Why do SDAs often conceal their identity in holding public meetings?
Because of people like Dale Ratzlaff who say things about us that suffer from inaccuracy. We want people to get to know us as we are—fellow brothers and sisters in Christ—and not judge us by labels that some try to stick on us. Once people get a chance to know us, we are happy for them to discover we are Seventh-day Adventists.
In this we stand in good company, with Jesus in fact, who had to do the same thing when the Pharisees were slandering Him; often He ordered people not to divulge His identity, until they really knew Him.
Steve commented on 28-Aug-2009 12:17 PM
It's true that some people are deceitful when asked "What church do you represent?" and they refuse to answer or make up a lame answer about being protestant. BUT... It's NOT dishonest to simply not advertise what denomination we are as long as we don't lie when asked. In fact, look around, hardly any christian ministries identify their denominational affiliation in their advertising. Why? Because it's not about a denomination but about the Bible. In our meetings we don't teach Seventh-day Adventism, we teach the Bible and then encourage others to join us in following and proclaiming it. Let's not let the mis-characterizations of the Ratzlaff types fool us into thinking that we're some strange group that can't honestly simply take the name Christian as do most other ministries and churches.
It's true that some people are deceitful when asked "What church do you represent?" and they refuse to answer or make up a lame answer about being protestant. BUT... It's NOT dishonest to simply not advertise what denomination we are as long as we don't lie when asked. In fact, look around, hardly any christian ministries identify their denominational affiliation in their advertising. Why? Because it's not about a denomination but about the Bible. In our meetings we don't teach Seventh-day Adventism, we teach the Bible and then encourage others to join us in following and proclaiming it. Let's not let the mis-characterizations of the Ratzlaff types fool us into thinking that we're some strange group that can't honestly simply take the name Christian as do most other ministries and churches.
Anonymous commented on 28-Aug-2009 12:20 PM
At least, our Mormon (LDS) friends are honest at the door unlike SDA colporteurs who claim to be from the SDA front organization known as the "Home Health Education Service" of all things.
At least, our Mormon (LDS) friends are honest at the door unlike SDA colporteurs who claim to be from the SDA front organization known as the "Home Health Education Service" of all things.
Harry Pauley commented on 28-Aug-2009 09:05 PM
I too, like "B", have a struggle with this, but your explanation is right on the money, as they say. I came into the church through an evangelistic series that started in a school auditorium and then went to the church. Being brought up as a Baptist, I had no ideas about the SDA church. That was in 1982. Nowadays, there are way too many people that are doing as Brother Dale is doing in trying to "sheep steal" from a church that he sounds as if he really never did get to know. We need to be known for the love of Christ that is who we are before letting someone place a "brand" on us because of someones words. And yes you are correct, Jesus had to deal with this throughout His entire ministry. Get to know us first, then decide for yourself.
I too, like "B", have a struggle with this, but your explanation is right on the money, as they say. I came into the church through an evangelistic series that started in a school auditorium and then went to the church. Being brought up as a Baptist, I had no ideas about the SDA church. That was in 1982. Nowadays, there are way too many people that are doing as Brother Dale is doing in trying to "sheep steal" from a church that he sounds as if he really never did get to know. We need to be known for the love of Christ that is who we are before letting someone place a "brand" on us because of someones words. And yes you are correct, Jesus had to deal with this throughout His entire ministry. Get to know us first, then decide for yourself.
Martin answering commented on 30-Aug-2009 01:50 AM
When I was a teenage colporteur I would introduce myself: "Hi, I'm Martin Weber with the Home Health Education Service, a non-profit Christian organization. One day I must have been lightheaded from the heat, or something. I told the lady at the door: "I'm with the HHES, a non-Christian profit organization." I don't think she bought my books that day!
When I was a teenage colporteur I would introduce myself: "Hi, I'm Martin Weber with the Home Health Education Service, a non-profit Christian organization. One day I must have been lightheaded from the heat, or something. I told the lady at the door: "I'm with the HHES, a non-Christian profit organization." I don't think she bought my books that day!
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This is something I struggle with, our church always starts our meetings in other locations, than moves to the church after a few weeks. I understand this reasoning, but it still feels deceitful to me.