Editorial: Navigating Adventism’s Shadow Side
I was 11 when the Adventist Church first crushed me.
My missionary parents lost their jobs due to ruthless decisions at an Adventist higher education institution. Church politics had spiraled, and the fallout was brutal. To a mature adult, it might have been merely disappointing; to me, it shattered my world. I said goodbye to friends, my secure Adventist bubble, and stability as my family moved across the globe, grappling with financial uncertainty. My social and emotional life unraveled, and worse, I began questioning the church I’d loved. How could it hurt my family so deeply?
That betrayal planted a seed. I still loved the church and felt God calling me to engage with it, but I vowed never to work for it officially. I’d seen its greasy machinery—its political underbelly—and wanted no part of it. That resolve followed me through my Adventist education and into my writing on Adventist topics. Then, in 2016, I found a home as news editor for Adventist Today. It was a joy to contribute to the faith community I cherished, while keeping its darker side—its maneuvering and institutional rigidity—at arm’s length. I could help without being swallowed by the mess.
That’s what I love about Adventist Today (AT). We’re committed to making the church the best it can be, applauding what’s good, calling out what’s not, and fostering open dialogue in Adventism—a rarity these days. We’re independent, accessible, and driven by a vision for a healthier faith community. I’m curious what you love most about AT. I treasure hearing from you, our readers. Today, our Spring Fundraiser begins. Your support keeps our journalism thriving and is especially vital as it will allow us to send a team to cover the General Conference Session in St. Louis, Missouri, this summer. Please do your part to support our Spring Fundraiser today. Thank you for standing with us.
Björn Karlman
Executive Director, Adventist Today
5 April 2025
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