SDA Church is fastest-growing denomination in N.America

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Quote:

Adventists' back-to-basics faith is fastest growing U.S. church

G. Jeffrey MacDonald, Religion News Service

Rest on the Sabbath. Heed Old Testament dietary codes. And be ready for Jesus to return at any moment.

By Josh Anderson, AP

The fast-growing Seventh-day Adventist religion teaches no pre-marital sex. In this January 2010 photo Huston Fletcher, 17, center, dances with Phyllisia Reed, 17, left, and Jasmine Ward, 17, right, during a Purity Ball at a church in Nashville, Tenn. [couldn't upload the picture]

If these practices sound quaint or antiquated, think again. They're hallmarks of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the fastest-growing Christian denomination in North America.

Newly released data show Seventh-day Adventism growing by 2.5% in North America, a rapid clip for this part of the world, where Southern Baptists and mainline denominations, as well as other church groups are declining.

Adventists are even growing 75% faster than Mormons (1.4 percent), who prioritize numeric growth.

For observers outside the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the growth rate in North America is perplexing.

"You've got a denomination that is basically going back to basics ... saying, 'What did God mean by all these rules and regulations and how can we fit in to be what God wants us to be?'," said Daniel Shaw, an expert on Christian missionary outreach at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif. "That's just totally contrary to anything that's happening in American culture. So I'm saying, 'Whoa! That's very interesting.' And I can't answer it."

Seventh-day Adventists are asking a different question: Why isn't the church growing much faster on these shores, which is home to just 1.1 million of the world's 16 million Adventists? Despite its North American roots, the church is growing more than twice as fast overseas.

"We don't feel that we're growing very much, and that is a source of concern, especially for North America," said Ron Clouzet, director of the North American Division Evangelism Institute at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Mich. Hispanic Adventists are "the one group that is growing very well," he added. "If we didn't have that group, we would look even more dismal."

With Saturday worship services and vegetarian lifestyles, Seventh-day Adventism owns a distinctive niche outside the Christian mainstream. But being different is turning out to be more of an asset than a liability.

Since the mid-19th century when the movement sprang up in New Hampshire, Seventh-day Adventism has had an urgent mission to bring the gospel — with a distinctive emphasis on Christ's imminent second coming — to the ends of the earth. Adventists find the essence of their mission in Revelation 14:12, where the end of the age "calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus."

The church's traditional, global focus is now bearing fruit in new ways. Newly arrived immigrants in the United States often come from parts of Latin America or Africa where Seventh-day Adventism has long-established churches, schools and hospitals.

Those who migrate from Brazil to Massachusetts, or from Mexico to Texas, are apt to find familiarity in a local Adventist church led by a pastor who knows their culture and speaks their native language, said Edwin Hernandez, a research fellow at the Center for the Study of Latino Religion at the University of Notre Dame.

Immigrants aren't the only ones embracing Seventh-day Adventism. Many in the general public have noticed Adventists tend to be superstars of good health and longevity; research shows they tend to live 10 years longer than the average American. With strong track records for success in health and education, Adventists find they get a hearing among skeptics who share those priorities.

Publicized research on Adventists' health "has helped bring some objective evaluation of Adventism... particularly all up and down the West Coast," said G. Alexander Bryant, executive secretary for the denomination's North American division. "So we talk to people about our lifestyle."

Some newcomers to Adventism also appreciate the church's clarity about what's expected of Christ's followers. Diana Syth of Kent, Wash. attended many types of Protestant churches for years. But she said she "never got the information I needed to know about what it meant to be a Christian" until she and her husband learned of Seventh-day Adventism from a sibling six years ago.

"My (adult) son has seen a change in us," Syth said. "He sees a new calmness in us. There's hope where there wasn't hope before."

Adventists are also reaping the rewards of their extra efforts in evangelism. Responding to a national initiative, more than 80% of the 6,000 Adventist churches in North America staged weeks-long outreach events in hotels and other settings in 2009.

Bryant said in an ordinary year, one-third to one-half of Adventist congregations put on such events, and North American church growth rates would hover around 1.7% — still high enough to top the rates of other large denominations in North America.

Creativity seems to be paying dividends, too. The church has seen some of its strongest gains come in non-religious regions such as the Pacific Northwest. In Washington, for instance, the denomination has established "Christian cafes," where people can relax and ask questions without feeling the pressures of church.

"You're not necessarily inviting them to church," Bryant said. "You're just sitting around, talking with people, building relationships — and slowly talking to them about Christ."

source

Has anyone heard of a "Purity Ball" given at Adventist churches? I haven't. Maybe it's a southeastern thing...

[cricket]

And what about that picture! Hardly an "antiquated picture of purity".

(Nope...never heard of a purity ball being held in a Seventh-day Adventist church.)

[Dr. Shane]

And what about that picture! Hardly an "antiquated picture of purity".

(Nope...never heard of a purity ball being held in a Seventh-day Adventist church.)

Are you still driving your father's Oldsmobile?

[hch]

Quote:

...

"You're not necessarily inviting them to church," Bryant said. "You're just sitting around, talking with people, building relationships — and slowly talking to them about Christ."

From an article in the Review several years ago, the point was made that most people that join the SDA church do it because of relationships. Just like the point made above.

