Conrad Vine is an ordained Seventh-day Adventist minister known for sermons on liberty of conscience, missions, and biblical fidelity. He recently delivered this 94-minute message titled “Entropy in Washington.”
It was sent to us by no less than 10 people. This review is not endorsing or condemning it.
The video currently has over 17,000 views and nearly 1,400 likes. The presentation applies the scientific concept of entropy—the second law of thermodynamics describing how systems naturally degrade and lose order without continuous energy input—to analyze what Vine perceives as institutional decay within the North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Vine opens with personal anecdotes, including recent evangelistic work in Slovenia that resulted in baptisms and a chance airplane encounter with a devout Adventist working as a senior advisor to RFK Jr. on pro-family policies. He then defines entropy with everyday examples (a cooling kettle, a dying fire) and extends the metaphor to religious movements: they begin with vibrant vision and sacrifice but risk becoming rigid institutions that prioritize self-preservation over original purpose. We have seen this phenomenon in Adventism over the last decade. The heart of the sermon identifies four dimensions of entropy affecting the church:
Members and pastors — Vine criticizes what he describes as pastors during the pandemic who refused to support members’ religious exemption requests, placing conference loyalty above pastoral care. He contrasts this with Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s example of remaining with his flock.
Members and local conferences — Conferences are portrayed as having evolved from servant structures into coercive ones (e.g., threats involving insurance). Vine cites Ellen G. White (Spirit of Prophecy) warnings against “kingly power” and notes a growing “silent exodus” to independent ministries.
Members and the General Conference — Vine examines the GC’s 1985 ECOSOC status with the United Nations and its support for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as the 2021 pandemic reaffirmation statement asserting authority over members’ personal convictions. He argues these actions exceeded proper jurisdiction.
Administrators and ideology — He highlights what he calls the advancement of progressive ideologies (cultural Marxism, critical race theory, and LGBTQ+ advocacy) in parts of the NAD, citing specific examples such as conference statements and institutional events. Vine references White’s writings warning against exalting human authority over conscience.
The impact, according to Vine, is an authoritarian spirit, selective application of the Church Manual, demonization of dissenting members, and ignored petitions.
He proposes concrete reforms: the GC should withdraw from its UN partnership, revoke the 2021 statement, and leaders should repent and practice servant leadership. A substantial section addresses tithing.
The ‘T’ Word
Vine argues that while local conferences function as storehouses, they are not the only storehouse. He points to biblical precedent (e.g., direct support given to the prophet Elisha) and Ellen White statements indicating that not all means must flow through a single agency.
He quotes a former NAD treasurer acknowledging that the conference-as-storehouse model is a “polity decision,” not a theological requirement. Vine advocates “sanctified tithing”: directing tithe to faithful conferences, churches, or independent Bible-believing workers; using in-kind donations (e.g., food shipped to conferences); and supporting volunteer elders and evangelists. He shares his family’s practice of returning a full tithe on gross income and warns of spiritual consequences for supporting what he views as unsanctified workers.
The sermon closes with a call to seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit, heed the Laodicean message of Revelation 3, repent of complacency, and pursue corporate and personal reformation so the church can fulfill its mission rather than succumb to entropy.
Our Overall Assessment
Conferences in the SDA Church used to exist to help spread the Three Angels'‘ Messages, and help congregations flourish and be their best. Unfortunately today, many of them exist to further their own agendas, and they will intimidate and oppress congregations who fail to render complete obedience to the administrators.
I question who gets to decide which conferences are faithful and which are not. That could become a mess worthy of the time of the Judges (21:25).
“Entropy” is a direct, biblically and Spirit-of-Prophecy-saturated appeal for accountability, renewed focus on conscience, and strategic stewardship within the SDA Church. It reflects ongoing tensions in Adventist circles regarding governance, cultural influences, and financial practices. The tone is urgent yet framed as a call to repentance and revival rather than outright separation. Some will see it as attacking the Church, others will welcome what they see as a call for reformation and renewed faithfulness in the SDA Church.
That’s our review. If yours is better, just go with that one.
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