From 2020 onward, many of us have sought out the most edifying religious liberty meetings. On May 9-11, 2025, the Northern New England Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (NNEC)(Vermont/New Hampshire/Maine) held such a meeting at Camp Lawroweld, Maine.
Like the pistol crack at the start of a running competition, NNEC Religious Liberty leader Greg Vatistas, in his Friday night presentation, proceeded to describe “Liberty of Conscience: An Eternal Principle.” He made clear that the Adventist view of religious liberty was not the same as the “man of sin’s” view of it (2 Thessalonians 2:3). Here is the audio of that presentation.
In the biblical view, all humans are siblings of one another; we should respect each other’s consciences. Contrary to this is the attempt to control other’s consciences. Vatistas offers up Thomas Jefferson’s definition of rightful liberty: “unobstructed action according to our will, within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others.” But as Vatistas points out,“law is often but the tyrant’s will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.”
Jefferson warned, “In questions of power, then, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.” Neither our positively intended nor malevolent decisions can be granted control over others. “Individual liberty of conscience is the only true liberty of conscience.” Vatistas also detailed the fundamental problem of corporate and sectarian conscience. He marked Ellen White as an exponent of liberty:
“You belong to God, soul, body, and spirit. Your mind belongs to God, and your talents belong to Him also. No one has a right to control another's mind and judge for another, prescribing what is his duty. There are certain rights that belong to every individual in doing God’s service. No man has any more liberty to take these rights from us than to take life itself. God has given us freedom to think, and it is our privilege to follow our impressions of duty. We are only human beings, and one human being has no jurisdiction over the conscience of another human being.… Each one of us has an individuality and identity that cannot be surrendered to any other human being. We are individually the workmanship of God” —Letter 92, 1895
No man has liberty to take these rights from us; no one outside the Church, nor inside. There really is no such thing as a sectarian or corporate conscience.
Vatistas surprised many with a 1902 quotation from E.J. Waggoner. Waggoner was also a physician. In his hour he faced a similar crisis with the forced vaccination of individuals:
“The Church Times, commenting on the failure of the proposal in Parliament to make vaccination universally compulsory says: ‘If there is anything in vaccination statistics, or if it is believed to be a safeguard against the disease of small-pox, it is absurd to allow the conscientious objector to roam at large. He is as great a danger to the community as a mad dog.’ Without expressing any opinion as to the value of vaccination, it seems evident that such language as this breathes the very spirit of the Roman Catholic Inquisition. If it is considered absurd to allow the conscientious objector to the opinions of the majority on this subject to roam at large, the next step would be to cage the conscientious dissenter from the Established Church. And a question arises here: If vaccination be indeed a safeguard against small-pox, how can a conscientious objector be as dangerous as a mad dog? What harm could he do in a community of vaccinated persons?” (March 6, 1902 E.J. Waggoner, PTUK [Present Truth UK] 157)
The parallels are interesting compared to our recent history. (More was discussed on this but I will leave that to those who choose to listen to the accompanying video!) Some in the Church today seem to grasp poorly the fundamental principles.
Pastor Ron Kelly’s presentations pointed to John the Baptist as the first religious liberty preacher in the early church (besides Jesus). He also suggested not only that health but liberty be employed in helping the true gospel find entrance. Kelly’s presentations were pastoral, strongly supportive of the SDA Church, and completely bereft of negativity. All that he shared partook of his usual easygoing style. In the closing presentation for the weekend, Kelly urged the importance of listening to our brethren. For the good of the work of God we need to seek courageously and intentionally to truly hear each other.
Pastor Robert Rice shared uncomfortable facts about transformations in American history. He showed how, in the aftermath of national emergencies, subtle but meaningful changes are made, having a long-term impact on how we think about the nation. “In God we trust” was added to money at the Civil War crisis, and “under God” added to the Pledge of Allegiance after WWII via the initiative of the Roman Catholic Knights of Columbus. The frog has been steadily boiled for a long time.
Sabbath afternoon saw an important open forum discussion. The building overflowed with interested participants as cameras and microphones were turned off and attendees given opportunity to speak their mind. Several from the conference leadership team were present, including president Gary Blanchard. Members spoke especially of challenges faced the past five years. Some, because they conscientiously refused to be injected with experimental treatments, said they had been disemployed by the conference (under a different leadership team).
There was an intensity in this session yet all were respectful of each other. Most comments centered in the disruption associated with the virus and vaccine question (VVQ). Here we are, now years past that pivotal hour. And yet, this was the first occasion since the VVQ crises period where I have seen open and serious discussion of it in the Church. The meeting seemed to have a healing effect. God has been very gracious to NNEC in giving a strong leader in Blanchard. Participants repeatedly stated overwhelming support for Blanchard's presidency.
Conference Youth and Young Adult leader Trevor Schlisner reminded attendees that during the covid crisis, the Southwestern Union had requested the North American Division to give stronger support to members affected by VVQ. In spite of efforts by some church leaders to limit the story of those years to one single, approved theme, it is evident that many members had a much different perception. In allowing our many failures to come to light, Jesus has positioned His Revelation 13 people wisely for tests yet to come.
Some will wonder about the spirit of the meeting? I spoke with numerous attendees. I found none to be blind supporters of either past or current US political leaders. One sister stated that she had almost not come, that she had expected to hear attendees complaining that their rights had been violated. She said that, instead, the meeting had been characterized by love.
In summary, here is a small conference striving, not to control members, but to uphold proper church order. The leaders are making an honest attempt to listen and work with their constituency.
This weekend refreshed my soul. This conference-sponsored event reminded attendees that God has not forsaken His people. The event location was filled to overflowing; new spaces had to be found so that all could have room to sleep at night. If future meetings bear any resemblance to this, readers may consider making plans to attend future NNEC RL retreats! Speaking for myself, it was more than worth the miles traveled.
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Larry Kirkpatrick serves as pastor of the Muskegon and Fremont MI Seventh-day Adventist churches. His YouTube channel is “Larry the guy from Michigan.” Along with complete series of hundreds of devotionals covering the complete books of Exodus, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Zechariah, Malachi, Mark, Luke, 1 Thessalonians, and other Bible books, on the channel, pastor Larry livestreams the “Remedial Protestantism podcast” every Sunday night at 9:00 ET.
