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 […]
A lot of you know Adventist Today (AT) because of the interesting and challenging articles on our website. But in fact AT has been publishing a quarterly paper magazine for over 30 years. I think you’ll like the magazine that is about to be mailed out next week. It’s titled “A Curious and Charming History.” It […]
I remember once, in a church where I was a pastor, that the suggestion was made that we set up a coffee urn in the lobby. I’m not a big coffee drinker—a cup is about all the caffeine I can handle—but I didn’t see what it could hurt. Virtually everyone in the meeting admitted they […]
We’ve heard from so many of our readers who absolutely love our print magazine. Every quarter, under the brilliant curation of our Executive Editor (and my very good friend), Loren Seibold, our magazine comes alive with a selection of thought-provoking and provocative articles, essays, and features. We bring together some of the finest thinkers and […]
I remember a particular theology class, with one of the hardest professors on campus during graduate school. After handing out the syllabus he said something that stayed with me for years afterwards. “If you look at the syllabus and decide that you would like to leave the class, please leave now. Otherwise, I ask that […]
I am happy when Adventists are spoken well of in the media, and for reasons that show us at our best. Recently United States senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine of Virginia introduced legislation to rename the Veterans Affairs clinic in Lynchburg, Virginia, after Private First Class Desmond T. Doss, an Adventist conscientious objector whom […]
In last week’s editorial, Loren Seibold wrote about not being an ex-Adventist. I am an ex-Adventist. I left the church about seven years ago, and I haven’t been back. Like most divorces, my break-up with the church was painful and bitter at first. I had a lot of anger and a lot of grief. It […]
There is little less attractive than someone who spends his or her life as an “ex.” Ex-spouse, ex-employee, or ex-Adventist—it doesn’t matter: it is unhealthy to spend your life having your identity be “the ex.” Yes, it’s hard to break free from a strong loyalty. You grieve. You regret. You may even fume and hate […]
1. You’re a walking fire hazard Nothing says “Merry Christmas” like a sweater with so many blinking lights, you could guide Santa’s sleigh through a snowstorm. Who needs a Christmas tree when you can be one? Just remember to keep a fire extinguisher handy – you’re one short circuit away from becoming a yuletide bonfire. […]
As the aroma of Thanksgiving tofurkey fades and we recover from the Black Friday shopping frenzy, Giving Tuesday is just around the corner on December 3rd – a day when generosity takes center stage. Think of it as Black Friday for non-profits, where instead of snagging deals on consumer goods, we invest in causes that […]
As long as there have been church institutions, there have been befuddled cries asking why young people are leaving the church. Twice a year we get social media posts designed to “start a conversation,” or a panel discussion asking this question. Interestingly enough, the only participants missing from this discussion are young people. The question […]
It is likely that Adventist Today readers aren’t typical of most Seventh-day Adventists around the world. But inasmuch as we represent a rather significant portion of the church, it would seem in the denomination’s interest to make room for us. But can that happen? I’m not sure. Even if it were possible, it would be risky—and […]