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Andrews University Seventh-Day Adventist Theological Seminary

This document is Michelle Gilzine-McFarlane's reading report for chapters 8-11 of Gilbert Valentine's book "The Prophet and the Presidents" for the course CHMN 543 at Andrews University Seminary. It discusses Ellen G. White's influence on the leadership of the Seventh-day Adventist Church during a period of conflict and crisis in the early 20th century. Specifically, it examines White's guidance of church president Daniells during the Kellogg crisis and her role in selecting and advising leaders, resolving confusing situations, and driving organizational change through her writings.

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Michelle Gilzine-McFarlane
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62 views4 pages

Andrews University Seventh-Day Adventist Theological Seminary

This document is Michelle Gilzine-McFarlane's reading report for chapters 8-11 of Gilbert Valentine's book "The Prophet and the Presidents" for the course CHMN 543 at Andrews University Seminary. It discusses Ellen G. White's influence on the leadership of the Seventh-day Adventist Church during a period of conflict and crisis in the early 20th century. Specifically, it examines White's guidance of church president Daniells during the Kellogg crisis and her role in selecting and advising leaders, resolving confusing situations, and driving organizational change through her writings.

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Michelle Gilzine-McFarlane
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Andrews University

Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary

In partial fulfillment of the course

CHMN 543
CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP IN A CHANGING WORLD

Valentine’s Reading Report Chapters 8-11

Lecturer: Dr. David Penno, PhD

By

Michelle Gilzine-McFarlane

November 13, 2019


Having one foot in the past while having a foot in the future, I am still perplexed by

the question asked by Valentine in his book, the prophet and presidents. The question is if

leadership is failure or simply the process of democracy? In my mind’s eye, recalling all the

stories and teaching of Ellen G White’s influence she exerted in the organizational

development of the church, we are still to this day being plagued by the leadership biases.

Hence, how do we overcome these looming treats in our infrastructures?

Then lens that Valentine helped us see through made it clear that in 1901 when

Daniel was elected in office he demonstrated a clear view of the specific organizational

reforms that needed to be implemented for the mandate which led to reformation. During

his leadership there were a few crisis that immerged in the churches and this did not only

affected his post but also the influence that Ellen G White had. Having to deal with the

Kellogg’s conflict, Ellen herself spent sleepless nights in communication with God seeking

the answer of how to deal with the dilemmas and provide wisdom in guiding Daniel’s

leadership choices.

Surviving the struggles of the first year, Danielle was now able to come to better

understanding as he expressed in his letter, noting that he now realised the root cause of the

conflict. Upon reflection he had resolved to have done better and respond professionally to

the details of the past conflicts as this would help him exert better quality for his upcoming

regime. With the brewing conflict it was his intention for the church to continue making

progress and uniformity bearing in mind the Kellogg crisis that had an adverse effect on the

denomination. He was confident that God placed a spiritual gift within him that would help

make this possible through his leadership and the guidance of Ellen G White to the need of

the church.
At the start of the post crisis years Ellen G White was deeply involved in the growth

of this era. She was instrumental in selecting leaders, enhancing their effectiveness and

under the leading of the Holy Spirit even removing persons from leadership position. She

was an agent of change. Perusing the depth of the various situations that occurred, we see

where Ellen G White’s presence was effective in resolving confusing and mind stirring

situations. Moreover, looking at her writings when properly interpreted and used in the right

the right context we see where much of her materials takes on the noticeable sombre and is

characterized by a provocative intensity that express the true meaning of biblical

inspirations.
Reference

Valentine, Gilbert M. 2011. The Prophet and the Presidents: Ellen G. White and the
Processes of Change, 1887-1913: a Study of Ellen Whites Influence on the
Administrative Leadership of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Oshawa, Ont.,
Canada: Pacific Press Pub. Association.

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