7 The Emerging Church and The One Project

My study into the emerging church started when a pastor back East asked if I knew anything about “The One Project”. When I began to study into the history of the Project and those who started the movement, I was lead to enquire about the Emerging Church and its teachings and history. I found that it deals with much more than just “spiritual formation” and “centering prayer.”

We will now take a look at Sam Leonor and his vision for the One Project.

De Oliveira states that he and 4 others gathered in Denver and came up with the idea of the One Project. “In July 2010, five simple Jesus followers (Alex Bryan, Japhet De Oliveira, Sam Leonor, Tim Gillespie and Terry Swenson) got together in room 602 at the Holiday Inn in Denver. …” (Japhet De Oliveira, “The One Project: Our Purpose and Mission,” http://the1project.org/assets/documents/the-one-project.pdf)

At the same time we must be clear that we not judging the motives or sincere intent of those who sense a need for change in our church, a remedy for the Laodicean condition, but only question if the agenda of the Projects leaders as seen in their history is what our church needs.

Pictures taken from the Project web site.

http://the1project.smugmug.com/Gatherings/Seattle/22409901_rhnMRf#!i=1795283853&k=gjpj2p5

http://the1project.smugmug.com/Gatherings/Seattle/22409901_rhnMRf#!i=1795283880&k=42Q72q2&lb=1&s=X2

Sam Leonor is La Sierra University Church pastor and campus chaplain. He has been there since 2002-2003.

He is married to Shelley Campbell. They have two children, Alexandra (born in 2000), and a son, Micah (born in 2003).

(http://www.lasierra.edu/index.php?id=555)

Although Sam Leonor has some excellent sounding stated goals and has encouraged many students to get involved in “missions”, how have these goals written above played out in his pastoral history?

The One project website offers some insights on Leonor’s goals and passion.

(http://the1project.org/board/sam.html)

What do we mean by good conversations and making music?

Big Face Grace started while Sam Leonor was at Andrews University in the Seminary. This is a Biography of Big Face Grace with a photo of their band in the early days. This was probably written in the early 2000s.

(http://www.esongs.net/biography.asp?ID=441)

4 of 5 original band members are currently pastors in the Adventist Church.

Jason Hutchinson (guitars), Roy Ice (drums/vocals) Pacific Union College Associate Pastor and College Chaplain; Sam Leonor (bass/vocals) now La Sierra University Pastor; Michael Knecht (guitars) Pastor at Crosswalk SDA Church Redlands, CA; Tim Gillespie (vocals), now Loma Linda University Youth Pastor.

4 of 5 original band members are currently pastors in the Adventist Church.

In 2004 as the group got more popular they decided to disband except for occasional gigs.

Roy Ice (drummer of Big Face Grace) was Pacific Union College Chaplain and Associate Pastor when this article was run on PUC web site in 2010. He has also served as COR Coach and Chaplain at Center for Youth Evangelism, Youth Pastor at Azure Hills SDA Church, and is now the Executive Pastor at Napa Adventist Church in 2012. He will also be speaking at the February 2013 One Project Chicago gathering.

(http://www.puc.edu/faculty-staff/progress/archives-old/june-2010)

Obviously not everyone was happy about the band Big Face Grace yet one of their goals was to “provoked discussion” by their music. Is this the same goal as having a “conversation” as defined by the Emerging church movement. Is this one of their goals with The One Project?

4 of 5 original band members are currently pastors in the Adventist Church. Jason Hutchinson (guitars), Roy Ice (drums/vocals) now Pacific Union College Associate Pastor and College Chaplain; Sam Leonor (bass/vocals) now La Sierra University Pastor; Michael Knecht (guitars) now at Crosswalk SDA Church Redlands, CA; Tim Gillespie (vocals), now Loma Linda University Youth Pastor.

(http://www.puc.edu/faculty-staff/progress/archives-old/june-2010)

Roy Ice (drummer of Big Face Grace) was Pacific Union College Chaplain and Associate Pastor when this article was run on PUC web site in 2010.

A “Seventh-day Adventist” band that is better than Bon Jovi, with remixed dance music, can praise the Lord, especially because they helped “generating discussion” and broke down barriers in the church throughout North American Division, England and Australia?

