This post appeared on SPD President Glenn Townhend’s Facebook page today,
IMPORTANT NEWS
South Pacific Division Church leaders have reaffirmed their support for women in ministry following last week's General Conference Annual Council meetings where it was resolved to issue warnings to six Union conferences for practices related to ordination.
Warnings are to be issued to the Danish Union of Churches Conference, Norwegian Union Conference, Swedish Union of Churches Conference and the North German Union Conference. The Executive Committee also voted to issue warnings to the Columbia Union Conference and Pacific Union Conference. This was an amendment to the original recommendation that the presidents of these two conferences be publicly reprimanded (https://www.adventistreview.org/…/story14142-executive-comm…).
South Pacific Division president Pastor Glenn Townend said he is glad no reprimands were issued. "I don't think anyone really wants to see individual leaders who represent constituencies publicly shamed.
"Most speeches were against the warnings, but the votes were always about 60 per cent in favour and 40 per cent against," he said. "This is the pattern for the whole quinquennium when this issue is discussed in some form."
As reported in November 2018 (https://record.adventistchurch.com/…/spd-remains-committed-…), the South Pacific Division asked the General Conference to put the issue of women's ordination back on the agenda for the 2020 GC Session. However, this was denied because no other division within the world Church has supported the SPD request.
"There are at least four other divisions who definitely want to see women ordained and at least another two divisions who would be supportive—this is from my personal discussions," Pastor Townend said. "I ask them, why their hesitation? Their answers are all about timing. I understand but I may not agree.
"Realistically, the SPD is a small division and we just have to continually try and influence people from other divisions when in contact.
"In the meantime, the SPD will continue to encourage the women who are in ministry. We have more per capita of women in ministry than any other division and now have Dr Danijela Schubert who as part of her role is supporting those women in ministry.
"I would encourage our members to keep this matter in their prayers."
One poster responded to Townhend’s post,
This is another act which reveals our Division Presidents poor judgment. He knows too well how sensitive this issue is and yet puts it out on a public forum so that the members of SPD can fight openly and tear each other down. Who with any wisdom would do such an act to create further division amongst an already divided people? Which Godly leader would pour fuel upon his members when they are already burning within because of the issue of WO? Would it too much to expect a minister to strive to bring about unity instead of strife? This is so pathetic and immature. To fan the flames of passion instead of pleading with members to commit to the Lord and seek His guidance... How shameful!
Another poster,
I watched the GC thing. The ones who were called out decided to wear their sin as a badge of honour. What a sick insult to a holy God. What a horrible disregard of Gods holy requirements.
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“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king” (1 Samuel 15:23).