Lead Article Jan Paulsen

Jan Paulsen, ThD, is the retired president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.1

Serving your community: Filling in the cracks

person casually scanning artistic director at Det Norske Teatret, perhaps with pity that I should live my Norwegian newspaper which staged the Bibelen play. Far from life beholden to a belief system that, headlines recently could be expressing surprise at the popularity of to his mind, is little removed from the Aforgiven for thinking that his play, Ulfsby told a reporter that even realm of fairy tales. this secular European country is in the if Norwegians do not go to church, they This type of response confronts so midst of a Christian awakening. For a still see the as “an important part many of us who pastor within postmod- start, the surprise best-selling book of of their literary heritage.”2 ern and secular communities. It is not 2012—selling more than 160,000 copies usually outright hostility that creates and outselling every secular title—was a Neutralized barriers to our witness, nor is it that newly released Norwegian translation of And here, in these few words, lies interest in Christianity has been com- the Bible. The Norwegian Bible Society a clue to one of the most pressing pletely extinguished. It is simply that had mounted an impressive advertising mission challenges facing all of us who the notion of a faith that actively shapes campaign for its updated, easy-to-read minister in countries of the secular life seems alien to the postmodern version of Scripture, but even this does West: How can we effectively witness to mind. The idea that there is an ultimate not wholly explain its unprecedented the power of the living God in a society truth—a truth that makes demands market popularity in . that has largely consigned Christianity on our thinking and behavior—seems And then in 2013 came a six-hour to the realm of history, literature, or absurd to someone steeped in a culture play called Bibelen, Norwegian for “the to the very naïve? How can we speak of relativism, which regards absolutes Bible,” staged in one of Oslo’s well- compellingly of the Christ of Scripture of morality or spirituality with deep known theaters. The play’s six-month when the language of Christian faith suspicion. run drew more than 16,000 people and has such a quaint, anachronistic sound Much of Seventh-day Adventist generated a stir in the media as critics to the secular ear? How do we reach evangelism has specialized in per- and commentators alike speculated on men and women whose interest in suasive and effective presentations of what could be fueling interest in such a Christianity, if they have any at all, more biblically based, propositional truth. topic in a society where only 3 percent likely stems from abstract curiosity But what are we to do when the people of the population regularly attends rather than spiritual seeking? In short, we want to reach are ambivalent about church. how can we make the gospel alive and the very concept of truth? When they Is Norway poised on the edge of real for those who see Christianity as do not accept the Bible as authorita- Christian revival? It is unlikely, for unreal and irrelevant? tive in any sense? What should our there is more going on here than meets My wife, Kari, has an uncle in east mission outreach look like? How can the eye. The relationship between Norway whom we sometimes visit, and we authentically communicate Christ’s Norwegians and Christianity is he likes to talk to me about faith. Our salvation to the deeply skeptical, complex, shaped by historical and con- conversations are amicable and wide humanistic mind? temporary forces that are difficult for ranging. He is unapologetic about his non-Scandinavians to fully appreciate. atheism, yet is not hostile to my views. Retelling the old, old story Some of this complexity was captured Rather, his attitude is one of indul- For some of us to accept that in in an offhand comment by Erik Ulfsby, gent amusement, which is touched many secular contexts traditional

Ministry® SEPTEMBER 2014 evangelism is simply a nonstarter may not become frozen within a particular in our day. We must walk in the light be difficult. We yearn for the “good old approach but should be adapted to which shines upon us, otherwise that days” of evangelism where, through best allow it to be understood and light will become darkness.”5 judicious advertising, we could draw a believed. Our mission responsibility remains crowd of people to hear someone give She wrote, “We cannot be accepted unchanged. The truth and hope we a clear and compelling presentation of or honored of God in ren- offer remain the same truth. But a nostalgia-driven approach dering the same today as they ever to outreach may often be an exercise service, or have been. in futility and self-indulgence. I believe doing But what we can be true to our historic mission the about without necessarily embracing every our method of yesterday for every context today. Ellen White often urged early Adventist workers not to be “one- idea men” in their presentation of the gospel.3 On one occasion she advised, “Whatever may have been your former practice, it is