Sam Leonor speaking during Annual Convention April 2012 of the Seventh-day Adventist Church at Elmore, Victoria Australia. Here he speaks for a few moments on his philosophy of music. His concepts of music and worship will be seen in action below.

(http://vimeo.com/channels/366700#/channels/366700/45476733)

Since Sam Leonor feels that Adventism is “constipated” in regard to its worship he has had opportunity through Big Face Grace, since its inception, to share its music as one of the modes of generating discussion and in presenting the unconstipated “gospel” message. Several of the One Project organizers, including Sam Leonor and Tim Gillespie have participated in this vision.

On March 14, 2009, Big Face Grace performed on the La Sierra University campus for the purpose of raising funds for missions. No doubt Sam Leonor played a part in getting the band to participate with several other bands for this “fund raiser”.

http://www.myspace.com/bigfacegrace/photos/16801145#{%22ImageId%22%3A16801145}

http://www.myspace.com/bigfacegrace/photos/16801145#{%22ImageId%22%3A27041451}

http://www.myspace.com/bigfacegrace/photos/16801145#{%22ImageId%22%3A17549197}

You don’t have to listen to the 2.5 minute video clip taken from three songs, but just watching the band and the crowd should raise some serious questions, should it not? Sam Leonor is directly beyond Tim Gillespie (center) playing his base guitar. No doubt Sam Leonor played a part in getting the Big Face Grace band to participate with several others for this “fund raiser”. Notice how the crowd is pulled into participating in the concert.

Since its inception, Big Face Grace has used its music as one of the modes of generating “discussion” and in presenting their “gospel” message. Several of the One Project organizers, including Sam Leonor and Tim Gillespie have participated in this vision. March 14, 2009, Big Face Grace performed on the La Sierra University campus for the purpose of raising funds for missions.

4 of 5 band members present were/are currently pastors in the Adventist Church. In 2009 Jason Hutchinson (guitars), Roy Ice (drums/vocals) Associate Pastor and College Chaplain at Pacific Union College; Sam Leonor (bass/vocals) Pastor at La Sierra University; Michael Knecht (guitars) Pastor at Crosswalk SDA Church in Redlands, CA; Tim Gillespie (vocals), Youth Pastor at Loma Linda University.

On March 14, 2009, Big Face Grace performed on the La Sierra’s University campus for the purpose of raising funds for missions. La Sierra University posted an article about the event in April, 2009.

(http://www.lasierra.edu/index.php?id=1604)

This is taken from a letter of response written by Ellen White to S. N. Haskell, who upon returning from India found all kinds of fanaticism coming into Adventism and wrote to Ellen White about his concerns. (Ellen G. White to S. N. Haskell, Letter 132, 1900; in Selected Messages, book 2, pp. 36-39)

Details of Fanaticism found in Selected Messages , book 2, p. 31:

“[A FANATICAL TEACHING TERMED "THE DOCTRINE OF HOLY FLESH" WAS STARTED IN 1900 IN INDIANA, LEADING THE CONFERENCE PRESIDENT AND VARIOUS WORKERS INTO SERIOUS ERROR. THIS THEORY ALLEGED THAT THOSE WHO FOLLOW THE SAVIOUR MUST HAVE THEIR FALLEN NATURES PERFECTED BY PASSING THROUGH A "GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE" EXPERIENCE, THUS ACQUIRING A STATE OF PHYSICAL SINLESSNESS AS AN ESSENTIAL PREPARATION FOR TRANSLATION. EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS REPORT THAT IN THEIR SERVICES THE FANATICS WORKED UP A HIGH PITCH OF EXCITEMENT BY USE OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS SUCH AS ORGANS, FLUTES, FIDDLES, TAMBOURINES, HORNS, AND EVEN A BIG BASS DRUM. THEY SOUGHT A PHYSICAL DEMONSTRATION AND SHOUTED AND PRAYED AND SANG UNTIL SOMEONE IN THE CONGREGATION WOULD FALL, PROSTRATE AND UNCONSCIOUS, FROM HIS SEAT. ONE OR TWO MEN, WALKING UP AND DOWN THE AISLE FOR THE PURPOSE, WOULD DRAG THE FALLEN PERSON UP ON THE ROSTRUM. THEN ABOUT A DOZEN INDIVIDUALS WOULD GATHER AROUND THE PROSTRATE BODY, SOME SINGING, SOME SHOUTING, AND SOME PRAYING, ALL AT THE SAME TIME. WHEN THE SUBJECT REVIVED, HE WAS COUNTED AMONG THOSE WHO HAD PASSED THROUGH THE GETHSEMANE EXPERIENCE, HAD OBTAINED HOLY FLESH, AND HAD TRANSLATION FAITH. THEREAFTER, IT WAS ASSERTED, HE COULD NOT SIN AND WOULD NEVER DIE. ELDERS S. N. HASKELL AND A. J. BREED, TWO OF OUR LEADING DENOMINATIONAL MINISTERS, WERE SENT TO THE CAMP MEETING HELD AT MUNCIE, INDIANA, FROM SEPTEMBER 13 TO 23, 1900, TO MEET THIS FANATICISM. THESE DEVELOPMENTS WERE REVEALED TO MRS. WHITE WHILE SHE WAS IN AUSTRALIA IN JANUARY, 1900, AND SHE BORE TESTIMONY OF WARNING AND REPROOF AGAINST IT, AS SEEN IN THE TWO FOLLOWING MESSAGES.--COMPILERS.]

