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Dear Reader, The link to the
following article is: http://www.greatcontroversy.org/reportandreview/offshootpt1.php How ironic it is that the SDA New
Movement is now protesting the “fruits” of its apostasy! The same leaders who are now protesting, once financed with your tithe
and offerings the “fruits” they are now reaping! What’s worse, the church is
still engaged in the mega church growth attempt! Ellen White prophesied that
the revivals would go from bad to worse! If you are a tithe paying member of
the SDA New Movement church, you are corporately responsible for everything
you are about to read and it is one sorry mess! Adventism's Latest Offshoot, Pt. 1: In a Development Surprising
to Some, Those Pressing a Certain Theology About “Grace,” Who Have Led in NAD
Unions and Large Churches as Pastors and Church Growth Gurus, Form a New
Organization, Turning Out to Be Ringleaders in Apostasy. This article co-authored by Pr. Larry Kirkpatrick,
Pr. Kevin D. Paulson, and Associate David Qualls on August 12 and 13 and
published on August 13, 2004. The Launch of Adventism's Latest
Offshoot First there was the Messenger Party, then the Seventh-day Adventist
Reform Movement. In short order came the Shepherd's
Rod. Herbert W. Armstrong launched the Worldwide Church of God, then along came the Branch Davidians.
Next, the Brinsmead group, the post-Glacier View “Gospel Fellowship” movement
inspired by Desmond Ford's attack on the sanctuary doctrine, then the Steps
to Life home church movement. Now comes “Mission Catalyst
Network.” A group of (former) Seventh-day Adventist Church employees, who
insist that the structure has lost its evangelistic potential, are in the
process of forming a break-away organization of churches which will be
separate from the denomination that has so long employed them. They insist
that they are An
association of churches that embrace the fundamental beliefs of the
Seventh-day Adventist Church, are outreach focused, grace oriented, and fully
committed to God (http://www.missioncatalyst.org/whatis.html,
accessed 6:13 p.m. August 12, 2004 PDT). However, their own published doctrinal mission statement belies
this claim. Entirely absent from it is any mention of the investigative
judgment, the remnant Church, the prophetic gift as manifest through Ellen G.
White, or church standards. Claiming that as a Church they are the “Same
cart” but with “new wheels,” the absence of these key features and the
presence of others which we shall in this series mention, make clear that
this is an altogether different “cart.” Carefully endeavoring to cloak their true nature, this
break-away group, Adventism's newest offshoot, claims it is not separate from
us. Yet Scripture warns: They
went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they
would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be
made manifest that they were not all of us (1 John 2:19). The exact sequence in which events were shaped is not always
readily traceable. Some now involved in the Offshoot were terminated in
March. The domain name “missioncatalyst.org” was registered in May. Adventist
leaders met with Gladden in August. Whatever we may say about what led to
what, the separation is here. Ringleaders in Apostasy The new offshoot has, of course, its own set of leaders. As the
Spirit of Prophecy says, “Those who have been regarded as worthy and
righteous prove to be ring-leaders in apostasy...” (Ellen G. White, Testimonies,
vol. 5, p. 212). These people, who by and large have been respected as
leaders in church planting in the denomination, believe that God is leading
them to form a new organization of churches. Their non-profit corporation,
their website, their own structures and plans, did not spring up 24 hours
ago. It has been a long and laborious pathway to separation. Who are these
people? The names
of those associated with this project which follow include both
ringleaders in this apostasy and also those who have provided resource papers
that hang on the offshoot's website. The offshoot includes Ron Gladden, until recently employed at
North Pacific and Mid-America Unions as Director for Church Planting (As
identified by the Adventist Review online at Ron Gladden,
“Building Castles for the Kingdom,” accessed August 12, 2004, 7:40 p.m.
