Church Board Calls for Reinstatement of Pastor Amid Dispute
A dispute has emerged at the Village Seventh-day Adventist Church in Berrien Springs, Michigan, following the removal of its senior pastor, Ron Kelly. The church board has urged the Michigan Conference of the SDA to reconsider their decision to dismiss Kelly, citing a strong desire among church members for his reinstatement.
In a formal statement, Senior Elder Tom Wilson expressed the board’s position, stating, “Regarding Elder Kelly, we wish to affirm in the strongest way possible the desire of this Board, and of the members of the VSDA, for the MISDA Executive Committee to reverse their decision of 12/3/2024 concerning Elder Kelly, and to reinstate him to his previous status of employment as the VSDA Senior Pastor by 1/2/2025.” The statement was part of a letter sent to the Michigan SDA Conference [source].
Kelly, who led the church until recently, shared his experience of the removal process in a recorded message, describing an unexpected meeting where unresolved issues were brought up. “I asked for the presentation of the grievances against me in writing. They said no,” Kelly recounted. He also expressed concerns about the process, stating, “If I had gotten a speeding ticket, I would at least [have] been able to hear what the police said about me and my potential offense.”
In addition to his dismissal, Kelly addressed accusations against him in a letter he reportedly sent privately to the Michigan SDA Conference. These accusations included “insubordination, bullying, and fomenting discord against the Conference.” Kelly defended his actions, noting, “It has always been my goal to save the church from the pain of today.”
The church under Kelly’s leadership had reportedly become a hub for “anti-vaccination and other right-wing conspiracies” according to Adventist Today. Additionally, Conrad Vine, president of Adventist Frontier Missions and a member of Kelly’s congregation, was banned from SDA pulpits in Michigan for allegedly undermining church unity. Michigan SDA Conference President Jim Micheff cited Vine’s messages during a camp meeting as problematic [source].
As the situation unfolds, the Village SDA Church board has emphasized their commitment to rebuilding trust with the Michigan SDA Conference. They have requested Kelly’s immediate reinstatement, underscoring their belief in his leadership. “We firmly request the immediate reinstalment of Elder Kelly as the VSDA Senior Pastor parallel to the agreement of mutual trust-building measures going forward,” the board stated.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
