March 15, 1992
It is time to address a problem that is tearing out the heart of Adventism and its mission. Diss s ro s: the threat and the truth Splinters that plague the church —pages 5 & 6 EDITORIAL
VISITOR STAFF Editor: Richard Duerksen Managing Editor: Charlotte Pedersen Coe Assistant Editor: Randy Hall Communication Intern: EARS THAT Elaine Hamilton friend of mine at Design Service: REACH ALL Disneyland once told me that his company only Reger Smith Jr. Circulation Manager: THE WAY TO employs people whose "ears reach all the way to Dianne Liversidge their heads." That was his clever way of saying Pasteup Artist: OUR HANDS that they want employees who listen to customers Diane Baier The VISITOR is the Seventh-day Advent- with understanding and empathy. ist publication for the people in the Columbia If you visit Disneyland, you'll quickly notice that Union territory. The different backgrounds and spiritual gifts of these people mean that they have done a good job in reaching that goal. the VISITOR should inspire confidence in the Saviour and His church and should serve as Their employees are genuinely interested in each anetworking tool toshare methods that mem- bers, churches and institutions can use in customer and are eager to listen and meet that ministry. Address all editorial correspon- dence to: Columbia Union VISITOR, 5427 customer's needs. Twin Knolls Road, Columbia, MD 21045. A similar process is occurring within the Sev- One-year subscription price—$7.50. enth-day Adventist Church. Church leaders are COLUMBIA UNION CONFERENCE Washington (301) 596-0800 committed to making sure all employees and Baltimore (410) 997-3414 church officers have "ears that reach all the way to President R.M. Wisbey Secretary, ASI H.M. Wright their heads." In fact, the leaders of the Columbia Treasurer D.J. Russell Undertreasurer RJ. Jensen Union are actively working to develop new ways of Senior Accountant C. Wright Revolving Fund P. Lee listening to the needs of each constituent "cus- Church Ministries J. Clements Associate B. Manapeaker RICHARD DUERKSEN tomer." Communication R Duerksen One of the special groups being listened to this Assistant C. Pedersen Coe Editor Data Processing M. Connor year is young adults between the ages of 20 and Associates B. Rowe, N. Lamoreaux Education R Osborn 40. To develop a more effective ministry to this Associates F. Hoffer, A. Westney Ministerial F. Ottati group, it is essential for church leaders to first lis- Religious Liberty A. Westney ten closely to the needs, interests and hopes of Trust Services J. Lastine COLUMBIA UNION CONFERENCE young adults. ASSOCIATION President RM. Wisbey Page 14 of this Visitor includes an advertise- Vice President DJ. Russell ment for the first of 16 Listening Sessions that are Secretary J. Lastine Treasurer R.J. Jensen being planned for this age group. These are not LOCAL CONFERENCES times for church leaders to describe, explain and ALLEGHENY EAST: Alvin M. Kibble, Pres- ident; Robert Booker, VisitorCorrespondent; expound, but are times for leaders to listen, learn P.O. Box 266, Pine Forge, PA 19548. Tele- and respond. "We'll be bringing our ears if you'll phone: (215) 326-4610. Al LEr HENY WEST: Willie J. Lewis, Pres- bring your voices, feelings and hopes." ident; Robert C. Lewis, Visitor Correspon- dent; 1339 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43205. There will be a big difference between these lis- Telephone: (614) 252-5271. tening sessions and a conversation with a CHESAPEAKE: J.W. Coulter, President; Neville Hareombe, Visitor Correspondent; Disneyland employee. Your church leaders are 6800 Martin Rd., Columbia, MD 21044. Tele- phone: (410) 995-1910; Washington, D.C., coming with ears that are connected to their heads area, (301) 596-5600. and their hands. More than just MOUNTAIN VIEW: Randy Murphy, Presi- understanding dent; Ruth Wright, Visitor Correspondent; what they hear, they will be doing something about 1400 Liberty St., Parkersburg, WV 26101. Telephone: (304) 422-4581. it. NEW JERSEY: Robert W. Boggess, Pres- ident and VisitorCorrespondent; 2160 Bruns- And you can help! Watch the Visitor for the wick Ave., Trenton, NJ 08648. Telephone: dates of the listening sessions, and then invite and (609) 392-7131. OHIO: Ed Motachiedler, President and Vis- encourage your young adult friends to attend. itor Correspondent; Box 831, Mount Vernon, And, if the age group fits, come yourself. We're ea- 01-1 43050. Telephone: (614) 397-4665. PENNSYLVANIA: Jerry Page, President; ger to listen to you! Gloria Bentzinger, Visitor Correspondent; 720 Museum Rd., Reading, PA 19611. Tele- phone: (215) 374-8331. ABC, P.O. Box 3641, Hamburg, PA 19526. Telephone: (215) 562- 5156. POTOMAC: Ralph W. Martin, President COVER Una Flynn photographed the leaves floating and Visitor Correspondent; P.O. Box 1208, away with winter, making way for the new green of Staunton, VA 2440L Telephone: (703) 886- 0771. ABC,8400Carroll Ave., Takoma Park, spring. Flynn is a free lance photographer living in MD 20912. Telephone: (301) 439-0700. Rockville, Maryland. The Visitor has frequently Printed by the Review and Herald Publishing presented her pictures on its covers. She is a member of Association in Hagerstown, MD 21740. the Sligo church in Takoma Park, Maryland. March 15,1992 Vol. 97, No. 6
2 VISITOR, March 15, 1992 z2rill Co CL)
11
Vision 1: The local church will be the central focus and driving force of the denomination. Music and Vision 2: The joy and celebration of worship will attract people to our churches, allowing Think Big the Sabbath to become a major evangelis- tic tool.