The downside as I see it is that if people join the club for the friendship without being converted and discipled properly, they are just watering down the Church.

An example that comes to mind: one of our local SDA church members that "married into the church" (always see his wife in church but rarely see him) was burdened to write a letter to the editor in favor of Sunday liquor sales in our quiet SDA community. He wrote a great letter and stated that this was the opinion of an SDA in good standing.

Soon the Lord will take the helm and guide the ship home. And the rough seas will shake allot of the driftwood off the deck. I just hope that the saints are able to withstand the shaking and hang in there.

[Dr. Shane]

I think building relationships is the best way to bring new members into the church.

[Woody]

Quote:

An example that comes to mind: one of our local SDA church members that "married into the church" (always see his wife in church but rarely see him) was burdened to write a letter to the editor in favor of Sunday liquor sales in our quiet SDA community. He wrote a great letter and stated that this was the opinion of an SDA in good standing.

I agree with his letter to the editor.

We as good SDAs do not favor Sunday Laws that would restict the selling of ANY goods. First it's liquor and then it's something else. So, why would YOU favor Sunday Laws?

[Dr. Shane]

I agree with his letter to the editor.

We as good SDAs do not favor Sunday Laws that would restict the selling of ANY goods. First it's liquor and then it's something else. So, why would YOU favor Sunday Laws?

I think he was fishing and you took the bait. I hope it doesn't derail what could be an awesome thread.

[Woody]

yes. My bad.

[Overaged]

And what about that picture! Hardly an "antiquated picture of purity".

(Nope...never heard of a purity ball being held in a Seventh-day Adventist church.)

What's so "impure" about that? Does everything have to be so suspect in the name of "true" religion? One has to wonder what the fly on the wall sees at your place.

[Overaged]

Well; I think it is a good idea for young people...not so sure about guys "my age" tho...thanks for posting this Pam; it was interesting to learn about...

[Dr. Shane]

I think it is great that the organized church is doing something right. It is hard to deny that.

[ClubV12]

I was surprised to find that here in Oregon, where I recently moved, that they don't sell liquor at regular stores, just liquor stores. I don't drink, never have, but was surprised when that was pointed out by some friends.

I was also suprised at the large number of stores that are closed on Sunday. No Sunday law, I guess it's just common for people to take Sunday off. I don't know if the liguor stores are open or not on Sunday. If they are closed, I don't know if it's law or choice?

Therefore, I thought the comment about Sunday liquor sales was interesting. We should do all we can in a community to promote temperance. But the argument of allowing stores to do "business" on Sunday is a powerful one, even if their business is selling liquor.

Things that make you go, hmmmmmmmm......

[Dr. Shane]

My church has Pathfinders on Sunday. I kind of prefer to have it on Wednesday evening but it is important to have an active Pathfinder club. That probably has something to do with our church growth or youth retention.

[hch]

I think it is great that the organized church is doing something right. It is hard to deny that.

[LifeHiscost]

As I recall,the failures of Hophni and Phineas were rather agregious. I wonder if the "normal" sins of many, that are probably more in the category of omission rather than commission,

might be what causes the greatest shaking among the remnant?

Anybody have any light on that specifically?

God blesses!

[LifeHiscost]

The downside as I see it is that if people join the club for the friendship without being converted and discipled properly, they are just watering down the Church.

As I recall being numbered among those of my best recall, as an adult convert to the Adventist faith, it seemed most came into the church as a result of intellectual motivation of requirements that were thought needing to be fulfilled to become a child or follower of the King, albeit those requirements were easily seen upon reading the Scripture. And this instead of being introduced first to the Lord Jesus Christ, Who Himself stated that without Him a person could do nothing.

If that is a fact, it's no wonder a large percentage of the church became very sterile, cold Pharisees of our day and age. It is my premise that the phenomenal growth of the church today, is a direct result of people being introduced to Jesus as Friend and Savior to people just as they are, And then learning to love Him in return by growing in grace as a result of Jesus being invited into their lives, making the response to deeds needing to be done, not only possible but easy as the Holy Spirit was received and as Jesus promised it would be.

"Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”"Matthew 11:29-30 NLT

God blesses!

[Overaged]

I think you are on to something LHC. Many churches face shrinking numbers; but not our's.

[LifeHiscost]

I think you are on to something LHC. Many churches face shrinking numbers; but not our's.

I appreciate the affirmation, Overaged. It seemed somewhat obvious to me after listening to Dwight Nelson's preaching on net '98 in 1998, particularly addressing Jesus' want to be our Friend.

The fact is, I was baptized the second time in 1961, and did a tremendous amount of damage in the spiritual life of some very close to me, before I finally got it.

My hope is that the damage caused will be rectified by a Savior who is greater than all our sin. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.

"I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me."

John 15:15 NLT

God blesses!

[Overaged]

My hope is that the damage caused will be rectified by a Savior who is greater than all our sin. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.

[LifeHiscost]

"He will give you grace to be patient, He will give you grace to be trustful, He will give you grace to overcome restlessness, He will warm your heart with His own sweet Spirit, He will revive your soul in its weakness. . . ." (Amazing Grace, pg 109)

Steps To Christ"

Thanks, Overaged.

God blesses!