Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists “Cancel Culture” Attitude Against Pastor Doug Bachelor!

55 thoughts on “Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists “Cancel Culture” Attitude Against Pastor Doug Bachelor!”

1. I live in Florida and was SO disgusted when I heard Doug Batchelor was barred from presenting his meetings. Recently, the SDA church in St.Petersburg elected a female pastor to assume the role as minister there. I am a member of the Clearwater SDA church but I did voice my disapproval for this decision. I am saddened by the Florida Conference’s openly defiant behavior and equally saddened that fellow church members are acting in ignorance and rebellion. I believe the scriptures are VERY clear about this topic. I see only spiritual decline for those who hold on to this rebellion against the word of God. We need to pray like never before for a spirit of repentance and revival. God bless, Angie Guy

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   1. Thanks for your courage in sharing your experience. There are so many who are afraid of losing their church membership over expressing their feelings about the sudden changes that are happening in our churches. Please feel free to join with us on our Sabbath afternoon Revival and Reformation Bible studies: Call: 641-715-3580, Pin: 944823#, at 5:30 pm EST.

      God’s blessings to you.

      Shalom

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   2. Pastor Doug’s views on womens ordination were support by the vote of the GC. However in Australia, the Victorian Conference Seventh Day Adventist Church stubbonly went against the world body and ordained a women pastor. The GC president Ted Wilson who was present refused to participate in her ordination so the Victorian Conference SDA church in their apostasy went ahead and defied the world body thus bringing a stain on the church.

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      1. We have long been told that “whole conferences will be lost,” and while this statement cannot now be found, per the White Estates, it is definitely true, no matter the authorship. We have been seeing wholesale apostasy in our ranks, and few are alarmed! Let’s pray for our church, and work for her purification by agitating the voice of revival and reformation of primitive godliness.

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      2. On November 12, 2011, the Dallas Brooks Center in Victoria Australia was packed with 2,500 Seventh-day Adventists who wanted to hear from General Conference president, Pastor Ted Wilson who was also invited to ordain local pastors to ministry. Then the corruption in the Victorian Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church became apparent when they ordained a woman showing that the conference was in deep division with the world church which has rejected the ordaining of women. GC president Pastor Ted Wilson was faithful to his biblical principles by declining to participate in or acknowledge the ordaining of the woman.

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   3. I must say that although the general conference tried to avert division or to quiet the opinions of others I think it was very wrong of them to have no pastor speak about their views before the session. What does this then tell us? Must we wait for the General Conderence’s permission to know what is good or evil? Are we illiterate and devoid of proper or good judgment? Certainly we know that woman ordination as pastors or elders is not Biblical. Certainly we know that homosexuality is evil and ungodly and a worldly practice that should never be condoned, or accepted by the church. Science can not undo what God has ordained, science cannot change the law of God and evil cannever be good. Homosexuality is sin, just like lying, stealing, gossiping and sabbath breaking. So let us be faithful in all things. Stand up for truth. I’ve seen too many unfair practices and evil practices in our churches and I will have no part in them.

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   4. Just read this matter about Pr. Doug Batchelor been barred from preaching at certain churches due to his Godly opinions of female “pastors” I’m totally sided with Pr. Batchelor he’s a very stern and strong in Hus total believe of God’s Word..I was a member of Sacramento Central Church for atleast 10 years and Pr. Doug Batchelor is a strong true and faithful Servant of God, and Pr. Doug believed and teach totally only from The Bible alone. I stand with Pr. Doug Batchelor and support his view of this matter.

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      1. Just as a point of order, Claire, Doug was never barred from preaching in Florida churches. Any statement to that effect by readers and admins of this site is, quite patently, a bald-faced lie. Also misleading is referring to his opinions of female “pastors.” The reason that’s misleading is because there is no disagreement between Florida Conference’s current policy with women’s ordination and Batchelor’s beliefs. The issue, more correctly, was about his tacit stance about women in any leadership role. That’s where the disagreement landed. Without women in leadership, you’d essentially have no Women’s Ministries, and either no, or dramatically downscaled Children’s Ministries. And what about Ministerial Spouses Ministries (formerly known as Shepherdess)?

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      2. ALBj, we’ve spoken on these differences before, but the position you are taking on this matter is the epitome of “cancel culture”. This is a weapon that the enemy has used from the earliest of times, since the days of Cain and Able. When we seek to censure a view that we don’t like, we are attempting to “cancel” such ones. Shalom in Messiah.

