Another World Church Affirmation Sabbath event has concluded, with nine events in five states focusing on Christ's imminent return in three topics: “There Shall be Shaking,” “Neither Cold nor Hot (Laodicean message) and “Receiving the Seal.” Many were blessed: some by attending, others by watching the live-streamed feed, and lay speakers, by their study and preparation to present the above topics. All sites received cases of The Great Controversy for attendees to give to non-Seventh-day Adventist contacts after WCAS.
In Upper Columbia Conference, three WCAS events used alternative venues, out of respect to the misinformed UCC's ban. Homemade signs, social media and tell-a-friend advertising brought eager attendees in the usual numbers.
Washington Conference held its first home WCAS. This is a new, viable option for those who do not have access to a local, supportive congregation.
A California site was delayed due to weather. An Oregon site waited a full month to avoid interrupting an evangelistic effort. Arkansas continued as usual, with two speakers providing handouts for further study.
In Northern California Conference, facilitators were thrilled when 18-year-old Eden Sunshine Carr, a homeschooled, recent high-school graduate, agreed to speak for her local WCAS. She chose the topic, “Neither Cold Nor Hot,” because she is interested in prophecy and wanted to learn more about this subject.
Eden did her homework well and gave an excellent, well-received presentation. We can learn much from our young people: enthusiasm, energy, willingness to accept difficult tasks and especially, their eagerness to learn. WCAS exists to encourage SDA laity in Bible study. Studying, sharing and teaching expand our Bible knowledge and strengthen our Christian experience.
Ellen G. White stated, “Many of those who profess the truth have received it because someone else did, and for their life they could not give the reason of their faith. This is why they are so unstable.” (CBTH 56.4)
Eden was born into a Seventh-day Adventist family. Her father was a pastor and her mother a stay-at-home mom. She has a younger brother. She was baptized at age 15 but then “started to veer away.”
“I chose to interact with influences that were not for the best, such as friends and technology,” she explained. At 16 she joined her younger brother at Young Disciple Youth Bible Camp. There she became thrilled with the process of studying the Bible, praying, learning how to bring others to Christ, and evangelism. Her newfound joy in learning how to work through God's love prompted her to become a camp counselor, to help other young people.
Eden is active in her local church, working with other youth in handing out literature, leading out in Sabbath school and in music ministry. She is a fine violinist and even started teaching the violin until the Paradise Camp Fire caused her student to move out of the area.
Thanks for your prayers for Eden, and for Adventist laity of various states and countries who comprise World Church Affirmation Sabbath. God has told us, “In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged. They are self-sufficient, independent of God, and He cannot use them. The Lord has faithful servants, who in the shaking, testing time will be disclosed to view….”(ChS 49.2).
Plan now to participate in our May 4 event. Contact us at affirmationsabbath.org for details.
WCAS Meets with Upper Columbia Conference Leaders
Randy Bierwagen
On Thursday, March 28 a meeting took place at the Upper Columbia Conference (UCC) office between WCAS Planning Committee members, supporters and the UCC administration. This meeting followed a meeting the previous Thursday in which WCAS planning committee chairperson Janet Neumann, and treasurer Eiji Minami met with UCC President Minner Labrador and Vice President Rodney Mills along with Human Resource Director Stephanie Bailey to set the agenda for the March 28 meeting with the larger group. Nearly four hours were spent in that initial meeting and it was described as being a very positive and productive meeting in which it was felt that the Conference officials really listened.
The March 28 meeting began at 10:00am, broke for lunch at 1:00 and resumed again after lunch and ended at nearly 3:00pm. It was attended by five Conference Officials, Minner Labrador-President, Rodney Mills-Vice-President for Administration, Andrew McCrary-Director of Trust Services & Estate Planning, Archie Harris-Associate Education Superintendent and Stephanie Bailey-Director of Human Resources, along with two UCC Executive Committee members, Patti Schultz and Kent Knight, who were present as invitees of the UCC.
WCAS P.C. members present were; Janet Neumann, Eiji Minami, Randy Bierwagen, Will Fults, Ed and Linda Brehm and George Schrems. Four UCC pastors were present: Jim Anderson, Larry Kirkpatrick, Mike Lambert and Alvaro Sausa.
