The State of the Church (SDA)

[Gregory Matthews]

The State of the SDA Church: The article linked below runs for eleven printed pages.  That is longer than many people will want to read.  It posits that the SDA Church has transitioned to a time where it is facing critical issues related to mission and ministry.  The issues that it raises seemingly lack an ability to resolve.  In short, the future of the SDA Church may depend on how we begin to address these issues today.   

https://spectrummagazine.org/views/analysis/the-emergent-pastoral-staffing-crisis/

 

[Asia Joe]

I have read the article. He is certainly experienced and has presented a detailed view of what he believes the problem is.

His writing is honest, and he covers the topic well.

I wonder, is this a problem for the church?

Speaking as an American, who has lived outside the of NAD for more than 20 years, I don't see this as a problem for the other divisions. They seem to have all the pastors they need. In SSD where I am, each conference has a waiting list.

He details the difficulties today in the White American churches. Are these problems in the NAD Latino churches? NAD Asian Churches?

Could the issue, in NAD, be one where the White American culture as a whole is moving further away from God?

Could that explain the difficulties pastors have there?

I can tell you how the Catholic Church solved that problem. They brought in priests from other countries. Now, I am not suggesting that the Adventist do the same, but they solved the problem the way many administrators would.