I am just curious. Which ones are you thinking of? If we think of the late 1800’s, according to Ellen White, you could count the pillars or Landmarks on one hand.
“The passing of the time in 1844 was a period of great events, opening to our astonished eyes the cleansing of the sanctuary transpiring in heaven, and having decided relation to God’s people upon the earth, [also] the first and second angels’ messages and the third, unfurling the banner on which was inscribed, “The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” One of the landmarks under this message was the temple of God, seen by His truth-loving people in heaven, and the ark containing the law of God. The light of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment flashed its strong rays in the pathway of the transgressors of God’s law. The nonimmortality of the wicked is an old landmark. I can call to mind nothing more that can come under the head of the old landmarks. All this cry about changing the old landmarks is all imaginary.” (Mss 13, 1889 in CW 30-31)
I don’t think Alisa went out seeking to only get one point of view. There are individuals who are big TW supporters who are also young adults. However, most are just asking for leadership to listen to their concerns. There is evidence that shows this is really not happening.
I don’t think that is what most of these comments were based on, Birder. They were expressing their opinions, same as you do so frequently here. And young people were asked these questions because they are barely represented at our quinquennial meeting.
Considering the hectic schedules Spectrum staff is living with in SA, she probably interviewed young people who were there and handy. Now you have your turn to add your perspective.
The reason not many young people are delegates is that they are not asked to be. The largest share of young people who are delegates at GC are from NAD and other divisions who appreciate their youth.
Carol is exactly right! They are not asked because leadership fears them. And I don’t think they fear the WO issue, leadership fears their acceptance of LBGT acceptance and gay marriages. IMO The very conservative leaders at the Union, Division, and GC level are more likely to change their stance on WO if they thought LBGT issues would go away.
Sure, the group of interviewees may be quite selective. But if you are from another group, Spectrum not only offers you a chance to present your position here, but is giving you a chance to somewhat understand those who differ from you.
In terms of priority and interest, I am surprised that especially those who see themselves on the right side of the fence don’t rejoice over the reporting: Jesus himself tells a parable of a large majority, being left to seek a minority that is in danger of being lost at the end of the day…
I have found that in most Adventist churches in the US young people are not generally regarded as “safe” to have church responsibilities until they are married and in their 30’s! So, I think that this trend still continues with them feeling as though they are not being heard.
As much as they may fear…they can’t stop the tide of societal change and Millenials are a product of this. If Millenials voices are not heard- they will leave the church (and many have already).
Not many of those 62% are delegates, and considering the previous posts acknowledging that the postees were not very interested in GC politics at that age, the reason is propably that the numbers of millenial visitors from outside of the US is very small.
Well, the Constitution does not guarantee the right to not be offended. I find many remarks here on Spectrum offensive, but I see no reason to “flag” them. I wouldn’t know how, anyway. You’ll notice that I said “many,” young people, not all. Look around you; there are a large number of young people who are out of touch with reality; feel a sense of entitlement; and are more interested in having fun than contributing to the good of society. Sometimes that extends into later life.
Let the mellenials from North America leave if they want without making some of us who are in that age group feel sorry for them. We won’t accept evolution, homosexuality and other sins favoured by liberals in North America and Europe. Spectrum must interview mellenials from Africa were more Adventists live than North America. This article is misleading.
I am a mellenial from Africa and i am 100% behind Ted Wilson. Those North American mellenials do not represent me. Spectrum is misleading its readers here.
And why aren’t they asked to be delegates? If a young person shows maturity and leadership skills, they are more likely to be asked, than those who are jut into having a good time. I’ve seen it in our local church. The youth who are serious about their relationship with God, and show maturity, get put into church offices. The deadbeats don’t get asked.
I don’t believe there is any entrenched bias against young people. But the fact remains that there is something to be said for experience, something that usually takes many years to acquire. Not everyone is a Daniel or a Joseph.
You’re right about that, Nathi. I have a good friend who is probably a millennial (don’t know what age group that represents and don’t like pigeonholing). At any rate, he’s from Nairobi, Kenya, and is in his mid-20’s. He’s very mature and is a leader, not a follower. He is also pleased with the re-election of Elder Wilson. I know you guys are out there, but the opposition makes more noise in their dissent.
Dear Spectrum, as a mellenial myself, I feel offended at having to be represented in your article by people fron North America. Why did you not interview people from the third world where the majority of Adventists live? Statistics are there. Here in Africa we are solidly behind Ted Wilson and very excited that he has been re-elected. North Americans do not represent me.
Yes, and there are the very pillars which are being routinely attacked here at Spectrum: The IJ, and the Sabbath are the two big ones. But I would argue that Creation is also a landmark; because if it falls, the rest of Scripture goes with it. It is a foundational doctrine. She would have been shocked at the extent to which evolution has gained a foothold within the SDA Church. If it were ever accepted by the church (as it has been in other denominations), that would be the beginning of the end. Other churches which have embraced it are losing members. Darwinism destroys one’s faith, so when a church embraces it, it’s like shooting oneself in the head.
You should visit Africa and you will find the majority in many churches are young people. Young people this side of the world are finding God and embracing conservative ideas that are rejected there in developed world. The church is going strong.