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In an article for Teen Vogue, Andrews University alum Eliel Cruz raised concerns about a change ministry relocating to Berrien Springs, Michigan.
Recently, an ex-gay group called Coming Out Ministries bought a building across from my alma mater, Andrews University, a Seventh-day Adventist University, intending to “work closely” with the university on LGBTQ issues “from a redemptive perspective.” Groups like Changed Movement and Coming Out Ministries see LGBTQ young people’s identities as “confusion” instead of who they are intrinsically. Their ideology stems from a theological understanding of sexuality that does not take into account science or the world as it exists around them. Anti-LGBTQ theology fuels conversion therapy, and it’s not only flawed but also inherently harmful and violent.
Cruz noted the ways organizations like Coming Out work to evade laws that ban conversion therapy, observing that many “have reemerged, using religious language to promote change therapies.”
In a report by the Trevor Project, researchers found at least 1,320 conversion therapy practitioners in almost all 50 states, including states with active conversion therapy bans for minors. Almost half of those counselors are unlicensed, and most are attached to some sort of religious ministry. While couching their language and pretending to be there to help LGBTQ people, the danger of these groups and practitioners cannot be understated.
The Michiana Adventist Forum meets this Saturday, April 20, at 3:30 P.M. at the Berrien Springs Courthouse (1839 County Courthouse) at 313 N. Cass St., Berrien Springs, Michigan.
Retired pastor John McClarty will be the speaker. His title: “From Reformer to Contemplative: A Clergyman’s Journey to Late-life Happiness.”
McLarty wrote about the event on his Facebook page, saying,
“It seems to me that a young person thinking of a career as a pastor ought to have fire in their bones and a dream of making ‘a better church and a better world.’ But at some point in our lives, it ought to become clear that the capacity of people to change is small but our capacity for affection and admiration is large. As we age, devoting more of our energy to the cultivation of our own affection and admiration for the cosmos is wise.
“There comes a time when our convictions (opinions, notions, ideas) about how society and the church should be structured become irrelevant to the actual course of the future. People young enough to be our children or grandchildren will be making the decisions. It’s smart to leave it to them.”
McLarty served for 40 years as an Adventist pastor. He says that he began with a young zealot’s dreams of saving the world and fixing the church, full of theological and philosophical conviction and angst. He devoted his life to the church, and characterizes the institution as being uncommonly good to him.
Since retiring three years ago, he has focused on cultivating spiritual and religious practices compatible with his current station in life as a self-described “retired, institutionally-irrelevant old man.”
McLarty’s presentation will describe his current spiritual practice and some of the insights and convictions that have grown from that practice.
This is the second part of Alexander Carpenter’s interview with Kyle Portbury, director of The Hopeful, about why he chose to tell this early Adventist story for a wider public.
Portbury is an Emmy® Award-winning, 3-time Australian Directors Guild nominated writer/director who has taught at Southwestern Adventist University. He worked with Hope Channel International’s (HCI) cinema branch, Hope Studios, to produce this 90-min drama about the founding of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
If you missed part one of this conversation, watch it here or listen to the podcast here.
“Spinning at Spectrum,” a playlist of the latest music in and around our community. Curated by Maxwell Aka.
In many ways Jesus answered what it means to be truly pro-life in the gospels. “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, pray for those who use you badly,” he said.
We have two goals: first, sharing information about current research in the United States—including Berrien County—surrounding informed care for LGBTQ+ individuals. Second, we’d like to invite community comments.
Don Barton reviews a film about a man possessed by a demon on death row. A psychologist must figure out if this man is sane or not.
The General Conference proposes creating a new assistant to the president or field secretary in every world division who will oversee hiring religion faculty and directing theological education curriculum. The GC will fund the position for the first year before the cost shifts to the division.
Pulse features challenging articles, humor, inspiring quotes, poetry, quizzes, reviews, and links to interactive videos and podcasts. The magazine’s tagline is “A Collaboration of Adventist Activists.” With topics both timely and timeless, the tone is more advocacy than accusation.
In China we cannot teach United States history, U.S. government, or religion. In place of that we have modified our curriculum so that we can offer an approximation of these subjects and still be on the right side of Chinese law. We don’t want the government to shut us down, after all.
European Adventism is numerically very small, and also quite divided linguistically and culturally. But there is a cultural view of life and history that distinguishes Europeans, and consequently European Adventism. It involves attention to “small local realities.”
Growing up in Moldova, I was blessed to be surrounded by strong women who embodied resilience, compassion and purpose. My grandmother, a nurturing matriarch, not only ran a successful flower business but also cared for our family with unwavering love and dedication. Her life was a testament to the power of purpose-driven work.
The suffering in this world is inevitable. This week’s Sabbath school lesson discusses the will of God on earth. (Commentary on the Adult Bible Study Guide for April 6–12.)
The financial irregularities in Brazil—estimated around $6 million—currently under investigation by Adventist Risk Management occurred within a South American Division centralized insurance structure created by its previous president, Erton Köhler. A case study of one union in Brazil shows how this process worked.