PDT). Other names found in connection with this group are Dennis Pumford (employed by Iowa-Missouri Conference in 2002: Google
Cache listing), David Woods is apparently a layman, Liz Whitworth
(associated with worship leader group 180 and the SEEDS Church Planting
Conference (Google
Cached accessed August 12, 200, 9:44 p.m. PDT), Lavelle
Whitehouse (coming from a Walla Walla College background, accessed August 13, 2004,
7:38 a.m. PDT), served as Ron Gladden's administrative assistant at NPUC (NPUC Church Planting Department,
accessed August 13, 2004, 9:26 p.m. PDT). Another break-away name is Terry Pooler. Pooler was, until his
removal from denominational employment last year, pastor of the Forest Lake
Academy SDA Church in Apopka, Florida. Among Pooler's contributions are his philosophy that local churches need to retain a
great deal more tithe for themselves, a topic concerning which he has been
rattling for some time. Last year BRI met in the Loma Linda area and
discussed this direction and the approaching tread of congregationalism. Leo Schreven mentioned this in
February. A domain name search shows that missioncatalyst.org was registered
on May 13, 2004 (under the name of Lavelle
Whitehouse). First word of the matter reached GCO however, in June. Nameservers were updated on July 13, 2004. On July 15,
2004 first word on the internet came from Pr. Richard O'Ffill
on his website (New
SDA Denominational Ministry Organized, accessed July 15, 2004). The
Offshoot's leader met with three North American Division leaders for several
hours on August 7 just after the 2004 ASI Convention had concluded in
Cincinnati, OH, basically urging them to leave the new Offshoot alone. At that
time already the missioncatalyst.org website was up and division leaders knew
of it. Failed Experiments by the Bushel For many years, certain among us have bent their best energies
to reproducing Babylon's apparent successes but within the remnant church.
First it was attempted to change our churches through bringing in the concept
of varied worship styles. This was meant to justify the acceptance of
Celebration worship as one of the worship style “options.” It didn't work. It
led only to turmoil and chaos. Eventually most realized that changing
existing congregations was fighting an uphill battle. The emphasis shifted
again, this time, to church planting. At one point, William Johnsson waxed
joyful in the Adventist Review how it was a miracle that although
“Adventist worship varies from country to country, and within the countries,”
“With all the differences, we are one people. When we get together we worship
the one God—in many voices, many colors, many ways” (William Johnsson, “When We All Get Together,” Adventist Review,
October 30, 1997, p. 12). But just one month later, even the Review
would be compelled to present a different story. Some of the break-aways no longer
exist. Pastor Alex Bryan, a fellow graduate of Southern Adventist University
in Tennessee, was repeatedly featured in the Adventist Review. His
congregation, “The New Community,” broke away over tithe and doctrinal
issues. For awhile its website hung on the net claiming it was a Protestant
Church, although some of us had difficulty seeing what it might be
protesting. But it is gone off the web, not even a Google-cache left to show
it existed. So-called “Grace Place” in Colorado no
longer even acknowledges its Seventh-day Adventist origin. The Damascus
Road Community Church, another earlier break-away at least mentions its Adventist history
if only in passing (On their website, click on “More About DRCC,” then on
“History.”). But a month later, Johnsson would make
a series of interesting remarks. While indicating that he saw “no evidence
for a trend” of break-away churches, he warned that we “need to remain alert
if the Adventist body is to remain intact. Adventists may not face
disintegration into disparate congregations right now, but the tenor of the
times could bring us to that point ere long” (William Johnsson,
“When the Family Splits,” Adventist Review, November 5, 1997, pp.
16-19). Even then Johnsson asked whether Adventist
fascination with Willow Creek was not contributing to an influence in our
midst toward congregationalism (Ibid., p. 17). Each time one of the
“grace oriented” churches departs, we are told that the issue is not
doctrinal. Yet we are often in the same articles told that there is some form
of doctrinal problem, usually left unspecified. In the following month's Review, Andy Nash listed several
break-aways:
It was most interesting that Nash closed his article urging us
that while these churches had been influenced by Willow Creek, “Adventists
Should Continue gleaning from Willow Creek” (Andy Nash, “On Willow Creek,” Adventist
Review, December 18, 1997). His argument? The Mountain View Church
eventually launched as a church plant the infamous Adventist Sunday Church
experiment in Las Vegas, also known as the Mountain View Community church. In
Atlanta, Georgia, The New Community was also presented as evidence of “other
churches mature enough to incorporate Willow Creek principles without
giving up their Adventist identity” (Ibid). However, the facts are
that Alex Bryan's “New Community” church in Atlanta has since left the
denomination and faded out of existence. The Adventist Sunday Church in Las
Vegas, Nevada also failed, with no accessions to the Seventh-day Adventist
Church to show and the pastor leaving the remnant church to lead worship in
yet another obscure Sunday church. These are the examples of maturity? Who can understand the blindness and even mental incoherence of
such insistence? The facts are, that no matter how many times it has been
tried, there is today on planet earth not one example of a successful
Seventh-day Adventist copycat of Willow Creek, or Saddleback, or the like