This is taken from a letter of response written by Ellen White to S. N. Haskell.

Sam Leonor was joined by Alex Bryan at the North Carolina Camp meeting, May 28 – June 3, 2006 (Alex was then no longer a denominational pastor due to his church plant’s separation from the Georgia Cumberland Conference, although nothing was stated in the Campmeeting brochure). Both Alex and Sam led out in the Young Adults meetings. Notice Leonor’s presentation titles.

(http://www.carolinasda.org/site_data/663/assets/0007/4106/CMProgram06.pdf)

At the time Sam Leonor was joined by Alex Bryan at the North Carolina Camp meeting, Alex was no longer a denominational pastor due to his church plant’s separation from the Georgia Cumberland Conference, although nothing was stated in the Campmeeting brochure, and he was no longer being published in the Adventist Review. Seems to be deceptive advertising for the meetings.

The Titles of Sam Leonor’s talks are interesting but troubling.

(http://www.carolinasda.org/site_data/663/assets/0007/4106/CMProgram06.pdf)

Both on the One Project web site and in an Adventist Today article Leonor is mentioned as currently attending George Fox for his Doctor of Ministry degree. What both web sites fail to mention is that Leonor’s doctoral degree is under the mentorship of Leonard Sweet and in area of Leadership in the Emerging Culture or the Future Studies doctoral program.

(http://the1project.org/board/sam.html)

(http://www.atoday.org/article/1302/news/july-headlines/god-encounters-2012-conference-for-young-adults-will-feature-sam-leonor)

In a George Fox University Dissertation by John O’Keefe, Leonor is mentioned as a fellow cohort attending George Fox for his Doctor of Ministry degree on the subject of Leadership in the Emerging Culture or Future Studies doctoral program.

(http://johncokeefe.com/John%20C%20OKeefe%20-%20Creatives.pdf)

In a George Fox University Dissertation by John O’Keefe, Sam Leonor is mentioned as a fellow cohort attending George Fox for his Doctor of Ministry degree on the subject of Leadership in the Emerging Culture or the Future Studies doctoral program.

Notice further what John O’Keefe suggests is the “problem” and the “claim” in his dissertation (See Below). This is the same Emerging Church rhetoric that Sweet and others have been pumping into the “Christian” America landscape for 20 years.

“Problem:

Generally speaking, the biggest problem facing the Church1 today lies in its inability to understand the current cultural shifts taking place in the world around us and how best to lead in that shift. This inability stems from the Church‘s desire to rest its theology, structure, vision and, most importantly, leadership, in the past and its inability to understand and live in the present/future.

Claim:

For the Church to reach a 21st century mind we need to stop looking to the past to define what we are not, and look to the now and future to express who we are.2 The Churches‘ desire to resist change and focus strictly on what has been successful in the past is not working any more.” (John O’Keefe, Dissertation, p. iv)

Review from presentation number 4: Sam Leonor is attending George Fox University for his Doctor of Ministry degree on the subject of Leadership in the Emerging Culture or Future Studies doctoral program.

