The Epic, Pt. 1

At the April 2007 Takoma Park Church Board Meeting our Senior Pastor, Alan DeSilva, floated the idea of needing a "music minister." He said that if we were to cut the 20 minutes or so of announcements we typically had at the beginning of the main Sabbath service, a blessing in and of itself, and use this period for a time of congregational singing, it would set a better "tone" to enter into a spirit of worship. "I read a report that churches that have more congregational singing not only have healthier churches, but they have more members."

One of the elders exclaimed, "Wait a minute. What about our [choir director]? Why can't she do this?" Another elder, wife of the elder that spoke first, brought up the issue of parking around our church, saying that she has friends that won't come here because of the lack of parking.

One of the church officers said, "Maybe it's not about singing or the announcements. It could be about the sermons, the preaching, or any number of things , but unless you have some way to quantifiably measure what the problem is, it really doesn't make sense to just 'jump' at answers."

Then one of the members made the remark that changed history. She said that if this was a company, and the company was having a problem, they would call in a consultant. Many of the people who heard this were in favor of the idea. At first blush, our pastor was not. However, we late learned that because he wanted to hire a friend for the music minister position he wanted to create, our pastor said he would look into a "consultant" and get back to us by the next board meeting.

Later that week, our pastor said that he had started to look into a consultant and admitted that while he was against it at first he now thought it was a good idea. "This is going to give me a chance to make some changes around here I've wanted to make for some time." We discovered some time much later that our pastor had spoken to the new Potomac President Bill Miller the day after the board meeting, and it was Miller who suggested Paul Borden.

At the May Board Meeting, our Pastor heralded that he had not only found a consultant but indeed he had found THE consultant. This "deliverer" was a published author and had consulted at a myriad of churches with wondrous results. And although he has a "very busy" schedule, if we act right now, we could get him to pay us a visit. All this for only $6000!

Many board members had concerns about this selection, most of which centered around what we would be getting for $6000 dollars.

Religious

Paul Borden Report , Part II

Immediately below is the report for which the Takoma Park Chuch paid $6000. I could go into detail about how the church board was talked into to it, or how long it took for the pastor to tell the church board that Dr. Paul Borden was not an SDA, or the way the report was originally received by the church officers, and how the church rallied against the report in 3 of 4 "Town Hall Meetings." At the second, btw, the opposition was so great that the senior pastor, in fustration announced, "All right. If you all don't want to adopt this part of the report, fine, we won't. But we will have evangelism, and diversity in music." He later announced to "selected" church officers that we would have to go ahead and have a vote because "...this is what the report said we have to do and if we don't there could be legal ramifications..." I kid you not. That's actually what he said. Using that logic, I could never paint the deck on the back of my house because the contractor who built the deck would sue me!

Anyway, please read the report below and come to your own conclusions. Feel free to ask questions if you like .

Liberty

Paul Borden Report

TAKOMA PARK SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH

September 8, 2008

INTRODUCTION

We want to thank the pastor, staff, leaders and congregation of the Takoma Park church for the opportunity to consult with you. We found people open and willing to share with us in an honest and forthright manner. All the information we asked for was provided. It is our hope that God will use this report to strengthen His mission for this congregation in this community.

STRENGTHS

1 Senior Pastor: Pastor Alan DeSilva is to be commended for his leadership of this congregation. His ability to lead for over eleven years is rare for most pastors and for this congregation in its recent history. We heard on numerous occasions that he is both compassionate in relationships and has the ability to motivate well. People also respect his ability to proclaim God's Word with conviction. He is poised to lead this congregation for a second decade.

2. Resources: The Takoma Park church has a unique place in Adventist heritage having served as the General Conference Church. It continues today in a strategic location with the potential to serve the diverse city in which it resides. Its ability to impact the community with its resources is only limited by its ability to dream. The financial stability due to the faithful giving of its members is to be commended. The congregation also should be commended for its well kept facilities.

3. Diversity: The Takoma Park church's membership is as diverse as the community it serves. We see this as a great strength in reaching out to the surrounding areas. Those from different racial and ethnic heritages who visit are often able to experience a sense of connection by seeing people of similar backgrounds. This diversity is also a testimony to what the true Body of Jesus Christ really is.

4. Musical Excellence: The Takoma Park church is passionate about excellence in music. The congregation has invested many dollars in both the key musical instruments and those who lead music in worship. Though failing to meet the musical preferences of different groups of people within the Body, the congregation does insist on excellence in presentation.

5. Heritage: The Takoma Park church has a long history of serving as the General Conference/Review and Herald church. The relationship with these Adventist institutions has enabled this congregation to minister prominently for over a century. The foundation for great and effective ministry in the future is in the hands of this generation if they will step up to God's mission for His Church.

CONCERNS

1. Great Commission: The consistent making of new disciples through the life and ministry of Takoma Park church has been missing for a number of years. This congregation has been disobedient to the command of Jesus Christ to "go and make disciples".

