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SDA world president urges more openness <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/local.ssf?/base/news/1228904186290940.xml&coll=1" target=_top>http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/local.ssf?/ base/news/1228904186290940.xml&coll=1</a> <BR> <BR><blockquote><hr size=0><!-quote-!><font size=1><b>quote:</b></font><p>... <BR> <BR>"The church must be such a place of healing, where all will feel, 'I am home,' "said Dr. Jan Paulsen, speaking at Oakwood University Tuesday. "The church is not meant to be a battlefield. The church must be a city of refuge." <BR> <BR>... <BR> <BR>Those members and leaders who emphasize high standards of behavior can inadvertently turn what should be a place of healing into a place of rejection, Paulsen said, quoting Jesus' parable in Matthew 13, where the owner instructs his field workers to allow the weeds to grow with the wheat to make sure none of the wheat is harmed by weeding. <BR> <BR>... <BR> <BR>"Is it possible, is it possible that God may be more generous than I am?" Paulsen asked, to a rustle of agreeing "amens" from the mostly male crowd. <BR> <BR>Unless someone becomes openly hostile to the church, God must judge, he said. <BR> <BR>"I hate to be around people who think they have everything worked out," Paulsen said. "They tend to become arrogant, narrow and judgmental." <BR> <BR>The ministers received Paulsen's sermon with hearty amens, but clapped with approval, some standing, when the letter Paulsen has sent to President-elect Barack Obama was read. In the letter Paulsen congratulates Obama on his "historic election," and pledges the support of the Seventh-day Adventist Church as Obama pursues a "compassionate and just society." <BR> <BR>"We stand as ready partners in improving daily life," the letter reads. <BR> <BR>Issues raised by the congregation after his talk included: <BR> <BR>... <BR> <BR>Guidelines for responding to protests from homosexuals. Paulsen reiterated the church's position to love homosexuals as they are, while extending "the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is life-changing. Conduct must be in harmony with scripture." <BR> <BR>How to keep the church relevant to young people. <BR> <BR>"Please, tell us," Paulsen said to the student questioner. "I need to hear the voice of youth. No one is more effective in speaking to youth than youth." <BR> <BR>But, Paulsen warned him, the youth also need to remember the church is a family, and not everything that happens will be, or should be, focused on their needs.<!-/quote-!><hr size=0></blockquote> <BR> <BR>How does that message from our leader strike you???
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