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Where Are We Headed? Adventism after San Antonio William G Johnsson Books

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San Antonio was a tipping point in the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. History may come to regard the General Conference Session of 2015 as a moment comparable to the 1888 Minneapolis convocation, when dramatically differing views of the church came face to face. In “Where Are We Headed?” William Johnsson looks at the life of the church after the summer of 2015 with two questions in mind What issues are shaping the Adventist church? How shall we respond? Johnsson served as the editor of the Adventist Review from 1982 to 2006. In this book he moves easily and effectively into the role of pastor and teacher that he knows so well—and that Adventists have long appreciated.

Where Are We Headed? Adventism after San Antonio William G Johnsson Books

There is a certain scepticism that comes with books from former leaders, such as Where Are We Headed? by Dr Bill Johnsson, now retired for more than 10 years from his long-standing role as editor of Adventist Review, situated as a long-time leader of the Adventist Church globally and former participant in the many committees of the General Conference. But Johnsson’s strident new book rises above any such scepticism with a different motivation: the church he served has changed—and not for the better.
For Johnsson, the tipping point took place in San Antonio on July 8, 2015—the day of the vote disallowing different practices of ordination among the Adventist Church worldwide. He describes that as “a truly sad day for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. I am ashamed of what transpired.” While not in San Antonio that day, Johnsson was following closely and in contact both then and since with many people who were. He describes being deeply affected by the events of that day—“For a couple of weeks after the Session, I moped and grumped around the house”—and took to writing a response as a way to stop “fussing.”
But it was not so much the result of the “women’s ordination” vote that most troubles Johnsson. In his estimation, despite the continued obstructionism and obfuscation by General Conference leadership, the issue is decided. More and more women are being employed and ordained (even if by another name) in ministry by the church around the world, even in places as diverse as Papua New Guinea and South Africa; their ministry is obviously effective and Spirit-blessed; and this will simply be the way the church is among the next generation. Instead, the larger issues are the damage that is being done to the church by the responses from key church leaders to these realities and what they say about the kind of church some would have us become.
Where Are We Headed? identifies a number of related features from the San Antonia session: a tendency to “remnant” arrogance and exclusivity; the mantra-like statements about the soon-coming of Jesus; the statistical focus of mission; the fundamentalism and “flat” literalism creeping into our reading of Scripture; and the continuing discussions of the role of Ellen White’s writings. In Johnsson’s “lover’s quarrel” with what the Adventist church is becoming, “two radically different versions of Adventism are competing for the future.”
While Where Are We Headed? is open-ended—it is more a series of questions and reflections on the implications if we continue in some of the directions that have been set—Johnsson’s burden is to call us back to “Adventism at its best” and ultimately to Jesus. This discussion is never far away from our need for Jesus, the sufficiency of Jesus, and that the church should be shaped by the presence and ministry of Jesus. While Johnsson is writing about big issues in a global church, he draws regularly on his lifetime of personal experience of following Jesus, and writes with a graciousness and passion that is both Jesus-like and statesman-like.
So Where Are We Headed? should not be tarred with the scepticism that sometimes meets post-retirement publications. Bill Johnsson is speaking to, with and for a broad spectrum of the church. The standing ovation he was given after speaking at the One Project in San Diego in February is testament to respect he is held in across generations and the relevance of what he is continuing to say as an Adventist leader.
As we continue to wrestle with the complicated issues of a worldwide church, we need wise voices that can offer circuit-breakers to our arguments and their continuing faith as a guidepost for our journey. Where Are We Headed? does this, calling us to find our best in Jesus, and offering hope for a more authentic Adventism in our frustrating and frustrated church.

Product details Paperback 178 pages Publisher Oak and Acorn Publishing (April 10, 2017) Language English ISBN-10 1521040672

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Where Are We Headed? Adventism after San Antonio William G Johnsson Books Reviews

Like my good friend Dr. Martin Hanna, Dr. Johnsson is a card-carrying, banner-waving proponent and frontline champion of the women's ordination movement within Adventism. I guess like Luke, one doesn't have to have firsthand experience of an event to write about it.

Several things jumped out at me when I read this book. Dr. Johnsson gives the impression that the church is split into two camps relative to the ordination of women, those for and those against the issue. Actually there are three distinct camps in Adventism relative to the ordination of women the Equality faction, the Unity faction and the Theology faction.

The Equality movement militants believe in the equality of male and female ordination and some within that movement were ugly in their behavior in San Antonio in 2015.

The second faction is the Theology faction, the group Doug Bachelor champions, that believes that the ordination of women has no biblical basis or theological support.

The third faction is the Unity faction, some of whom may support the ordination of women but feel that doing so may destroy the church, similarly to what occurred many years ago with the elevation of V. Gene Robinson, a homosexual, to the post of bishop in the Anglican Episcopal Church. Many of the African branches seceded from the Anglican church after Robinson's elevation.