2. Mission/Vision: This congregation has no clear outward focused mission to do what Jesus Christ demands. This has been proved in part by the team repeatedly asking people what the mission of Takoma Park is and being given no clear consistent response. It has been articulated by the pastor and other leaders that there is no vision. This makes sense since there is no clear mission.

3. Structure: The current structure of this congregation inhibits growth and the accomplishment of a compelling mission and an exciting vision. Authority is separated from responsibility and no one is held accountable.

4. Leadership: The development of leaders has not been a value of the congregation and therefore has not been practiced. The focus has been more on organization and management and as a result leadership has been neglected.

5. Assimilation: The intentional assimilation of new people into the congregation is not being done. There are no systemic processes for reaching out to new people and helping them become mobilized in ministry.

PRESCRIPTIONS

1 Great Commission: The Senior Pastor and the Vice-President of Pastoral Ministry for the Potomac Conference will facilitate the staff, boards and congregation in a Sabbath of fasting and prayer. The purpose of the Day of Prayer and Fasting is two-fold. First, he will lead the congregation in prayers of confession asking God to forgive them for failing to fulfill His Great Commission to the Church. After these collective prayers have been offered any issues between believers that have not been resolved in a Biblical manner will also be offered up to God for confession and forgiveness. After this day, no one will be allowed to speak of any hurt in the past by anyone in the congregation. This will be a day to experience the freedom of being released from bitterness and resentment that comes for not confronting one another in a Biblical manner.

The second purpose of this day is to have the congregation ask God to give them a heart of compassion for those in the community the congregation serves who do not now have a relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. Also, the leaders and people will pray for a God given vision to see their community changed.

This day will occur by December31, 2007.

2. Mission/Vision: It is understood that if this report is accepted by Takoma Park church that at that point the mission of this congregation is inward and outward with the primary focus being outward. This means that Takoma Park church exists to honor God by making more disciples for Jesus Christ. The pastor and leaders will begin a mission audit. The purpose of this audit is to evaluate how each ministry of the congregation helps to make new disciples for Jesus Christ. Any ministry that does not do this must either be changed or discarded. This audit will be completed by August 31, 2008.

The Senior Pastor and Vice-President of Pastoral Ministry will lead the congregation through an envisioning day. The purpose of this day is to get the congregation to focus outward. Following that day the pastor and a few other leaders will draft a vision statement. The envisioning day will occur by January 26, 2008. The new vision statement will be drafted by February 16, 2008.

3. Structure: It is understood that if this report is accepted the congregation will adopt a staff led structure. The new structure will marry responsibility, authority and accountability. In this new structure staff members will be held accountable for specific and measurable goals. They will also be given the freedom and protection to meet those goals. The overview of the new structure will be presented to the congregation by the Potomac Conference on October 6, 2007.

4. Leadership: The church will pay for the senior pastor to engage a coach to help him become the leader of a missional congregation that has a vision to reach many new disciples in the community. The pastor will also recognize that one of his major responsibilities, along with his staff, will be to develop leaders in the congregation. The pastor and his new board will visit four congregations that are growing by making new disciples on a regular and consistent basis. The coach will be engaged by January 1,
2008. The four visits will be concluded by August 31, 2008. The pastor, staff and board will attend the Hit the Bullseye conference in Ohio in April 2008.

5. Assimilation: The church needs to implement an assimilation process that tracks new people until they become mobilized in ministry. This process needs to be overseen by someone on the pastor's staff. This person will be responsible for greeters, ushers, networkers, etc. The assimilation person and the pastor's staff need to find a solution to the parking problem by June 30. 2008. The assimilation person needs to be in place by January 1, 2008.
The church will vote on this report as a whole to accept or reject by Oct. 13, 2007

CONCLUSION

We wish to thank you for the opportunity to consult with the congregation of Takoma Park church. We believe your best days are ahead of you if you engage in God's mission for His Church.

Dr. Paul D. Borden
Dr. Ray Pichette
Pastor Glen Altermatt

Advice from the Spirit of Prophesy, Pt. 2

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." Christ declared. Let us follow the Saviour's example. Let none take upon himself the grave responsibility of ruling the conscience of his fellow men. This God forbids. We are all God's little children. No kingly power is to be exercised." (Spalding and Magan Collection, p. 282).

“One Rule for Directors and "Inferiors." - Let men in responsible positions consider to a purpose that there is not one rule of action for the men in authority and another for the class who are expected to submit to their decisions; not one rule for the director and another for the supposed inferiors. I say supposed, for many who are treated as inferiors are men whose principles and course of action are such as heaven approves. They may be regarded as inferior in this world of iniquity, of semblance and sham, but in the sight of God they are counted more precious than gold, though it be tried with fire; they shall be found unto praise, and honor, and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. The true learners of Christ, combining faith and truth and righteousness in their life practice, will keep the way of the Lord; there will be no conniving in selfish practices. Every path that God has not marked out for men to pursue is that of the destroyer.