“The Semiotics & Future Studies” is the same as “The Leadership in Emerging Culture Doctor of Ministry.” This course is offered under the direct tutelage or mentorship of Leonard Sweet.

Leonard Sweet is “Currently the E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism at Drew University, Madison, NJ and a Visiting Distinguished Professor at George Fox University, Portland, Oregon,…”

George Fox University which was founded by Quakers in 1885 and is located in Newberg Oregon, and has centers in Portland, Salem and Bosie ID. In 1996, the college merged with Western Evangelical Seminary to form George Fox University. Notable graduates include Richard Foster, and Dan Kimball, both big names in Emerging Church movement.

Doctor of Ministry

George Fox offers 3 Doctor of Ministry programs:

DMin in Leadership and Global Perspectives

DMin in Leadership and Spiritual Formation

DMin in Semiotics and Future Studies ( or The Leadership in Emerging Culture Doctor of Ministry)

Review from presentation number 4: Sam Leonor is attending George Fox University for his Doctor of Ministry degree on the subject of Leadership in the Emerging Culture or Future Studies doctoral program, which is under the mentorship of Leonard Sweet.

Notice carefully the official George Fox University statement of what this program is all about (especially the APC to MRI change in ministry focus). We will see below how Sam Leonor has incorporated many of these themes in his current youth ministry at La Seirra University.

The Leadership in Emerging Culture Doctor of Ministry (DMin), another name for Semiotics and Future Studies, is led by Leonard Sweet.

“Anticipate Change” is the heading on the web listing of this course.

Definition of SEMIOTICS: “a general philosophical theory of signs and symbols.” Leonard Sweet has been the primary person to make this word popular in the Emerging Church movement. He states that he bases it on Mat 16:3 “He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?” The Greek word is “sēmeion” which means: “an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally: - miracle, sign, token, wonder.” Sweet seems to use it as a term that describes himself and his cohorts and followers, who can see the signs in different religions, cultures and histories.

Review from presentation number 4:

This course is directly guided by Leonard Sweet and obvious an outlet for all his Emerging Church ideas, not just “spiritual formation”. It is stated that “students … receive personal mentoring from Dr. Sweet.” Thus Sweet is Sam Leonor’s “mentor” in his doctoral program which will last three years.

George Fox University posted pictures from one of the Learning Sessions in Portland with “lead mentor” Leonard Sweet. This was during the 2008/2009 school year. Pictures are from August 27 and 28, 2008, Orientation Advance. Tim Gillespie is also in one of the photos. Inset makes it very clear that Sweet is the “Lead mentor.”

Leonard Sweet mentions in his acknowledgements in the book, So Beautiful: Divine Design for Life and the Church (Printed 2009), those who have been helpful in guiding his thoughts and ideas for this particular book. Acknowledgements were written Dec. 25, 2008, in which he mentions Sam Leonor as one of his students. Yet some are still claiming that Sweet was and is not a mentor to One Project leaders.

(http://www.scribd.com/doc/13828591/9/My-characters-all-sound-the-same-because-I-never-listen-%E2%80%9D2)

Leonard Sweet’s book Jesus Manifesto, expresses many Emerging Church ideas. Amazon.com lists an official Editorial Review for this book which makes it clear the book has, among other problems, pantheistic leanings. (These next 5 slides are a repeat from presentation 3). We are not suggesting that Leonor is teaching pantheism himself, but that he seems to be promoting material that has these leanings.

Unsolicited review on Amazon.com by Michael Duran, which summarizes what many others have also said about Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola’s book Jesus Manifesto. (This is a repeat from presentation 3).

We are not suggesting that Leonor is teaching pantheism himself, but that he seems to be promoting material that has these leanings.

We are not suggesting that Leonor is teaching pantheism himself, but that he seems to be promoting material that has these leanings.

Often it is not what a person says that is so wrong as what a person fails to say or include when describing the plan of salvation. Half the story or half truth is worse than blatant error because it is more subtle.