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      3. Heraldingking – it’s curious that you describe the situation that way, seeing as how it is exactly the situation I’m seeing of you. You are speaking from the viewpoint of what limited facts are available to you and choosing to believe that Doug Bachelor being banned from preaching is the only thing that is the truth. Your “cancel culture“ is the one that is choosing to shun any other facts because you want to believe that he was banned. I, on the other hand, speak from direct affiliation with the organization involved. As I have clearly stated many times, the absolute fact is that Florida conference “advised” the local church at the time that they may wish to not go forward with the series. It was up to the church to decide what to do, and they chose to follow the conference’s advice. There is yet another truth that completely shatters any notion that he was banned from preaching in Florida. A very short time after the incident in question, the same local church invited Doug for a different series which actually did happen. Pray tell how does Doug manage to deliver an evangelism series at this same local church if he was banned from doing so?

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      4. ALBj:

         The church was simply trying to clean up the terrible mess they created about Pastor Doug. You are welcomed to defend the indefensible, but I am clear that I did not misrepresent the facts! Further, the “cancel culture” mentality of the Denomination, in general, and the Florida Conference, in particular, extends beyond this incident with Doug, and has been an age-long systemic purging of ideas that go against the grain. This same “culture” is what Canceled Jesus Christ and placed Him on the Cross. Praise God, He turned the Devil’s venom into the antivenom for sin!

         You and I have discussed this topic over the years since this event has occurred, and the evidence strongly supports the scope of my presentation on this subject, and for this reason it stands on the Web at this time.

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      5. You can post and believe all you want, but your words are literally nothing more than “this is what I believe so it has to be right.” You flatly refuse to consider a person who is *directly* affiliated with both the conference and the local church who was *very* privy to the situation. I could be wrong but I’d wager you aren’t even in Florida.

         Do I think the whole thing went down very poorly? Absolutely yes. And the part about differing beliefs regarding not only women’s ordination, but even women in any leadership capacity is a debate that will, and should, continue. This whole time, there is only one small part that I’ve endeavored to demonstrate is patently false. If you want to say that Doug’s original event was cancelled because of FL Conference, that’s true. But he WAS NOT EVER banned from preaching in Florida and even did so at the same local church a few months later. The ONLY acknowledgment I wish you would give is that the “banned” part is a falsehood.

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      6. Hi ALBj, you are correct, now that the Florida conference has made ammends and reinvited Pastor Doug to deflect the scandal, I will midify my title accordingly , and will remove the word “Banned”, but may replace it with CANCELLED instead! Will that sit better with you? I fully hear your concern, and see that you were not wholly condemning my report, just the term “banned,” and to that I concede. Shalom.

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      7. I just did a word search for the word “banned” and to my total joy, I never did employ that word in my article! Wonder of wonders!! but I’ll still change the word “gag order” in my title which should receive high ratings from you (smile)

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2. There is a time and a place for everything and what Doug did on his vacation and what we can do to acquire a copy of the DVD series and how much it will cost is not content for Devine Service. Although Doug is a gifted speaker and a wonderful minister in regards to the deliverance the 3 angles messages there are many elders in the church who for some reason believe that his content regardless of topic is content for Devine Service and this is just not so. I would suggest that his material would be a wonderful gift for times when focus on God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit is not what the only content should be.

   I have made my feelings known to my Elder but there dosen’t seem to be belief in the same.

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   1. Hi Brother Edwards:

      We are not aware of the context to which you speak when you say, “his content regardless of topic is content for Devine Service and this is just not so.” To what topics do you have reference?

      Thanks for sharing.

      Shalom in Messiah.

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3. It should be noted that Florida Conference neither issued a gag order nor banned Doug from preaching in Florida. It is misleading to simply say the conference advised the church to cancel the invitation. More accurately, the local church leaders were concerned about statements Doug made at GC Session and sought advice from the conference which did, in fact, suggest the cancellation. The conference did not, however, require the church to do so. Local church leadership chose to go with the conference’s advice. Doug remains welcome to speak at Florida Adventist churches that wish to invite him. It should be further noted that the recommendation was a joint response by the conference administrative committee and not Elder Cauley solely.

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   1. Hi ALBj. Thanks for sharing your understanding of these matters. I must respectfully disagree with your conclusions, as the printed facts from “Amazing FACTS” are quite different from your apparently apologetic position. Here is Pastor Doug in his own words, in contrast to your stated position:

      However, following the General Conference session, we were contacted by the Spring Meadow pastor who told us that he was sorry to inform us that the Florida Conference leadership had advised his church to cancel these meetings.

