You wouldn't know it by walking into meetings of the Adventist world church's business meetings, but at least 60 percent of the church is comprised of young people. Here at these delegations, you have to look very hard to find them.
You wouldn’t know it by walking into meetings of the Adventist world church’s business meetings, but at least 60 percent of the church is comprised of young people. Here at these delegations, you have to look very hard to find them. This is a major concern underlining the meetings; comments from not only delegates on the floor and platform members, but from members of other denominations who have visited the Adventists, show that the church is concerned and is working to see more involvement among the younger crowd.
This concern prompted a meeting between newly re-elected world church president, Dr. Jan Paulsen, and some of the delegates under age 30 at the Session. This makes the fourth in the “Let’s Talk” series; a fifth will be held in September in the South Pacific.
With less than 2 percent of delegates 30 years of age and under here, Paulsen wants to see many more involved in the life of the church, and represented during the quinquennial meetings, which deliberates church policy and procedure and nominates church leadership.
“Get involved” and go back to your local churches and tell them to get involved, he said to the 12 delegates seated on bean bags in the Hope Channel’s exhibit area in the exhibit hall. “There is no future without young people. Stay here…”
This is not a superficial discussion, he said to the delegates representing Ireland, Mexico, Latvia, Australia, Bulgaria, Romania, Tanzania, the United States, and others.
After long days of meetings and delegations, Paulsen told them that being “here with you is like walking into an oasis.”
One delegate asked why many young people are leaving the church worldwide, and what can be done about it. The high numbers of those leaving are not because they no longer believe in the message of the church, Paulsen responded. It’s usually because of personal or social reasons. “The local congregation needs to be a loving community,” he said, and, walking into a church needs to be the “answer to a family.”
He added, “I’ll make a statement I’ve made before—if you don’t find the church interesting, make it interesting… There are too many spectators. Come in, help us shape and create the life [of the church.]”
“How far are you ready to go” in supporting us?” another asked.
“Trust is very important,” Paulsen responded. “We need to trust those who are younger… The church is a family.”
Does the church see the value of young people being involved at local church levels? What steps can be taken? Paulsen responded to this question by saying, “You have to begin at the local level. Learn to carry responsibility and learn from mistakes… Young people need to be involved significantly.”
What would Paulsen say to local church leadership? “Don’t overlook them—let’s bring them in.” The world church regions have been encouraged, he said, to send young delegates to Session, and it is his hope that more young people will be involved at future Sessions.
“How old were Jesus and His disciples?” Paulsen asked. “That’s a question for my colleagues and leadership.”
To a Latvian delegate who asked if it’s necessary to change the approach to reaching people in cities, Paulsen said, “The approach is not sacred—truth is.” One must consider the situation of those they’re trying to reach, he said, and “the Holy Spirit will help.”
How are the church’s educational institutions to be kept in line with the church’s beliefs? was the concern of another delegate. Schools are “critically important,” he said. “How can we ensure the institutions get it right?” One way, he said, was to “Appeal to them, remind each other, appeal to loyalty,” Paulsen responded.
It seems there’s a lot of “rubber-stamping,” one young person said. “Chairpersons rush through the business sessions and it feels like we’re just kind of there. How do the checks and balances work between the nominating committee and the delegates?
Delegates come to Session feeling “we’re doing God’s will,” Paulsen responded. “The Lord has a plan. We listen to each other, sit and counsel with each other… he said. “There is a challenge at Session because many things are talked about and we want to give fairness” but there is also “frustration in the larger [arena] that there’s not progress.” Paulsen pointed out the need to both hear delegates’ opinions, while getting business done in a timely manner.
On a question regarding relationship between one’s faith and changes in society, Paulsen noted that, “Each one are children of [their respective] cultures.” The culture one belongs to will affect one’s dress, music tastes, worship styles, he said. “These elements are culturally-driven and don’t come from Adventism.” But, he said, “First and foremost, Adventists are children of God. It’s Seventh-day Adventist DNA.”
Krasimir, from Bulgaria, says this is his first time attending a Session. “Communicating with leaders is always useful. Young people are full of energy - they are the engine of the church. It’s very important to cooperate with leaders so the mission of the church is more successful,” he said after the Let’s Talk conversation.
“This is a good idea. It should happen more often, perhaps once a month,” Cosmin, from Romania, said after the talk. He suggested having a “Let’s Talk” not only with the world church president, but with other church leaders in high positions as well.
Let’s Talk will air July 8 at 6:00 p.m. Central Time on Hope Channel.
