Enough is enough! That was my first reaction to the news of the historic case against the Trans-European Division (TED), and the recommendation of a British Employment Tribunal that the TED pay a landmark settlement of seventy-seven thousand pounds sterling to one of its former employees. Seventy-seven thousand British pounds is a lot of money. But this case goes beyond money.

This case impacts negatively on the name of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Britain and around the world. The Church has been dealt a very low blow. It is not a question of where the TED will find the money to make this settlement. It will have to find the money somewhere. The big issue in my mind is how much longer it will take the leaders of the Church in Britain and elsewhere to learn that we must treat all people fairly and equitably.

Why do I say enough is enough? Because I expected the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the British Isles to have learned some lessons about human relations from the experiences of the past forty years. According to the Adventist News Network of May 14, 2002, the employment tribunal dismissed complaints of breach of contract and direct sex and race discrimination, but the tribunal upheld complaints of unfair dismissal and victimization.

Britain has long been accused of systemic racism. One would be naïve and even foolish to suggest that the SDA Church is immune. However, what the employment tribunal has done is to stir up some of the deep-seated, hurtful feelings from the would-be-forgotten British past. Lack of understanding about, or the unwillingness to deal with cultural issues, have created more problems than the Church cares to remember.

In 1974, when the president of the British Union, Edwin H. Foster, recognized that the demise of the indigenous membership of the SDA Church was giving cause for concern, he appealed to the General Conference, through the Northern-Europe West Africa Division for funds to help evangelize white Britons.

The General Conference president, Robert H. Pierson, said that the problem was one of "human rights and Christian ethics and money cannot fully meet the needs in such a situation." Pierson called for representation—not colonialism or paternalism. He counselled the brethren not to try to outgrow the immigrants in an evangelistic race because it would be "doomed to failure." He went on with other counsel: "I also have questions about ’soft-pedaling’ soul-winning among the immigrants. They also have souls to save."

The challenge of representation came to a head between 1976 and 1978, when several members and even some entire churches hijacked their tithes. The South England Conference in particular felt the brunt from paucity of funds. Pierson had to act to help the Church out of the dilemma.

On March 8, 1978, the General Conference, the Northern-Europe West Africa Division, and the conferences in Britain drew up the histoiric and somewhat infamous "Pierson Package." At that time South England Conference did not have even a black typist in its office. The Pierson Package called for greater representation throughout the British Union, beginning with the next conference sessions, which would occur that same year.

Several black pastors were imported from the West Indies and the United States. The influence of black pastors in predominantly black churches and the selection of the of the first black executive secretary in the South England Conference ushered in a euphoric epoch in the history of the SDA Church in Britain. Representation had begun, but understanding of the British situation was far from a reality. What happened was that the membership and the leadership were lulled into a negligent stupor, and what should have been the beginning of a peaceful revolution turned into passive resignation.

What the recent tribunal findings has done is to remind the leadership in Britain that they, like Rip van Winkle, went to sleep during a revolution when they should have been awake at their posts. The tribunal’s decision also shows that the leadership needs to stay abreast of the times.

In an age of rampant racism and sexism the Church should set the example in equity, fairness, and justice. Apathy comes to people who believe that time will change everything. People who believe that a few leaders in positions of authority constitute representation are blinded by tokenism. This disturbing case has the potential to set the Church in Britain back thirty years. Therefore, the General Conference needs to step in to rectify the situation.

There are several things that the SDA Church in Britain and the General Conference must do. Indeed, this case is a painful experience. But it did not have to reach the tribunal. Church members in Britain and elsewhere are hurting. Mistakes have definitely been made.

My question is, Who made the mistakes? Did the former employee make a mistake by taking her employers to the tribunal? It does not seem so from the outcome of the case. Did the TED make mistakes in the way it treated its employee? It seems so from the verdict of the tribunal. How will the General Conference respond? As one who has lived and worked in the British Union I would like to make a few suggestions.

The lessons that must be learned are many. They must include lessons of tolerance, fairness, justice, and true and genuine sisterly and brotherly love. The Church must embrace diversity. In order to do this, church leaders must make a conscious effort to be educated in issues relating to diversity and multiculturalism.

Leadership in the twenty-first century must be able to deal adequately with inter-cultural and intra-cultural relations. I believe that the leadership of the Church in Britain needs to have a better understanding of the pluralistic society in which it tries to do ministry.

Too many people assume they are culturally aware when they really aren’t. The General Conference may need to remove some leaders to help rectify the situation before leaders and members become overwhelmed by the flack they receive from this recent case. Years ago the Church failed to be proactive and what was sown in the wind is being reaped in the whirlwind. However, these lessons will always be elusive until members and leaders of the Church alike not only preach the fatherhood of God, but also practice the sisterhood of women and the brotherhood of men.

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