We must transform the spirit of Seventh-day Adventist churches, making them places where people “feel warm and wanted, safe, secure, accepted and free,” said Jan Paulsen, president of the Adventist world church, who gave the baccalaureate address at Southwestern Adventist University, May 5.

“Our churches are not to be an exclusive club for those who are good enough, or worthy,” Paulsen told more than 2,000 students, faculty, and guests. Sinners “are meant to be received warmly into our churches, for that is their rightful home,” he said.

“What kind of spiritual climate are we creating in our churches?” asked Paulsen. “If your church is not the most appealing and attractive spiritual fellowship in your community, what are you going to do to change that?”

Paulsen was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree during Southwestern’s commencement ceremony, May 6.

“Southwestern chooses honorary degree recipients who have distinguished themselves in leadership and who have made substantive contributions to the church or in the broader community,” says Jenell Eli Rusk, Southwestern’s marketing and advancement vice president. “We’re proud to award this degree to Pastor Paulsen.”  Past Southwestern recipients include surgeon Ben Carson, writer and speaker Tony Campolo, and newspaper columnist Ann Landers.