philosophy Vision 3: Church fellowship will be so vibrant that highlight memberer retentionstyle will improve and con- worship fiwtov Ide swindree.—.0 A recent Sabbath worship experience that attracted people life story, using the scripture from Proverbs 3:5 and 6. He to the Woodbury Adventist church just south of the Philadel- continued the story in the afternoon program of how God has phia/Camden area, was filled with joy and celebration in music led his life. Carson revealed that before each surgery, he and and personal testimony. his team pray for God's guidance. Woodbury church communication secretary Brenda Pfaff Dr. Carson shared how a Think Big philosophy changed reports that Ben and Candy Carson from Spencerville, Mary- him from a street-smart ghetto kid into one of the most land, came to the New Jersey church with young musicians celebrated surgeons in the world. He believes God has and stories. During the Sabbath school mission emphasis, presented this model and encourages everyone to Think Big: Mrs. Carson related the family's experiences while living in T-talent, H-honesty, I-insight, N-nice, K-knowledge, B-books, Australia. I-in-depth learning, and G-God is the source of all goodness The string players performed for both of the morning and love. Think Big is the title of a new motivational book by services, including Handel's "Pastorale" from Messiah. Mrs. Carson available through Adventist Book Centers. Carson, a violinist herself, conducts the Adventist Youth Carson encouraged school-age young people to be careful of Ensemble. peer influence. "Peers can be people who encourage errors, During the worship hour, Ben Carson, head of pediatric rudeness and stupidity," he said. He admonished them to neurosurgery atJohns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, told his discover how to make the most of their God-given gifts.—CPC
FACE TO FACE: Profiles of newly baptized people
Clifford Hen- Lucienne Hen Johnie Good, Sharon Good, Jahnetta Ryan Deimler, Ashley Deim- son, York, son, York, Germantown Germantown Good, German- Winchester, Po- ler, Winchester, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania. Philadelphia, Philadelphia, town Philadel- tomac. A pupil Potomac. A Clifford and his Originally from Allegheny East. Allegheny East. phia, Allegheny at the Valley crusade led by wife, Lucienne, France, Luci- After attending Preaching by East. Jahnetta, View church evangelist Bill received a flier enne and her the Last Days Oscar Lane of brother Johnie school, Ryan Zimma helped about a Revela- husband, Clif- Revival series, Atlanta led and mother and his sister, Ashley and her tion Seminar. ford, shared an Johnie was bap- Sharon and Sharon were Ashley, were brother, Ryan, These meetings interest in Rev- tized with his children Johnie among 16 bap- baptized during decide to be were so mean- elation that led mother, Sharon, and Jahnetta to tized in August March of 1991 baptized into ingful that they to their baptism and his sister, join the Advent- of 1991 as a re- after Bible stud- the Adventist were baptized in during October Jahnetta, in Au- ist church in sult of the Last ies with Pastor church during October of 1991. of 1991. gust of 1991. August of 1991. Days Revival. Denis Segebartt. March of 1991.
