From Petty Arguments to Powerful Mission: Redesigning Adventism in 2025
Adventism was never meant to be small. It was never meant to obsess over trivial debates like whether clapping in church is acceptable or if Christmas is too worldly. These conversations are distractions, pulling us away from the mission we’ve been called to fulfill.
While we debate wedding bands and the “right” style of worship, the world is unraveling. People are drowning in fear—fear of extinction, of AI spiraling out of control, of nuclear annihilation. Technocracy strips us of our humanity. Theocracy looms over liberty. Political systems are wobbling.
And yet, here we are, arguing over the color of carpet in the sanctuary.
This version of Adventism—hollow, shallow, and small—has nothing meaningful to offer a world on the edge. But that’s not the Adventism I dream of.
A Vision for Something Deeper
I long for an Adventism that moves beyond petty arguments and empty traditions. An Adventism that’s not distracted by the inessential but is laser-focused on the essential—Jesus.
Imagine an Adventism that shows the world a Jesus who isn’t boxed into rules and rituals. A Jesus who flips tables in the temple to confront injustice and kneels to wash feet in humble service. A Jesus who speaks directly to the aching soul, offering something real, something healing, something eternal.
This is the Adventism the world needs:
A church that rages against systems of oppression and injustice.
A church that stands as a beacon of light in the chaos of emerging theocracy and technocracy.
A church that speaks to the existential terror of a world teetering on the edge of disaster, bringing hope, healing, and peace.
This isn’t about abandoning our roots. It’s about rediscovering what those roots were meant to grow into—an Adventism that is vibrant, alive, and deeply connected to the humanity it serves. A tree that bears fruit.
An Adventism That Creates
Imagine a community of Adventists who dream, imagine, and create. A church that builds bridges of relationship and connection instead of walls of judgment. A church where humanity is at the heart of every decision and mission is not an event but a way of life.
This kind of Adventism isn’t focused on preserving the past—it’s focused on building the future. A new world. A new humanity. A new civilization.
We were never called to sit in pews and debate jewelry. We were called to build the kingdom. To show the world what it looks like when Jesus reigns in our hearts and communities.
3 Steps Toward Building This Vision in 2025
Refocus on Jesus: Everything starts with Jesus. Strip away the distractions and ask, “What would Jesus prioritize? What would He care about in this moment?” Centering our faith on Jesus clears the clutter and brings clarity to our mission.
Let Go of Petty Traditions: Identify the cultural practices and debates that serve as obstacles to connection. If it doesn’t point people to Jesus, it’s time to let it go. Free your church to embrace what truly matters.
Step Into the World’s Pain: Engage with the big questions people are asking. Don’t shy away from conversations about injustice, fear, or chaos. Be the presence of Christ in these spaces, offering hope and healing where it’s needed most.
The Adventism I dream of is bold. It’s creative. It’s deeply human. It’s an Adventism that belongs to today—a movement that doesn’t just exist, but thrives in this moment, building the kingdom of God in every corner of the world.
If this resonates with you, let’s dream together. What does this kind of Adventism look like to you? Let’s talk. 👇