Also present were ten additional WCAS invitees, Bob and Rhonda Backman, Elder Jim Brackett, Dr. Ron Fleck, Elder Dan Kapp, Belinda Lowry, Beverly Thompson-Nelson, Ruth Schrems, Carl Sullivan and Steve Wohlberg.
The objective of this meeting as stated on the agenda was to “come together in prayer and jointly seek Divine harmony with all members of the Upper Columbia Conference.”
The meeting began with a welcome by Elder Minner Labrador followed by a devotional and prayer by Elder Rodney Mills. Mills spoke on the subject of unity in the context of the prayer of Christ as recorded in John 17.
Following prayer, Janet Neumann then made a presentation using PowerPoint, outlining the history, purpose and goals of WCAS. After Janet’s presentation, Elder Labrador gave the President’s report on the mission, structure and goals of the UCC.
At the conclusion of these two reports, the group broke up into five or six smaller discussion groups. Within these groups, three questions were discussed under three different headings.
Under the first heading, “Pressing Together” the question under discussion was, “What positive steps can we make to “press together” in harmony?”
For the second heading, “Moving Forward”, the question was asked, “How specifically can we glorify God moving forward?”
The third heading, “Finishing the Work”, was followed with the question, “What shared vision do we have for finishing God’s work in the UCC?”
As each question was discussed, suggestions were written on a large paper and at the end of each discussion a representative from each small group presented to the whole group a summary of the suggestions that were made in response to these questions.
Following the discussion time, Elder Labrador assured us that they would take these suggestions, compile them and really listen to what we had to say. Also, during the discussion time, we were assured by Elder Labrador that the Conference will abide by the policies of the World Church. This is their duty and is what they are hired to do by the constituents of this Conference.
It is to be noted that most UCC administrators are new in our Conference and are committed to the mission of giving the message of the Three Angels to those in our sphere of influence. We want to support our Conference and leadership in this endeavor. We may not see all things eye to eye, but one thing we took away from this meeting is that we all have the common goal of finishing the work and preparing for the mansions above.
The participants in this meeting felt that there was much healing that took place and a good spirit was felt. We believe that positive changes will soon be seen in regard to the December 4 restrictions that were put in place against WCAS. Please continue to pray for WCAS and for the leadership of the Upper Columbia Conference as well as the leadership of our local churches all the way up through the General Conference.
A Note from Pastor/Evangelist Steve Wohlberg --
For me, this past Thursday was a high point in my Christian life. Along with many others, I too had been praying earnestly that God would bring WCAS and Upper Columbia Conference leaders together in the Spirit of Jesus Christ. What a testimony that would be in this time of increasing division! Today, so often, many church members don’t trust Conference leaders. On the other hand, some Conference leaders have been suspicious of the intentions of WCAS. Elder Labrador, our new Conference President, spoke openly, candidly and from his heart. So did Rodney Mills, his new VP. So did WCAS representatives.
We all prayed together, and talked freely in the midst of a very friendly atmosphere. We especially talked about evangelism. As I observed both groups, it was very clear to me that both share the same vision of supporting the entire organizational structure of the world Seventh-day Adventist Church, including General Conference decisions, and especially of reaching the lost with the Good News of Jesus and the three angels messages. Misunderstandings were cleared up. Appropriate apologies for past mistakes were freely expressed.
I am very happy as I write this, and feel like a major victory for God’s cause has been won. Of course I know that Satan will not rest, and that we must keep our armor on. But, after our meeting on Thursday, I want to express my confidence in God’s leadership in our Upper Columbia Conference, and of my determination to support my administrators. Commenting on the 5th commandment, Ellen White wrote that “it also enjoins respect for ministers and rulers and for all others to whom God has delegated authority.” PP, 308. Years ago, Ellen White had a vision of “what might have been.” See 8T, 105. Last Thursday, we weren’t disappointed, but left rejoicing over what did in fact occur. “The Lord has done great things for us; whereof we are glad.” Psalm 126:3 — Steve Wohlberg, White Horse Ministries
Laodicea Is Not a Bad Word
Lee Roy Holmes
Following a sermon in which Laodicea and Laodiceans received a sound thrashing, a friend of mine said to the speaker, “I’m sure glad I’m a Laodicean!” The speaker was aghast. “Why would you say that?” he asked. “Because,” my friend replied, “if I were not a Laodicean, I would not be a part of God’s true church at all!”
