News Articles

New Website Dedicated to Crafting Welcoming Statements for Seventh-day Adventist Churches

A welcoming statement gives the church a face, say creators.

March 1, 2018 | | AdventSource

The Seventh-day Adventist Church has officially published many encouraging statements, from Church Manual to Fundamental Beliefs, welcoming all people.

In practice, however, Adventist churches at times have been exclusive and repellent. We have closed doors to people who didn’t behave like us or think like us or look like us. We have cared more about being right than about being kind. We have confused acceptance with agreement. We have been too motivated by fear. We have turned away thirsty seekers of the free water of life.

Now is the time to be more intentional concerning the openness and warmth of our local church climates. We are pleased to share the new Adventist Church Welcoming Statements (AdventistChurchWelcomingStatements.org) website. As important as a mission or vision, a welcoming statement gives the church a face.

Church leaders and members are encouraged to visit this new site to find biblical inspiration for creating a welcoming statement, a list of actual welcoming statements, and tips for creating a welcoming statement for each church.

In this time of authentic revival and reformation, when the fresh wind of the Holy Spirit blows where it will, any movement by Seventh-day Adventist congregations toward hospitality is something to celebrate!

AdventSource shares (see below) suggestions on how to get the word out to church pastors and leaders:

Sample Email Announcement

Is your congregation happily open to having all people attend worship services, Bible studies, Sabbath School classes, potlucks, and prayer meetings? Does this invitation include people of every race, appearance, belief system, sexual orientation, nation, gender, economic level, age, and ability? If the answer is "Yes," now is the time to craft a welcoming statement to show that your church is a safe space for everyone. Visit AdventistChurchWelcomingStatements.org to get started.

Sample Facebook Post

Is your congregation happily open to having all people attend? Does this invitation include people of every race, appearance, belief system, sexual orientation, nation, gender, economic level, age, and ability? If the answer is "Yes," now is the time to craft a welcoming statement to show that your church is a safe space for everyone. Visit AdventistChurchWelcomingStatements.org to get started.

Sample Tweet

Is your church a safe space for everyone? If the answer is "Yes," now is the time to craft a welcoming statement. Visit AdventistChurchWelcomingStatements.org to get started.

Charting a New Path: 2024 Administrators’ Conference Unites Leaders to Shape the Future of the Church in North America

It’s been 10 years since conference and union presidents, executive secretaries, and treasurers gathered in one room to brainstorm how best to carry out the church’s mission in North America. A long-awaited follow-up, the 2024 administrators’ conference hosted more than 200 conference and union officers at the NAD’s headquarters on Oct. 30-31.

50 Ministerial Spouses Unite for Community Service, Fellowship, and Training During the 2024 NAD Year-End Meeting

Community service, fellowship, and training sessions made up the spouses’ meetings during this year’s NAD Year-End Meetings, with roughly 50 spouses of conference leaders in attendance.

Report on 2024 Consolidated Enrollment

The Association of Adventist Colleges and Universities (AACU), comprised of the presidents and other top leaders from 13 Adventist colleges and universities in North America, has determined that the latest consolidated fall enrollment numbers for all 13 institutions totals 20,828 students. This increase of 256 students from the previous year marks the second consecutive year of total growth.

Pacific Northwest Hosts Young Adult LIFE Tour

Who are your people? What is good news to them? Where do my people need me to show up for them? These are the questions that attendees were challenged to answer at the Spring 2024 Young Adult LIFE Tour stop at Pleasant Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church in Happy Valley, Oregon. Young adults, church leaders, mentors, and parents gathered to learn about the unique challenges emerging adults face and how churches can help meet their needs.

In the Middle of It: A Thanksgiving Reflection

It’s easy to express gratitude when the outcome is favorable, when the struggle has passed, and when we can see the fruit of our perseverance. But what if we could learn to give thanks not just at the end of the journey but “in the middle of it”? What if we could cultivate the kind of gratitude that doesn’t wait for the resolution, but chooses to acknowledge God’s faithfulness even while the outcome is still unknown?