In this short video (37 sec.), Sam Leonor is seen promoting his Jesus Manifesto meetings. (www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwNNPGt1pJ4)

Sam Leonor put on a series of meetings in New Zealand, Aug. 9-13, 2011. It seems clear that he has adopted Leonard Sweet’s theme of Jesus Manifesto, naming his week of meetings by that name. We are not suggesting that Leonor is teaching pantheism himself, but that he seems to be promoting material that has these leanings.

Titles of Sam Leonor’s talks included:

Jesus and Identity: Christianity makes many scandalous claims, but there is one that is outrageous!

Jesus & Suffering: We have everything we need to be happy. Really?

Jesus & the Church: The church is dead. Long live the church!

Jesus as the ultimate point of Reference: Turning our eyes to Jesus makes the world bright (not dim, contrary to what the song says!).

Reimagining the Afterlife: There is way more to eternity than mansions to live in, crowns and streets made of Gold.

Although some thoughts shared are worth while, what concepts and themes are they being packaged with?

Proposition 8 was a California ballot proposition and a state constitutional amendment passed in the November 2008 state elections. The measure added a new provision, Section 7.5 of the Declaration of Rights, to the California Constitution, which provides that "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”

Six (progressive) Adventists started an unofficial campaign against Proposition 8 (before it was voted on in Nov. 2008), claiming that the Proposition took away equal rights for homosexuals and was against the Adventists Church’s stance on religious liberty. Other Adventist supported Prop. 8 and the protection of family values in the U.S.

We would not suggest that Adventist should take an unloving attitude toward homosexuals but one that is redemptive. However, we ask if Adventist should be joining the politically driven homosexual movement in the U.S. under the claim of religious liberty?

United States District Court Judge Vaughn R. Walker overturned Proposition 8 on August 4, 2010 in the case Perry v. Schwarzenegger, ruling that it violated both the Due Process and Equal Protection clauses of the United States Constitution. Walker issued an injunction against enforcing Proposition 8 and a stay to determine suspension of his ruling pending appeal. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals continued the stay, keeping Walker's ruling on hold pending appeal. On February 7, 2012, in a 2–1 decision, a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals panel affirmed Walker's decision declaring the Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage to be unconstitutional. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Proposition_8)

Six (progressive) Adventists started an unofficial campaign against Proposition 8 (before it was voted on in Nov. 2008), claiming that this took away equal rights for homosexuals and was against the Adventists Church’s stance on religious liberty.

United States District Court Judge Vaughn R. Walker overturned Proposition 8 on August 4, 2010 in the case Perry v. Schwarzenegger, ruling that it violated both the Due Process and Equal Protection clauses of the United States Constitution. Walker issued an injunction against enforcing Proposition 8 and a stay to determine suspension of his ruling pending appeal.The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals continued the stay, keeping Walker's ruling on hold pending appeal. On February 7, 2012, in a 2–1 decision, a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals panel affirmed Walker's decision declaring the Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage to be unconstitutional. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Proposition_8)

Many other progressive Adventists pastors and educators joined in support of this campaign including Sam Leonor.

After the Proposition was passed, a District Court Judge overturned it, an action which “Adventists Against Proposition 8” praised.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Proposition_8)

“Stepping out of the Collegedale bubble into a larger, more diverse one here in Riverside has enabled me to look back on my experience at Southern with better understanding than I had when I was there; likewise, coming from SAU has helped me to discern the different approach that La Sierra University has taken.” (http://spectrummagazine.org/blog/2009/03/15/student-series-homosexuality-and-adventist-campus-la-sierra)

In this Spectrum article, Matt Burdette expresses the difference between his educational experience at Southern Adventist University and La Sierra University, and compares their faculty members, including Sam Leonor, based on the response to Prop. 8 and the homosexual movement. Although this does not indicate fully what Sam Leonor’s views might be, it does indicate at least his progressive leanings and his participation in this type of “dialogue”. Some involved in this dialogue seem to support fully the homosexual movement and openly condemn the biblical description of such practices being “sinful”.

(Review Slide from presentation 5). It was in the summer of 2010 that Sam Leonor and four other youth leaders met in Denver to ultimately plan The One Project. Yet, as we mentioned before, they were all obviously tired of “fighting battles.” The question is whether they were fighting the right battles, or rather fighting their own battles, some which appear to be against the foundational principles of the SDA church, which was built on something other than false Emerging Church principles.