Was he right?
In Seventh-day Adventist circles, the words “Laodicea” and Laodicean” carry some pretty negative connotations. And it is true; the Bible does not paint a rosy picture. “Because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. . . . [You] do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked” (Rev. 3:16, 17).
Jesus uses six uncomplimentary adjectives to describe Laodicea’s spiritual condition, and Adventists have evidently decided that “lukewarm” is the least threatening. (Can you imagine belonging to the miserable church?)
Nevertheless, taken as a whole, here is a graphic description of the most unkempt, ragged, sightless, and homeless refugee imaginable. And when the spiritual implications are understood, it’s hard to blame anyone for wanting to distance themselves from anyone or anything that is associated with Laodicea.
From the time Ellen and James White first applied the Laodicean message to Seventh-day Adventists in 1856, the response of members has been either to make personal application of its counsel, deny that it has any particular application to the church today, or pull away from such a spiritually destitute group and attempt to find or form one with more positive traits. Let’s review the facts about Laodicea.
Fact No. 1: Laodicea represents a period of time in the history of the church.
“The names of the seven churches,” Ellen White writes, “are symbolic of the church in different periods of the Christian era. . . . while the symbols used reveal the condition of the church at different periods in the history of the world” (Acts of the Apostles, p. 585). Laodicea is the last of the seven. It began in 1844 and will end with the Second Coming.
Why did Jesus choose the church in the city of Laodicea to represent the last church? He did so because the term itself means “the judging of the people.” That should make our mouths drop open. The name is itself a prophecy given two thousand years ago, describing the church that would proclaim the judgment-hour message of Revelation 14:6, 7! The time period assigned to Laodicea is beyond question.
Fact No. 2: Laodicea represents the spiritual condition of the church in that time period.
Jesus’ choice of Laodicea to represent the church today was no accident. Laodiceans were well-to-do, but Jesus calls them poor. Adventists may be inclined to take pride in the great treasure of truth they possess, or even the broad extent of their presence in the world--their hospitals, schools, publishing houses, churches, etc.
The original Laodiceans were proud of their rich black robes, but Jesus says they are naked. It’s possible that some Adventists can find themselves clothed in the black garments of pride and self-righteousness.
Laodiceans produced a salve to treat eye disease; Jesus says they are still blind. With all their understanding of Bible truth, last-day Laodiceans can still be blind to their own spiritual condition.
Fact No. 3: The message to Laodicea includes a cure for their spiritual condition.
“I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich: and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed, and anoint your eyes with eye salve that you may see” (Rev. 3:18). Buy the gold of faith and love for your spiritual poverty. Purchase the white raiment of Christ’s righteousness for your nakedness, and the eye salve of the Holy Spirit for your blindness.
It is a message that corrects, but it is also a message that gives hope. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten” (Rev. 3:18). “This message must be borne to a lukewarm church by God’s servants. It must arouse His people from their security and dangerous deception in regard to their real standing before God. This testimony, if received, will arouse to action and lead to self-abasement and confession of sins” (Testimonies to the Church, vol. 3, p. 259).
“The Lord is merciful. He does not chastise His people because He hates them, but because He hates the sins they are committing” (The Upward Look, p. 240, italics supplied). Laodicea, praise God, is that church which, “enfeebled and defective, needing to be reproved, warned, and counseled, is the only object upon earth upon which Christ bestows His supreme regard.” (Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 49, 50).
Fact No. 4: Laodicea is not Babylon or a part of Babylon.
Some find it hard to understand how a church that is so bad it makes Jesus want to vomit can be any different from fallen Babylon. While it is true that individual Laodiceans may continue in a backslidden state until the close of probation, and in heart belong to Babylon, it cannot be said that they—Laodicea and Babylon—are one and the same. Laodicea is loved by Jesus; “Babylon . . . is fallen . . . and become the dwelling place of demons” (Rev. 98:2).
