Let's Talk

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Under-thirty-five year olds make up more than fifty percent of church membership. Tragically too many are walking away. But the greater tragedy is that they see no reason to stay.

With a heart for young people, Dr. Jan Paulsen, then General Conference president invited hundreds of young people to talk with him about issues important to them. Through the Let’s Talk broadcasts on Hope Channel, young people from Cameroon to the Caribbean, Australia to Germany, engaged in dialogue with Dr. Paulsen on issues of diversity, women in ministry, politics, homosexuality, and Ellen G. White, to name a few.

This book distills the best of those conversations. But it is more than just a record of a seven-year conversation. Let’s Talk is a starting point for a cross-generational dialog within your own family, school, and church. “Conversation Starters” at the end of each chapter provide questions and ideas to stimulate thought and discussion.

“As I look back, I’m struck by the richness, beauty, and balance of what young Adventist men and women have taught me. Through our conversations, I continually met my Master Teacher who never tired of teaching and re-teaching me the immense value of every person for whom He died. For that, I love Him more than I can describe, and I love the young people of this church who’ve helped me understand that this is the most important lesson of all.”

So what are you waiting for? Let’s Talk!

Expert from the Adventist News Network
April 30, 2013
Elizabeth Lechleitner/ANN

“Let’s Talk: Conversations With Young Adventists About Their Church” reflects on the ideas sparked by those conversations, but more importantly, Paulsen says, the book is meant to kindle a lasting dialogue between generations of Adventists.

Each chapter begins with edited samples of questions young people asked Paulsen, either during the “Let’s Talk” broadcasts or on the accompanying website. Reflection on the issues and ideas raised follows; then comes “conversation starters” designed to spur further discussion. Paulsen says he envisions groups of Adventists — young and old alike — gathering regularly to have these conversations, carving out a space to move forward together as a church.

Paulsen, who served as Adventist world church president from 1999 to 2010, made appeals early in his administration to officials from all the church’s world divisions, calling on them to “change the pattern” of church leadership and elect a quota of young delegates. Later on, Paulsen spearheaded efforts to include more young adults on the church’s highest decision-making body, the 300-member Executive Committee.

To see the full article and interview visit Adventist News Network archive:
news.adventist.org/archive/articles/2013/04/30/church-chat-former-adventist-church-president-reflects-on-lets-talk-convers