There is one Former Seventh-day Adventist Facebook group that I still follow, probably because it’s not as angry as the majority of these groups are. Although it has recently occurred to me that it too has the one or two critics who have found their fame in their anti-SDA cause.

Over the years I have joined about all of these groups and ended up un-joining them because of the constant over-the-top expression of hate by some members.

I don’t understand the anger, nor do I understand the obsession with spewing criticism in the direction of Adventist and the denomination. They claim to have left the Adventist world, yet they seem to pour so much energy and time into their anti-Adventist pronouncements that one wonders if they are really still tethered to Adventism, and have not actually moved on to something better.

As for me, I am grateful that the Lord led me to the SDA church because it helped build a solid commitment within me to a “Thus Saith the Lord.” The Adventist church taught me how to rightly handle the Word (2 Timothy 2:15). I don’t mind pointing out where my differences in positions may be, but I certainly don’t think it’s healthy to obsessively engage in criticism, as if I’m trying to convince myself as to why I moved on from the Adventist church.

I once worked as a temporary worker at a factory that made metal doors. My job was to take the doors as they came to the end of a conveyor belt and carry them over to a station where other workers would clean down the edges. I was happy to earn some money at that time in my life, but I hated that job. I thought it was hard, difficult to do all day, and I thought the managers of the factory could have had better procedures, but I don’t see the point in still being obsessed over it or starting a Facebook group to collect complaints against what I deemed bad procedures at the factory.

If I was still obsessed with the metal door factory, I would just be allowing it to remain in control of my mind and my time. Instead, I thank God for that opportunity and for moving toward the job of ministry where I feel fulfilled and in God’s will.

Several years ago there was a lady who led a Facebook Group for Former Seventh-day Adventist with the purpose of dealing with issues common for post-SDA life. She didn’t tolerate or allow anyone to post their negative obsessions or personal pet-peeve criticisms. If I remember right she was retiring for her job and wanted to do more with her family, so she shut down the group.

I have often considered trying to pick up where she left off and maybe provide a safe place where a former SDA can authentically process their beliefs and practices without the continuous barrage of bias criticism.

I’m still thinking about it, too.