      Having not heard from the conference directly, Pastor Batchelor called and had a friendly conversation and prayer with the Florida Conference president, Mike Cauley, who said he felt that Pastor Batchelor’s position on women’s ordination was too polarizing and not in harmony with General Conference policy.

      (Amazing Facts and Pastor Batchelor fully support the voted General Conference position regarding ordination, and the ministry has never traveled to other conferences to speak publicly on this subject.)

      Naturally, this was very disappointing as we had invested considerable funds in advertising material and broadcast time in the Orlando area…

      In the Blessed Hope,

      Pastor Jëan Ross
      Vice President of Evangelism
      Amazing Facts

      Read entire letter at this link: http://www.amazingfacts.org/news-and-features/news/item/id/12021/t/statement-on-venue-change

      Now that Pastor Doug’s partner in ministry, the injured parties, have publicly spoken on this matter, let’s again see your representation of these basic facts:

      “It should be noted that Florida Conference neither issued a gag order nor banned Doug from preaching in Florida. It is misleading to simply say the conference advised the church to cancel the invitation.”

      The rest of your post appears to be defending an indefensible position, and I would urge you to, rather than trying to give the church leaders a good name for a very corrupt deed, that you accept the facts are they are, and pray that they become converted to Christ. It is very evident that it was the Florida Conference leadership who were in disregard to the GC stated vote, and are in rebellion against the voice of the people. There is a lot more where this came from, but the object of my post was not to disparage the Conference but to be the a faithful witness, notifying our world church members of the sheer wickedness which is sponsored in “high places,” by men and women in responsible positions.

      “As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel’s message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position, and join the ranks of the opposition. By uniting with the world and partaking of its spirit, they have come to view matters in nearly the same light; and when the test is brought, they are prepared to choose the easy, popular side. Men of talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the truth, employ their powers to deceive and mislead souls. They become the most bitter enemies of their former brethren. When Sabbath-keepers are brought before the courts to answer for their faith, these apostates are the most efficient agents of Satan to misrepresent and accuse them, and by false reports and insinuations to stir up the rulers against them.” {GC88 608.1}

      Shalom in Messiah

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      1. Friend – your error is in describing my statements as “conclusions.” A person is free to disagree with whatever they wish, but disagreeing with a fact doesn’t make the fact any less true. The truth (not a conclusion) is that the church most definitely was the first to approach the Conference. The pastor has been a friend and acquaintance of mine since childhood grade school, and I have direct connection with the conference administration. You are, indeed, correct that the church acted upon the advice of the conference, but you make an error of omission to imply that the conference initiated that advice. It is your perspective that what I am saying is indefensible, solely because of your choice to not consider it. No ban or gag order exists. In fact, I have been made aware of a Florida Conference church in another part of the state considering plans to hold a Batchelor series, and I guarantee you the conference will not intervene should those plans move forward.

         I fail to understand how you claim to believe Florida Conference is in rebellion against the voice of the people in terms of the GC vote. Florida Conference has, and still does, follow GC procedures and policies. GC policy is currently not one that ordains women, and Florida Conference currently does not do so, nor has it officially done so in the past. The issue lies with Batchelor’s troubling remarks against women leading any type of ministry, even in a nonordained capacity. The GC has openly embraced women in ministry for at least 30 or more years. You even quoted this fact above. So I ask you, which source (Florida Conference of Doug Batchelor) is the one rebelling against GC policy? No one seems to consider that if Doug’s beliefs were adopted by the Adventist Church, we would have to terminate programs such as women’s ministries, shepherdess, etc. All very solidly valuable ministries. Children’s ministries programs would probably take a serious hit, as well, given that current American culture and stigmas make it rare (and generally not the wisest decision) for a man to lead those ministries. Yes, that is somewhat sexist and I don’t like it, but it is the current reality.

         There is certainly a reason that Amazing Facts did not hear directly from the conference at first, because, as I stated, it was a local church matter. Spring Meadows initiated the original invitation, developed the concern during GC Session, sought Conference advice, made *their own* final decision, and delivered it to Batchelor. I freely agree that it is unfortunate that the church chose to hide behind language insinuating the conference initiated the plan to cancel the series. And while the conference indeed stands behind Spring Meadows and their decision, the conference would equally have done so if the church had chosen to continue with the series.

         It’s undoubtedly clear neither of us will successfully modify the other’s opinion on the matter. My only wish is that you’d consider what your thoughts on the whole matter are with only the one single alteration that Florida Conference absolutely did not initiate the cancellation nor has banned Doug from its territory.