How can we effectively witness to the power of the living God means in a society that has of communi- cation? Our method of sharing Christ’s salvation? We must largely consigned Christianity “walk in the light which shines upon us” today, or else our inflexibility and to the realm of history, blindness to reality will render us inef- literature, or to the very naïve? fective as God’s instruments of mission. Opening church doors By 2010, when I retired as General Conference president, my wife and I had spent more than five decades living not necessary to repeat it again and same works, that our fathers did. In and serving away from Norway—in again in the same way. God would have order to be accepted and blessed of Africa, Britain, and America. But in new and untried methods followed. God as they were, we must imitate their recent years, we have had the chance Break in upon the people—surprise faithfulness and zeal,—improve our to spend more time in the country them.”4 In her writings and ministry she light as they improved theirs,—and do of our birth and the opportunity to made it clear that our outreach should as they would have done had they lived experience firsthand the challenges of

SEPTEMBER 2014 Ministry® Lead Article Jan Paulsen

faithful mission in an environment that Yet over the past five years, the It is unusual in Norway—indeed, is profoundly secular and postmodern. Mjøndalen congregation has pursued in Western Europe—for a Seventh- A few months ago, Kari attended a model of outreach that, today, is day Adventist Church to be viewed a special health expo held at the regularly engaging with members of the as an open-door community institu- Mjøndalen Seventh-day Adventist community. Increasingly, the church is tion rather than as a private religious Church, approximately 50 kilometers positioning itself as a community hub. enclave. And yet this reputation for from Oslo, which has become our home Its distinctive building, erected in 2012, openness is what the church members congregation when we are in Norway. centrally located on a traffic circle, at Mjøndalen are deliberately and care- This event brought some 250 people has become a community landmark. fully fostering. The operative word here from the community through the doors Attached to the church is the highly is deliberate; their plan is well thought of the church for a regarded Rosendal church school, out and long term, and it is making vegetarian which consistently attracts some impact. Throughout the health more applications than expo, people from the community— there are student men and women who would otherwise places available. never think of entering a church build- The church ing—mingled with our members. A few

It is people He came to save— not statements or doctrines or denominations. These exist to serve Christ’s mission, not the other way around. meal and a series of seminars on weight management and nutrition. For us, this was an astounding sight. has also launched a regular twice weeks later, the church again attracted In Norway, where the Lutheran Church monthly Wednesday evening “Café,” a crowd to hear a well-known local has long been intertwined, financially which offers vegetarian meals for 75 trio in a concert marking the start of and administratively, with the state, Norwegian kroner (about US$12.50). the Advent season. The concert was church buildings are most often viewed Church members have extended their followed with a vegetarian “Christmas as either historic relics or places to Wednesday evening efforts to include Table”—a Norwegian smorgasbord visit for christenings, , wed- a variety of seminars that are designed traditionally offered by companies dings, funerals, and little else. And to meet particular needs in their local and institutions as a seasonal gesture non-Lutheran Christian churches—such neighborhood. They offer different of generosity. as the Seventh-day Adventist Church— courses on personal finances, religious have the aura of foreignness and are freedom, psychological health, tracing Standing in the cracks often treated with an extra layer of family trees, and photography as well Since the Mjøndalen health expo, I caution. as studies on biblical topics. have reflected on why their approach is