that has ever become a mega-church. For decades misguided ministers
and workers have tried it. Administrators have stood by awaiting the promised
positive results. They've thrown a stack of dollars at it, but today, all
attempts to photocopy have returned nothing but failure. Is the “Mission Catalyst Network”
Seventh-day Adventist? Looking back, we see this whole matter unfolding as if in a
slow-motion train wreck. And still they keep trying. The experiments
continue. Many of the faithful have struggled in attempting to sound the
warning against the encroaching yet tantalizing message incessantly
propounded by the contemporary church growth new-modelers. It was a difficult
challenge to convince well-meaning pastors and church leaders who were
intoxicated with the delicious words and concepts found in such books as The
7 Habits of Highly Ineffective Churches, by Ron Gladden. Books such as
this, aggressively pushed upon the church, contained innocent-sounding good
advice for “growing” a church. Alongside quotes from such authors as Rick
Warren (Saddleback Church), Bill Hybels (Willow
Creek) and other Babylonian church growth experts, Ellen White appears
(selectively quoted) to legitimize their nefarious agenda. These books dwell long on grace, love, and acceptance; upon
worldly marketing techniques, and growth strategies. One thing that is
conspicuously absent? A firm, unflinching commitment to unpopular truth. The
ends seem to justify the means. The Mission Statement of the new organization
insists: [MCN
plans to] do ‘whatever it takes’ to equip local churches to accomplish the
Great Commission (http://www.missioncatalyst.org/whatis.html,
accessed August 13, 2004, 10:51 a.m. CST, emphasis supplied). Instead of “we will obey and follow God's ways, be faithful to
His word and leave the results with Him,” they have opted for a
results-oriented approach. This is classic of those who through history have
thought to step in front of Jesus and show Him a better way. Is this new movement part of the Seventh-day Adventist Church?
No. Q: Are you Seventh-day
Adventists? A: Because we are handling
the tithe and other local church issues differently than the church manual
proscribes [sic], we are not legally allowed to call our churches Seventh-day
Adventist. As individuals, we consider ourselves to be Seventh-day Adventists
(http://www.missioncatalyst.org/faqs.html,
accessed August 13, 2004, 10:44 a.m., emphasis supplied). Some of us have wondered when these encroaching movements would
finally reveal themselves. In some ways we are surprised to see developments
taking place with the rapidity that we are now seeing. God is taking the
reins into His own hands. This is the time to be on His side, the side of
truth. We would like to be clear that what we are saying is that which
the new Offshoot would not prefer to admit. According to them, they hold the
same beliefs as we do. They even include a link to the Adventist website and
the 27 Fundamental Beliefs, claiming them as their own doctrinal statement.
But their actual
doctrinal statement is conspicuous by the absence of any reference in it
to the investigative judgment, the Seventh-day Adventist Church as God's
remnant, and Ellen G. White as prophetic messenger. The fact is, this is not the same cart
with new wheels. It is not the same doctrinal message. It is, rather,
Adventist-lite, the low-carb
version. When we consider this development, who is surprised that “church
planting” has become a code word synonymous with apostasy from Seventh-day
Adventism? Over and over again Adventism's contemporary “planted churches”
have been planted as social webs of people left uninstructed in the prophetic
heritage of our people. We would not imply that all church planting projects are equally
misguided. But we have learned that in many cases, these projects follow a
pragmatic plan of using whatever marketing, whatever music, whatever cheap
and unconscionable approach to Bible standards of dress and adornment they
can get away with. Since the newer plants are populated mostly by newer members
who have not been taught authentic Adventism, and often those taught by
church planting leaders mostly to ignore such, this is what happens. The
saints who otherwise might nurture a more sound approach in creating a
Seventh-day Adventist church are out of the loop. I sat in the classroom of the NADEI president and this was
consistently his approach. Ideas and philosophies have consequences. Today
the Church is reaping the SEEDS that have been sown. We fully expect the
church-planters who have not defected to put forth a vigorous defense of what
they have been doing. However, for our part, we must say, trust is earned. I
will from this point trust only those whom I know to be serious, sound,
fully-blossomed Seventh-day Adventists to do church planting! If you are not
an authentic Seventh-day Adventist, you will not be able to plant an
authentically Seventh-day Adventist Church. Doctrinal integrity today must be
by demonstration. Assertions no longer cut it. Troubling Doctrinal Questions The Mission Catalyst doctrinal statement, while professing
loyalty to the 27 Fundamental Beliefs of the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist
body, nevertheless raises troubling questions about its theological clarity
and priorities. For starters, the claim to be “grace oriented,” splashed
conspicuously across the home page of the web site, evokes a variety of
questions. Aside from the marginalized holiness and denial of Christian
victory which too often has attended this phrase in contemporary Adventism,
the question inevitably arises, Does this new
movement believe the worldwide Adventist structure not to be grace
oriented? If not, in what way is it not? And how does this new organization