VISITOR, March 15, 1992 3 SPOTLIGHT ON LIVING THE VISION
PProotae eilixteeet
"Father, one of them has climbed DICK DUERKSEN by their friends in the desperate up on top and they're chopping a hole attempt. in the roof! Listen!" And now this. Dozens of them were Shem and the others listened in planned parties and played games chopping holes in the roof. Would they terror while the sounds continued, together down by the Silver River. But next be dropping fire through the multiplied and grew louder. now each of those pleasant memories holes and turning the future into a Poundings like none of them had ever was being replaced by the hostile terrible boat of horrors? heard before. Sounds that told of an sounds of a hooting crowd. All Shem "Listen closely my sons." Noah's army attacking them from above. could see now was their hatred, voice was edged with hope. "The For seven days they had been derision and jeers. chopping is coming from too many sitting in their zoo. Waiting. Wonder- places on the roof. There can't be that ing. Hoping. And now the explosive many of them up there. Maybe it isn't choppings above promised a most A lemming-like mass chopping at all!" unpleasant end to their journey. Shem looked into his father's face. Seven long and busy days had rushed as the door The smiling wrinkle lines stood out passed since the closing of the door. clearly in the light of the flickering And still no rain. No flood. swung shut, each one lamp. His father was always so happy, Each of the days had been filled screaming in terror and so optimistic and playful. E‘ 'n when with thousands of little tasks. The the workers had tried to burn down rabbits needed clean straw. The big trying to slide through the boat just before the animals had rats needed to have the mats brushed before their options come, even then his face had been from their fur. The snakes needed covered with a smile of confidence. It more water. And a whole new protec- disappeared forever. was almost as if he had planned for i;ive barrier had to be built for the the first animals to come right then elephants, so they wouldn't slide right and frighten the amazed torch- through the walls if the boat were ever They had all been that way except carriers away. to begin to move. one week ago on the day when the Now each of the wrinkle lines was They had been busy, but not busy door had moved. standing out in joy, and excitement enough to ignore all of the sounds Everyone knew about the door. It was dancing around the edges of the from outside. Not busy enough to had taken twenty men to help move old man's eyes. ignore the doubts that came scream- the pulleys that lifted it into place. "Shem! Ham! Japheth! Women! ing through the thick walls. Hundreds of gawkers had come from Come here! Listen with me! This isn't Worry was especially beginning to distant cities and laughed at "Stupid the sound of axes and hammers get to Shem. The worst part was the Old Noah" who had made a door too chopping holes into the roof. It's the way his friends outside were treating heavy to close. "W0000-eee!" they had sound of rain! Water from heaven is the whole situation. Shouts and jeers shouted, "The flood'll just wash in pounding on our roof. Come, listen to and catcalls and hilarious laughter through your open door old man!" the symphony!" had kept all inhabitants of the ark Then, as the jeering reached its They listened together, sometimes awake and on edge for most of the peak and as the crowd's bloodthirsty accompanying the rain with songs of week. Just when one group quieted eyes seemed to focus on Noah, the God's love, sometimes just enjoying down and the animals began to relax, door had moved, on its own! Everyone the sound of promises fulfilled. a whole new group of hecklers would had gone silent. The lamp finally flickered out and arrive and begin hooting at Jehovah It was almost as if they were the only shadows dancing celebration and his ark-bound prisoners. suddenly seeing all of their scariest on the walls were those etched by Shem remembered many of the nightmares come true. For a fleeting streaking lightning. faces with a shudder of fear and moment, their faces had filled with a Outside a clamor of desperation sadness. Those people had been his pasty terror that turned them all into was rising. friends. They had lived as neighbors eager scrabbling little animals. A and eaten meals together in the lemming-like mass had rushed the ark Dick Duerksen is the editor of the groves. They had designed houses, as the door swung shut, each one Columbia Union Visitor. screaming in terror and trying to slide through before their options disap- peared forever. None had gotten past the door, but many had been trampled
VISITOR, March 15, 1992 SPOTLIGHT ON THE COLUMBIA UNION Dissident groups: give you my personal reasons for the threat having hesitated to address this issue? 