Master Guides

"You Are the Church," Pastor Paulsen Tells Young People New York, New York, United States

GNYC & NEC Young Adult Participants & Leaders Together (Photo: Rohann Wellington)

With questions running the gamut from music to marriage--and yes, even
the New York Mets--world Seventh-day Adventist Church president Pastor
Jan Paulsen chatted with a group of Adventist young professionals and
students in New York City on March 29. The conversation marked the 15th
installment in Pastor Paulsen's Let's Talk series, featuring live,
unscripted and unedited dialogue.
If Let's Talk NYC hinged on one theme, it was that young people should
have as much a say in the church as those chairing committees and on
church boards. "Have you got to be elected as an officer or be
president somewhere [to make a difference]? You are the church every
bit as much as I am," Pastor Paulsen told participants.
While the young people gathered welcomed his optimism and message of
empowerment, many said limited resources and less than supportive
attitudes from some older members of their congregations still make
church involvement difficult.
Paulsen acknowledged the participants' concerns and commended those who
take initiative even when they feel their local congregations do not
appreciate or fully support them. He said the church needed to make
strides toward better "loving and engaging" young people. "There is no
reason why anyone has to have passed the age of 45 or 50" before they
can fully participate in the church.

Let's Talk Participants, Production Crew, & Leaders, after the Live Broadcast (Photo: Rohann Wellington)

One participant asked if Pastor Paulsen felt there was a place in the church for unconventional talents, such as rap or choreography. "Let
your extraordinary spiritual gifts and the wealth of your energies,
ideas and creative talents flow into the life of the church," he
answered.
"Some people feel uneasy about things which are new and different. Be
patient with them. Help them to know you as a person whose heart is
absolutely committed to the church. The worst thing you can do is not
be engaged. Let your gifts positively impact the church," Paulsen
advised.
As it often does during Let's Talk, the question about women's
ordination emerged early on. "We are hoping to address this issue as a
global community, not just as cultural units," Paulsen said. "I respect
the world church's decision [on women's ordination], even though I
recognize that God has endowed women with a calling to ministerial
functions just as he has endowed men."
"I know of no Biblical reason why women can't be recognized in ministry
as fully as men [are]. Women offer strong, creative participation to
the life of local congregations. A church that denies their
participation is a church that is robbing itself of the gifts that God
has endowed the community with," he continued.
When one participant asked about the church's stance on homosexuality,
Pastor Paulsen said he found such a lifestyle incongruent with
Adventist values. "[That] is the only position I can take with a Bible
in my hand." However, he was quick to qualify his view of the lifestyle
by urging the church to reach out to homosexuals. "I'm failing Christ
if I can't ... tell them of Christ's love and care and commitment to
them."

Active Conversation took place after the program, as well as during the program (Photo: Rohann Wellington)

The Adventist world church president added that the church doesn't
"grade sins" and that everyone falls short to varying degrees. "Sin is
fundamentally to drift away from Christ ... We meet people on their
life's journey at different stages, people who make mistakes and
stumble ... Christ cares for all people no matter what stage they're
at."
Paulsen then urged the church to "be an expression of the saving
compassion of Christ in the community."
Several Let's Talk NYC questions revolved around local and world church
structure. One participant questioned the role of Black-administered
regional conferences, an issue that particularly impacts Adventists in
New York's Atlantic Union area where several conferences overlap. The
participant suggested that race had played a part in their
establishment, and that separate conferences were no longer needed.
"Our church is very diverse," said Paulsen. "Historically, there have
been very good reasons why these conferences were established and they
have served a positive function. They have a deep passion for the life
of the church. There is no sense of competition, alienation or
hostility between them."

Tito Diaz, Joseph Thomas, and Alex Espana exchange opinions before the program (Photo: Rohann Wellington)

Another young person suggested the world church's leadership structure
could use a good shuffling to free up funds to improve Adventist
education, strengthen grassroots mission and focus on other priorities.
Paulsen agreed that in some areas, church administration is too
top-heavy. However, he said less than ideal structure never excuses a
lack of personal involvement in the church.
"Church ministries depend almost entirely on what you're prepared to
do," he explained. "It isn't money that can buy your engagement and
effectiveness. Are you prepared to give of your time and energy to make
a difference? Ministry depends on your gifts, talents, availability and
ultimately your own willingness."