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What is there about the appellation “Ex Adventist” or “Ex SDA” that troubles me? I can’t quite put a finger on it. Perhaps it is the “Ex” part. Perhaps it is just a bit too close to I am and Adventist.” Perhaps there is still a bit of an identification with the denomination. There is just something uncomfortable in the expression to me.

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It’s kind of like being an “ex” anything; ex addict, ex-spouse, ex hippy, ex-soldier. It’s like being known for my shadow, not for the body and person casting the shadow. It’s a negative, not a positive.

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Yesterday, speaking to an online friend, giving a bit of my history, I used the expression. He knew what I meant, but it said nothing about what I now am. My whole present life in Christ, so much larger and grander and blessed was blotted out by that “ex.”

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It would be better, probably, to say something like, “I used to be but now I am.” Or, “I left the denomination for something so much better. “There is always a past for us humans. We cannot escape it. I can honestly say that I do not regret my sixty years in the SDA denomination. Nothing and nobody offended me. The denomination treated me well in employment. I would just like to find some way of saying what is past in a more positive way.

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I’d like to know what you think. Is this a problem for you? How do you deal with your “ex Adventism?”

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Blessings,

Winslow

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Hello Gwendolyn,

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As you can probably see, I’ve not done much with this group. You’re the very first member. Thanks for joining.

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I’m an x SDA for about 17 years now last month. It has been the most freeing time of my life, spiritually speaking. The doctrine of the investigative judgment was what took me out, eventually EGW, the Sabbath and other doctrines as well. I’ve never been mistreated by Adventists before or after I left the denomination, so have no grudges against individuals or congregations.

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Love to hear your story.

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Winslow “win”

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