Elizabeth Lechleitner/ANN

With questions running the gamut from music to marriage--and yes, even the New York Mets--world Seventh-day Adventist Church president Pastor Jan Paulsen chatted with a group of Adventist young professionals and students in New York City on March 29. The conversation marked the 15th installment in Pastor Paulsen's Let's Talk series, featuring live, unscripted and unedited dialogue.

If Let's Talk NYC hinged on one theme, it was that young people should have as much a say in the church as those chairing committees and on church boards. "Have you got to be elected as an officer or be president somewhere [to make a difference]? You are the church every bit as much as I am," Pastor Paulsen told participants.

While the young people gathered welcomed his optimism and message of empowerment, many said limited resources and less than supportive attitudes from some older members of their congregations still make church involvement difficult.

Paulsen acknowledged the participants' concerns and commended those who take initiative even when they feel their local congregations do not appreciate or fully support them. He said the church needed to make strides toward better "loving and engaging" young people. "There is no reason why anyone has to have passed the age of 45 or 50" before they can fully participate in the church.

One participant asked if Pastor Paulsen felt there was a place in the church for unconventional talents, such as rap or choreography. "Let your extraordinary spiritual gifts and the wealth of your energies, ideas and creative talents flow into the life of the church," he answered.

"Some people feel uneasy about things which are new and different. Be patient with them. Help them to know you as a person whose heart is absolutely committed to the church. The worst thing you can do is not be engaged. Let your gifts positively impact the church," Paulsen advised.

As it often does during Let's Talk, the question about women's ordination emerged early on. "We are hoping to address this issue as a global community, not just as cultural units," Paulsen said. "I respect the world church's decision [on women's ordination], even though I recognize that God has endowed women with a calling to ministerial functions just as he has endowed men."

"I know of no Biblical reason why women can't be recognized in ministry as fully as men [are]. Women offer strong, creative participation to the life of local congregations. A church that denies their participation is a church that is robbing itself of the gifts that God has endowed the community with," he continued.

When one participant asked about the church's stance on homosexuality, Pastor Paulsen said he found such a lifestyle incongruent with Adventist values. "[That] is the only position I can take with a Bible in my hand." However, he was quick to qualify his view of the lifestyle by urging the church to reach out to homosexuals. "I'm failing Christ if I can't ... tell them of Christ's love and care and commitment to them."

The Adventist world church president added that the church doesn't "grade sins" and that everyone falls short to varying degrees. "Sin is fundamentally to drift away from Christ ... We meet people on their life's journey at different stages, people who make mistakes and stumble ... Christ cares for all people no matter what stage they're at."

Paulsen then urged the church to "be an expression of the saving compassion of Christ in the community."

Several Let's Talk NYC questions revolved around local and world church structure. One participant questioned the role of Black-administered regional conferences, an issue that particularly impacts Adventists in New York's Atlantic Union area where several conferences overlap. The participant suggested that race had played a part in their establishment, and that separate conferences were no longer needed.

"Our church is very diverse," said Paulsen. "Historically, there have been very good reasons why these conferences were established and they have served a positive function. They have a deep passion for the life of the church. There is no sense of competition, alienation or hostility between them."

Another young person suggested the world church's leadership structure could use a good shuffling to free up funds to improve Adventist education, strengthen grassroots mission and focus on other priorities. Paulsen agreed that in some areas, church administration is too top-heavy. However, he said less than ideal structure never excuses a lack of personal involvement in the church.

"Church ministries depend almost entirely on what you're prepared to do," he explained. "It isn't money that can buy your engagement and effectiveness. Are you prepared to give of your time and energy to make a difference? Ministry depends on your gifts, talents, availability and ultimately your own willingness."