Commentary: Church's Children Surpassing the Parents?

In the midst of the July 4th firework display, she turned to me and asked, "Do you celebrate Independence Day there in England?" July 4, 2005 St. Louis, Missouri, United States Victor Hulbert/ANN

Attendees to the Adventist church's business meetings were among the many spectators who enjoyed the brilliant display of fireworks hosted by the City of St. Louis on July 2, 2005. [Photo: Richard Herard]

In the midst of the July 4th firework display, she turned to me and asked, "Do you celebrate Independence Day there in England?"

"Celebrate?" I replied, "Remember who it is who lost the American War of Independence!"

As an "outsider," it is an amazing experience to celebrate with Americans on their Independence Day. The TV has been full of it. The skies above the meeting halls have been buzzing with air displays, and each night the firework display across the Mississippi River is bigger and better than the night before. Life is good in "the land of the free."

Douglas Hardt has learnt to appreciate that freedom. He's an American but currently resides in the Republic of Georgia. To combine Independence Day and a gathering of many thousands of Christians for the Adventist Church's "General Conference Session" emphasizes to him that it represents "the type of freedom we have here -- to have a worldwide religious gathering like this without the government bothering us. Where I live now, there would be thousands demonstrating in the streets, and barely any police protection. The police force is not interested in minority religious groups and there is unofficial persecution."

There were thousands in the street last night; and lots of partying. Thankfully no rioting, but friendly celebration, and certainly no persecution of the somberly dressed Adventists heading back to their hotel rooms.

Someone asked me how I feel as a Brit on American Independence Day. To be honest, I feel fine. The Stars and Stripes sit atop my computer. The history is 229 years old. America is our "daughter," all grown up!

I met Kelechi Onyenso two days ago. He is an engineer from Nigeria. His country is another "daughter of England," with independence back in 1960, another part of a colonial past. Not all of that past was positive. But Nigeria is more directly a part of my past. My parents were missionaries in Nigeria for 12 years. For my late father, it was the highlight of his life. I was surprised by Onyenso's reaction to me.

With a very vigorous handshake he thanked me for the sacrifice of my parents to bring the Gospel to his country. He talked to me of the mud roads, tin-roofed houses and pastors on bicycles. There was none of the air-conditioned luxury of the modern day missionary. I felt an overwhelming sense of unity with Onyenso. Nigeria is another daughter grown up -- and, now, sending missionaries back to England.

America and Britain are both countries that have a strong heritage of mission service, a record to be proud of. But now the mission-focused west is seeing its "daughters" grown up. The mission reports and statistics at this business session demonstrate dramatic growth in some parts of the world. Indeed, one-third of all church members were baptized in the last five years. Most of that is among the "daughters."

Ivan Zavrichko is delighted. From Euro-Asia, he states, "This is a sign of a healthy church. It should be this way. Obviously it can cause some trials."

Those trials may be related to the very growth of the church, as re-elected world church president, Jan Paulsen, mentioned in his press conference. "New congregations need to have pastoral care and they need to have a physical facility where people can meet." A young church can struggle.

Clements Arkangelo, a delegate from South Sudan, put this into context. The church in his region has grown by 3,000 to 5,500 in the last five years. "Now there is peace," he states. "We need to take the opportunity to evangelize. But we need to develop proper leadership to be successful. With education we can double or triple our membership."

In America and the West the challenge may be the other way around. Sean Kootsey is attending the meetings from the United States. His reaction to the report? "Evangelism is like a snowball. In these countries where thousands are being converted, everyone is on fire. Our division [region], however, is shrinking. We are too comfortable as a society."

Happy birthday America. But watch out! Your daughters have come of age. They are growing and their growth is contagious. Congratulate yourself for today, but listen, learn, and look for that contagious growth here tomorrow.

-- With additional reporting by Erica Slikkers.

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