A storm has erupted in the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) church over a move to crack down on some pastors and evangelists.
The suspensions have triggered an uproar on social media with users questioning the church's decisions to regulate the messaging and delivery of content in a fast-changing world.
In the latest development, the church’s Kenya Coast Field (KCF) swiftly recalled a directive allegedly suspending some prominent pastors and evangelists in the coast region.
The preachers are known for their captivating and riveting summons that involve a high degree of delivery using illustrations and real-life experiences to enhance messaging.
The pastors are popular figures known for their engaging preaching style and ability to tackle real social issues while delivering sermons.
The pastors' approach is said to have allegedly rattled the church's establishment amid accusations of going against the doctrines.
In a letter dated July 10, 2024, signed by Pastor Eliab Ombuoro, the KCF Executive Secretary, the church officially withdrew the earlier suspension directive and instructed all recipients to disregard it.
The withdrawal followed a massive uproar online over the suspensions.
“In reference to our letter dated 4th July 2024 on the above subject matter quoted (ACTION 24EXCOM-055), we wish to state that the letter is hereby withdrawn until advised otherwise. For those who might have read the letter, we request that you disregard it," reads the letter.
The letter, which is addressed to church pastors, elders and church members of the Coast Field, did not disclose the reasons for either the earlier suspension or withdrawal.
His earlier official communication dated July 4, 2024, said the pastors and evangelists were no longer authorised to any church service.
“We wish to inform you all that the personnel named are not authorised to conduct any kind of church service within and outside our territory: ACTION 24EXCOM-055),’’ reads the letter by Ombuoro.
The two letters triggered controversy over the church’s latest clampdown on a section of pastors allegedly considered liberal and embracing modern delivery techniques.
Some of them have thousands of followers on their YouTube accounts as well as social media platforms where they engage in preventing sermons.
The SDA church is among those considered by many as very conservative in its doctrines and does not entertain ways of life that go against its teachings.
Typically, the church conserves and preserves the past and holds onto traditions to maintain harmony in its ministry passions and theological perspectives.
These are supported by the church’s fundamental beliefs.
In June, the church's South East Kenya Field (SEKF) suspended some popular pastors within the Kisii region.
Those targeted have become a hit with the faithful with their unique preaching styles.
The two, who have since sued the church, are the most popular within the Kisii region with bereaved families inviting them to preach during funerals.
“Dear leaders, and pastors, this is to inform you that the two pastors will not be allowed to conduct any services at funerals, public evangelism, and camp meetings until the Field Executive committee sitting in mid-June clears them,” the said message reads in part.
It continues: “This is because of many issues reported about their conduct in funerals. Please give this information to members and elders. They go out including outside SEKF without permission even without host pastors knowing. Please cooperate on this.”
EKF President Pastor James Ondabu on June 7 confirmed that the two preachers had indeed been suspended.
“The church has a protocol to be followed anytime one goes to preach. For instance, I cannot go preaching in Nakuru without following the protocols,” said Pastor Ondabu.
The duo moved to court through their advocate Wilkins Ochoki arguing that the church erred in suspending them without a fair hearing.
“I don’t wake up and go sniffing around mortuaries to know where there is a funeral for me to attend and preach. It's the families that look for me. And I always ensure I follow the right procedure before attending any funeral or meeting,” Ochoki stated.
They submitted that the field leadership committed an administrative error by unilaterally suspending them against the guiding procedural and policy framework of the SDA Church.
The two have, however, been reinstated as the matter remains active in court.
What is SDA church?
According to the http://www.adventist.org/, the Seventh-day Adventist Church is a denomination of conservative evangelical Christians.
The church arose out of the eschatological expectations of the middle nineteenth century (epitomized by the Millerite Movement), but was only formally organized in 1863.
The Millerites had set October 22, 1844, for the return of Christ.
With the failure of this date, the movement fell into disarray.
One of the small Adventist groups adopted the Seventh-day Sabbath, reinterpreted the events of 1844, and became, in due course, the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
The roots of Adventism, however, go back much further - to the Reformation and the church of the New Testament.
Seventh-day Adventists accept the Bible as the inspired word of God.
In essence, the Bible is their only creed, though they do have a statement of 28 Fundamental Beliefs, which is subject to revision at any General Conference World Session, as new light is received or better language is found, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
These beliefs include the Trinity, believers' baptism, spiritual gifts, death as an unconscious state until the resurrection, and the New Earth as the home of the redeemed after the millennium.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is not a member of the World Council of Churches.