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      2. We can remain friends in Christ, even if we disagree with the procedures in the handling of this very delicate matter, which now blows up in the Denomination’s face.

         I agree with you that another face-saving action of welcoming Batchelor to a Florida Conference Church may be in the works, to somehow offset the scandal now afloat, but even if it should be approved, this still would not excuse the inexcusable–the local church co-opting with the Conference to shutter one who has done more to bring new believers in our denomination than any other single individual over the past two decades!

         While we may never agree on this matter, I encourage you to keep reading my posts, as they contain relevant information for our changing world and our changing church. Let’s all be aware of Christ’s words:

         “34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” (Mark 13: 34-37).

         Shalom in Messiah.

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4. We can indeed remain friends in Christ. No one on my side is angry. Only disappointed that so much false information spread regarding the circumstance.

   Truly, the only part of this dialog that gives me concern is the number of things you write which are clearly based on assumptions. I would implore you to ask yourself (not me, just yourself), what parts of the facts you understand come from credible sources and what parts come from either hearsay or your own deduction.

   You will not find any credible source stating Florida Conference initiated the advisement for Spring Meadows to cancel the event because no such source exists. Why not? Because it is patently false that’s what happened.

   You further described in your latest message that another series by Batchelor is a “face-saving action…to somehow offset the scandal.” Again, this is your own rationale and assumption based on no facts. Quite the contrary, at this time, Florida Conference has absolutely zero involvement in any future speaking appointments that may or may not be in the works. If any are being planned, it is being done at the local church level with no direct interaction by the conference.

   A third notion, you repeated your belief that Batchelor is barred from speaking at Florida Conference institutions. Most recently, “…to shutter one who has done more to bring new believers in our denomination…” That, too, is patently false. I challenge you, in brotherly love, to call in to the Florida Conference administrative office and ask them point blank if Doug is banned from speaking at a Florida Conference church. That answer is, and always has been, no. Spring Meadows *was* free to proceed with holding the series. Florida Conference only *recommended* (upon the church’s request for advice) canceling the series. No mandate was given.

   These are three very specific points to which you know in your heart of hearts are opinions/theories/assumptions/hearsay. Do I think Doug’s series should have been cancelled? Probably not. I was looking forward to attending. I agree that God has tremendously blessed Doug as a soulwinner, and his Christian Life topics are second to none. It’s only his doctrinal interpretations, particularly regarding women in ministry, that I tend to tune out. After hearing what he said at GC Session and his event scheduled so closely afterward, there was a lot of stigma over his theology, which is what prompted Spring Meadows to seek counsel from the Conference.

   But as I said, these are three points I’ve just described for which I know you possess no credible source, which makes them assumptions. With that much assumption to throw around, is it not at least plausible to consider how much more misinformed your original thesis might be?

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   1. I appreciate your urge to set the records straight, and I too am interested in only teaching that which is truth. Since it is as much “hear say” to take your word for the facts as you accuse me of assuming, can you please point me to a documented credible source, which is not acting the part of an apologist in the unfolding of this very embarrassing situation? I sent you a letter from the “facts” of Amazing Facts, can you reciprocate the same?

      I also note with much interest, that almost 100% of the comments on the Amazing Facts website are in agreement with my conclusions, as opposed to yours, and some persons represent themselves as being close to the situation as well. So lacking any other authority than your own personal appeals on this matter, I find it difficult to reverse my article on the subject at hand.

      Further, that Amazing Facts should feel saddened for the loss of money they spent in promoting the event, and the added cost to relocate it, appears in all good reasoning, to be something they were not pleased to do.

      I would encourage you to not tune out Doug’s views on Women Ordination, because you will be further embarrassed to see that the same line of reasoning which will eventually give rise to worldwide WO approval, will also be used to solemnize homosexual marriages in the SDA church, as well as hosting “gay pastors.” I wish I can be proven wrong on these matters, even while I read the proverbial “handwriting on the wall.”

      In Messiah’s Love, and for the advocacy of truth,

      Shalom

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   2. I find it strange that Doug Bachelor is of the view that women should not be involved in any ministry, when there are women involved in amazing facts and also take leading roles in certain capacities. Have I missed something.

      Also we shouldn’t get confused with woman ordination and woman involved in the Lird’s work, we are all called to serve. I find it mischievous for even the general conference to make reference to woman involved in ministry when tackling the point of ordination. Give the session a few more years and soon you will have a different opinion and it will be passed because we are certainly losing our courage to stand and are becoming like the world. No one wants to investigate and no one wants to stand for the truth, why?