Ministry® SEPTEMBER 2014 helping them swim against the tide of Norwegians have been personally con- adapt our approach and language so community irrelevance. Why have they fronted with prejudices and biases they that our church will be a place where not, like too many other congregations, did not know they possessed. nonmembers can feel at home? succumbed to an outpost mental- This is the society in which the An introverted mind-set tends to ity, allowing a sense of isolation or Mjøndalen congregation ministers, view mission as a sortie into enemy futility to undermine their passion for and these dedicated believers have territory. An extroverted mind-set says, outreach? deliberately placed themselves within as one of the organizers of the recent Mission outreach in Norway—as the cracks of society. They have looked Mjøndalen health expo said, “We want in any western country—can be a around carefully and asked, Who to meet the people of our community daunting proposition. A recent gov- exactly are these people who live in on their terms and with their needs.” ernment census places members of this community? What drives them? Those with an extroverted mis- the Seventh-day Adventist Church What are their needs—even those needs sion mind-set will also be unafraid in Norway at about 0.1 percent of they are not yet aware of themselves? to seek out community partners who the population. However, our lack How can we serve them? share similar goals. For instance, the of numbers or institutional strength Mjøndalen health expo was held in the is not really our biggest barrier to Four questions local church facility but the congrega- faithful mission. Our larger challenge is What does it take for a congregation tion also partnered with the Norwegian encompassed in the pervasive feeling in a western secular community to government’s Department of Health among many Norwegians that they adopt a mission mind-set that connects and with a well-known national weight have everything they could possibly with people who may instinctively management organization. Three of the need. In general, they are educated, reject more traditional methods of four main speakers were non-Adventist financially comfortable, and well evangelism? experts. supplied with life’s necessities. It is dif- I know of no comprehensive Where does this extroverted mis- ficult to argue with the conclusions of a blueprint for mission in a secular sion mind-set come from? It comes recent article published by the online community. Obviously, the subject is from the Master Missionary Himself. magazine Alternet naming Norway as broader than what can be covered in In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus one of the eight best countries in which this short article, and every pastor will prayed for His disciples: “ ‘My prayer is to be an atheist.6 The writer pointed find himself or herself facing unique not that you take them out of the world out the apparent strong correlation local challenges. But what follows are but that you protect them from the evil between the happiest countries in the a few questions that could perhaps one. . . . As you sent me into the world, I world and the least religious countries be used to start a conversation within have sent them into the world’ ” (John in the world—with Norway topping your congregation about adapting 17:15–18, NIV). This was a prayer of many lists in both categories. your outreach approach to secular, engagement, not of retreat or separa- But every secular paradise has the postmodern realities—to “walk in the tion but a call for Christ’s followers occasional crack in its utopian facade. light that shines upon us” today. in every age to reject an isolationist There are cracks that inevitably appear 1. Do we have an extroverted or attitude and to emulate His radical in one’s personal life—family discord or introverted mind-set? In the words of engagement with the world. sickness comes at some point to each , “The Church is the 2. Are we offering something of of us. In the western world, there can Church only when it exists for others.”7 value? We may quickly answer, “Well, also be a sense of isolation—a longing This is the grand paradox of Christian of course the truth of Scripture has for authentic community in a world community—its true reason for being immeasurable value!” And yet whatever where technology and affluence are is to serve those who are not members. we offer must have perceived value in transforming the way people interact Take a look at your regular programs the eye of the receiver before it will with one another. and monthly budget, and then ask, Do be appreciated. Too often, we give Some cracks in the broader we exist to serve our community, or are people what we know they need and Norwegian society can be traced to we primarily serving ourselves? wonder why their response is less a recent rise in immigration, some This distinction between an extro- than enthusiastic. Why do we do this? 260,000 men, women, and children just verted and introverted mind-set also Maybe because it is easier to just offer in the past six years alone, many from shapes how we go about serving others. someone a tract or an invitation to an Africa, Eastern Europe, and Asia. This An introverted mentality prioritizes evangelistic meeting. Or perhaps the is no small thing in a country that has the comfort of church members and real reason is that we have not done the historically been very static in its ethnic expects others to adapt to our culture homework necessary to truly know our and cultural makeup. Immigration has and to learn our language of faith before community. brought various social and political they can extract something of value. An In all He did, Christ showed Himself stressors, but more than this, many extroverted mind-set asks, How can we to be intimately and compassionately

