Discontinue the Innovation Conferences

The Ohio Conference of Seventh-day Adventists has been sponsoring the Annual National Conference on Innovation since 2005. Questionable speakers who promote unbiblical teachings have been invited to present at these conferences.

Many of these presenters are involved in the Emerging Church movement, and they espouse beliefs and practices that are borrowed from mysticism, interspirituality, ecumenism, antinomianism, Catholic spiritual formation, and even Shamanism and Gnosticism. Their teachings, if followed, will steer God's people away from our distinctive doctrines and from our unique role as the remnant of God. These conferences must be discontinued, for they have a deceptive and weakening influence on Seventh-day Adventists. The 8th annual Conference on Innovation is scheduled to take place in Dublin, Ohio, October 7-9 of 2012.

As the Spirit leads, please also contact the Ohio Conference directly and let them know what you think about these ungodly meetings, and the overall direction in which the Conference is heading (Elder Attiken: president@ohioadventist.org).

It is time for God's people to let their voices be heard, and to restore our church to its Founder, Jesus Christ. This is not a time to run with our tails between our legs. This is God's church, and He is very jealous for the protection of His church. Elders Raj Attiken (President), Monte Sahlin (chair of Center for Creative Ministry), Loren Seibold (former editor of Best Practices for Adventist Ministry), and Marwood Hallett (former Director of Clergy Care) are the appropriate leaders there. Pastors Mike Fortune (Toledo First) and Tom Hughes (Newark) are also vocal promoters of the Conference on Innovation. These six men in particular need to be held accountable for their misleading of God's people and pastors. This has gone on far too long. Paul, Peter, and Ellen White would never stand for this, and neither should we. It should be mentioned that both Monte Sahlin and Loren Seibold are regular contributors to publications such as the Adventist Review. These men, along with Raj Attiken and Mike Fortune, are readers and sharers of Emergent ideas, and they should not be allowed to write for our church publications or manage them. Please speak out against this.

Washington Adventist University is currently offering academic credit for attendance at this Conference on Innovation. Shame on them! This should not be. Someone needs to contact the leadership there and remind them about the ungodly history of this conference, and demand that they discontinue their involvement with the meeting. Please consider doing this. We must put pressure on them about this, for it is not in God's will for them to promote a conference that allows unbiblical teachers to teach our people.

When principle is not appreciated, sheer numbers become a viable and important strategy. If you haven't already done so, please visit our informative website for book reviews on current speakers: http://www.sdapartnersinconfusion.org

Here is a direct link to the Ohio Conference site for the Conference on Innovation: http://sdapartnersininnovation.org

This is an ongoing effort. We need several thousand signatures to truly make an impact. Keep sharing this site with everyone you can. Contact the Columbia Union and NAD--who have promoted the Conference on Innovation (for examples see http://www.columbiaunion.org/article.php?id=617 and http://www.nadadventist.org/article.php?id=234 scroll down to bottom of page)--and General Conference to voice your concerns, as this is more than just an Ohio problem; it is an Adventist problem. And remember that fervent prayer of consecrated believers moves the arm of God. Be jealous for God's glory and His cause, and He will more than bless our meager efforts.

The NAD-sponsored "iFollow" materials, recommended to pastors and churches, borrow techniques used in New Age/Eastern Mystical Meditation. See http://spiritualformationsda.wordpress.com
for valuable information on this and other manifestations of Emergent philosophies and practices within the Adventist Church. God is not pleased with the ease with which our leaders are allowing this infiltration into our church. This must stop.

Other informative sites:

http://www.wix.com/emergingomega/emerging-omega (takes a minute to load, but well worth it).

http://www.slideshare.net/EmergingOmega/spiritually-experiencing-god

http://www.slideshare.net/EmergingOmega/spiritually-experiencing-God-part-2

Many attempts have been made by individuals and groups to appeal to the Ohio Conference to cease their compromising tendencies, but they continue to ignore the will of God and His people. In this sense, Matthew 18 has been followed, but this really isn't a Matthew 18 issue. See "Testimonies" volume 2, pages 14 and 15, where James and Ellen White clarify that Matthew 18 has to do with personal grievances, and that "public" wrongs which affect the church must be addressed publicly.

Please keep in mind that an "anonymous" signature may not carry any weight with the Ohio Conference. If you have problems with the verification code, try using Firefox or Chrome, or another computer. The verification code (captcha code or security code) requires that cookies and JavaScript are enabled in your browser. The privacy setting for cookies should be on medium high (or lower).