Jonathan Gallagher was invited to give a presentation at the San Diego chapter of the Association of Adventist Forums on April 10, 2010.  Below is the introduction to the notes he prepared for his presentation, links for downloadable MP3s, a link for his notes, a photo gallery, and an image from the Adventist Forum web site with the original announcement.

The Introduction

In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act. George Orwell

“Adventism is the typical cult of the disinherited and suffering poor. Its peculiar world view reflects the psychology of a distressed class in despair of obtaining the benefits it seeks through the present social order and seeking escape through divine intervention and a cosmic cataclysm, which will destroy the world and the ‘worldly’ classes and elevate the ‘the saints’ to the position they could not attain through social processes.” E. T. Clark, The Small Sects in America (New York and Nashville: Abingdon-Cokesbury Press, 1949), 25.

When in May 1847 James White sent out the pamphlet “A Word to the ‘Little Flock’” to some of the scattered remnants of the Millerite movement, there was no organized SDA church. The pamphlet expanded on his first publication, just one sheet entitled, “To the Little Remnant Scattered Abroad,” of which 250 copies were printed. 250! At the organization of the church in 1863, Adventist believers numbered 3,500.

Now we are a faith community (including children) of over 25 million. Not a little flock anymore—we’re a big herd, especially in some places where there is a high concentration of Adventist members. We’ve grown—at least in numbers!

With that growth, this multiplication in the numbers of Adventists around the world, has come a realization that we possess a far more important voice in our world than we ever expected to have. Where once Adventists could be ignored, because we were so few that no one really knew us anyway (and we kind of preferred it that way!), now—especially in some parts of the world—we are an important part of society, whether we like it or not.

That means whether we speak or not, we are saying something to the communities we live in. On many issues we have remained silent, perhaps not wanting to become embroiled in controversy or to become distracted from what we see as our primary mission. However, recognizing the role we already play, and the even greater one we believe will come to us in the future as the spotlight of the world falls on the church, how do we use the voice God has given us? What are we saying? How do we decide what to say? When do we speak on world issues as a global church?

Most of all, how are we to act?

The Audio

Click on either play button below to listen to Jonathan's talk:

High Quality:

The Presentation Notes

Although Jonathan wasn't able to discuss all the material he prepared for his presentation (due to time limitations), you can download it complete here (135.5KB).

Gallery

Bob Ziprick, Judy Peters, Gerald Ghelfi, Gerald Fillmore, Jonathan and Ana Gallagher, Brit Fillmore

  (Click << Back or Forward >> for more images.) Photo group: 1/3  

The Announcement

Documents

During the presentation a member of the audience inquired about Jonathan Gallagher's departure from his work at the UN on behalf of the General Conference.  That information is available through the following links:

• Resignation Letter
• Executive Summary
• Legal Counsel Memo