Courteously say, NO

At the end of 2009 the Executive Committee of the NUC has constructed a policy paper on the future of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in the Netherlands. This policy is the implementation of the Council of Churches policy The aim is the way . The same template and structure and the EC has promised before the CoC that she would implement the policy in our Church. 

This public document – it was posted on the union website in the spring of 2010 – has been commented by the pastors and the boards of the local churches and it's has become final.

In 2011 50 concerned members presented an Open Letter to the EC about this policy paper and with a poll on this website (promiseministry) members could have a look into the policy and an analysis of the implications for our churches. More than 120 members were against the implementation but that number was too small to get it off the agenda at the Union Session meetings in 2012. Now we don't hear much, but it is being implemented alright.

The policy is very heavy to read, with a lot of philosophical discourses. Here you find a summary of the thorough Analysis of the content and why this policy is wrong for our church. You can also read why we choose for an Anonymous Poll.

More than 50 involved members presented their 12 theses for revival in the Seventh Day Adventist church in the Netherlands instead.


Thesis 1. The specific message of the Seventh Day Adventist Church is one full of hope and grace, and is utterly relevant for every man in this end time.

Thesis 2. As Seventh Day Adventists we don’t want to merge into the contemporary culture, but want to make a positive difference instead.

Thesis 3. The Seventh Day Adventist Church is the church of Jesus Christ, and she will remain steadfast until His second coming.

Thesis 4. It is not logic that elements outside our church define the Seventh Day Adventist Church and state a need for change to us.

Thesis 5. The Bible, with the prophetic counsels, is our only guide line and foundation of our faith, and the only source we want to draw from.

Thesis 6. Every method used in God’s work, must be firmly founded on God’s Word. We will denounce all that differs from that standard.

Thesis 7. God calls His people to ask Him for counsel and advise (Job 5:8,9). Compared to His insights the wisdom of this world is but foolishness (1Cor3:19).

Thesis 8. The Seventh Day Adventist Church in the Netherlands needs a revival by the in-living Holy Spirit, to answer God’s love and grace with obedience and virtue.

Thesis 9. Dutch Seventh Day Adventists want to give themselves by the inspiration of the Spirit for the building up of God’s Church, His bride, and by that fulfill the call of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in the world.

Thesis 10. Dutch Seventh Day Adventists want to take up the responsibility for their personal spiritual growth, that God’s love in Christ can be seen in what they do and what they don’t.

Thesis 11. Dutch Seventh Day Adventists want to give themselves for those who don’t know Jesus yet and they want to share God’s love and the unaltered truth in Christ with them.

Thesis 12. The Dutch Seventh Day Adventists don’t want to be divided and to dissociate themselves, but loyally, with all the other Seventh Day Adventists in the world, want to give heed to the call for revival from the leadership of the World Church.

From a thorough analysis and against the light of the above named theses, we advise the members and the churches in The Netherlands to courteously say NO to the policy The Community Church and to turn it down altogether. This sounds rather drastic. But HERE YOU READ WHY.

We call unto all church boards and all members, to speak out that we want to be revived and involved to go forward with material and methods we already have and that have proven itself: The Bible (see for instance Leviticus 19, Matthew 5-7), and Steps to Christ, Thoughts from the Mounts of Blessings, Christian Service of EG White.

Material as these have contributed to the successful growth of our beloved church from a group of 3,000 to a worldwide movement of more than 18 million adults. From the beginning the simple words of the Bible without philosophy have proved to be effective. If the counsels from writings as these are heeded, people will surely be drawn to Christ. That is what practice is teaching us. Then the distinctive message of the Seventh Day Adventist Church is heard and people are prepared for the soon coming of Christ. And, that is what every Seventh Day Adventist is longing for.