Inter-America’s top leadership reaffirms the church’s vote on ordination

IAD Executive Committee members follow along the reading of the Affirmation of the Vote of the Annual Council regarding the role of women in the ministry, on Nov. 2, 2015, in Miami, Florida. Image by Libna Stevens/IAD

November 5, 2015 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens/IAD

Top Seventh-day Adventist leaders from the Inter-American Division (IAD) took a vote to reaffirm the decision of the Annual Council regarding the General Conference Session Vote on Ordination, during day seven of the church’s business meetings, held Oct. 27 to Nov. 3, in Miami, Florida.

The more than 140 committee members representing the 24 unions or regions across Inter-America read over the document and agreed with the church’s decision to reaffirm the role of women.

“We reaffirm that the Holy Spirit imparts gifts to all believers and that women paly an important role in the life of the church. Their commitment, giftedness and talents are a blessing to the entire body of Christ. The vote taken in San Antonio does not change the church’s understanding of the role of women in the life, mission and practice of the church as supported by the Church Manual and outline in General Conference and division working policies. Godly, Spirit-filled women are powerfully witnessing for Christ and being used by the Holy Spirit to make major contributions for the advancement of His kingdom,” part of the statement read.

IAD President Pastor Israel Leito made an appeal for church leaders to uphold what the Adventist world church decided during its General Conference Session in San Antonio in July of 2015.

The position of the IAD submitted to Theology of Ordination Study Committee in 2014 has remained the same before and after San Antonio session, added Pastor Leito.

Part of the position of the IAD states: “There is no explicit mandate in the Bible for the ordination of women or men to church leadership, yet there is no command against the same. The Inter-American Division is willing to accept the ecclesiastical decision taken by the SDA Church in plenary session.”

“Remember we do not move one inch if we are not in the center of what the Adventist world church says,” said Pastor Leito. “Please make sure this decision is respected in your territory.”

IAD President Pastor Israel Leito prays for Abigail Babilonia, a rotating youth delegate during executive committee meetings in Miami, Florida, Nov. 3, 2015. Babilonia is in her fourth year of theology studies. Image by Libna Stevens/IAD

The decision has not discouraged Abigail Babilonia, a fourth year theology student at Antillean Adventist University (AAU) in Puerto Rico, who was one of three rotating youth representative at the year-end committee meetings. There are eight more female students like her studying theology in AAU because they have felt the call to the ministry.

“At first it was sad to hear the church’s decision but wherever the church can give me the opportunity to serve, I will go,” said Babilonia. Babilonia also works as a Bible worker and is considering pursuing a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology.

Committee members prayed for Babilonia during the business meetings.

“We cannot ordain you but we pray for you that God can continue to use you as you’ve answered the call to serve Him,” said Pastor Leito.

“The IAD always wants to be open to recognize the Lord’s calling in his children,” he continued. Pastor Leito announced that that the IAD was sponsoring two women who pastor churches in Cuba and Mexico to pursue their doctorate degree in theology in the Philippines.

“We admire their gifts and talents for the Lord and recognize their ministry in fulfilling the mission of the church,” Pastor Leito added.