On Sabbath, March 3, 2018, Potomac Conference administrators participated in the “ordination” of Ms. Renee Stepp.
But in 2015, Adventist representatives from all over the globe assembled in San Antonio Texas, USA for General Conference Session. Thousands of delegates participated debating, voting, and reaching a decision on behalf of the world church. The Church refused to grant authority for subsections of itself to act unilaterally regarding ordination. Following the Bible pattern, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has never in its history approved the ordination of women to the gospel ministry.
And yet, with the world church’s San Antonio decision in full view, the Columbia Union Executive Committee approved the request of Potomac Conference Executive Committee leaders. Stepp’s Williamsburg “ordination” is an open, high-handed act of rebellion by Potomac and Columbia elected leaders exactly contradicting the decision voted by the delegates of the world church.
According to an article by Potomac Conference, Stepp’s experience includes service as women’s dean at academy, holding office in her local church, full time student at Andrews University Theological Seminary, and chaplain of an Adventist academy. She served in a supporting role in the Vienna congregation.
Paul urged workers to select spiritually qualified males of experience to serve as elders (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9), but never a woman. The Bible contains zero examples of women as primary congregational leaders, and zero examples of women elders.
To circumvent the decision of the world church is to circumvent God’s plan for church governance. If Columbia and Potomac can ordain a woman, they can ordain anyone.
Participants in the ordination service included Potomac conference president William “Bill” Miller, Dave Vandevere, vice president for finance, Rick Jordan and Renee Stepp.
http://www.pcsda.org/2018/03/05/renee-stepp-ordained-gospel-ministry/
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4 replies on “NAD Columbia Union Rebel Ordination March 3, 2018”
Here is another example where “political correctness” (rebellion) has led highly privileged men to set aside God’s instructions in order to be popular with the ladies. This is just what we know about, I wonder in what other areas that they are doing the same thing?
God said, through John:
” And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” 1 John 2:3-6 ESV
God has given this warning through His prophet: Nahum.
“What do you plot against the Lord?
He will make a complete end;
trouble (Lit: female rival) will not rise up a second time.”. Nahum 1:9 ESV
However, when women wave their checkbooks in front of unconverted leaders, this is exactly what happens. For this and other similar temptations, are only resisted by the power of the Holy Spirit. When the pleadings of the Holy Spirit are ignored in one area, then He leave and that person is fair game for the evil one to lead in whatever way suits his purposes.
In the secular world, we are seeing the trouble men have gotten into by giving in to the seductive practices and dress (or lack thereof) of the fairer sex. This should give us fair warning, for what God has called us to stand for is far more detrimental to Satan’s purposes then just discrediting someone in a secular office.
May God have mercy on such men who have been so deceived.
Maranatha 🙂
Ray Phillips
And the Rebellion continues…
Given the fact that Fall Annual Council (GC Executive Committee) is currently trying to resolve the matter of discipline for non-compliant Unions, I fail to see how Conferences such as Potomac and its parent (Columbia Union) can show themselves as honest brokers in the resolution of this problem; when they continue to run roughshod over the vote of the World Church with actions such as this illegal, unauthorized ordination. I just wonder how many leaders, throughout the World Church, are seeing this open rebellion. If they are, how can they allow themselves to get caught up into the delay associated with quibbling over the minutia of the language of discipline in the Unity Document; as if that’s more important than stopping this rebellion. What strikes me is that while the Unity Oversight Committee is issuing survey’s in an effort to get a consensus on discipline, as a means of fostering unity on the subject; the highly driven and motivated women’s ordination enthusiasts are going full speed ahead, making it clear that they have no interest in unity. Then, when they meet together in Fall Annual Council, they get to participate in slowing down; if not outright blocking the process that would check them for their egregious acts. This is not right!
Additionally, I have seen the video of this “ordination” of Renee Stepp. What gets me is, as was the case with the PUC “rebellious ordinations” the officers of the Conference, who confer ordination upon her, actually say things like, “on behalf the Seventh-day Adventist Church”, and use language that would be consistent with a “real ordination”. I’m scratching my head…. it’s like the Conference is “playing church, the “ordinand’ is playing church, and the congregation that comes to witness is playing church too. It’s one thing to say, “on behalf of the Union” (or Conference), but it’s another to actually speak on behalf of the SDA Church; as if it has been voted and approved by the World Church.
I think the brethren from the various Unions need to see the “actual videos” of these services… while trying to decide if discipline should happen.
Dwayne, Can you give the link to the ordination video?
Dear Lord,
I ask your forgiveness for our spirit of independence from You. Church leaders are showing disrespect upon your chosen people. Please convict them; give them discernment of what they are doing. Remove those who persist in rebelliousness. Raise up leaders who acknowledge You and Your instruction. We trust You, Father. We trust You, Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our Faith. Amen.