$4.4 million
The so-called “inflation-induced” tithe shortfall for the Michigan Conference for 2024 and 2025. Nearly every discussion of tithe and offerings comes with the reminder to give generously, as it is God’s money, not ours. This reminder applies equally to the Michigan Conference. That money does not belong to the Conference; it is God’s money and perhaps He has allowed it to migrate from the Michigan Conference storehouse to other storehouses that are more faithfully executing His will. Or perhaps one could say the money “has transitioned out” of the Michigan Conference.
Six
The number of Adventist men who have been fired, pushed out of their job, or unjustly disciplined at the hands of the Michigan Conference. Six faithful Adventist men whose lives were upended; six diligent men whose wives, children, and families endure uncertainty, heartache, and turmoil. Six innocent Adventist men whose reputations have been besmirched for no just cause. Their only “crime” seems to be that they questioned the absolute rule of the Conference administration. Examples of regimes that punish those who question authority: North Korea, China, Russia, Venezuela, Cuba, Iran, Rome….
Six men, but the number seems to be growing and there are some stories untold….
1,000
The approximate number of Village Seventh-day Adventist Church members who are broken-hearted and disillusioned. The approximate number of VSDA members who attended the December 8, 2024, meeting to protest the termination of our pastor by the Michigan Conference. Many in our church family feel betrayed, marginalized, and deeply hurt. This doesn’t even include the large online church family who watched from all different parts of the world to hear Present Truth and loved feeling like they were part of a growing, vibrant church. Our church has been betrayed by an administrative body that claims to know better, even though they do not know us and did not attend our church or our evangelism meetings; a body that did not listen to “concerning” messages in full or in context. Betrayed by an administrative body that claims we have no authority. Betrayed by an administrative body that has disregarded us at every turn, our pleas, questions, and letters unanswered.
Tens of Thousands
The number of people watching, in disbelief, the events of the Michigan Conference unfolding before their eyes. If it can happen in Michigan, it can happen anywhere. The turmoil is certainly not limited to the Michigan Conference. It is every member who watches in horror as our official church structure aligns with the U.N. or other government agencies to bring in cash or to curry favor. It is every church member who wonders why God-given freedom of conscience is not honored among our official ranks. It is every church member who reads official Conference statements that are of a political nature, rather than biblical, and feels disenfranchised. It is every church member who sees Marxist and Islamist politicians stand at the pulpit on a Sabbath morning in one state while in another state a church elder is banned for preaching Present Truth.
Unknown
The number of people who listened to sermons online, thought they were hearing truthful messages, and are now confused about a church that would seek to silence its preachers. Even worse, there is an unknown number of people who may have concluded that Adventism or even Christianity is false. But because God can use every situation for good, there is also an unknown number of people who have now been introduced to God’s plan of Salvation.
A Whole Host of Heavenly Angels
Watching in sorrow as we battle, “not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph. 6:12 KJV).
One True God
Who sees every tear, every wound, every person whose faith has been shaken. One who sees every person who questions if they want to be part of the church. The One True God who seeks to remind us to store our treasures in heaven, because every beautiful church building, every Conference office, every bank account, every asset will burn to the ground. Only one thing will remain: our faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. To this Truth, we all must cling.
These numbers are quite sobering and now we are at an impasse: The Michigan Conference maintains that we have no authority as church members. Our church in business session is apparently not able to make decisions, save for what is served at potluck, perhaps. It seems we have forgotten the basics.
What is the purpose of a church? What is the purpose for a Conference?
Why become members of a church? Why not just attend week by week? We become members to participate by voting and holding church office. If these things can be stripped away by a Conference administrator or even by the interim Senior Pastor, without due process and without just cause, what is the point? Is the point simply to pay our tithes and offerings without question?
Are we members here to support the official Conference structure, or is the administration here to support the mission of the church body? Hospitals need structure and administrators, but if you take away the doctors, nurses, and patients, you just have buildings of paper-pushers. The administrators are there to support the health care workers who are seeking to save patients. Pastors, elders, and anyone who loves Jesus, are working to save the sin-sick patients of this world. A healthy administration that supports the ‘front-line’ workers would be a blessing, not a source of destruction.