The last two paragraphs are taken from Terry Swenson’s talk in Atlanta, on Feb. 8, 2011 during the first large Project Gathering, we can gather that there were other past issues, battles and dreams that drove these men together to refocus their lives and their ministry. Although obviously very sincere we might wonder what battles they were tired of fighting. Was it battles over Prop. 8, or music and worship?

We will now take a look at Sam Leonor’s connection with God Encounters, an “independent” SDA youth ministry now in its 10^th year. These are several web shots of advertisements for God Encounter weekends and articles about its origins and future plans:

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqCHo23R-As)

(http://wgts.org/god-encounters/) Some of the promotional photos depict poses similar if not the same as Yoga positions.

(http://www.facebook.com/GODencounters#!/GODencounters/photos_stream)

(http://auyouth.com/YoungAdults/god-encounters/)

(http://vimeo.com/channels/godencounters)

(http://ignitionblog.wordpress.com/2012/09/05/godencounters-still-strong-after-a-decade/)

(http://www.facebook.com/GODencounters)

(http://news.adventist.org/en/archive/articles/2012/03/09/godencounters-marks-decade-of-young-adult-ministry)

AS a side note, some of the promotional material for God Encounters depicts poses that are very similar if not the same the Locust Yoga position. This picture demonstrates the Full Locust position: “Full locust is one of the most difficult postures to improve in the Bikram Yoga series.” (http://bikramyogaguelph.blogspot.com/2012/03/full-locust-pose-poorna-salabhasana.html) Although there are benefits to stretches, and strengthening exercises, done in the context of Yoga it is a dangerous dabbling in eastern religion.

“When this Yoga pose is demonstrated it resembles a locust (grasshopper) moving its rear ends up and down, hence the name. Locust is one of the backward bend asanas usually performed in a sequence; first the Yoga pose Cobra is practiced, than the Locust followed by the Yoga pose Bow. Locust is a posture which turns the body out expanding the chest to face the world. It is a very stimulating, powerful and dynamic asana, one of the most demanding but also one of the most unnatural posture in Hatha yoga.” (http://www.emaxhealth.com/62/7127.html)

We will now take a look at Sam Leonor’s connection with God Encounters, an “independent” SDA youth ministry now in its 10^th year. This is a history of the God Encounters movement taken from an Adventist News article.

This history of God Encounters is taken from the “ignitionblog”.

God encounters and prayer rooms. Although we would encourage a deeper life of prayer, some of the prayer practices appear to be taken from mystical forms of eastern religions.

Repeated: God encounters and prayer rooms. Although we would encourage a deeper life of prayer, some of the prayer practices are being taken from mystical forms of eastern religions.

(http://ignitionblog.wordpress.com/2008/04/30/encountering-god-making-room/)

(http://www.facebook.com/GODencounters/photos#!/photo.php?fbid=125924277513&set=pb.105031787513.-2207520000.1353542791&type=3&theater)

(http://www.facebook.com/GODencounters/photos#!/photo.php?fbid=125889612513&set=pb.105031787513.-2207520000.1353542807&type=3&theater)

(http://www.facebook.com/GODencounters/photos#!/photo.php?fbid=125875917513&set=pb.105031787513.-2207520000.1353542812&type=3&theater)

(http://ignitionblog. wordpress.com /2012/09/05/godencounters-still-strong-after-a-decade/)

Encounters Café are associated with the Godencounter weekends to help further the ministries agenda to reach out to young people. Is this true worship?

Repeated: Encounters Café are associated with the Godencounter weekends to help further the ministries agenda to reach out to young people. Is this true worship?

(http://ignitionblog.wordpress.com/2008/03/29/encounters-cafe/)

From the very beginning of Godencounters, modern rock music has been used as a means of “worship” and to attract young people. But with each passing year the “worship” has taken on more of an entertainment flavor with the appearance of seeking solely an emotional experience of God.

(http://www.facebook.com/GODencounters/photos#!/photo.php?fbid=125835972513&set=pb.105031787513.-2207520000.1353549987&type=3&theater) 2002 Encounters

(http://www.facebook.com/GODencounters/photos_stream#!/photo.php?fbid=125866117513&set=pb.105031787513.-2207520000.1353551181&type=3&theater) Florida 2004 Encounters, notice drum set on stage.