propose to remedy the problem? Though claiming to adhere to the 27 Fundamentals, Mission Catalyst
has nevertheless developed its own statement of doctrinal beliefs. In their
own words, here is what they are saying: “There are a minimum number of
beliefs that help bring a coherent voice to our message” (missioncatalyst.org/mission_catalyst_resources/Commitment_to_Mission.pdf),
accessed August 13, 2004, 4:08 p.m. PDT). These are then listed as follows:
We will here resist the inclination to analyze this statement in
depth; much indeed could be written about many things. But a number of
pivotal questions cry out to be answered. For starters, if Mission Catalyst
maintains loyalty to the 27 Fundamental Beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist
Church, why create another, very different statement of beliefs? If in fact
an abbreviated statement is desirable, why not simply use the official
Baptismal Vows in the current Church Manual, pp. 32-34, which refers
the reader to a more elaborate exposition of these vows in a later portion of
the Manual pp. 209-213? One's curiosity is quickly aroused by which distinctive
Adventist beliefs are deemed worthy of mention in the Offshoot's abbreviated
statement, and which go without any mention at all. The only two distinctive
SDA doctrines mentioned are the seventh-day Sabbath and the non-immortality
of the soul. The investigative judgment beginning in 1844, the Spirit of
Prophecy manifested through the prophetic ministry of Ellen G. White, and
Seventh-day Adventism as the remnant church of Bible prophecy, are
conspicuous by their absence. Even the manner of Jesus' second coming, a major issue on
account of the rapture doctrine and its recent widespread promotion through
the popular “Left Behind” series, is left unclarified
in this doctrinal statement. What is more, the statement merely mentions God
as “the Creator of all things,” omitting any mention of the six literal days
of creation—thus not only leaving ambiguous the Biblical foundation of the
Sabbath they claim to revere, but also leaving open the door for theistic
evolution. (Those holding to theistic evolution are not uncomfortable
affirming God as Creator; they merely maintain He did His creating through
the process of Darwinian evolution.) And while the statement expresses the need for the Christian to
care for both mind and body, no specific mention of how this is done, or not
done, is included. Unclean meats, tobacco, alcohol, recreational drugs—all go
without a mention. One could easily read this statement and conclude that
“moderation in all things” (a favorite mantra of theological liberals) is the
answer to all questions about potentially hurtful substances. Why are only two distinctive Adventist doctrines included in
this new statement? Why are the others entirely left
out? But because they chose two distinctive Adventist beliefs to mention in
this statement, and left all others unmentioned, one is constrained to ask,
Why? Especially in view of the widespread discomfort among other recent
“congregational” departures from Adventism with such doctrines as the
investigative judgment, the remnant church theology, and Ellen White! Thus, despite their claim to adhere to the official doctrines of
the Seventh-day Adventist Church, this Offshoot is already making clear
doctrinal priorities and writing doctrinal statements which differ
significantly from those adopted by the worldwide body of Seventh-day
Adventists in General Conference assembled. The careful observer is left with
the grave concern that a gradual reduction in clarity on certain controverted
points of SDA doctrine is being deliberately sought by those guiding this
movement. Conclusion: Feeding the Fire While at the ABC today, what did I find? Seventy+ copies (Saving
Blood and The Shaking) filled with the gospel of Keavin Hayden, a man who has left behind key teachings of
the Seventh-day Adventist Church, including the investigative judgment, the
remnant, and the Spirit of Prophecy—the very same teachings left aside by
Adventism's latest offshoot. In contrast, Real Grace for Real People,
with a theology that is consistent with Adventism and keeps people in the
Church, could not be found on the shelves of that store. The question must be
asked, When will we learn? There is a theology that goes with contemporary
apostasy from the Seventh-day Adventist Church, just as there is a theology
that goes with remaining in the remnant. There is a real version of grace and
there is a false one. By feeding the people the low-carb
gospel we are preparing them to leave our own Church! Remember, the very
doctrines shunned by Adventism's latest Offshoot are the ones that make us a
distinct people. The new Offshoot already is launching a congregation in
Vancouver, Washington. Another group, the non-Seventh-day Adventist “Sabbath
Grace Fellowship” in Apopka, Florida may join them. The Offshoot is at work
in other states as well. Over the weeks to come we will publish a series of articles
analyzing the claims of this new offshoot group, and the theological
foundations upon which its apostasy from the organized Church rests. For
example, Adventism's Latest Offshoot claims that the denominational structure
today is like a dead horse that must be replaced. Is this so? We at GCO stand
squarely in favor of living and giving the third angel's message from within
the Seventh-day Adventist Church organization. It is a positive turn of tide
that those who have so long lain as insurgents for error within our ranks are
departing. If they would have joined us in giving the third angel's message that points to Jesus and victory in the Christian life, we
would have urged them to remain. But if they are not with us, they should go
out from us. Now some are. May God be praised! God is sifting His people.