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5. In some ways, I’m feeling a bit like the fisherman who caught a four-foot largemouth bass, but had no one around to take a photo before releasing the fish. Few, if anyone, are willing to believe.

   If I may, I’m going to back up and try starting over from a slightly different perspective because I believe I may have been misunderstood in one respect.

   The discussion on whether the decision to cancel the series at Spring Meadows is a valid one. While I support the conference’s and church’s right to make that decision, even I am not entirely certain it should have been cancelled. So I applaud blogs such as yours to discuss that fact at length.

   The part that disappoints me, however, is the inclusion of theoretical assumptions surrounding the reason for the cancellation. First of all, you mention Doug’s views on women’s ordination. There *is no* conflict between Doug and Florida about WO. Doug is not in favor of it, and Florida Conference *does* follow current GC policy about not doing so. So it completely strikes disbelief that so many people wrongly believe that his series in Florida was cancelled because of a disagreement about WO. How can there be a disagreement when Florida does *not* do what Doug preaches shouldn’t be done? You may as well accuse me of being an axe murderer when it’s something I’ve never done.

   There *is* however, a disagreement about women in ministry leadership, even without being ordained. MANY women lead various ministries (e.g. Women’s Ministries, Shepherdess, Children’s Ministries, etc.) and two different women have served as Executive Secretary at Florida Conference during my years living in Orlando. Doug’s comments at GC insinuated that women do not belong in any leadership position, regardless of ordination, and *that* is what gave Spring Meadows (and, by extension, Florida Conference) reason for concern because it is entirely contrary to the Adventist Church’s multi-decade practice of embracing and supporting women in ministry.

   My wish is for blogs like yours to (1) cease the untruth that the issue was about WO, and (2) cease the untruth that Florida Conference mandated the cancellation. You are welcome to contact Spring Meadows directly to confirm that is where the concern began. I suspect you have not spoken to anyone at Spring Meadows (besides myself), which means your “reporting” on this matter is unbalanced since you failed to interview and cite a source from the opposing side of the story, choosing instead to only cite the one-sided opinions of AF’s posts.

   Do please continue to discuss the merits of canceling the series. That is a completely valid action. But you are doing yourself and your readers a disservice to claim Conference origination and the WO topic which are patently false.

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   1. I did not call the church, but did see Mike Cauley’s email on the topic, which says it all. I can’t see the point you’re making that the Conference is not culpable in aiding (coercing) in the decision of denying Doug to speak, simply because they considered him a “polarizing figure.” http://conversation.spectrummagazine.org/t/florida-conference-calls-doug-batchelor-a-polarizing-influence-discourages-speaking-appointment/9244

      I cannot see the merit, at least at this time, to reverse my article. I believe it is sound, and balanced, as it presents both Mike Cauley’s email which consummated this decision, as well as the official response from Amazing Facts.

      Shalom in Messiah.

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      1. Spectrum magazine is *not* known for impartial reporting. Very biased source. I’m also not suggesting you reverse your article. It *is* true that the series was cancelled, it *is* true that this decision might not have been the best course of action, and it *is* true that Elder Cauley described Doug as a polarizing influence (a description I personally believe to also be true). But to continue your belief that the Conference forced the church to cancel the series and is not allowing him to hold any other series in our institutions is tantamount to plugging your fingers in your ears and shouting “la la la la la I can’t hear you.” You have produced absolutely zero proof this happened other than hearsay—largely from people who weren’t even involved in the situation. It is impossible for you to describe your article as sound and balanced when you did not even speak to the individuals you are accusing, much less assess their point of view. At this point, you know the events that transpired. I shared them with you. If you continue to ignore them, that is your right, and your choice. Feel free to press forward in your resolute wrongness.

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      2. It is not my intention so suggest that the Florida Conference will continue to “not allowing him to hold any other series in [its] institutions,” but do know that websites such as mine which expose the wrongdoing of the Conference will pressure them to be more Christlike in their manners, and handling of the flock of God, over which they’re set as shepherds.

         That I am not “plugging” my ears as you described is evident that I have made an effort to retract my article if only you can produce concomitant evidence to the contrary. But instead you replied that you feel like a fisherman who caught a four-foot wide-mouth bass and released him without first taking a picture to memorialize the occasion and event. So your characterization of my handling this matter is not consistent with the facts.

