On August 3, 2025, the village SDA church had a business meeting to reinstate Dr. Conrad Vine back to the pulpit. The meeting was very successful. However, the interim pastor at the village church and the leadership of the Mi Conference seemed not to happy about the action of the church.
So on September 5,2025, the Mi conference issued a letter to the Village church that indicates that the General conference has been called into the matter. Below is the wording of the letter
"September 5, 2025
Dear Village Church,
Greetings dear brothers and sisters in Christ. We understand that on August 3, the Village Seventh-day Adventist Church met in business session and voted to reinstate Dr. Conrad Vine to the Village pulpit. We also understand this decision was based on Dr. Vine's explanation that the Michigan Conference's action did not align with his reading of the Church Manual.
The decision to restrict Dr. Vine from preaching in Michigan pulpits was voted by the Conference Executive Committee in good faith, on what we believe to be legitimate grounds and within the authority granted in the Church Manual.
Because there is a marked difference in Dr. Vine's interpretation of these provisions, the Michigan Conference has formally requested the General Conference to have the Church Manual Committee review the relevant sections- particularly pages 35 and 126-127-and provide an official ruling and guidance on the matters in question.
If the General Conference concludes that the Michigan Conference acted outside of policy or its authority, we will honor that and adjust the restriction accordingly. However, if the General Conference affirms that the Michigan Conference acted within its rightful jurisdiction, we will ask that the Village Church rescind its August 3 action. Otherwise, maintaining the current position would place the congregation out of harmony with the governance framework of the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church.
In addition, as we seek to address the underlying concerns directly, we will invite Dr. Vine to meet with the Michigan Conference Executive Committee. This meeting will provide him the opportunity to address the committee's concerns regarding the issues identified in the letter to our pastors regarding his statements about the remnant and church leadership, the establishment of a parachurch organization, and the redirection of tithe.
Our shared calling is to reflect Christ in all our dealings and to preserve the unity of His Church while remaining faithful to biblical principles and the order established for our global fellowship.
We invite your prayers as we submit this matter to the Lord and seek resolution in a way that strengthens both our witness and our relationships.
In Christ service,
James Micheff,
President."
Relevant question: why is the Mi Conference now inviting Dr. Conrad Vine to explain the statements he made in his sermon in Maine? I think they should have done that before placing the ban on him. This shows that the Mi Conference did not follow due process in handling the issue.
Observation: The poor handling of the issue of Conrad Vine by the Mi Conference has:
1. Caused Pastor Ron Kelly to lose his job.
2. Caused the Michigan Conference to lose millions of dollars in tithes.
3. Slowed down the mission of the church within the Michigan territory.
Things will get worse if the back and forth between the Michigan Conference and the Village Church continues.
Thanks for reading.
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