Dear Pacific Union Member:

One of the most disruptive things I see in the Adventist church is members and sometimes pastors who focus their time and energy on minor matters. Some even become evangelists for private interpretations. True, to them it is a major thing.

When people push their viewpoints on minor issues too far, when minor matters get elevated to a divisive drawing of lines and are made a test of faithfulness to God, they often create unnecessary division in the church.

So how do you decide what are the major issues of life versus those that should be considered minor matters? Here are the big three I use in deciding.

Eternal Life

Does it matter in relationship to eternal life or spiritual growth?

“Let none indulge in speculative theories, or call attention to things that do not pertain to the solemn work of deciding their own eternal destiny” (Ellen White, 1888 Materials, Chapter 210).

“Dwell upon questions that concern our eternal welfare. Anything that the enemy can devise to divert the mind from God's Word, anything new and strange that he can originate to create a diversity of sentiment, he will introduce as something wonderfully important” (Ellen White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 1, p. 58).

“Many have allowed their minds to be filled with things of minor importance, and their eternal interest is made secondary. Their own souls are dwarfed and crippled in spiritual growth” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 634).

“I have been shown that it is the device of the enemy to divert men's minds to some obscure or unimportant point, something that is not fully revealed or is not essential to salvation” (Evangelism, p. 182-183).

Biblical Principles

Is this teaching a major Biblical principle?

“We need to see the necessity of bringing the principles of the truth into every purpose and action of the life” (Ellen White, Peter's Counsel to Parents, p. 38).

“It is the desire and plan of Satan to bring in among us those who will go to great extremes—people of narrow minds, who are critical and sharp, and very tenacious in holding their own conceptions of what the truth means. They will be exacting, and will seek to enforce rigorous duties, and go to great lengths in matters of minor importance, while they neglect the weightier matters of the law—judgment and mercy and the love of God” (Evangelism, p. 212).

“Christ withheld no truths essential to our salvation. … For years I have been instructed that we are not to give our attention to non-essential questions. We are not bidden to enter into discussion regarding unimportant subjects. Our work is to lead minds to the great principles of the law of God” (Ellen White, West Indian Messenger, July 1, 1912).

Unto the World

Is this part of our message to the world?

“We are to proclaim the third angel's message to a perishing world, and we are not to permit our minds to become diverted by matters that practically amount to nothing” (Ellen White, “Bible Training School,” July 1, 1903).

When differences arise as to what is important, remember this: “Differences of opinion will always exist, for every mind is not constituted to run in the same channel. Hereditary and cultivated tendencies have to be guarded, lest they create controversies over minor matters. Christ's workers must draw together in tender sympathy and love. Let not anyone think it a virtue to maintain his own notions and suppose he is the only one to whom the Lord has given discernment and intuition” (Mind, Character and Personality, vol. 2, p. 504).

Sincerely your friend,

Tom Mostert, President

Pacific Union Conference

P.O. Box 5005

Westlake Village, CA 91361