However, I was really disappointed by some of the articles you chose to include in these two issues of your magazine. I am aware that everyone is entitled to his opinion about things but believe that where our church is concerned, that we do not do well when we allow public criticism of our leaders, our methods, etc. No doubt, many mistakes are made by our leaders, as they are human even as you and I and prone to errors. Criticizing our General Conference president does not assist him in making correct decisions. We need to uphold him even as Moses needed to have his arms upheld, and assist him in every way we can rather than tear him down.
Criticism does no one any good the criticized or the criticizer.
Note that a third of the article is a direct quotation of what Folkenberg said, and the other two thirds a report of what took place and the response of those who heard him speak. This is a news story in which Adventist Today expresses no opinion of its own. It is Folkenberg who is criticizing people. Ideally, the church is a community of people who have individually entered into a faith relationship with Jesus Christ. As a Revelation warrior out there on the front line, his hard line attitude toward hard-won followers who break ranks is understandable.