The Epic, Pt 8

After lengthy discussions among those bothered by the vote in favor of the Paul Borden Report (hereinafter “the Group”) it was decided that a fact-finding meeting was needed with the Potomac Conference. One of the elders in the Group called down to the Conference to request a meeting with the Conference president, Elder Miller. Elder Miller agreed to the meeting on the stipulation that there be no more than eight members of the congregation present. Present with Elder Miller would be Elder Pichette. The meeting was held on December 12, 2007.

No specific list of attendees was prepared by the Group in advance, because it was unclear exactly who would be able to make it to the meeting. As it happened, eight people showed up at the appointed time and place and the meeting began. Not long into the meeting, however, a ninth Group member arrived. Rather than gracefully accepting the presence of another concerned constituent Elder Miller placed himself in the doorway to physically block the entrance of the latecomer and announced, “We have one too many people here.” In order to resolve the situation one of the eight people already in the room volunteered to leave.

The following questions were asked of the Potomac Conference officials and provided to them in writing:

1. Who initiated the directive that the Takoma Park Seventh-day Adventist Church’s organizational structure be changed—the Potomac Conference or the Senior Pastor?

2. Were guidelines (as outlined in the Church Manual) followed regarding changing the local Church’s organizational structure?

3. Did the Union, North American Division, and General Conference agree to the new structure, although it is not in accordance with the Church Manual?

4. If a staff-led structure is good for Takoma Park Church, then why not begin with a staff-led conference structure, with a president who appoints the executive committee?

Also asked was whether it was really necessary to change the structure of the church in order to do outreach.

The Group further brought up a number of objections to the new system, as well as the fact that the circumstances of the vote to approve the Paul Borden Report were unfair and inappropriate.

The objections, also provided in writing, were as follows:

1. A staff-led structure is hierarchical, which divorces itself from the Church Manual and is contrary to the ethics, ecclesiology, and polity of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

2. A staff-led structure does not enhance equality, shared authority, responsibility, and accountability, but rather excludes 99.9% of the membership.

3. A staff-led structure can encourage and/or lead to abuse of power.

4. A staff-led structure can lead to authoritarianism, with a few hand-picked people making decisions and dictating to the membership. Spirit of Prophesy quotation: “Even if a ruler were naturally merciful and benevolent, unlimited power over his fellow men would tend to make him a despot. Such power God alone is able to use with justice and wisdom.” Signs of the Times, July 13, 1882.

Elders Miller and Pichette initially made no reply to any of the questions or objections and were preparing to leave to go to another engagement when they were pressed to at least answer who had suggested Paul Borden. Elder Miller finally stated that Pastor DeSilva had come to him to ask for an assessment of Takoma Park and that he [Elder Miller] had recommended Paul Borden.

When one of the Group members observed that the recent events were going to be bad for the church Elder Miller responded, “Well, Sister, I’ve seen where churches have had to go down to 20 before they got turned around.” On that rather dismaying note the meeting ended. The Group was absolutely dumbfounded that a conference official would express such reckless disregard for the souls of those who didn’t see eye to eye with him. It was clear to us then that no help could be expected from the Potomac Conference.

Next: Dare to Have a Purpose Firm

Religious