Billboard ministries; Candor in the church; etc. 

The Case of the Tithes Versus the Offerings 

Regarding the article dealing with the lawsuit between the Arizona Conference and the Adventist Health System/ West, I was wondering as a lifetime supporter of SDA activities with my tithes and my offerings, whether perhaps my tithe is suing my offerings or vice versa.

Nic Samojluk
Loma Linda, CA

Response to Mould's Troubles 

In your latest issue [Vol. 1, No. 3] you note the personal problems of David Mould. With this I have no question, but I do question the source you use to document Mould's problem. Why use a "septic tank" tabloid for your documentation? …Your very source is now open to investigation, and in all honesty you should verify the allegations since you have quoted him [Vance Ferrell] on another independent ministry… No doubt there are shades of fact that will vary with this report that is circulating. It needs to be completely verified instead of being left in a rumor format.

William H. Grotheer
Ozone, AR

Can Anything Good Come Out of Nazareth? 

Your flyer states that you are publishing an "open-minded" paper for SDAs who are "open-minded." Since your publication comes from California, and Loma Linda specifically, I am extremely leery of any doctrine presented there.

Wanda Andrako
Midlothian, VA

Ms. Andrako was sent a complimentary copy of issue #1 and we are awaiting her reply. —Ed.

General Appreciation 

Please find my check for a sub of AT. My daughter-in-law's brother was in the Waco cult so we have been watching the results for years. I appreciate how it was handled in your magazine. It is such a tragic situation for the families.

Patricia Johnson
Appleton, WI

Enclosed you will find my response, entitled "Questions," to the articles regarding the Seventh-day Adventist abortion guidelines as published in your first issue of Adventist Today. I would appreciate your consideration of my response.

I appreciated receiving a copy of Adventist Today and encourage you in your mission to provide a forum for dialogue and thoughtful discussion. Please continue the good work.

Sheila Smith
Benton Harbor, MI

I wish Adventist Today were a monthly, not a bimonthly publication. I have truly appreciated the broad perspectives that you have provided, and the issues you have attempted to tackle in your first two issues. I realize the challenges that the Adventist church faces today are monumental. As a layperson in the everyday business world, I appreciate the opportunity for a source that will provide points of view from both sides of the fence.

It was approximately 12 years ago that I chose to step out of the SDA church. Having been a pastor and Bible teacher for 10 years, I was still young and perhaps too naive when I experienced some of the challenges within Adventism in the late 70s and early 80s…just two short years ago I began to wander back in the back door of the church. Fortunately, I found a very warm, open and Christ-centered congregation in the greater Orlando area to call home. I wish to be open and willing to learn as I grapple with the challenges of what being an Adventist today means.

Danny Howell
Orlando, FL

Some Candor about Candor 

Your article about Tom Mostert in the Sept./Oct. issue of Adventist Today is included in a cluster of articles about candor in the church.

As far as Mostert is concerned, his problems go far and away beyond candor.

What we have with Mostert are the sins of demagogery, libel and character defamation against a dedicated brother in the church.

Why is this local event important to the world church? It is important for several reasons.

The Pacific Union Conference is the largest conference in North America. It is also the wealthiest [union] conference in the world. The president of the Pacific Union, for this reason, is a commanding presence in church affairs, no matter who he or she is. Mostert was on the nominating committee at the last General Conference Session, where he played a key role in replacing Neal Wilson as GC president.

I believe that Mostert's behavior, which seemed to have the stamp of approval of Al McClure [North American Division president] at the Constituency meeting of the Southeastern California Conference, is no isolated incident, and hence the value of your factual account.

Donald Shasky
Redlands, CA