Who: Shannon
Church: The Well (Seventh-day Adventist)
Lunch: It was a night service so we went back to Shannon’s house.
Topics: What IS a Seventh-day Adventist? What is the ecumenical church?
A few weeks ago, my friend Shannon asked if I had any interest in attending a Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church because one of her regular customers at Niedlov’s is a pastor at The Well. Obviously, I was. But, my knowledge/association with this denomination is limited. Honestly, I only have three: 1) When I bought my first house, I couldn’t close on a Saturday because it was their Sabbath; 2) I’ve spoken at a Death and Dying class for the the past three years at the local Seventh-day Adventist college; and 3) My seminary was adamant that the SDA church is a cult.
So… there you go. SIGN. ME. UP.
I don’t want to waste a lot of time discussing the cult accusation, but I do feel like it needs to be addressed. The perception often stems from misunderstandings, theological differences, and the historical context of the denomination’s development. So, I’m going to geek out for a couple of paragraphs (for those who are interested). But, please note, this is a 100,000ft snapshot and will not go into great detail… and feel free to skip the next two paragraphs if you’re not interested.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church emerged from the Millerite movement of the 19th century, which incorrectly predicted the Second Coming of Christ in 1844. This event, known as the “Great Disappointment,” led to understandable skepticism. Some critics associate the SDA Church with the broader millenarian and apocalyptic movements of the time, which were often labeled as fringe or cult-like. Additionally, Ellen G. White, one of the SDA Church’s founders, is regarded as a prophet by Adventists. Her writings are highly respected within the denomination and often used alongside the Bible for guidance. Critics sometimes argue that SDAs elevate White’s writings to the level of Scripture, which they view as heretical. Adventists, however, assert that her writings are subordinate to the Bible and serve as an inspired commentary.
Some Christians conflate SDAs with groups like Jehovah’s Witnesses or Mormons due to a lack of understanding. These groups differ significantly in doctrine but are often lumped together as “cults” by those unfamiliar with their beliefs. But, when it comes to the biggest differences from more traditional Christian denominations, there are a few – Sabbath Observance:
SDAs believe the biblical Sabbath is Saturday, not Sunday, and emphasize its observance as a key aspect of faith; Investigative Judgment:
SDAs teach that Jesus is currently conducting a heavenly investigative judgment that began in 1844. This doctrine is unique to Adventism and can be seen as unorthodox by other denominations; Health Practices and Lifestyle:
many SDAs advocate for vegetarianism, abstaining from alcohol and tobacco, and maintaining healthy living as part of their faith. While many Christians value healthy lifestyles, some view these practices as overly prescriptive.
So… what was our experience?
To be fair, this wasn’t a typical church service. It was more a celebration of the Advent, including a potluck meal, a few Christmas carols, and the telling of the Christmas story by the youngest members of the congregation. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with open arms. Mike, the pastor, was visibly surprised—but deeply moved—that we had chosen to join them. Over the next hour, we connected with some of the warmest, most genuinely curious people I’ve encountered since starting this project.
Continuing a trend I’ve come to treasure, it didn’t take long before I crossed paths with someone I already knew from the community—the professor from the Death and Dying class where I speak each year. The surprise on both of our faces was priceless, and I honestly couldn’t tell who was more shocked to see the other. What followed was a shared laugh and a warm hug, a moment that felt like more than just a coincidence. It was a beautiful reminder of the deeper connections that fuel my why for this project—the power of community, shared experiences, and the unexpected ways our paths intertwine.
As I delve deeper into this project, I find that the larger questions surrounding the ecumenical church increasingly center on themes of unity, diversity, and purpose within the broader Christian community. Drawing from my experience as a lens, here are some of the key questions that have repeatedly come up:
- What does true unity in the church look like?
- How can churches across denominations come together in meaningful ways while respecting theological, cultural, and liturgical differences?
- Is unity about agreement, collaboration, or something deeper, like mutual love and understanding?
- How can the church celebrate diversity without losing its shared mission?
- In what ways can diverse traditions, practices, and interpretations enrich the ecumenical movement?
- How can churches avoid letting differences become barriers to collaboration while maintaining authenticity in their individual beliefs?
- What role does community connection play in the ecumenical movement?
- How can churches remain relevant and connected to their local communities while working toward broader unity?
- How does encountering familiar faces in unexpected places (like the professor) remind us that the church exists beyond walls and doctrines?
- How do we define the ‘why’ of the ecumenical church?
- What is the ultimate purpose of the ecumenical movement: to foster unity among Christians, to better serve the world, or to witness to the Gospel in a divided society?
- How does a focus on shared mission, such as serving the marginalized or promoting justice, help to bridge divides?
- How does the ecumenical church navigate the tension between tradition and modern challenges?
- How do we honor centuries-old practices and teachings while addressing contemporary issues like mental health, inclusivity, and societal polarization?
- What does success look like for the ecumenical church?
- Is success measured in theological consensus, shared worship, collaborative service, or simply in the relationships built between people of faith?
- How do we celebrate progress when unity feels elusive?
These questions invite reflection not only on theological or organizational challenges but also on the heart of what it means to embody Christ’s prayer in John 17:21: “that they may all be one.”
CHALLENGE: Take one of the six questions above and start a conversation with someone in your circle. Bonus points if it’s someone engaged with a different denomination… or holds a different political view?
Searching for Jesus in A̶m̶e̶r̶i̶c̶a̶ Chattanooga 