The ninth section of the doctrinal survey of Advent Christian pastors addressed Advent Christian doctrine and revealed a high level of consensus around these issues.
Respondents were unanimous in affirming their belief in the second coming of Christ as a future, visible, literal event.
Ninety-three (86.9%) pastors believe the second coming of Christ is imminent. Eight (7.5%) were unsure, and six (5.6%) do not believe the second coming of Christ is imminent.
In response to the question, “Do you hold to the doctrine of soul sleep, that the soul rests in an unconscious state until the second coming of Christ?” 87 (81.3%) answered yes. Thirteen (12.1%) answered no, and seven (6.5%) were unsure.
The next question asked, “Do you believe that the resurrection of the dead will happen at a single, final event at the return of Christ?” One hundred two (95.3%) answered yes. Three (2.8%) did not affirm that belief, and two (1.9%) were unsure.
Ninety-three (87.7%) do not believe that the Sabbath (Saturday) should be observed as the day of rest and worship in accordance with the Fourth Commandment. Nine (8.5%) affirmed this belief, and four (3.8%) were unsure.
One hundred (94.3%) believe that the return of Christ will establish a literal kingdom of God on Earth. Five (4.7%) were unsure, and one (0.9%) does not believe in the establishment of a literal kingdom of God on Earth.
There was significant agreement around the question, “Do you agree with the Advent Christian understanding of conditional immortality, that immortality is a gift for the righteous and that the wicked will face ultimate destruction (rather than eternal torment)?” Ninety (84.1%) affirmed belief in conditional immortality. Fourteen (13.1%) pastors do not hold this conviction, and three (2.8%) were unsure.
10 Responses
I find it totally incredible that 12% of the Advent Christian pastors do not believe in the sleep of the dead.
I noticed 30 years ago that there were many who wanted to be just like everyone else in Christianity and not hold on to the belief in the sleep of the dead. They did not want to stand out for this belief.
It is disheartening.
I have predicted to others that, if Jesus doesn’t return soon, the Advent Christian Church will give up this Bible teaching, too.
@Ron Macy, It’s getting more difficult for some Advent Christian Churches to find pastors trained in Advent Christian theology. My suspicion is that most of these 12% of pastors may not have a true Advent Christian background/education. ACGC – Can this be confirmed?
Sonia,
You and Mark Woolfington make the same observation. I have seen the calling of pastors from outside the denomination as well. That, too, is disappointing.
God be with you.
Hello, Ron-
I share your concern. My guess, and this is only a guess, is that the 12% who don’t hold to the sleep of the dead are pastors who are serving AC churches from other backgrounds. Churches are desperate for pastoral leadership, and if someone in town or a friend of a friend can preach a halfway decent sermon, they’re issued a call. This often leads to that church leaving the denomination. Let us hope that MTI and other efforts can stop this practice.
Hello Mark,
I wonder if the church is to blame for hiring non-AC pastors or is it leadership from the regional conferences? I can see both. Are the regional leaders weak in this doctrinal stand?
I applaud the efforts of the MTI.
A view from the outside.
I came to the denomination by the will of God. I HAD OTHER OPTIONS AND STILL DO. I come from a denomination that didn’t hold the belief of soul sleep.
When I came to the church I pastor without prompting, I agreed to never preach from the pulpit against either of the two doctrines in question, nor to preach my personal doctrine of classical pentecostalism. I did share with the committee at the time that on a personal level I would answer these questions based on my theological understanding and training. This has proven to bring unity and open conversations in bible studies on these topics.
I find it a bit alarming that the comments are very critical of churches calling pastors from outside the denomination. This criticism seems to focus on very small doctrinal teachings neither of which are salvation issues.
The other survey could not provide a consensus on whether we are Calvinist or Armenian.
I believe a more urgent question is why has there been such a decline in pastors produced by the denomination and what can we do about it. P.s I know that question is being asked, answered and attempts are being made to correct it.
Mr. Macy,
I’ve not been around the denomination for 30 years. I became a pastor with the Southern Baptists before entering the Advent Christian Denomination. I’ve since come to believe in Conditional Immortality. 12% seems pretty low. I don’t think this is an issue of not taking the distinctives seriously, but opening our doors to receiving pastors who hold to orthodox beliefs, even if it means they disagree with the denomination on a minor doctrine unique to us.
Blessings,
Erik Reynolds
Erik,
I am happy that you came to understand conditional immortality. I agree that hiring pastors from other denominations weakens the teachings of the Advent Christians.
You may not be aware that the Advent Christians are the only denomination which believes in conditional immortality.
I am somewhat disappointed that you describe conditional immortality as “a minor doctrine.”
God be with you.
Even worse (IMHO), 13% of the Advent Christian pastors do not hold to conditional immortality. I’ve been noticing the same thing that Ron Macy has, but I think the cause might lie more in the unconcerned attitude of the church members, who would rather have a pastor of any kind than try to keep their church going without a pastor until they can get one that actually believes Advent Christian doctrine (i.e., in this case, what the Bible clearly teaches). Of course, the shortage of such pastors is also due to our failure to teach prospective new pastors the doctrines that have made us a denomination. I don’t like making predictions, but I don’t see these trends as boding well for our future if they are allowed to continue.
Hello John,
Your suggestion that the lack of support in local churches is because of the unconcerned attitude of the local church members is a possibility. Maybe AC taught pastors are not emphasizing the doctrine enough. I have seen AC born and raised pastors toss the teaching aside because they want to be just like other churches. “Heaven is a good word.” “Our next waking awareness will be the kingdom. That is just like heaven.”
My wife reminds me often of Jesus’ words in Luke 18:8. “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”
God be with you.