Deuteronomy
23:2 A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the LORD.
23:3 An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever:
23:4 Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.
23:5 Nevertheless the LORD thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee.
23:6 Thou shalt not seek their peace nor their prosperity all thy days for ever.
23:7 Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he [is] thy brother: thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in his land.
23:8 The children that are begotten of them shall enter into the congregation of the LORD in their third generation.

I'm back to square one--preach the truth and let the Holy Spirit convict. It is not the sort of truth I'm interested in to have us preaching that we will welcome sinners of any stripe. We have no business saying that everyone can join our church. Who's church is it? Our business is to carry out our Father's will.

the Moabite - - Hm - why is it again we have the Book of Ruth in the Bible? Why is it that Rahab the harlot, is in the line of Christ?

Green - STOP DIGGING! Your hole is deep enough!

Who said that everyone can join the church? You have been told several times in posts here that the bulletin was simply a welcome to attend. It was not about membership. It was not about leadership.

The bulletin simply invited people to attend services. There is a reason for each person who might attend. That reason just might be the leading of the Holy Spirit.

AS I have said, more than once. If I were to go back to being a congregational pastor, I would want to have every Sabbath focused on evangelism with the community at large welcome to attend.

Evangelism is one of the two missions of the Church, given by God, for End Time.

I see no problem with welcoming people to attend. But if I say, for example, "coffee drinkers are welcome to attend our church," I imply that coffee drinking is an acceptable behavior and will not be condemned in my church, don't I? Wouldn't it seem a little rude to invite the coffee drinkers and to then tell them why they shouldn't drink coffee? I think it's better to say "YOU are welcome to attend our church." I am then left with the option of teaching the health message at the church without appearing hypocritical.

A profession of religion has become popular with the world. Rulers, politicians, lawyers, doctors, merchants, join the church as a means of securing the respect and confidence of society, and advancing their own worldly interests. Thus they seek to cover all their unrighteous transactions under a profession of Christianity. The various religious bodies, re-enforced by the wealth and influence of these baptized worldlings, make a still higher bid for popularity and patronage. Splendid churches, embellished in the most extravagant manner, are erected on popular avenues. The worshipers array themselves in costly and fashionable attire. A high salary is paid for a talented minister to entertain and attract the people. His sermons must not touch popular sins, but be made smooth and pleasing for fashionable ears. Thus fashionable sinners are enrolled on the church-records, and fashionable sins are concealed under a pretense of godliness. God looks down upon these apostate bodies, and declares them daughters of a harlot. To secure the favor and support of the great men of earth, they have broken their solemn vows of allegiance and fidelity to the King of Heaven. {4SP 234.1}

Not at all.

I am simply astounded by that position that you take.

To invite a coffee drinker to attend church is not an approval of drinking coffee. To invite such does not hinder you from telling that person that coffee drinking is not acceptable.

I feel at a loss as to how to respond to you. As I thought this I said to myself: Lord how can I respond? Instantly the story recorded in Matthew 22:1-14 flashed into my mind.

Look closely at that story: In verse 9 the servants of the king were commanded to invite anyone they could find standing on the street corner. One might call those the riff-raff. In verse 10 it is said that they invited the bad as well as the good. NOTE: I looked it up in the NIV.

Not upon the ordained minister only rests the responsibility of going forth to fulfill this commission. Everyone who has received Christ is called to work for the salvation of his fellow men. "The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come." Revelation 22:17. The charge to give this invitation includes the entire church. Everyone who has heard the invitation is to echo the message from hill and valley, saying, "Come." {AA 110.1}

1) Would it imply to the coffee drinker, right up front as it were, that they were in an unacceptable position? I mean, let's be real, what would YOU think if you saw a bulletin announcement that said coffee drinkers, homosexuals, fat people, ugly people, people who have problems with organized religion, etc. were all invited to the church? Would you not see that the church was tacitly recognizing that these groups were ordinarily unacceptable? Would you feel truly welcome if you were in one of those categories of people?

An Affirmation of Marriage -
NAD responds to Supreme Court rulings

Numerous activities among state legislators and courts have recently been occurring in the United States concerning same-sex unions. On June 26, the United States Supreme Court ruled on two landmark decisions regarding same-sex unions.

As Seventh-day Adventists, we believe in strengthening the family and following the biblical principles and patterns that God set forth in His Word for marriage between one man and one woman, the oldest human institution dating back to the sixth day of creation. We cannot deny the biblical pattern anymore than we can deny creation and not undermine the value and validity of the Bible as God's handbook for our lives.

Based on recent developments and decisions, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America is concerned with the growing attacks on the biblical institution of marriage and feels that it is appropriate and necessary to reaffirm the stated positions of the Church as they relate to Christian marriage. Seventh-day Adventists believe that the biblical teaching is still valid today, because it is anchored in the very nature of humanity and God’s plan at creation for marriage.

We reaffirm, without hesitation, our long-standing position. As expressed in the Church's Fundamental Beliefs, "marriage was divinely established in Eden and affirmed by Jesus to be a lifelong union between a man and a woman in loving companionship."

We hold that all people, no matter of their sexual orientation, are children of God. We do not condone singling out any group for scorn and derision, let alone abuse. However, it is very clear that God's Word does not countenance a homosexual lifestyle; neither has the Christian Church throughout her 2000-year history. Seventh-day Adventists believe that the biblical teaching is still valid today, because it is anchored in the very nature of humanity and God's plan at creation for marriage.

-- Pastor Dan Jackson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America


Official voted statement of the Seventh-day Adventist Church:
An Affirmation of Marriage