Seeking to keep the world church leadership in touch with its constituency, Dr. Jan Paulsen, president of the Seventh-day Adventist world church, will hold a question-and-answer session with young people age 16 to 21. This live broadcast from Simi Valley, California, to be held Aug. 21, will allow them to voice their concerns regarding church issues.

“Let us bring the youth in from the grandstands and give them a say in their church. This will be an opportunity to talk on their issues,” Paulsen says. Emphasizing that the Adventist Church is the young peoples’ church, Paulsen says that it’s time to get them more involved. “There is a need for all to have tolerance and understanding of young adults.”

Paulsen will begin the one-hour session by giving several message points. He comments that young people see things as relational, not behavioral, and that leadership needs to listen and talk to young people—not just “wave” at them. “The young people are there—don’t criticize them—let them get involved in their church,” he says. 

The program, to be produced at the Adventist Media Center in southern California, will be broadcast live to the Americas on Adventist Television Network, Adventist Communication Network, and ADSAT, and relayed to the remaining continents as the world rotates.

A variety of young people representing various cultures and ethnicities will be selected for participation in the broadcast. Paulsen will address the young people with the assistance of moderator John Torres from the church public relations office.

A Web site will soon be available where young people worldwide can submit questions for the president.