I would have welcomed a source reference or footnote from Dr. Johnsson for a quotation he made on page 8. In an attempt to show historical support in early Adventism for the ordination of women, he cites an 1881 resolution which reads, "RESOLVED, that females possessing the necessary qualifications to fill that position, may, with perfect propriety be set apart by ordination to the work of the ministry."

Adventist evangelist Doug Bachelor, on the other hand, rejects any historical support for the ordination of women and cites biblical support of the church as an extension of the home, using the example of the office of bishop, one who must rule his own household well before he can serve in the church (1 Timothy 3 2-5).

The vote in San Antonio in 2015 reflected the three distinct factions in Adventism concerning the matter of the ordination of women. Of the nearly 2,400 delegates who voted on the matter, 2/3 (58%) voted NO and 1/3 (41%) voted YES. The results suggested that those who voted against the ordination of women were from the Unity and Theology factions. Obviously those who voted YES were from the Equality faction. Johnsson's book is more an account of his personal support for the ordination of women. I'm sure if the vote had gone the other way this book would never have been written.

So where are we headed? Just not down the path of liberalism and fragmentation that Dr. Johnsson and the Equality movement would love to see Adventism trod.
William Johnsson spend a quarter of a century as editor of the Adventist Review and a GC officer. He speaks from a vast wealth of knowledge about the church and in particular about the inner working of the GC. The tone of the book is very positive and redemptive. Even of those who need this most can't see themselves in it, maybe it will inspire enough others to see a possible positive future for this organization that hasn't taken time in quite a while for introspection to see if it is efficiently meeting its objectives. He is quite clear that change will occur whether those in charge like it or not, but it would be better (and less painful for all) if they would recognize that and encourage it rather than digging their heals in and trying to pretend they live in a world that hasn't existed for 100 years.

I had the privilege of hearing Elder Johnsson speak in person three times recently, conversing with him personally. He is definitely a man of God with a clear understanding of the situation and some very germane and positive council based on his long experience. We need more people like him and more books like this that candidly address the issues and offer positive solutions.
There is a certain scepticism that comes with books from former leaders, such as Where Are We Headed? by Dr Bill Johnsson, now retired for more than 10 years from his long-standing role as editor of Adventist Review, situated as a long-time leader of the Adventist Church globally and former participant in the many committees of the General Conference. But Johnsson’s strident new book rises above any such scepticism with a different motivation the church he served has changed—and not for the better.
For Johnsson, the tipping point took place in San Antonio on July 8, 2015—the day of the vote disallowing different practices of ordination among the Adventist Church worldwide. He describes that as “a truly sad day for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. I am ashamed of what transpired.” While not in San Antonio that day, Johnsson was following closely and in contact both then and since with many people who were. He describes being deeply affected by the events of that day—“For a couple of weeks after the Session, I moped and grumped around the house”—and took to writing a response as a way to stop “fussing.”
But it was not so much the result of the “women’s ordination” vote that most troubles Johnsson. In his estimation, despite the continued obstructionism and obfuscation by General Conference leadership, the issue is decided. More and more women are being employed and ordained (even if by another name) in ministry by the church around the world, even in places as diverse as Papua New Guinea and South Africa; their ministry is obviously effective and Spirit-blessed; and this will simply be the way the church is among the next generation. Instead, the larger issues are the damage that is being done to the church by the responses from key church leaders to these realities and what they say about the kind of church some would have us become.
Where Are We Headed? identifies a number of related features from the San Antonia session a tendency to “remnant” arrogance and exclusivity; the mantra-like statements about the soon-coming of Jesus; the statistical focus of mission; the fundamentalism and “flat” literalism creeping into our reading of Scripture; and the continuing discussions of the role of Ellen White’s writings. In Johnsson’s “lover’s quarrel” with what the Adventist church is becoming, “two radically different versions of Adventism are competing for the future.”
While Where Are We Headed? is open-ended—it is more a series of questions and reflections on the implications if we continue in some of the directions that have been set—Johnsson’s burden is to call us back to “Adventism at its best” and ultimately to Jesus. This discussion is never far away from our need for Jesus, the sufficiency of Jesus, and that the church should be shaped by the presence and ministry of Jesus. While Johnsson is writing about big issues in a global church, he draws regularly on his lifetime of personal experience of following Jesus, and writes with a graciousness and passion that is both Jesus-like and statesman-like.
So Where Are We Headed? should not be tarred with the scepticism that sometimes meets post-retirement publications. Bill Johnsson is speaking to, with and for a broad spectrum of the church. The standing ovation he was given after speaking at the One Project in San Diego in February is testament to respect he is held in across generations and the relevance of what he is continuing to say as an Adventist leader.
As we continue to wrestle with the complicated issues of a worldwide church, we need wise voices that can offer circuit-breakers to our arguments and their continuing faith as a guidepost for our journey. Where Are We Headed? does this, calling us to find our best in Jesus, and offering hope for a more authentic Adventism in our frustrating and frustrated church.