         I love you and welcome this dialogue on something that is more engaging and redemptive. I am thinking of the Image in Daniel 2.

         Based on your understanding of our Church doctrines, where do you say the “stone” that was cut out without hands and smote the image, came from? I believe this aspect of the discussion will be more interesting, because it takes us into the Bible.

         Shalom in Messiah

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      3. I was not using Spectrum’s reporting as a barometer, but the content of the letter from Mike Cauley was cited there, and that’s what I wanted you to see, regardless of how Spectrum may spin the information to their advantage or to the disadvantage of the church.

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   2. SHUT UP ALREADY

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6. Sharing some fodder for refuting the widespread false notion that Doug was banned from Florida Conference institutions. Quite the contrary, a new series has been scheduled at Spring Meadows with Doug presenting, and begins this coming Friday night. Hard to claim a Florida gag order when he’s about to start a series here this week.

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   1. Thanks for the update. I must say thought that this is a BIG face-saving move on the part of the Florida Conference, because of publicity given this topic, from websites such as mine. They were pressured into lifting the ban on Pastor Doug, not because Mike Cauley wanted to, but because it is socially prudent to doing so. After all, we preach “Religious Liberty,” yet be snub differences in the most uncouth way, as a Christian Denomination.

      I am personally not impressed, especially after reading the lamentation from Amazing Facts concerning the costs they endured. Will the Florida Conference recover those costs to AF as well? If they do, and it can be verified, I’ll be truly impressed!

      Judged from the activity on my webpage concerning this event, from individuals around the Adventist world, It does not surprise me that Mike Cauley buckled under pressure, not out of love for Pastor Doug’s theology, but out of pressure from the reading public.

      I know that this is very uplifting for you to now report to remove the specter of religious intolerance from the Florida Conference, but it is more self-serving than genuine, and this is a fact.

      “Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.” Isa. 66: 5

      I will be keeping my eyes on this very issue, and will update my readers accordingly, because I will want to see if Dough will be given freedom to speak on Women’s Ordination and same-gender marriages, with the historic Biblical Perspective, or if he will be censored from touching those hot-button items.

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      1. Except that it’s not a face-saving move. Once again, you’re making an assumption with no facts to back them up. Florida Conference had NOTHING to do with this. Doug and the local church renegotiated to hold a new series, and the upcoming event is the result. Florida Conference was informed by the church the event would be happening, but that is all. There was no “buckling” on the part of Florida Conference administration. And yet another assumption you are incorrectly making is that the counsel from the Conference to the church to discontinue the original event came solely from Cauley. That is also patently false. It was a vote of the entire administrative committee.

         Personally, I disagree about pitying Amazing Facts over costs when they are led by an individual who preaches certain doctrines that are patently contrary to established Adventist doctrine.

         The local leadership of the church has already affirmed that they and Doug agreed that the series will not cover the issue of women’s ordination. The series is about prophecy, and WO doesn’t factor into the topic. Moreover, as I’ve stated before, the local church leadership concurs with conference leadership on disagreement of Doug’s theology on women in leadership. (Note I say “leadership” because this NEVER was about ordination. Many like yourself think that the issue arose because Doug is not in favor of WO, but fail to acknowledge that Florida Conference DOES NOT currently ordain women, in accordance with World Church policy. I’ve continually failed to understand why people believe there’s a WO disagreement between Doug and the Church were none exists. What *does* exist is a disagreement about women in any leadership capacity, and that’s where Doug is not in harmony with Church practices.

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      2. I will allow the passage of time to be the greatest witness. Let’s await the meetings coming up this weekend and visit this topic to the satisfaction of all. Thus far, I have not made a false statement on this matter, and anyone who wants to verify this need only read what Amazing Facts said on this topic, in their own words below:

         “However, following the General Conference session, we were contacted by the Spring Meadow pastor who told us that he was sorry to inform us that the Florida Conference leadership had advised his church to cancel these meetings.

         “Having not heard from the conference directly, Pastor Batchelor called and had a friendly conversation and prayer with the Florida Conference president, Mike Cauley, who said he felt that Pastor Batchelor’s position on women’s ordination was too polarizing and not in harmony with General Conference policy.”