"I have risen a long while before day to write these words, for I see a great deal that needs to be done in heart and practice for men in authority who are very officious to make laws and restrictions for others, while they themselves do not obey the law of God. They will learn sometime that there is prosperity and happiness in no other path than the way of the Lord. Men's reason may be obscured, the conscience seared by long practice in their own way, but it is not a way of peace or security. Wherever the peace of God reigns in the heart, there is the tenderness and love of Christ" (Pastoral Ministry, pp.130, 131).

IN THE INTERESTS OF FAIRNESS

To be fair, we want to hear different views. Bill Miller, president of the Potomac Conference has this to say about "Growing Healthy Churches."
http://64.17.160.14/PC_President/documents/L2LFall.indd.pdf

We will parse through this over the next few days.

Advice from the Spirit of Prophesy, Pt. 1

The Spirit of Prophesy is very clear about church order and governance and the proper use of power by church officials. Below is just a sampling of the advice available on the topic:

"Do not pervert your pastoral power into despotism over your flock.--The minister is not to rule imperiously over the flock entrusted to his care, but to be their ensample, and to show them the way to heaven. Following the example of Christ, he should intercede with God for the people of his care till he sees that his prayers are answered. Jesus exercised human and divine sympathy toward man. He is our example in all things. God is our Father and Governor, and the Christian minister is the representative of His Son on earth. The principles that rule in heaven should rule upon earth; the same love that animates the angels, the same purity and holiness that reign in heaven, should, as far as possible, be reproduced upon earth. God holds the minister responsible for the power he exercises, but does not justify His servants in perverting that power into despotism over the flock of their care" (Testimonies to the Church, Vol.4, pp. 267, 268).

"God has not set any kingly power in the Seventh-day Adventist Church to control the whole body or to control any branch of the work. He has not provided that the burden of leadership shall rest upon a few men. Responsibilities are distributed among a large number of competent men" (Testimonies to the Church, Vol. 8, p. 236).

"God is not the author of confusion, but of peace. The selfishness that exalts one man to rule the minds of his fellow men is not inspired of God; for the Lord works in and through those who will be worked by Him, and who in every line of Christian service will act in accordance with divine enlightenment" (Spalding and Magan Collection, p. 247).

I hope to add more choice quotes and begin a full chronology of the events so far at Takoma Park as time allows.

Religious

JUST IN CASE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE GETTING THE SHORT END OF THE STICK...

YOU may be part of resisting the change from SDA worship, and adherence to the SDA Church Manual for church governance, to a "Willowcreek", or a "Purpose Driven", or a "Growing Healthy Church" model of structure. You have probably found your self ridiculed, marginalized, or otherwise maligned. Once you read the link below, you will not be surprised.

http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/04/4-purpose-resisters.htm#3

Take courage in Jesus. Your stand for truth is the right thing!

EVOLUTION

Shortly after Paul Borden visited our church, some of us began to research Borden's organization, Growing Healthy Churches, as well as others who pushed the same type of church structural model, i.e., Ric Warren, Bill Hybels, etc.

Frankly, it just didn't make sense. If we had failed to effectively evangelize, thank you for the guidance. Teach us to evangelize...in the way of Jesus. But why do we have to ignore our Church Manual to evangelize?

The model we were being "lead" to would eliminate a democratic SDA form of rule for a pastoral autocracy. Obviously, there were a number of quotes form Ellen G. White warning us of the error of this kind of rule. But this just felt wrong on the gut level.

As we researched, we ran accross an article from Elder Jay Galimore, President of the Michigan Conference. Here's the link: http://www.greatcontroversy.org/reportandreview/gal-relevancy.php3. There are also other books by Elder Tom Mostert, "Hidden Heresy," and Elder Richard O'Ffil, "Lord Save My Church."

We are having a technical problem uploading the report presented to us by Paul Borden. As soon as we can figure it out, we will put the entire report here.

May God Bless.

TRUTH AND HONOR

As we collect data, and try to put together the actual dates of what occured, we are hesitant. We have no desire to hurt the faith we love. We are concerned that by posting information about the way our pastor, Alan DeSilva, and our conference president, Bill Miller, have worked to impede SDA worship and remove SDA church organizational structure, we will hurt the reputation of our Church. However, we believe that there is a compelling interest for other SDA churches and members to understand what has happened, and by knowing, aid their efforts to halt the demise of SDA worship and governance according to the SDA Church Manual.

As protestant Christians, we believe we owe it to our faith, our brother and sister Adventists, and Jesus to stand on principle.

Please, as you read these entries, add your own thoughts.

Liberty

The Truth About Change

In 2007 our pastor, Alan DeSilva, "convinced" our church, the Takoma Park SDA Church, to invite Dr. Paul Borden of Growing Healthy Churches to come and "perform an evaluation." This lead to a series of events which has reduced our church attendence and membership, eliminated our church board, reduced our church offerings, and stiffled open and honest discussion in all of our administrative meetings, particularly the business meetings.

This blog will chronical what has happened at our church, and serve as a forum to educate other SDA churches of the perils of heeding any calls to embrace a church structure that leads us away from a Seventh-day Adventist model of organization and worship.

In God is Strength,

Liberty