1. Gamaliel (Acts 5:34-39), a wise man, suggests that if a cause is of men it will fail, but if it is of God, one would not want to be found opposing it or God. 2. The apostle Paul (Philippians 1:15-18), a spiritual man, advises that 8 THE TRUTH if Christ is preached, even from wrong ' motives, we ought to rejoice. Now, however, the evidence is clear that several of the leaders of such There are times when one must be groups and the writings or tapes they D. DOUGLAS DEVNICH totally frank. For some time I have produce do not measure up to the hesitated to write on a certain subject standards of 1 and 2 above. So I that some have urged upon me. choose now to follow Paul's challenge, Recently, however, my participation in as stated in 1 Corinthians 14:7, 8: "If a weekend of spiritual emphasis even lifeless instruments, such as the convinced me it is time to address a flute or the harp, do not give distinct problem that is tearing out the heart notes, how will anyone know what is of Adventism and its mission. The played? And if the bugle gives an local church where I was speaking— indistinct sound, who will get ready and others as well—are being scandal- for battle?" ized by dissident "ministries" whose As a leader it is my duty to inform leaders claim that "mainstream" the members of our church in Canada Adventism is in apostasy. These of what is causing confusion today in "masquerading ministries" assert the same way the "speaking in themselves as the only ones who still tongues" (babbling) confused the give the "straight testimony," the only church in Paul's day. remaining representatives of the Many pages could be filled with "True Witness." compelling information that would Consider, for example, this quota- help Adventists who personally know tion from the journal Our Firm Jesus Christ to see the importance of Recently... Foundation (OFF): "What a shaking dissociating from the dissident leaders we face with six million members, the and organizations that position several of my peers have written majority of whom do not understand themselves as the "true" and the articles for their union papers the three angels' messages and the "faithful" guardians of historic regarding independent, private message of the cleansing of the Adventism. However, the constraints ministries and the way these various sanctuary" (November 1991). of space limit me to making only organizations are confusing issues and Even though I admit that we who passing reference to some, while truth to undermine the work of the preach and teach could do better at placing emphasis on others. church around the world. In my preaching Jesus Christ in the context For your information, Charles opinion, Douglas Devnich, president of of the three angels' messages and of Wheeling, who has promoted private teachings and programs, is no longer a the Canadian Union Conference, has the sanctuary doctrine, it is irrespon- sible to allege that the member of the Seventh-day Adventist written a very thoughtful article that majority of today's Adventists do not understand Church. Fellow members of his own needs to be read by all church this matter of great importance. The local church voted to drop his name members in the Columbia Union. He implication is that the editorial staff of from the members' list. The Bible has kindly given us permission to print OFF enjoys superior understanding teaches us that the body of believers is the article, first published in The and if anyone wishes to have that able to discern what is true from what Canadian Union Messenger. It has esoteric knowledge, he or she must is false. I would suggest that been edited by the editors of Ministry read the journal and give financial Wheeling's former congregation acted magazine, who provided the notes on support to the OFF organization. prudently. the current status of John Osborne. Before I go on to share with you There is documented evidence that the Prophecy Countdown program RON M. WISBEY some important information about President, several dissident "splinter groups" directed by John Osborne is a contro- vertible operation. Documentation Columbia Union Conference. that now plague the church, may I continued on page 6
VISITOR, March 15, 1992 5 SPOTLIGHT ON THE COLUMBIA UNION
Dissident groups: (cont.) indicates serious allegations against emphasizes that because of the Author" (pages 176-181), addresses the operation and its director. John "unsanctified attitudes" of ministers in the issue of whether denominational Osborne was disfellowshipped from the church, members should exercise publishing houses should pay royalties the Florida Conference membership their individual choice of which to authors of published books and for his "apostasy." ministries they should support with articles. Ellen White's point is that I wish now to return to a discussion their tithe and offerings. Those authors should be allowed "to hold the about the content and methods of the ministries are supposedly outside of stewardship of their own works." Firm Foundation organization. The the organized church. Larson's use of ellipses (...) pulls September issue of OFF carried an Now, here is the real tragedy. That together sentences that are not article from Ralph Larson entitled article is only a sample of how decep- connected in the original source. He "The Tithe Problem—Who Is Respon- tive OFF writings are quite regularly. applies the words "we are responsible sible?" Careful readers recognized Unless the readers of OFF are vigi- to invest this means ourselves" to many half-truths therein. Typical of lant, they will miss the deception. I make Ellen White address the issue of many articles in the OFF magazine, it refer you to the following quotation in tithe, when in fact she addresses distorts the writings of Ellen G. White full as given in the Larson article: altogether a different issue—that of to make her say what the OFF authors "God desires to bring men into investing the returns or profits from want her to say. On several occasions direct relation with Himself. ...Every authorship. In fact, Ellen White I have cross-checked the Spirit of man has been made a steward of doesn't deal with the tithe question at Prophecy references with the original sacred trusts; each is to discharge his all in that section of the Testimonies. text and have found gross misquota- trust according to the direction of the So much