Target:
Ontario Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
President
Mansfield Edwards
medwards@adventistontario.org
Region:
Ontario, Canada
Who Can Sign:
Any SDA Church member from the Ontario Conference and anyone that has visited the College Park SDA Church
Source:
Bible, Spirit of Prophecy, and Seventh-day Adventist
Church Manual 2010, 18th Edition p. 92, 136, 137, 143, 144
Background (Preamble):
The Christian’s life is not a slight modification or improvement, but a complete transformation of nature. This means a death to self and sin and a resurrection to a new life as a new person in Christ Jesus.
The heart of the Christian becomes the dwelling place of Christ by faith. This is brought about by “the contemplation of Christ, beholding Christ, ever cherishing the dear Savior as our very best and honored Friend, so that we would not in any action grieve and offend Him”—TM 387.
Through the remnant Church God will demonstrate to the entire universe the adequacy of the gospel to save men and women from the power of sin. As members of that Church we should emphasize again the great Bible standards and renew allegiance to these God-given principles. To this end we would heed the Lord’s admonition: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15).
Music
“Music was made to serve a holy purpose, to lift the thoughts to that which is pure, noble, and elevating, and to awaken in the soul devotion and gratitude to God.”—PP 594. Jesus “held communion with heaven in song.”—DA 73. Music is one of the highest arts. Good music not only gives us pleasure but also elevates our minds and cultivates our finest qualities. God often has used spiritual songs to touch the hearts of sinners and lead to repentance. On the contrary, debased music breaks down morality and draws us away from our relationship with God.
Petition
We, the undersigned, believe that music serves a sacred and important part of public worship. Therefore, we are requesting that the leadership of the Ontario Conference of Seventh-day Adventists encourage the College Park SDA church to return to using only pure, noble, and elevating music in all its functions, especially the public worship time.
As per the church manual (see pages above), we request that the music leaders of the College Park SDA church work in cooperation with the pastor and elders to provide not only appropriate music, but also shun secular music or any melody that partakes of the nature of jazz, rock, or related hybrid forms, and anything of a questionable nature. Additionally, in keeping with these principles, we ask the College Park SDA church to eliminate the drum/trap set from all its musical activities.