Resignation from Membership in the
Seventh-day Adventist Church

Saturday, May 13, 1995

[Head Elder]
[Seventh-day Adventist Church]

Dear Elder:

Greetings! The past several months have been a time of much prayer and Bible study for me. I have had to re-evaluate our beliefs in light of our study of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have had to re-think my position on the Sabbath as taught by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in light of the Bible. I have also had to reconsider the role of Ellen G. White in the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the role of her writings in relation to Scripture.

As a result of much prayer for spiritual guidance in my study of the Scriptures, I have come to the conclusion that the seventh-day Sabbath was part of an old covenant that has been fulfilled and made obsolete by Christ's work on our behalf (2 Cor. 3; Heb. 8). It was a shadow of things to come, the substance being Christ (Col. 2:16-17). It was a symbol pointing to Christ and the rest He sought to restore that was lost in Eden (Heb. 3-4). My understanding now is that it is not the day that is important anymore, but my relationship with Christ. One who accepts Christ enters into His sabbath rest (Gal. 4:1-11; Rom. 14:1-6; Heb. 4:1-11). This does not mean that I believe one cannot keep the Sabbath if one wishes to, but it does mean that I believe it is no longer required, since I have been liberated from the old covenant by Christ's work and brought into a greater, more glorious covenant. One that is not dependent on keeping days, rituals, or other symbols of the old covenant, but on faith in Christ and love for one another (Rom. 13:8-10; Gal. 3:15-29; Gal. 5; 1 John 3:22-24).

Regarding Ellen G. White after much study, I have come to the conclusion that while she has said many spiritually uplifting things in her writings, she does not fit the Biblical definition of a prophet (Deut. 18:20-22). I do not believe that the spirit of prophecy described in the Bible equals the writings of Ellen G. White. I have examined allegations that a great deal of her writings had been plagiarized from other authors and have found this to be true, in spite of denials by some to this fact. I have also found that some of the doctrines and positions she endorsed in her writings and through "vision" are not consistent with Scripture. I have discovered that she made prophecies and predictions that did not come to pass. In my study of the Scriptures, I have found that doctrines like the 1844 investigative judgment, the Sabbath as the seal of God (as test of loyalty to God in the end), and the notion that Christ's atonement for our sins was not completed at the cross -- doctrines she endorsed -- have no real basis in Scripture. As a result, I cannot in good conscience accept her as a prophet in the Biblical sense, nor accept her interpretations of Scripture as infallible or authoritative.

In conclusion, I respectfully request that my name be removed from the membership list of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, for I feel it would not be fitting for me to remain a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church if I no longer hold to some of its most fundamental doctrines. My understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ now has brought me great joy and peace, which I have never had before. It has brought me into a closer walk with Christ. But unfortunately, I believe it is at variance with what is taught in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. I apologize for any pain or disappointment I may have caused you or other members of the church, but I believe I must follow the Lord's leading in this matter.

Sincerely,

Rolaant McKenzie

Acceptance of Resignation

September 26, 1995

Dear Rolaant,

It is with painful hearts that we, as a church in business session on September 16, 1995, voted to honor your request to drop your name from membership in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

It is our hope that you will give serious consideration to your relationship with Christ, and re-evaluate your connection with God and His church, and would elect to be reinstated in full membership of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

In the meantime, rest assured, that the membership of the church will continue to remember you in prayer. We want you to remember that we do love you and that Jesus loves you so much that He gave His life that you might have Eternal Life if you choose to follow Jesus.

Sincerely,

[Clerk]