The global Seventh-day Adventist Church cannot fulfill its mission without interacting with society, Pastor Michael L. Ryan, a vice president of the Adventist world church, told attendees at the church’s quinquennial business meetings in St. Louis, Missouri. Citing Bible passages and the writings of one of the church’s founders—Ellen White—Ryan said the church should emulate Jesus’ example of “mingling” with members of the community. 

Saying, “It’s time as a church that we honestly talk to each other,” Ryan led a discussion that asked delegates at the church’s meetings for solutions in making the church more interactive in the community. Today’s discussion, “The Church and Society,” is the second in a series of conversations aimed at finding solutions to what the church calls “challenges to mission.” These discussions were instituted specifically to help the church plan new approaches to society, apostasy, secularism and cities.

With more than 1 billion people around the world living in abject poverty, millions dying of hunger, 3 percent of the world taking to illicit drugs, and the AIDS epidemic, he pointed out that the problems of the world should be a cause of concern for the church. But, he said, only a fifth of the church is actively involved in community service.

“If tomorrow the doors of the church closed in Israel, people in the community there would not miss it,” said delegate and Pastor Richard Elofer, who works in Israel. He challenged the church to realize that with 24-hour-news and the Internet, the world is a small community.

While the church has a wide community of outreach organizations, such as the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, and hospitals, clinics and volunteer service centers, Ryan said only a fifth of church membership is involved in social justice. 

“The official mission of the Seventh-day Adventists calls for a compassionate ministry for the poor, but there is such a focus on evangelism that there is a neglected theology of ministry to people’s physical and human needs,” said Kenneth Flemmer, who works for the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, following the discussions.

“For the last 35 years I have traveled the world holding evangelism meetings,” Mark Finley, evangelist and a vice president of the church, said. “The single fact that stands out everywhere I’ve been is that where the church is actively involved in the community, God does something special.”

Flavia Rwabuhoro Kabaherda said the fact that the church was holding meetings on a public holiday—July 4, America’s day of independence—was a sign that the church is not ready to integrate with the general public. “As Adventists we cannot address the world’s concerns if we are not ready to integrate with others,” she added.

Delores Richardson from North America suggested that the church try to partner with other service organizations already doing good work in the community.

Others suggested that church members practice friendship evangelism, reach out to the scientific community, and appoint someone to the world church’s office’s whose sole responsibility will be for community service.

“Our purpose here is more than just a mental relationship with God, but it has to result in a Christ-like compassion,” Flemmer said.

Ryan said he hopes there will be further discussions and action on this issue.