I suggest that God’s people today face two challenges: The first is to fully come out of Babylon; the second is to learn to love and work for both Laodicea and Babylon from within Laodicea. Note this: “Jesus is coming in, to give the individual members of the church the richest blessings, if they will open the door to Him. He does not once call them Babylon, nor ask them to come out, but He says, ‘As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten’” (Manuscript Releases, vol. 1, p. 301). Our great need is to open the door and let Jesus come in!
We live in a time never faced by any generation in exactly the same way since the Great Flood. We face the close of probation. We face the final sifting and shaking of the church. And when we get to that point in time, there will be but two groups, the hot and the cold. The lukewarm will have become excited and involved in winning others; the cold and uncommitted will have drifted into Babylon.
I join my friend I mentioned at the beginning; I, too, am glad to be a part of Laodicea. My desire is to open the door and let Jesus come in so we can enjoy sweet fellowship together. I choose to add to the light of Laodicea’s lamp, work for the uplifting and reformation of God’s last-day church, and do my part to warn the world of what and Who is coming.
Is that your choice, too?
Lee Roy Holmes, retired Seventh-day Adventist Pastor, College Place, WA
Mission of the WCAS Newsletter
To strengthen member resolve to do the work of Jesus,
To encourage Adventist laypeople to pray for world church leaders,
To equip them to become actively involved in decision-making in their conference constituency,
To realistically inform them of items of concern, and
To accomplish these in a positive and balanced manner remaining vigilant with regard to the present crisis facing the Church.
WCAS 10 Principles of Action
Participants support the decisions of the world church expressed through the General Conference.
Participants seek unity on the basis of inspired truth rather than cultural compromise.
Participants uphold God’s purpose for church organization and for pressing together rather than separation.
Participants learn Protestant biblical interpretation – the historical-grammatical method.
Participants are active and responsible members in their local congregation.
Participants learn how to work effectively in board and constituency meetings.
Participants commit themselves to pray for faithful workers, and for Heaven to provide godly, decisive leaders for the harvest.
Participants embrace the conviction that God is in control, and choose not to be intimidated by factions opposing truth in the Church.
Emphasizing connection to Jesus our Lord, participants learn how to resist pluralism, congregationalism, and other present errors.
World Church Affirmation Sabbath emphasizes the Seventh-day Adventist representative form of church governance. We are the Church.
Upcoming Meetings of Importance
If you know of upcoming meetings please send the information to affirmationsabbath@gmail.com.
== April 9-10, 2019 Spring Council, Silver Spring, MD
== May 4, 2019 World Church Affirmation Sabbath. Go to www.affirmationsabbath.org for the venue locations and for event times and dates. The topic will be the "Authority of the Spirit of Prophecy."
The WCAS Newsletter is distributed to interested Adventists. It originated in the Pacific Northwest and will on occasion feature some material of special interest to UCC church members. It is prepared by participants from UCC-WCAS and Nameless Network. We invite readers from all NAD Conferences to forward dates for their upcoming conference constituency meetings. We are also interested in brief, factual reports of especially encouraging or troubling conference executive committee and constituency meeting actions from across the NAD. Submit these short items to the editor at affirmationsabbath@gmail.com. Responses will be limited. SUBMISSION TO WCAS NEWSLETTER CONSTITUTES PERMISSION TO PUBLISH.
Regarding the use of WCAS Newsletters
We are glad to provide WCAS Newsletter freely to Adventist readers. We speak plainly in its pages and view it as best that non-Adventists not be engaged in these questions. We plead with readers not to post the newsletter onto the internet in any form. Readers are encouraged to email the Newsletter only to other interested Adventists. Readers are also granted permission to print-out hard copies of this Newsletter to give to interested church members who do not use email. Thank you for respecting our earnest wishes that you not post the Newsletter to the internet.
Contact
Physical:
World Church Affirmation Sabbath
PO Box 28034
Spokane, WA 99228 Web:
Reach WCAS communication director at: mail to: AffirmationSabbath@gmail.com
