text: Thank-you for your thoughtful article.  There is indeed a reluctance to experiment.  In addition to the factors you mention, I believe it also relates to how money is distributed in the church.  If local congregations retained more resources, they would be less dependent on centralized power structures and central decision-making, and more willing to conduct pilot programs/experiments.  (And that may be why those power structures continue to encourage the current financial system).
  
  One small criticism:  You said, "But it should be noted that our beliefs do not constitute a creed, although at times it may feel like it. In the spirit of our early founders we continue to resist the idea of spelling out in detail exactly what someone must believe to be an Adventist."  That is no longer true!  The current Church Manual section on baptism includes a vow to accept the fundamental beliefs of the church, and the covenant specifically mentions the 28 FBs.