SEPTEMBER 2014 Ministry® Lead Article Jan Paulsen

engaged with the day-to-day struggles consistent—and not made up of stand- in their spiritual journey. Rather, we that defined life in first-century alone events that come about in bursts are reflecting Christ’s overwhelming Palestine. He shaped His language, of inspiration or enthusiasm. concern and compassion for people His stories, His miracles in ways that One of the distinctive features of over everything else. For it is people spoke directly to the men and women the Mjøndalen approach is that this He came to save—not statements or He encountered. He understood their concept has largely bubbled up from doctrines or denominations. These needs. The Messianic prophecy of the passions of lay members and exist to serve Christ’s mission, not the Isaiah 42:1–9 reminds us of the sheer draws on the specific skill sets and other way around. breadth of Jesus’ holistic mission to resources that already exist within Yes, of course, all mission outreach humanity. the congregation. There are a number must seek to lead men and women Does our outreach speak to the of health professionals who are eager inexorably toward a meeting with their lonely, the stressed, the overweight, to use their professional skills for out- Savior, and when this happens, it will the drug-dependent? Is it tuned-in reach. Since 2005, they have regularly inevitably produce radical changes in to political and social realities? Is it offered health tests in local shopping their behavior. Yet, I believe effective focused on meeting people where they centers, nutrition lectures, vegetar- mission in a secular world requires are, rather than where we wish they ian buffets, and more. The church us to welcome people where they are were? Are we prepared to stand in the members believe that only consistent and to foster a sense of belonging as cracks of society and offer something engagement with the community over a basic first step. that corresponds to felt needs? a period of years will eventually break I was interested to note that many down prejudices and build genuine Conclusion programs offered by the Mjøndalen trust and relationships. Prosperity and secularism do congregation, including the Christmas 4. Is it authentic? A secular, post- indeed create a formidable barrier, concert and the health expo, have a modern man or woman can smell a deflecting so many of our “tried and moderate attendance fee attached. sales pitch coming from miles away. true” methods of sharing the gospel. The church has considered local inter- Thus, when it comes to outreach in the And it is not easy for us, as a church or as ests and needs, and they are signaling secular world, it is absolutely essential individuals, to change our approach— their confidence that what they offer that we first seek to build genuine to reorient our thinking and use of has value. It seems that many in the relationships with people. Trust is dif- resources to meet the mission realities community agree. ficult to create and easy to destroy, as of today. 3. Is it powered for the long term? one leader of the Mjøndalen church’s Yet it is imperative that we try to As president of the mission program told me. She was read the unique pulse of our commu- church, I learned quickly that without expressing her concern that the model nity, to really understand the specific local church ownership of mission they have developed could be misused fears, hopes, and needs that drive the initiatives, such ventures are doomed by some as a means to simply begin men and women around us. I pray that to a short life. Mission plans that flow talking about spiritual values without we may look at the crowds, as Jesus from the top down—whether from first creating bonds of friendship and did, with compassion (Matt. 9:36) and a General Conference committee or trust. “If this happened, it could even- then ask, “How can we serve you?” the mind of a church pastor—will not tually destroy our ability to use this find long-term sustainability unless method,” she told me, “because in our 1 Kari Paulsen, wife of Jan Paulsen, is a notable contributor to this article. there is widespread buy-in among lay part of the world, credibility and our 2 Quoted in many news sources, including “Bible in Norway Is members of a congregation and the good name as Adventists is everything.” Bestseller: ‘The Scriptures’ Surprisingly Strong in Largely Secular plan corresponds with their talents What does authentic, people- Country,” Huffington Post, www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/06 and enthusiasms. focused mission look like? In some /-strong-comeback-su_n_3394982.html. 3 Ellen G. White, Gospel Workers (Hagerstown, MD: Review and This question of long-term sus- ways it reverses our traditional Herald Pub. Assn., 1915), 383. tainability is especially important approach, where we convince people 4 White, Evangelism (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Pub. within a secular context because mis- of the rightness of our message, con- Assn., 1946), 125. 5 White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1 (Nampa, ID: Pacific Press sion to postmoderns is not generally form their behavior to acceptable Pub. Assn., 1855), 262. a speedy process. It encompasses standards, and then, finally, embrace 6 Amanda Marcotte, “8 Countries Where Atheism Is Accepted, Even not just the length of a Revelation them into our community. Celebrated, Instead of Demonized” AlterNet, www.alternet Seminar or a course of Bible studies We do not cheapen our core val- .org/8-countries-where-atheism-accepted-even-celebrated -instead-demonized?page=0%2C0. but years of relationship-building. ues or beliefs when we freely enfold 7 Dietrich Bonhoeffer, quoted in Joel Lawrence, Bonhoeffer: A Guide Our mission approach therefore must people into the warmth of our fel- for the Perplexed (London: T & T Clark International, 2010), 36. be carefully planned—deliberate and lowship, regardless of where they are

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Ministry® SEPTEMBER 2014