Source: Pacific Union Recorder
By LSU
The biennial Constituent Membership meeting of La Sierra University will convene at the La Sierra University Alumni Center, 11500 Pierce Street, Riverside, on Wednesday, May 12, 2010, at 1:00 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is (1) to receive reports from the University and its auditor, (2) to amend the Bylaws, (3) to appoint Trustees as specified by the Bylaws, and (4) to transact such other business as may be submitted by the Board of Trustees.
Ricardo Graham, Chair
Randal Wisbey, Secretary
May this meeting be led by God. If the by-laws have been amended to remove the power of the church from the decision making process, then it is too late. The faculty senate has gone on record supporting the biology professors who are teaching evolution. If the school now has the majority vote in the constituency meeting, the school is lost to the church and God. We will soon see where the power is in earthly terms. But, God is in control and who knows what He will do. He may let us reap what we have sown, or He may intervene. May we see our sin and turn from it, that He may bless our churches and schools.
View CommentYou raise an interesting point — here is the way Ellen White says that “Achan” and “sin in the camp” principle goes. We all suffer for their sin – but especially do adminstrators get held accountable.
in Christ,
Bob
View CommentIt seems to me that if the biennial Constituent Membership meeting of La Sierra University decides to continue on its same path the time has come that the church should cut all ties with the institution and leave it to continue on its own. The results of such a course will no doubt send a real “shockwave†throughout the whole denomination–especially where other of our schools (as I have been told) are starting to go down that same path. (I am NOT a lawyer, but it seems to me that if this should happen LSU should send any and all credits of any student, without any cost,to the student or their families, who wishes to transfer to another of our schools.)
Could this be the start of the “shaking†which we have been told would happen before Jesus returns? And there is a sobering question we should ask ourselves–Are we “reaping what we have sown†by refusing to follow the “blueprint†on how our schools should be run? God has promised that if we follow HIS instructions on how ALL of our institutions should be run we would be the “head and not the tails†in this world. But, it seems to me, we have, like ancient Israel, chosen to follow “other voices” rather than God’s.
God did not raise us up as a people to “blend in†with the world around us but to “stand out†as an example that our God is the true God. If you look at all the Bible “greatsâ€â€“Moses, Joseph, Daniel and his three friends, Esther, all the prophets of the OT, the prophets and apostles of the NT as well as the reformers and our early pioneers were courageous individuals who definitely “stood out†in the world. It usually brought with it many trials and problems but in all cases it kept the true believers faithful to their God-given message to everyone around–and they changed the world! Israel as a nation usually chose to “blend in†and we see the results today. And, I fear, we as a denomination, have in many ways followed in Israel’s footsteps. Have we “sown to the wind†and are we beginning to “reap the whirlwind?â€
This is not to say that we have not had–and continue to have–many wonderful Christian “Daniels†and “Esthers†among us for we have–and we praise God for them, but, in general, are we as a people sending the world a wrong message by many of the ways in which we live–including the way we educate our children?
May God lead us at this perilous time to make the right decision in this ever-widening crisis that we now face!
View CommentI pray that the faithful will organize and gather at this meeting, and let their voices be heard for a thorough revival and reformation. Unless this happens, the institution could be lost forever to the cause of God and to His church.
Pastor Kevin Paulson
View CommentLydia, I totally appreciate your candor and honesty in addressing this issue. You have hit the nail on the head in almost every way. God Bless you, sister.
However, in the quote below I must disagree with you.
My question is: why should we give up the institution that was built with the tithes and offerings of the SDA church? I might just be ornery, (I heard all those amens–)but I don’t have any intention of letting such a facility pass into the hands of the heretics if I can do anything to prevent it. I don’t see this as a viable solution to this problem at all. Clean out the nest of vipers and get rid of all of them. They should be the ones in full retreat, not us!
As I see it, that’s like saying if a guest comes into your home and starts renovating it without your permission, you just pack your bags and leave it to him…I don’t think so! There has to be some authority in the church to oust those who are being unfaithful to their commission–whether it be the president, the chairman of the board, the lowest professor, or the head of any department. The guilty ones need to be invited to leave in no uncertain terms and the curriculum needs to be overhauled to reflect the teachings of the Bible and SOP. That is my solution to the problem. We need to make this institution work for us, not throw our hands up in defeat and let the heretics have it.
I hope I haven’t offended you, Lydia, as this is the farthest thing from my purpose in writing. I have great respect for you and your viewpoint in the main. I simply can’t agree with you and those who support this action as the solution to the situation.
God Bless,
Faith
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