He will have a clean and holy church. We cannot read the heart of man. But
the Lord has provided means to keep the church pure. A
corrupt people has arisen who could not live with the people of God.
They despised reproof, and would not be corrected. They had an opportunity to
know that theirs was an unrighteous warfare. They had time to repent of their
wrongs; but self was too dear to die. They nourished it, and it grew strong,
and they separated from the trusting people of God, whom He is purifying unto
Himself. We all have reason to thank God that a way has been opened to save
the church; for the wrath of God must have come upon us if these corrupt
pretenders had remained with us. Every honest soul that may
be deceived by these disaffected ones, will have the
true light in regard to them, if every angel from heaven has to visit them,
to enlighten their minds. We have nothing to fear in this matter. As we near
the Judgment, all will manifest their true
character, and it will be made plain to what company they belong. The sieve
is moving. Let us not say, Stay Thy hand, O God. The church must be purged,
and it will be (Ellen G. White, Testimonies, vol. 1, pp. 99-100). This series of articles is planned to continue for several
weeks. “Adventism's
Latest Offshoot, Pt. 2” will be published Tuesday. The truth is marching
on. DOCUMENT HISTORY First published Friday, August 13, 2004 Minor editing and added content, Sunday, August 15,
2004. Corrections and minor content change, Tuesday,
August 17. Corrections and minor content change, Wednesday,
August 18. |
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Pastor Larry Kirkpatrick is
an ordained minister of the gospel. Since 1994 he has served in the American
Southwest as pastor to several churches. He received his BA in Religion from
Southern Adventist University in 1994 and a Master of Divinity from Andrews
University in 1999 with a specialization in Adventist Studies. While in
Michigan he was employed by the General Conference at the White Estate
Berrien Springs branch office. More important than his scholastic preparation
has been his immersion in the biblical and Spirit
of Prophecy materials. He is author of the 2003 book Real
Grace for Real People. Presently he serves as Pastor of the Mentone Church of Seventh-day Adventists,
located near Loma Linda, California. Larry is married to Pamela. The couple presently live in Highland, California along with
their two children, Etienne and Melinda. |
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To Email the GCO editor: larry@greatcontroversy.org |
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Pastor Kevin Paulson serves
on the pastoral staff of the Greater New York Conference of Seventh-day
Adventists. Through the years he has published articles in many publications.
He is also editor of Quo Vadis, a truth-filled magazine predominantly
featuring the work of SDA young people. Kevin is also the speaker for
"Know Your Bible," a radio program broadcast each Sunday at 5:30
p.m. on WMCA 570 AM, in Hasbrouk Heights, New
Jersey. Pastor Paulson received his BA in Theology from Pacific Union College
in 1982 and an MA in Systematic Theology from Loma Linda University in 1987. |
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Freely
reproduce these materials | A
statement regarding donations |
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To Email the GCO editor: larry@greatcontroversy.org |
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David Qualls is an active member of the Tulsa,
Oklahoma Seventh-day Adventist Church. Raised a Seventh-day Adventist by
godly parents, he turned his back on God in his teens, but by the grace of
God returned to the faith of his youth with a strong desire to serve God and
to help others prepare for His soon coming. He has served in several
self-supporting ministries and currently resides near Tulsa with his wife,
Ruth. Having earned degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science,
he currently works in the software development field for a large telecommunications
firm. Taking an active interest in current theological issues within the
Remnant Church, he desires to let God use him to spread the true gospel and
to help others avoid being blown about by every wind of doctrine. |
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Freely
reproduce these materials | A
statement regarding donations |
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To Email the GCO editor: larry@greatcontroversy.org |