Pay attention to NYC in 2013

[abelisle]

Seems like the big push to evangelize NYC is all over the official church media organs. It's a special concern of Ted Wilson since he spent some time here in his youth leading out in an urban ministries program (forgot its name) and got his PhD from NYU.

My concern is whether this big push will attract any indigenous NYC'ers? Right now the church in NYC is nearly completely black and hispanic. Whites are a negligible portion (nearly non-existent) of the overall membership.

So, why doesn't Adventism appeal to native New Yorkers? and what specific plans, if any, are in place to correct this? (my pastor and others in administration tell me there are none)

[Overaged]

My concern is whether this big push will attract any indigenous NYC'ers? Right now the church in NYC is nearly completely black and hispanic. Whites are a negligible portion (nearly non-existent) of the overall membership.

The Gospel doesn't attract just specific races. Perhaps the already "indiginous" members need to get off their laurels and do something.

[olger]

Amen for OA, and prayers for the Evangelists!

[abelisle]

Both of you obviously don't see the issue. Adventism doesn't appeal to any indigenous white populations in any of our urban areas in the NAD. Look at the figures.

The Gospel does reach them. Look at the non-denominational churches. The "peculiar" aspects of Adventism just has no appeal for post-moderns. But it does for less educated immigrant minorities. I wonder why?

[Overaged]

Both of you obviously don't see the issue. Adventism doesn't appeal to any indigenous white populations in any of our urban areas in the NAD. Look at the figures.

The Gospel does reach them. Look at the non-denominational churches. The "peculiar" aspects of Adventism just has no appeal for post-moderns. But it does for less educated immigrant minorities. I wonder why?

I don't think it is us who "don't see the issue."

[olger]

Both of you obviously don't see the issue. Adventism doesn't appeal to any indigenous white populations in any of our urban areas in the NAD. Look at the figures.

The Gospel does reach them. Look at the non-denominational churches. The "peculiar" aspects of Adventism just has no appeal for post-moderns. But it does for less educated immigrant minorities. I wonder why?

Abe.

If we have to cajole and entreat someone to the point where they say "Well I guess I can join your church..." that isn't what is needed.

Conversion and self-denial is what is needed - according to Jesus Himself (Luke 9:23; Matt. 16:24; Mark 8:34).

Postmodernism is predicated on doubt. That makes them vulnerable to skepticism and narcissism. We live in a nation that is full of disillusionment. Meaninglessness comes into our lives not because we are weary of pain, but because we are weary of pleasure. People need Jesus.

The Gospel of Jesus is edgy and demanding - requiring surrender of self. It offers peace in an unpeaceful world and it comes at a cost. I don't see that we are overlooking white peoples at all - what specifically is your complaint here?

The emerging church is appealing to some postmoderns because it is the hard-line version of postmodernism. I don't see that as the answer either.

[Kevin H]

This trend has been noticed for a while and at least back in the 1980s what I heard from church leaders was that we had found a style of preaching that appeals to those from other countries and brings about good numbers, but that it is not as sophisticated as it used to be and that we have been going for the easy baptism instead of studying the Bible on a deep enough level to be credible to the more educated.