(http://www.facebook.com/GODencounters/photos_stream#!/photo.php?fbid=125878192513&set=pb.105031787513.-2207520000.1353551168&type=3&theater) Florida 2005 Encounters

(http://www.facebook.com/GODencounters/photos_stream#!/photo.php?fbid=125889137513&set=pb.105031787513.-2207520000.1353551143&type=3&theater) Florida 2006 Encounters (5 pictures)

(http://www.facebook.com/GODencounters/photos_stream#!/photo.php?fbid=125919952513&set=pb.105031787513.-2207520000.1353551946&type=3&theater) Florida 2008 Encounters

(http://www.facebook.com/GODencounters/photos_stream#!/photo.php?fbid=125924137513&set=pb.105031787513.-2207520000.1353551938&type=3&theater) 2008 Georgia Encounters

(http://www.flickr.com/photos/vivamex/sets/72157627709599612/) Arlington Tx 2012 Encounters (11 pictures)

Pastor A. Allan Martin, one of the co-founders of Godencounters “now serves as pastor of the Younger Generation Church, which meets at Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church in Texas. … Martin said that ministry events are too often about ‘loyalty to the institution’ or creating a ‘spiritual high’ moment. ‘Rarely do they intentionally plan for the process that follows long after the event is over.’”

Notice this 1:09 minute segment from a promotional video for his church (you can cut the sound and still watch).

(http://news.adventist.org/en/archive/articles/2012/03/09/godencounters-marks-decade-of-young-adult-ministry) (http://ignitionblog.wordpress.com/2012/09/05/godencounters-still-strong-after-a-decade/)

Sam Leonor has been the key speaker for God Encounter weekends on several occasions. In 2012 the God Encounters weekend was held at the Arlington Younger Generation Church where God Encounter’s co-founder A. Allan Martin pastors, and Sam Leonor was once again picked as the key speaker. Adventist Today announced this in July 2012.

(http://www.facebook.com/GODencounters/photos_stream#!/photo.php?fbid=125875872513&set=pb.105031787513.-2207520000.1353556164&type=3&theater) 2005 Florida Encounters

(http://www.facebook.com/GODencounters/photos_stream#!/photo.php?fbid=125924177513&set=pb.105031787513.-2207520000.1353551932&type=3&theater) 2008 Georgia Encounters

(http://www.atoday.org/article/1302/news/july-headlines/god-encounters-2012-conference-for-young-adults-will-feature-sam-leonor) 2012 Arlington Texas Encounters

Sam Leonor has been the key speaker for God Encounter weekends on several occasions. This taken from the Adventist Today article.

The theme for 2012 was “Be Present: where you are”. This is defined more in the post video production after the conference (see video clip next slide).

Sam Leonor has been the key speaker for God Encounter weekends on several occasions. In 2012 the God Encounters weekend was held at the Arlington Younger Generation Church where co-founder A. Allan Martin is pastor. Sam Leonor was once again picked as the key speaker.

This is an edited down (2:13 minutes), Promotional Video for God Encounters showing Sam Leonor at the Arlington Texas Young Generation Seventh-Day Adventist Church after their 2012 gathering. True worship or Baal worship? (You can turn the sound off)

(http://vimeo.com/channels/godencounters/page:1)

The video in the previous slide is taken from this Godencounters.org web site. It is stated that the site was created by NAD Adventists. There are also other claims made about the Godencounter’s movement.

The video in the previous slide is taken from the Godencounters.org web site. It is stated that the site was created by NAD Adventists. There are also other claims made about the Godencounter’s movement.

Sam Leonor is one of several who started the One Project. Their claim is that its all about Jesus. Jesus. All. But has Sam Leonor’s past worship experience demonstrated that this is the case? Is the One Project really about making Jesus supreme, or about creating another avenue through which the leader’s agenda can be brought about in the church (primarily marketed to our young people through our Universities)?

Is the One Project really the reformation that we need in our church (we do need one)? Based on the backgrounds of the Project leaders what will be the result of the influence of this Project on our young people through our Universities?

We will look at another One Project planner, Tim Gillespie, in our next presentation.

Please CLICK HERE for presentation #8

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7 The Emerging Church and The One Project - Part 7