for which members shall be subject to discipline are: 1. Denial of faith in the fundamentals of the gospel and in the fundamental beliefs of the Church or teaching doctrines contrary to the same…” Church Manual 2015 ed, p. 62.
[6] NCC Admin claimed to have disciplined Wysong, but they were not free to reveal the discipline for legal reasons. All the while Wysong remained the lead pastor at Chico. Where is invisible discipline taught in the Bible or the Church Manual? Finish reading the article and ask how well this invisible discipline worked in this situation. For the sake of argument, even if discipline is invisible, does this prevent the wrong doer, if repentant, from freely and publicly expressing that repentance for public sin? Another missing ingredient in this whole picture.)
[7] https://www.fulcrum7.com/news/2018/9/12/ncc-leaders-rebuff-two-constituency-motions-from-sac-central-church (last accessed 8/22/2022)
[8] See footnote 7.
[9] “The standards and practices of the Church are based upon the principles of the Holy Scriptures. These principles, underscored by the Spirit of Prophecy, are set forth in this Church Manual. They are to be followed in all matters pertaining to the administration and operation of local churches… No attempt should be made to set up standards of membership or to make, or attempt to enforce, rules or regulations for local church operations that are contrary to these decisions adopted by the General Conference in Session and that are set forth in this Church Manual.” Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual, 19th Edition, Revised 2015, Updated 2016 P. 16 ff [Emphasis mine.]
[10] “A pastor should satisfy the church by a public examination that candidates are well instructed, are committed to taking this important step, and by practice and conduct demonstrate a willing acceptance of Church doctrines and the principles of conduct which are the outward expression of those doctrines, for “by their fruits you will know them” (Matt. 7:20).” Ibid. P. 44 [emphasis mine.]
[11] “The reasons for which members shall be subject to discipline are: 1. Denial of faith in the fundamentals of the gospel and in the fundamental beliefs of the Church or teaching doctrines contrary to the same… 3. Violation of the commandment of the law of God, which reads, “You shall not commit adultery” (Ex. 20:14, Matt. 5:27-28), as it relates to the marriage institution and the Christian home, biblical standards of moral conduct, and any act of sexual intimacy outside of a marriage relationship and/or non-consensual acts of sexual conduct within a marriage, whether those acts are legal or illegal… Marriage is defined as a public, lawfully binding, monogamous, heterosexual relationship between one man and one woman. 4. Fornication, which includes among other issues, promiscuity, homosexual activity, incest, sodomy, and bestiality… ” Ibid. P. 62
[12] 8/16/2022 Ginger Harwood still teaches her class: https://www.chicoadventist.org/adult-classes She is still an elder at Chico: https://www.chicoadventist.org/about#mission-values (both last accessed 8/24/2022)
[13] https://nccsda.com/constituency/delegates/ No longer available 8 26 2022l.
[14] Same as above
[15] 8/16/2022: https://www.chicoadventist.org/about#mission-values (last accessed 8/24/2022)
[16] Church Manual, 2015 ed., p 63
[17] https://atoday.org/an-interview-with-dan-wysong/ (last accessed 8/26/22)
[18] Again, From the October 24, 2018 Chico church newsletter article by Wysong announcing his departure.
[i] Baptism is an expression of faith
Mark 16:16 says “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
Saving Belief includes repentance
In Mark 1:15 Jesus says …“repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
Repentance is a condition to be baptized.
Acts 2:38 says “Repent, and be baptized . . . for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Baptism represents death to self & sin—a metaphor for the unconditional surrender of the human will to God.
Rom. 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? . . . 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Baptism is a symbol of belonging
We are baptized into Christ’s body--the church. 1 Cor. 12:13, 27. The church is called the “household” of faith--it is a family, so baptism is joining the family.
This is what Jesus meant when He said that those who are rejected by their families when they follow Him will receive “manifold more” in this present world
Baptism means to understand and obey the teachings of Christ.
Matt. 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.
At baptism God makes promises. We make promises. Baptism is like a wedding. It formalizes a relationship & a commitment. God promises to forgive and cleanse us. Knowing we can’t, yet we promise to “observe whatsoever He has commanded” – only through His living grace and power.
[ii] 2015 Fundamental beliefs that are affected by apostasy on the LGBTQ+ issue (all emphasis supplied):
1. The Holy Scriptures
. . . . The Holy Scriptures are the supreme, authoritative, and the infallible revelation of His will. They are the standard of character, the test of experience, the definitive revealer of doctrines, . . .
5. The Holy Spirit
. . . He renews and transforms into the image of God. . . .
7. The Nature of Humanity
. . . The image of God in them was marred and they became subject to death. . . .. But God in Christ reconciled the world to Himself and by His Spirit restores in penitent mortals the image of their Maker. . . .
8. The Great Controversy
All humanity is now involved in a great controversy between Christ and Satan regarding the character of God, His law, and His sovereignty over the universe. . . . This human sin resulted in the distortion of the image of God in humanity, . . .
