Perhaps more research is advisable about the Michigan Village Church catastrophe. The latest Fulcrum 7 illustrated another “blunder” by the Michigan Conference president. (You and I recognize this to be an intentional “blunder”.) Especially because the Village Church had no input to the assignment of the new pastor.
A bit of research found the Michigan conference president, Jim Micheff, was not “put into position” at a regularly scheduled constituency meeting. Rather he was “appointed to the position” due to the previous president retiring before the constituency meeting was to be held. This mode of operation has become prevalent throughout the North American Division as it is a way of “getting who we want into positions of authority.” Here are just a few of conferences practicing this method of electing a replacement president.
Montana 3-31-25
Iowa/Missouri 3-3-24
Massachusetts 4-23-26
RMC 8-1-25
Florida 10-12-25
Texas 3-28-26
Consequently, I am now of the opinion Micheff was “hand-picked” by SDA leadership to “do what we want done with Conrad Vine.” I say that because the GC will not intervene, the Lake Union Conference will not intervene and the NAD has not intervened.
The previous “interim pastor,” assigned by the conference, to the Village church “was not too successful” during his tenure, “so now we must continue to infiltrate their church with our choice of pastors.” Again, this has become more consistent with pastoral assignments across the country. If a church, having input into the selection, does not accept the candidates offered, “then we will assign a pastor to that church, without church input.” This approach “begs for failure” with well-grounded memberships.
I am saddened with all the dynamics of the efforts to “downgrade our denomination. It has left me dubious of actions taken by the leaders of our church, along with publications offered by the Adventist Book Stores across the country. The reason is, “what is the agenda of the publications?” I have read a few and yes there are agendas, so I no longer obtain publications from this source.
I would also refer you to the latest NAD publication “Faith On The Move.” Their
agenda is being promoted throughout this publication and that being “Women’s Ordination.” (It starts with “The Introduction co-writer, Pastor Bonita Joyner Shields) I find it ironic that the Baptist church has deemed this to be un-Biblical and the Adventist church promotes it. Yes, many of you disagree with this stance, but I do believe the Baptists are reading their Bibles correctly on this topic.
When will we get a church leader who will “admit the truth?” Or will the end come before someone will say, “enough is enough” and resist the movement that is ongoing throughout the denomination? Many conservative pastors are under duress because they are not bending to the wishes of leadership. This was the case at the Battle Creek Tabernacle, where E G White told the leaders (and I am paraphrasing) to allow A T Jones to speak on Righteousness By Faith, or we will rent a public hall where the message can be heard. Our churches today are having to do this with “banned speakers” by our leaders.
Unfortunately, money talks and leadership has become so dependent on the money they are afraid to state the truth. As an example, many have pointed out the downgrading of the mission statement to the United Nations from the time the SDA denomination joined until today. The statement submitted by PARL (SDA Ministries of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty) today with the UN is what the UN wanted it to say and is not representative of the church’s original mission statement.
1985 “The mission statement of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is to call all people to become disciples of Jesus Christ, to proclaim the everlasting gospel embraced by the three angels' messages (Rev. 14:6-12), and to prepare the world for Christs's soon return.”
2009-20012: the Seventh-day Adventist Church, a Christian organization that promotes a better life, both spiritually and physically, for individuals and communities. … The values and principles of the organization find expression in a wide variety of activities that parallel United Nations goals (emphasis applied), including health, education, humanitarian aid, youth training, women’s issues, child development, religious freedom and human rights promotion.
Yes, Lord, we need your divine guidance and leadership in these serious times of trouble. Please come soon.
Bob A. Kenison
T K Industries, Inc.
Wyoming
