The Open Borders Denomination

Whatever your position on immigration enforcement, most Americans disapprove of an open borders policy, a policy implicit or explicit which would allow for anyone to enter the country. Knowing my audience, I feel safe in presuming you share in that disapproval. While some who illegally cross the border are benign, this is not the case for all; some come with nefarious intent. An open border leaves us in the dark, vulnerable to bad actors.

Similarly, I am guessing you believe that anyone who would become an American citizen should basically agree with the values of our country – what some have called a creed. Of this, G.K. Chesterton once observed, 

“Unlike most nations, America was founded on a creed. That creed is set forth with dogmatic and even theological lucidity in the Declaration of Independence[.]”

Like me, I imagine you probably believe that those diametrically opposed to the principles on which our country was founded should not be granted citizenship, lest they abolish those values and destroy our country.

Supposing this to be the case, I am left to wonder how it is that some of us who hold this conviction, do not share the same concern for our denomination.

At the present moment, the Advent Christian denomination has an implicit policy of open borders. The constitution and bylaws of the Advent Christian General Conference do not stipulate that any of our denominational bodies, churches, or pastors must agree with the Statement of Faith or the Declaration of Principles. The standards by which pastors receive and maintain credentials vary from place to place, even to the point of contradiction (as in the case in which a candidate was denied credentials for being Trinitarian!). Throughout the denomination, leaders say that there are no clear standards and provisions made available to remove churches from membership, so that churches may turn in any direction, doctrinally or morally, and continue to minister under the name of Advent Christian.

Among those reporting, nearly 50% of our pastors are age 65 and older and 30% are over age 70; less than 10% of our pastors are under the age of 40. As pulpits begin to empty, congregations will be making calls across the border. To what standards will these incoming pastors be held? Nobody knows. For that matter, they may not even seek denominational credentials; they could choose to lead their churches astray in any number of ways. And yet, they will continue to minister under the name, Advent Christian.

One might suggest that if an American citizen had such disregard for the borders of his country and the preservation of its values, he might in fact have little concern for protecting America at all. By the same token, I would suggest that anyone who is unconcerned for upholding the integrity of our pastors and churches must have very little interest in maintaining the Advent Christian denomination. Some fear the introduction of any standards, prizing their own liberty above all. If we are in fact so fearful of the exercise of any oversight, if it is that intolerable, it would be better to discard the denomination, to drop all false pretenses, and to part ways as independent churches. Better that than provide a cloak of covering for false teachers, a sheepskin for wolves.

As for myself, I deeply desire to uphold and protect the Advent Christian denomination. The proposed 2026 Declaration of Principles is an essential component of that effort. It has been shaped by the values of Adventism, welcoming unity in essentials and diversity in secondary matters. It makes clear our generous welcome to pastors who have expressed some differences with the current Declaration of Principles, provided they will abide with us in the spirit of charity (see the complementary enduring resolution here). It eliminates our inconsistency and confusion, resolving our identity crisis as Advent Christians.

You can read the 2026 DOP here. Offer your endorsement, encourage others to do the same, and vote in favor of the proposal at the Triennial convention this August. (register here)

Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.