WISH I HAD A DOLLAR FOR EVERY TIME I’VE HEARD SOMEONE WHINE about the lack of involvement among today’s young adult Seventh-day Adventists. “Why,” goes the old bromide, “James and Ellen White, Uriah Smith, and John Andrews were only in their late teens and early 20s when they founded the Seventh-day Adventist movement!”
True enough. But what inevitably goes unsaid is that each of these individuals actively served the church for decades, well into their 60s, 70s, and 80s. When new leaders were appointed, they, likewise, often served until they had to be carried out feetfirst.
The implication is obvious: in order to serve this church in a leadership position, you have to be old. When the 60- and 70-year-olds currently leading the church retire, they’ll be replaced by 60- and 70-year-olds waiting to take their places.
In the meantime scores of bright, talented young Adventists are running their own businesses; reaching out to their communities in bold, creative ways; and embracing new technologies in ways most church bureaucrats can’t imagine. Unless corrected by a new way of engaging young adults, the church’s message to them is: “In order to lead this church, you have to be old. Come back in 30 or 40 years and we may have something for you to do.”
I understand the progression of moving from local leader to conference officer to union conference officer to division officer, etc. But I also know that a system such as that produces compliance and conformity, not innovation, creativity, and energy.
If that’s what we want, fine. If it’s not, let’s stop bemoaning the lack of interest among the church’s young adults and create a climate in which their energy, creativity, and vision are valued. They’ll be as involved as we allow them to be. ______________
Stephen Chavez is managing editor of the Adventist Review. This article was printed January 14, 2010.