         The above two paragraphs are from Doug’s ministry’s communications personnel. Here’s their link on that regrettable experience: http://www.amazingfacts.org/news-and-features/news/item/id/12021/t/statement-on-venue-change

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      3. I just can’t even, any more. Your entire stance on the matter is based around what the Amazing Facts ministry says, painting themselves as the victim, and not even considering the validity of the opposing viewpoint. Even in the words you quoted, the word used was “advised.” Not “ordered.” I’ve told you repeatedly that the church was *never* under any obligation to cancel the event. Yet you continue to translate the reality, “the local church had questions, asked the conference for advice, the conference gave advice, and the church chose to follow it,” into a distorted reality of, “the conference didn’t like this and told the church they need to cancel it,” then there’s no hope for you. Go on believing what you want, and be prepared to answer for your skewed beliefs one day in the future.

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      4. Here’s fresh fodder for you, ALBj: Since January, and yes, even as far back as November, my top running article has been the one for which you hold the most strident concerns–the Doug Bachelor Gag Order dossier. Given your apparently personal concern on this matter, it prompts me to find our a bit more about you:

         Are you a Conference official?
         In what capacity do you support or represent the views of the Florida Conference of SDA’s?
         How did you learn about my blog posts?
         Do you find my blog posts illuminating, totally un-biblical or somewhere between?
         How important is this article to what you do, support, or advocate for, at the Conference or local level?

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7. When my sisters were young girls they skipped to the rhythm of a chant they created:

   Room for rent apply within,
   A lady upstairs is drinking milk,
   Drinking milk is a very bad thing
   so when I run out then you run in!

   The last line was followed by the crackle of the rope as it was whipped up to a rapid speed.

   The idea of “when I run out then you run in,” seems to follow thru with the idea of prophecy speakers in certain Florida Conference SDA Churches. A case of Adventist musical chairs is here in focus, because while Tim Roosenberg was scheduled to host an evangelistic series at a Florida Conference Church (Feb. 17-26), he has been booted, in preference for Doug Bachelor, who also was previously booted from a planned prophecy series at the Spring Meadows Church.

   Of interest is Tim’s Series title, “Islam & Christianity in Bible Prophecy.” This title was considered “offensive” to the local SDA leadership, and so the meetings were scuttled! Is it true that SDA’s no longer teach truths that cause people some sort of discomfort? According to this testimony, it really seems do, but you be the judge by reading this: http://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/219517765/florida-hospital-ends-bacon-ban-with-opening-of-panera-bread

   The Song-bird of prophecy has truly stopped singing! Those with ears to hear and eyes to seek, please take heed!

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8. First, I want to say that Doug Batchelor has given this former Adventist hope again! Although I still have many concerns regarding this conference run church, at the end of the day I am a believer and always have been. Pastor Doug in my humble opinion is the best thing to come along in recent years, his message is heard!
   From what I am reading things sound very conflicting and divided, this is not good. Folks who are not Adventist do their due diligence before making a commitment to join a denomination.. when a non member see’s conflict that is a red flag that something is wrong. Years ago I left the church and have been afraid to come back. No matter what the conference, congregation, or pastors say the only instruction needed is the Holy Bible and Prayer. I’m for you Pastor Doug you are helping me turn my life around one day at a time, please continue God’s Work and I’ll pray for everyone that this flock can become one again according to what the Bible says and no one else. Just my 2 cents!

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   1. Thanks for sharing your “two cents,” Doug, it might be worth more than “the Widow’s mites,” in today’s currency, comparatively speaking. Be that as it may, feel free to study with us on any Sabbath afternoon, as we conduct a live conference-call Bible Study: https://sdaprophecies.com/2016/07/07/online-bible-study-invitation/

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9. Heraldingiking, I appreciate you standing for the biblical truth and for Doug Batcheller. I share the same concerns as you. In my local church there is a group of members repeatedly bringing up the issue of our church accepting gay marriage. They have no interest in what the Bible says about homosexuality. They put more wait on what Bernie Sanders and his ilk say about such topics than what the Bible says. I totally agree with you that what the Florida conference did to Doug Batcheller was a total disgrace. They should have instructed the church to allow Doug to preach.

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   1. Amen! Please spread the light, and do feel free to join our Bible Study. If you’re in the North-Western Hemisphere it is at 4:30 EST. Dial 641-715-3580; Pin# 944283#. God’s blessings to you.

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10. I WANT TO BE PART OF DOUG BATCHLER MINISTRIES, I’VE HAD ENOUGH OF THE CONFERANCE, LEAVING SDA, PLLEASE CONTACK ME..

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    1. Please provide me your contact information at gaugustus336@gmail.com

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    2. Hold on a tic—you want to leave the SDA Church? Yet Batchelor is an SDA minister of an SDA church.

