A Statement from the Women Clergy of the Seventh-day Adventist Church on Governance and Leadership Concerns

A statement from the Women Clergy of the Seventh-day Adventist Church was released in anticipation of the 2018 Annual Council. The statement, issued by approximately two hundred professional women clergy, expressed concerns about their perceived marginalization within the church’s leadership and decision-making processes. The group emphasized that their voices and presence are often absent from key discussions, despite being directly affected by proposed governance changes. They highlighted a proposed compliance subcommittee as an example of this exclusion, noting that the initiative appears to be about them without including them.

The women clergy also voiced apprehension over governance proposals they believed did not align with Protestant faith, biblical principles, or the core values of Adventism. They argued that the proposals represented an overreach of power and a misunderstanding of the church’s unique governance structure. As pastoral leaders within the North American Division, they expressed concern for their congregation’s well-being and urged elected leaders to carefully evaluate the proposed compliance process. They called for spiritual accountability and leadership that reflects the church’s foundational values.

The statement urged the General Conference Administrative Committee, General Conference and Division Officers, and the General Conference Executive Committee to reconsider the proposed compliance process. The group emphasized that the initiative risks moving the church away from its roots as a movement rooted in community and shared mission. They reaffirmed their commitment to the church’s mission and sought guidance from the Holy Spirit in their efforts to uphold it.

The statement was originally published on the Ministerial website of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists. It followed a series of events and responses from church entities between the 2017 Annual Council and the 2018 gathering. These included a non-fatal stabbing at Oakwood University, the retirement of East-Central Africa Division President Blasious Ruguri, and other developments that shaped the context of the statement. The full details of these events were not provided in the source material.

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