USA: Adventists and Presbyterians in Dialogue
30. November 2006
Adventistischer Pressedienst (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Chefredakteur
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
CH-4003 Basel, Schweiz
USA: Adventists and Presbyterians in Dialogue
Silver Spring, Maryland/USA.(APD) A delegation from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) were welcomed on November 1 at the Adventist Church Headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland (U.S.A.) by Halvard Thomsen, assistant to the president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church for North America (NAD), for official conversations between the Adventists and Presbyterians. Thomsen expressed "appreciation for the opportunity to sharpen our friendship" as the Adventist-Presbyterian dialogue continued. Responding, Dr Carlos Malave, leader of the Presbyterian delegation, spoke of his delight that his work "was to make friends," and spoke of the spiritual unity described by Jesus in John 17. "To be one church is a spiritual church, and it is not necessary that there should be one visible church. We are one together in Christian love, love that comes from Christian faith, love for one another for the sake of the gospel."
After the meetings, the dialogue partners released the following joint statement:
"Representatives of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) engaged in dialogue on November 1, 2006, at the Adventist world headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland. The purpose of the dialogue was to gain a clearer understanding of each faith community?s beliefs and practices; to clarify areas of misunderstanding; and to explore possible areas of cooperation.
The Adventist Church engages in conversation with other churches, but is not a member of the ecumenical movement in the United States or internationally. The 2.4 million-member Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has a strong commitment to improve relations among churches in the United States.
The dialogue centered in two formal presentations, followed by discussion. William G. Johnsson, editor of the Adventist Review, presented a profile of Seventh-day Adventists; and Sheldon Sorge from the Presbyterian Church?s Office of Theology and Worship (U.S.A.) shared the history, teachings, and ethos of his church.
Other participants in the dialogue were Adventists John Graz, director of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty at the General Conference; Angel Rodriguez, director of the Biblical Research Institute; Kwabena Donkor, associate director of the Biblical Research Institute; Bert B. Beach, retired Adventist statesman; and Halvard Thomsen, assistant to the president for the North American Division.
The Presbyterian representatives were Carlos L. Malavé, associate for Ecumenical Relations and assistant stated clerk at the Office of the General Assembly; Eunice McGarrahan, a pastor at the National Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C.; Aurelio Garcia, associate professor of Humanities at the University of Puerto Rico; and David Jensen, associate professor of Constructive Theology at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
The dialogue was co-chaired by Graz and Malavé, and was described by participants as being marked by a spirit of friendliness, openness, and desire to understand.
A second round of conversations, hosted by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), will be held August 22-24, 2007, at the Presbyterian Center in Louisville, Kentucky."
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