       So, you’re leaving SDA to join SDA? How does that work.

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11. Hi everyone! Just stumbled upon this blog after google-ing for pastor Doug Batchelor. I can understand that a disinvitation from service may be hurting, but didn’t Jesus teach us not to hold a grudge?
    The next thing that I wonder is why anyone else but the disinvited pastor gets hurt? Even if I like Doug Batchelor (and I do like what I have seen so far from him), why should I become part of a possible disagreement a local church or the Florida conference might have had with him, considering that I was never personally involved?

    We humans are fairly prone to so called “tribal thinking”: if someone of “my tribe” got hurt, then this makes me feel hurt as well. This is basic psychology. That being said, this tribalism can sometimes be dangerous turning even upright Christians into heated debaters – and whenever a debate gets “heated”, we are very very close to hurting or insulting someone.
    So, I guess that Doug Batchelor as a loving Christian has definitely forgiven being disinvited (and I don’t judge if his disinvitation was “right or wrong”) and also I guess that people that had disinvited him have talked with him and settled down whatever disagreement they might have had – even if they just agreed to disagree on any specific doctrinal aspect.

    We as individuals are called to spread the love we have received from Jesus and this should show, in particular on the world wide web that is accessible to virtually the entire world.

    Doctrinal desicions belong where they have always belonged to: the GC and their committees. The chuch is considered a body – inspired by the Holy Spirit with all parts of the body doing their duty. ADRA (et al) is helping people out after catastrophies, Loma Linda (et al) is doing their medical work, Andrews (et al) is teaching, GC and their committees are discussing doctrinal questions. That’s how an organism, a body works. If I am a medical doctor, I will use this gift to medically help people, if I am a talented artist, I will praise the Lord with my arts, if I am a talented speaker, I will preach. And if I feel theologically gifted and inspired, I can get me elected to the appropriate work groups and commitees and work on doctrinal issues.

    God bless!

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    1. Thanks for sharing your perspective.

       From reading your comments though, it appears that you are hurt to learn the truth of what went on in Florida against Pastor Doug. If you feel so strongly that, being a bad report, it should not be retained on this forum, then here is my question to you: Since Jesus, on the Cross prayed “Father forgive them,” why do we still have the sordid records of his ministry up to the crucifixion in the Bible, when Christ has already “forgiven” the perpetrators?

       This is the logic to your complaint, and I don’t think you would appreciate not knowing the facts of history. What has been represented here are the facts of history and not an unforgiving attitude towards the Florida Conference leadership.

       We are not at liberty to “hide” the evils of those in the Adventist Sanhedrin of today, while we consume those from the Jewish or Roman Catholic. Let there be equity in our assessment is my counsel. Shalom in Messiah.

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       1. Thank you for your kind reply. I don’t take sides here but I trust that pastor Doug and the involved individuals are all adults and benevolent Christians more than capable of sorting out whatever private or local disagreement they might have had and that all of them continue to love each other just like Jesus continuously loves all his children.

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       2. Agreed, and in that spirit what was shared serves as “historical information,” as to how the bastion of “religious liberty” handles the religious liberties of those under her roof. Shalom.

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12. I grew up SDA- since early 1960- I stand with Doug! It’s sad and a shame the stance the church has taken on many issues, but seven so, regarding the end times division will and must occur, each will have to make a choice! God be with and bless Doug and his family!

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    1. Keep on standing for truth, and do remember it is a dynamic system. shining more and more till the perfect day, so advance with truth too, is my suggestion.

       Shalom in Messiah.

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13. I love Doug Batchelor and his wife. I love their sermons . Please dont judge them . Thru God they have brought many to Christ.

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    1. Sure Carla, me too! I don’t think you’ve read what I wrote about him, however.

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14. Ben Carson should be removed from office as he is a supporter of Donald Trump, who promotes lying, sexual infidelity, and much more. He is the danger to our preachings. Look at what Carson did when he was first elected. If you follow this man and his endorsement of Trump.
    Support of Trump and his administration is being just as corrupt as he is. Sanction his actions – what does that make you.

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    1. Did you know that Joseph wore Pharaoh’s ring, rode in his chiriott, wore his robe, and took a wife from the Egyptioan high priest, through whom he had two sons Ephraim and Mannasses? With your focus on Carson and Trump, what would you sugges of the partiarch Joseph, given this BIG REVEAL about him?

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15. Hi there, I enjoy reading through your article post.
    I wanted to write a little comment to support you.

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    1. Share on, Verena.

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