What does ordination mean? If it is a sacred calling and signifies official recognition of a lifelong divine call to ministry, how can they remove ordained pastors without egregious human failures and without due process? The Conference is mocking the solemnity of ordination by upholding it as a special elevation for chosen men and then dishonoring the solemn calling given to other chosen men. Either you have recognized a sacred calling in these men or not. Which is it? This issue here alone means that the treatment of Conrad Vine and all the subsequent actions (termination of Ron Kelly, etc.) are fruits of a poisonous tree. No doubt, there are already discussions behind closed Conference doors on how to strip credentials from some of our faithful brethren, thus legitimizing the heavy hand of the Conference.
Where does our Salvation come from? By banning ordained pastors from speaking, the Conferences seem to have installed themselves as gatekeepers to the Truth and thus our mediators for salvation. No thanks: I’ll stick with the One True God. Church membership can be a blessing, but it is certainly not where we place our Eternal Hope.
What is the point of a church? To have fellowship together and unite in a shared mission of helping others find hope and healing. United by an amazing pastoral staff under the leadership of Pastor Ron Kelly, our Village Seventh-day Adventist Church was eager to participate, grow, and prayerfully partner with God to do His will. Under the leadership of our pastoral staff, our church was a haven in a time of confusion and uncertainty---opening its doors when all others were shut. Our church pastors loudly proclaimed Truth when the world embraced chaos. Adherence to Truth and justice cost our pastor his job. And it cost us our belief that the Conference structure is sincere in its desire to work together in shared mission.
At the risk of sounding prideful, I would point out that under the leadership of Pastor Ron Kelly (who places himself under the leadership of the Holy Spirit), our church paid (not borrowed) for a comprehensive sanctuary renovation, for repairs such as a new roof, and for many major evangelism projects. This came at great personal expense to church members and other donors, but it was done with joy for our shared mission. Furthermore, our church community gave generously to purchase additional properties to be used in medical evangelism. For two years now, the Conference has delayed and obstructed this work. Though paid for entirely by Village Church supporters, all the buildings are wholly assets of the Michigan Conference, and outside of our ability to control and move forward in our work. What happened to the “prayerful partnerships” we’re told are of paramount importance to our Conference offices? Is it righteous and moral that we church members are the ones to pay for church repairs, buildings, ministries, salaries, and upkeep, but we are not allowed to have a voice about what happens in our pulpit?
I do not suggest that just because a church member pays tithes and offerings that he or she should be able to dictate what happens in the church. But I do suggest that when several hundred faithful church members voice concerns or vote or prayerfully move forward in missions, that these members have great authority. The Village Church has been told if we continue to question the Conference, we will be considered a “church in rebellion” or reduced to a company. This is diabolical. This is why people leave the church.
Do our Conference administrators understand the message they are communicating to church members worldwide? The message many hear loud and clear is: The Conference is the kingly authority, do not disagree with them; sit down, shush up, and pay up.
Perhaps the real resolution lies in reducing the number of Conference Administrators and transitioning to new administrators who lead from humility on bended knee before the King of Kings; who genuinely seek to partner with churches to do all that is possible to spread the Good News of a soon-coming King.
Please kindly take note: There is no ill-will for the Conference administrators, but we do call them to account. Most administrators are kind, caring people, who have done many good works, but that is not the issue. The issue is the management of the Village Church and its pastors and elders. The situation at the Village Church has been handled badly and there must be correction and accountability.
****
Written by Michelle Proctor Stembridge, a life-long resident of Berrien Springs, Michigan, and member of the Village SDA Church. Michelle comes from a lineage of faithful Conference and church employees and hopes that the recent divisions can be mended.
https://www.fulcrum7.com/blog/2024/12/7/village-church-meets-for-the-first-time-without-their-pastor
https://www.fulcrum7.com/news/2024/2/19/berean-sda-church-honors-fani-willis
“Against such a backdrop, Seventh-day Adventists understand ordination, in a biblical sense, as the action of the Church in publicly recognizing those whom the Lord has called and equipped for local and global Church ministry.”