July 1, 2005, St. Louis, Missouri, United States…[Adventist News Review]
At a press interview soon after his re-election, Jan Paulsen answered questions covering a number of questions concerning the youth within the church, the challenges of slow growth in Europe, the challenges for the years ahead, and personal frustrations.
Concerning young people he said, “I want to know what is in their hearts.” Repeating a theme from the previous evening’s presentation, he urged the young people directly, “If you don’t find it [church] interesting, come in and make it interesting… be partners with us.”
Following his “Let’s Talk” initiative to invite young people to dialogue on issues that are important to them he also urged the church to be more accepting and tolerant of the involvement of our young people in church life, “Because I am 55 (I am a little older than that) does not mean I have a greater right to speak than someone who is 20… they will make mistakes — didn’t you?” He also revealed that he had urged the Division presidents around the world to have similar “Let’s Talk” initiatives with young people in their local areas.
Addressing the challenge of slow membership growth in Europe he acknowledged “I don’t have the answers” but he noted two things for members to realise. Firstly, that just because the church finds it difficult working in Europe; “please don’t deduce from that that God is somehow removed”. Secondly, not to define obedience by the situation in which you find yourself — there may be as much rejoicing in Heaven for one person saved in Europe compared to one hundred and one elsewhere.
In answer to the question of the challenges for the next five years he noted the need for the pastoral care of members, the need for buildings for members to meet, because “there is only so long you can meet under a palm tree”, and the need to maintain unity and avoid regionalism.
When asked about his frustrations; while admitting that he is very content in his job and enjoys going to work in the morning, he found “small mindedness”; people acting out of fear rather than strength, and the frustration of not being able to fill more of the great needs he sees around the world, as frustrating.
A final question asked is he going to stay for a full five year term.
“I am a servant of the Lord” he said “He owns the future”.
