By Ed Barnett

One of the most exciting parts of my job is visiting a different church in our conference almost every Sabbath. The opportunity to experience what our churches are like is rich—and believe me, each has its own special character. Not only are our pastors unique, representing different personalities and styles of ministry, but the churches themselves all have different makeups and designs.

Over the years, I have often wondered, “Is church a place to massage saints or to save sinners?” I have come to the conclusion that it must be a bit of both. Another question worth asking: “Is church sometimes just a ‘country club,’ exclusively for saints?”

Occasionally, I have had the privilege of golfing at a country club. It is always a thrill to play on these courses because they are very well-maintained, beautiful, and just plain fancy. Believe me, I always get nervous on these courses because I don’t want to stick out like a sore thumb on the green. I don’t want to do something unacceptable at one of these posh clubs, something that marks me as an outsider.

If we do church for our own benefit alone, I believe we are missing the boat. There is the danger that we become so comfortable in our own Christian culture that we don’t really touch visitors when they come into our churches. Many of them don’t understand the “Adventese” language we use, for example. Many don’t feel accepted by us because our church appears so different from what they may be used to. They may be afraid of sticking out in our group, and feel anxious that they might do something wrong or say something out of place or offensive.

There is another possible way of approaching the way we behave in church. It’s important for us to ask whether—in a world fed by fear and wrapped in the language of confrontation—those who choose to visit our churches will find a language of kindness and an attitude of acceptance. Many individuals are looking for a community of hope and safety. How different are the words we use than those offered by the media? Even more important: how different are our actions? Do they reflect the Spirit of Christ?

What am I getting at? Is your church relevant to those who walk in on a Sabbath morning? How about for those invited to other church events, outside of Sabbath worship? Is your church real and meaningful, not only to the members, but also to visitors?

Frankly speaking, at times I cringe when I hear certain comments in our churches and realize that the congregation may contain a number of first-time visitors. Sometimes we use old “musty, moldy” language that was commonly used 50 years ago in church, and hasn’t been heard much since. I am afraid that you would have to be an Adventist to even guess at the intent of the presentation.

I would like to invite each of the pastors and members across our wonderful conference—no matter how big or small your church may be—to try to help your church be more relevant and real to whoever may be in attendance on Sabbath morning, or at a prayer meeting or other event.

Since churches are made up of people, the only way I see us becoming relevant is if each one of us does better at relating to others. This includes updating the way we talk and socialize. Recently, I saw a TV commercial in which a father and son are working on their property when a neighbor drives up in a nice car and says: “How are you doing?” The father responds: “We are just getting our crop in.” The neighbor gives them a weird look and goes into his house. The father says to his son, “We are settlers, and this is the way we do things.” You can’t help but wonder how this family could ever relate in the world all around them. Sometimes I wonder if we’ve become antiquated in the way we live our lives—and if it doesn’t make it hard for our churches to be attractive to the people who live around them.

The ultimate model for us all is Jesus. He could talk to a Pharisee, a prostitute, an outsider, such as a Samaritan woman, a tax collector, a leper . . . you name it. And he could relate to them and address their needs. He could draw them closer to God. May we try harder to be more like Jesus, listening to Him, and being led by Him.

All of our churches should be open and welcoming to anyone who enters. May they feel blessed because of their time spent with the Lord in His Holy Temple. May they feel that they have been listened to and cared for with kindness, openness, and a welcoming response. I hope this happens not only in church on Sabbath morning, but on the sidewalk, in shops, at school, and in our homes.

Real and relevant church happens when each of us, as individuals, make a concerted effort to be a community where people find solace. Can we recognize ourselves as purveyors of hope, the community He would want us to be—safe, relevant, and caring children of God, a people announcing and living as those who await His return?

Ed Barnett is RMC president.