for the "straight testimony" tions drawn out of context. (This is a Giver; and by each an account of his of OFF writers. phenomenon not limited to dissidents, stewardship must be rendered to God. Dear brothers and sisters in the unfortunately.) ...We are responsible to invest this church, may I plead with you to The Ralph Larson article leaves the means ourselves,"—Testimonies, consider how serious is the willful false impression that Mrs. White volume 7, pages 176, 177. intent to mislead on the part of would approve of individual church If you actually go to volume 7 of the unscrupulous writers and speakers members withholding tithe from the Testimonies and read that passage, who sanctimoniously criticize others of local church treasury, preventing it you will find that Ellen G. White does falsity and apostasy. The very things from passing through denominational not even use the word "tithe" in her they accuse others of doing are clearly channels. The Larson article further article. The testimony, entitled "The things they themselves have problems with. Let us be more discerning about who we follow or what we proclaim to be special "light" for this time. Too The case of John Osborne... frequently these merchants of dissen- has caused much perplexity. He has become famous or notorious for his videos on sion use a veneer of supposed late- celebration worship and supposed New Age infiltration into the Seventh-day Adventist breaking prophetic fulfillments to Church. He has never been ordained as a minister and neither was the Rolling Hills group appeal to Adventists to give support to an organized church. their causes. Repeatedly, fanciful reports of prophecies fulfilled have The Rolling Hills Company was organized in 1987 with John Osborne as lay leader. In proved to be hoaxes. June of 1990 the Florida Conference Executive Committee removed Osborne as the lay In discussing these problems of leader because of his "recent public activity ... that we feel does not correctly represent the dissident independent groups, I in no Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists." way claim that the organized church is Conference administration was then given written notice that John Osborne and the without fault. I myself do not possess Rolling Hills Company refused to accept the committee action. Conference leaders flawless judgment or deportment. continued to work with this group but found them unyielding. Thus, on November 29, However, I know that in this age of 1990, the Florida Conference Executive Committee disbanded the Rolling Hills Company. confusing, dissident voices it is far Then on September 29, 1991, the same committee dropped John Osborne from safer to commit my resources to God's membership in the Seventh-day Adventist Church for apostasy. It also voted "to accept the service when it is directed by councils of trusted men and women, rather request of Dianne Osborne and Johnny Osborne to be dropped from the Florida Conference than to give support to individual Church subject to verification by the conference officers that this is indeed their wish." operators who shun accountability to So John Osborne was disfellowshipped but his wife and son were kept on the records authorized boards and committees. for the time being. In the meantime the Troy church in Montana voted in all three as May God be with us as a church. members on profession of faith. However, while Montana Conference leaders were Shall we not press together and help working with the church to rectify that situation, the Osbornes transferred their member- one another toward the kingdom of ships again. heaven? When we know Christ, we All three have been accepted as members of the Angwin Village church in the Northern can trust that He will lead us person- California Conference. ally and help His church to fulfill its divinely ordained purpose.
6 VISITOR, March 15, 1992 SPOTLIGHT ON ALLEGHENY EAST
Library MARIE SEARD (3'1 Congress features Tessa Morgan Home knows what it's like to earn some fame as an artist. An original drawing by the 9-year-old art of has been reproduced on literally hundreds of T-shirts, full-color 9-year-old r posters, fliers, logos and bookmarks. Tessa, daughter of Tony and Truemella Horne, is a fourth grader at Baltimore Junior Academy in Balti- Tessa Horne more, Maryland. She is a quiet honor student who takes "fame" in a quiet way. When asked what is it like being a famous young artist, she replied, "It's O.K." Two years ago, Tessa's uncle, Theodore Morgan, who works for the Library of Congress, was chairman and coordinator of the agency's first art show for children of its employees. Tessa was commissioned for the whopping sum of $10 to draw a picture for a flier advertising the event. A library official liked what he considered a charming, native drawing and requested that the picture be the official logo for the 1991 Library of r Congress Family Day celebration. The drawing features four children ., strolling together, holding hands. Tessa's drawing was reproduced and distributed as letterhead, fliers and appeared in newsletters. Later it was made into posters, T-shirts and bookmarks. The art's many uses has filled an impressive portfolio for the
A young artist. Baptized in 1991 at Dupont Park church in Washington, D.C., Tessa loves Sabbath school and is a member of the junior/primary class. When she's not enjoying her favorite pas- times—drawing, designing or read- ing—she plays with her enormous collection of dolls.
Marie Seard is the communication secretary for the Dupont Park Seventh- , day Adventist Church in Washington, D.C.
VISITOR, March 15, 1992 7