Sir James is Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda, located in the Caribbean. As head of state he represents the interests of all in his country, while at the same time very visibly keeping to his Adventist faith.
Sir James is Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda, located in the Caribbean. As head of state he represents the interests of all in his country, while at the same time very visibly keeping to his Adventist faith. Case in point: he does not carry out state duties on Sabbath, nor does he serve alcohol at state functions.
A special guest to the General Conference Session together with his wife Lady Emma, son Mark, and daughter Faith, Sir James kindly agreed to be interviewed and share his thoughts on the “state of the church.”
Jonathan Gallagher: Sir James, thank you for sharing with us. Is this your first General Conference Session?
Yes, this is my first time attending GC Session. I had wanted to attend previous sessions but was prevented by other obligations. Like most Adventists, I had read about these things in the [Adventist] Review, and now I’m delighted to be able to actually see the church in operation and get a better perspective—to see what it is really like. Coming from a small church in a small country it is helpful to see the bigger picture.
Gallagher: What do you see as the agenda for the Adventist Church?
We need to show a face of unity to the world, that even though we are very diverse, we are a united church. This is not an easy objective to accomplish, coming from all four corners of the earth. We have to stress the need to maintain our unity in order to fulfill our mission. Just before he went to Calvary, Jesus prayed that, “they may be one.” He was obviously aware of the diversity, which exists today.
Gallagher: How do you see the main priorities for the church? What should we be doing?
I firmly believe we need to do more social things. For example, our health presentations are okay, but we often leave out other aspects—for example, I have never seen anything on hygiene. This is very important aspect of health, and we need to emphasize it more, especially as we think about infectious diseases—a very practical point.
Another social aspect is that groups like the Roman Catholics and Salvation Army run assistance programs for children and the elderly. For Adventists, this is not our current thinking, not something we care for. I am not thinking mainly about institutions but about domestic situations, in our own homes. Drug addicts, alcoholics, those with troubled behavior and the mentally ill are often unable to look after their children. This is an area of ministry that needs our attention.
We tell people not to drink, but drinking continues—so what do we do about it? We need to zero in on how to reach alcoholics and drug addicts. They cannot cope with life, and so turn to these things. We need to help them, so that they can have clear minds and better lives. Other Christians run better social programs. When do you see people in wheelchairs and the physically handicapped in the Adventist Church? Do we think they are not important?
I believe we need to use our resources for other things than we have in the past. Read Deuteronomy 14 and see what it says. Even about the use of tithe! For example, in Antigua, a small country with some 10,000 Adventists in a population of 89,000, we have a lot of members complaining that $3 million is contributed in tithe and that there is little to show for it. Construction began on an old people’s home in my country but for the past five or six years work has been at a standstill because of a lack of funding. In my view when people grow old, unable to look after themselves, the church has a responsibility to help. In state-run homes there are problems about diet—like eating pork—and about what is done on Sabbath. In those places it must be like “living in hell” for Adventists. We should be ashamed to let our people end up like this.
Gallagher: Do you see the Adventist Church as becoming complacent?
Yes, in developed countries. In these countries growth is minimal. It’s important that something is done to keep up the momentum—or we will end up sleeping!
In Antigua and Barbuda, because we have stressed education so much, we have a very educated membership. As a result, it should be easier to accomplish things, but in fact it is more difficult to organize! Somehow we need to help people realize the larger picture is more important than their own personal agendas. We should pray more for the Holy Spirit.
Gallagher: You’d expect me to ask about religious freedom. So what are your thoughts on this vital issue for Seventh-day Adventists?
I am totally committed to religious liberty. In Antigua, religious freedom is appreciated and Adventists are well-known for their support. There are a few issues—for example, some objected to my appointment since I am an Adventist. I keep Sabbath and serve no alcohol at state functions.
We also have some Sabbath employment issues. Under the constitution of our country no one should lose their jobs. But we have instances where some of our members are laid off because they refuse to work on Sabbath. Can the church do anything to help?
My advice to those seeking jobs is not to hide the fact they are a Seventh-day Adventist. Be upfront about it. I tell young people that they should tell potential employers that if they want a good worker who is honest, punctual, and who will work hard then they should hire them. Convince the employer that they are the best—even offer to work for a week for nothing to prove it!
When I returned to the Adventist Church I faced the issue of Sabbath work. As a dentist one of my best days for business was Sabbath. I prayed to God, and asked him to become a partner with me. After I made my decision not to work on Sabbath, I earned more in five days than I did in six. My waiting room was never empty!
When I gave up working on the Sabbath, I would still do emergencies and help people in pain on the Sabbath. I never charged them. Human nature being what it is, word soon got around! So I started charging and gave the money to the old people’s home.
The social aspect is so very important as society gets worse. We need to defend religious liberty to the hilt, and give no quarter. We need to promote and defend these vital issues.
Gallagher: Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us. Any last words?
For our church the most important issue is how to mobilize and light a fire under those who have become lethargic. We must be an active, practical church!
Editors note: Jonathan Gallagher is associate director of the department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty for the world church.