Let me start by clarifying that I am not a member of the Village SDA Church, or a constituent of the Michigan Conference. However, my sentiments represent thousands of SDA church members worldwide—they just haven’t said anything publically. There is a lot being said in small circles.
Over the last year-and-a-half, SDA members across the world have been praying for and watching the unjust and heart breaking events in Michigan Conference, specifically at the Village Church. Communication has worked well in this case and anyone who has paid attention knows the details—no need to be redundant in this letter. Suffice to say, the actions against Village, Pastor Kelly, and Dr. Vine have been outside Biblical counsel, and any official procedural guidelines we have as a denomination, not to mention moral human decency. No matter the excuses and arguments given, these facts are indisputable.
So now, Village is at a cross roads! MC won’t budge, the GC passed it on to the Union, and the Union apparently does not consider it important enough to handle quickly—and, when they decide to, they can simply revert it all back to MC, so nothing changes. It appears that we’ve been in a rocking chair which is moving, but not getting anywhere! In addition, the executive secretary of Atlantic Union, Mr. Huskins, who was responsible for banning Dr. Vine in that union is now the executive secretary of the Lake Union. Wonder how that vote will go, ha?! In the meantime, MC sent in their “big gun”, retired conference president, Elder Jay Gallimore, to manipulate the situation while the church suffers and falls apart. This all, without regard of the fact that the ultimate authority in the denominational structure is THE MEMBERSHIP (See Church Manual, p 28)!
Stalemate!!! In chess you call it, checkmate--village is cornered, and this was and is the plan all along! This now, is where we get to the elders.
Elders of VSDAC, we are aware that you have been trying to work on things and were successful in having a Religious Liberty weekend, BUT MC was successful in not allowing your own Village Church to host it—praise God that it happened at all, but the problem is not solved. Your job isn’t over! You are not called to just wait this out, be at the mercy of the “powers that be”, all while your church has been rendered a deathblow. Brethren, your hard work is still ahead of you, but I’m not sure you’ve found enough courage yet to stand for truth and justice—it appears at least not all of you.
You were elected by the VSDAC to be shepherds, protectors, and keepers of your local flock—it doesn’t matter from whom. Your flock is under attack going on two years, and you can no longer wait hoping things will get resolved favorably for Village—your attackers do not want the same resolution! The attackers will not quit—you must rise up and be the guard dogs of the flock. You must identify your goals clearly and speedily work to accomplishing them. Time is not on your side—it actually works against you! They are hoping to tire you out enough so you give up—will you?
Remember, you’ve been chosen and entrusted with a sacred duty of the safety of your local flock. If you do not have what it takes to take on the seriousness of the situation, you would be doing your flock a service by stepping aside. Whether you are the head elder or one of the group, if you cannot take confrontation and are prone to compromise, you’re not protecting your flock. Step aside, and allow others who may have the strength needed to persevere and get Village back to spiritual health and its mission. At this point in time, some of you are being used. We implore you to hold each other accountable and not just wait for personal self analysis—in love, address this amongst yourselves. The rightful authority of the church is being subverted and taken from you—it’s a clear power grab.
Elders, ask yourself some questions individually and collectively!
Was I/we put in this position by MC or VSDAC—who am I accountable to (besides God)?
Is my/our action showing allegiance to the entity that entrusted me with the position?
How is my/our stance and actions helping VSDAC in its current state?
Is my/our current stance supporting the vote and desire of the church as a whole in its voting majority?
Are my/our actions in support of the VSDAC vote?
What am I/we willing to do to make sure the church vote is upheld?
What’s our timeline, how long do we wait for “the brethren” to correct the wrongs or chart a different course forward (none of which there’s a sign they wish to do)?
Here’s, perhaps the most important thing of all! This isn’t just about Village, as important as that is. This is a very public precedent being set of what happens when a local congregation challenges a conference. What you do now and the outcome of it all, will be a determinant for how much administrative power we are willing to give up, in total submission to an authoritarian church model. The consequences of what you do/don’t do will ring into the future until Jesus comes. Yes, you’ve been entrusted with the welfare of your local church, but really, you’re now entrusted with the welfare of the church at large.
What will you do? Village members are hoping, world-wide members are praying, heaven is watching!!! Will you take up your sacred duty and stand?! We all pray you do!
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Mariann Bjelica
Ohio