Editorial: “If Jesus Visited Our Church”
If Jesus stepped into our church, what would he see?
Let’s ask ourselves a few preliminary questions first. Would he only visit an Adventist church, or would he fill his weekends checking on his other Sunday- and Saturday-worshiping children? If he walked in off the street, with rough hands, a work shirt, and jeans, would the greeter hand him a bulletin with a smile, asking his name? Or would a deaconess stop him at the sanctuary doors to inform him that a jacket is required to enter?
If Jesus were to sit in on Sabbath School, would he hear robust conversation delving into his word, or would he hear one man talking at a few others, recounting the importance of why we, as Adventists are right? Would Jesus sit alone, looking over a half-empty church with two or three young people, and the faces of his children who don’t speak to him during the week but are eager to correct the other congregants?
During the service, would he hear about the success of our school retreats, even when none of the students can answer the question “What is the gospel?” Would Jesus be confused regarding the suspicious lack of practical outreach? Would Jesus see worship, the kind that celebrates the warmth and comfort of God’s community? Or would he see a sluggish concert with a TED talk?
Would Jesus be invited to the potluck, or would he be ignored by congregants who exist in silos rather than a unified church due to petty grievances? If he sat in the back of our elders meetings, board meetings, business meetings, executive committees, town hall meetings, what would he hear?
If Jesus visited his bride, would she know him?
Nicole Brown-Dominguez
News Editor, Adventist Today
1 February 2025
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