It has been a blessing to serve as director of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) for the Lake Union Conference over the past three years, continuing the impactful work of Nicholas Miller. Our church has a long and meaningful history of defending religious liberty, an effort deeply rooted in our eschatological understanding of the Great Controversy.
We believe that the freedom to worship is not merely a civic right but a spiritual imperative. Scripture reveals a cosmic conflict between God, who grants freedom of choice, and Satan, who seeks to compel worship. As Seventh-day Adventists, we anticipate a time when individuals will be forced to worship against their conscience. This conviction drives our commitment to protect religious freedom for all people, including those with no religious affiliation.
Central to our advocacy is the principle of church-state separation. We view this separation as essential for religious expression to thrive. Accordingly, we support the rights of both Adventists and non-Adventists to worship freely, without coercion or interference from government authorities. Each year, our Liberty Campaign reminds members of the importance of this mission.
Unfortunately, many within our Union continue to face discrimination for their beliefs. They are often forced to choose between their jobs and their convictions. Over the past quinquennium, the PARL department has assisted dozens of members with Sabbath accommodations, exam scheduling, prisoner religious liberty rights, issues with labor unions, and other challenges.
Beyond legal advocacy, PARL also works to share the identity, message and mission of the Adventist Church. We’ve built relationships with local officials and monitored legislation and court cases that could affect religious liberty. Our outreach has included events such as the Union-wide “Adventist Pioneers and Civic Engagement” gathering in Battle Creek, our webinar on political engagement, and presentations at camp meetings and local churches. We’ve also reestablished the Lake Union Adventist Attorney Fellowship to strengthen our legal network.
Recent years have brought significant developments in religious liberty. The reinterpretation of the Johnson Amendment raised questions about political endorsements from the pulpit. Policy shifts have challenged the First Amendment’s free exercise clause, with concerns about government intrusion into houses of worship. Courts have redefined the boundaries of the establishment clause, while some legislatures have attempted to infuse Christian nationalism into public spaces. These trends underscore the urgency of PARL’s work.
Our efforts are not only civic but prophetic. Ellen White warned that the United States, founded on principles of civil and religious liberty, will one day abandon both. She wrote, “The lamblike horns and dragon voice of the symbol point to a striking contradiction between the professions and the practice of the nation thus represented … By such action it will give the lie to those liberal and peaceful principles which it has put forth as the foundation of its policy” (The Great Controversy, page 442). She further stated, “In order for the United States to form an image of the beast, the religious power must so control the civil government that the authority of the state will also be employed by the church to accomplish her own ends” (The Great Controversy, page 443). We know that this country will one day infringe on both the civil and religious liberties it has championed since its founding 250 years ago and the time is coming when the religious freedoms we have experienced will no longer exist.
So, as we enter a new quinquennium, our mission remains clear: to proclaim the good news that our God is a God of liberty, and in Him there is no coercion of conscience. Let us continue to stand as advocates for religious freedom, not just for ourselves, but for all.
Jennifer Woods is the Lake Union Conference Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Director, as well as its legal counsel.
Cyndi Baskin – administrative assistant