10. The Experience of Salvation
. . . Led by the Holy Spirit we sense our need, acknowledge our sinfulness, repent of our transgressions, and exercise faith in Jesus as Saviour and Lord, Substitute and Example. This saving faith comes through the divine power of the Word and is the gift of God’s grace. Through Christ we are justified, adopted as God’s sons and daughters, and delivered from the lordship of sin. Through the Spirit we are born again and sanctified; the Spirit renews our minds, writes God’s law of love in our hearts, and we are given the power to live a holy life. . . .
11. Growing in Christ
. . . Jesus’ victory gives us victory over the evil forces that still seek to control us, . . . Now the Holy Spirit dwells within us and empowers us. . . . In this new freedom in Jesus, we are called to grow into the likeness of His character, . . .
12. The Church
. . . In continuity with the people of God in Old Testament times, we are called out from the world; . . . The church is the bride for whom Christ died that He might sanctify and cleanse her. At His return in triumph, He will present her to Himself a glorious church, the faithful of all the ages, the purchase of His blood, not having spot or wrinkle, but holy and without blemish. . . .
13. The Remnant and Its Mission
The universal church is composed of all who truly believe in Christ, but in the last days, a time of widespread apostasy, a remnant has been called out to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. . . . This proclamation . . . coincides with the work of judgment in heaven and results in a work of repentance and reform on earth. . . .
14. Unity in the Body of Christ
. . . Through the revelation of Jesus Christ in the Scriptures we share the same faith and hope, . . .
15. Baptism
By baptism we . . . testify of our death to sin and of our purpose to walk in newness of life. . . . It is . . . evidence of repentance of sin. It follows instruction in the Holy Scriptures and acceptance of their teachings. . . .
16. The Lord’s Supper
. . . . Preparation for the Supper includes self-examination, repentance, and confession. The Master ordained the service of foot-washing to signify renewed cleansing, . . .
18. The Gift of Prophecy
. . . Her writings speak with prophetic authority and provide comfort, guidance, instruction, and correction to the church.. . .
19. The Law of God
The great principles of God’s law are embodied in the Ten Commandments and exemplified in the life of Christ. . . . . These precepts are the basis of God’s covenant with His people and the standard in God’s judgment. . . . The obedience of faith demonstrates the power of Christ to transform lives, and therefore strengthens Christian witness. . . .
20. The Sabbath
The gracious Creator, . . ., rested on the seventh day and instituted the Sabbath for all people as a memorial of Creation. . . . It is a symbol of our redemption in Christ, a sign of our sanctification, a token of our allegiance, . . .
22. Christian Behavior
. . . For the Spirit to recreate in us the character of our Lord we involve ourselves only in those things that will produce Christlike purity, health, and joy in our lives. . . . .
23. Marriage and the Family
Marriage was divinely established in Eden and affirmed by Jesus to be a lifelong union between a man and a woman. . . .
24. Christ’s Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary
. . . The investigative judgment . . . makes manifest who among the living are abiding in Christ, keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and in Him, therefore, are ready for translation into His everlasting kingdom. . . .
25. The Second Coming of Christ
. . . When He returns, the righteous dead will be resurrected, and together with the righteous living will be glorified and taken to heaven, but the unrighteous will die. . . .
28. The New Earth
On the new earth, in which righteousness dwells, God will provide an eternal home for the redeemed . . .
[iii] A church that baptizes and accepts same-sex couples into membership condones this sin. After explaining clearly the sin of homosexual activity in Romans 1:24-27, Paul indicts not only the sinner, but those who give their approval (Romans 1:29–32). Chico church has done just that, and the Church Manual allows for expulsion of entire churches if other redemptive steps fail. Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual, 2015 ed p. 40.
[iv] In Article V, Section 6 the Bylaws say:
“Delegates shall have the right to place items on the agenda, as recommended by their respective church in business session. Agenda items should relate to issues impacting on the Conference as a whole. All such agenda items must be submitted in writing to the Chair at least sixty (60) days prior to the session.”
The Executive Committee doesn’t have the constitutional authority to screen out legitimate motions and thereby overrule or violate the Bylaws. Article VII, Section 7 of the Bylaws says:
“The Executive Committee shall have the authority to adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of its affairs and the affairs of the Conference, provided that the same are not in conflict with these Bylaws or those of the Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, or of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.” (Italics supplied.)
[v] See these articles for four of the five 2018 motions and the CEC’s rejection letters to the submitting churches:
http://www.fulcrum7.com/news/2018/9/28/adding-a-motions-to-the-2018-ncc-constituency-agenda-make-sure-its-not-conservative (Both last accessed 8/22/2022)
[vi] To explain the proceedings further: when the Point of Order motion asked that the five excluded motions be added to the agenda, only the “bare” motions were read and projected. Unfortunately, the considerable information introducing each motion--the “whereas” portion--was omitted. So the delegates didn’t know the background concerns.