SIBULAN, Negros Oriental — Church leaders convened Tuesday at the headquarters of the Negros Oriental-Siquijor Mission (NSM) in Sibulan for a historic seminar aimed at preserving orthodox Seventh-day Adventist doctrines amid growing concerns over theological drift among local congregations.
The “Affirming Adventist Identity” seminar, held June 23, brought together 41 participants, including district pastors, office workers, head teachers, and associate publishing ministry leaders. Leaders reported that the event was the first of its kind in the history of the East Central Philippine Union Conference (ECPUC).
The initiative was prompted by an increasing number of church members being influenced by external teachings and resources, leading some to leave the denomination and others to stray from core doctrines. The goal was to equip pastors and church leaders with a clear understanding of Adventist doctrines and identity, so that they can guide members into the truth.
Pastor Felixian Felicitas, field secretary for the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD), and Pastor Ildefonso Baquilabat, field secretary for the ECPUC, led the lectures. The presentations focused on raising awareness of contemporary challenges and distortions to the Adventist identity while clarifying and affirming traditional church teachings.
During the event, Baquilabat presented an SSD survey on Adventist beliefs, highlighting a growing diversity of theological opinions among church members. Speakers addressed specific non-traditional views emerging within congregations, including belief in the immortality of the soul, predestination, salvation by works, and Last Generation Theology—the concept of achieving a sinless state before Christ’s return. Lectures also countered the view that the Holy Spirit is not a divine person.
“The seminar about Adventist identity is new to all,” said Pastor Jimmy Guma, stewardship director for the NSM. “It is very helpful, much more so when the materials are shared. Truly, personally, I am blest. The presentations are all wholesome. We need more Adventist identity [seminars] soon.”
The program format allowed for reactions and question-and-answer sessions following the lectures. They raised concerns and issues, which prompted discussions and clarifications among them.
At the culmination, attendees expressed commitment to sharing the information with their respective local churches to help members maintain a standard, biblically grounded understanding of denominational history and doctrine.
“We are happy with the topics that we have heard,” said Jonathan Nombre, a district leader. “It will give a big help to our ministry.”
Julius Pajulas, another NSM district leader, emphasized the value of looking back at the denomination’s roots.
“Knowing more of our history, especially of our church, is quite heartwarming,” Pajulas said. “Our history and our identity—perhaps it is one of the priorities that a minister should illumine to the minds and understanding of our people.”
Leaders stated that due to time constraints, several theological issues could not be discussed in depth. Participants expressed a need for future seminars to provide continued biblical and educational insights, though leadership has not yet announced dates for subsequent events.
Lyn Lucero | ECPUC Communications