Day: February 11, 2021

Hi, my name is Zach Roberts. I am a senior at Southern Adventist University. Although I am not a member of any Adventist congregation, I attend one every weekend, and I have worked at an Adventist summer camp and now attend an Adventist university, of course. I like to say I am 60% Adventist (at least), but I am not a member. 

I was first introduced to Adventism when I was 17 years old. Prior to that, I I had not heard of the religion. Now, my life is full of Adventists. Probably over 80% of the people I know and interact with fall under that category.

When I am at Southern Adventist University, I am surrounded by Adventists. When I am back home and attending Statesville Seventh-day Adventist Church, I am surrounded by Adventists. But the experience could not be more different. Why? At first glance, there is a quick answer to that question. And, as with a lot of things, it’s largely demographic.

At school, I’m largely interacting with 18–24-year-olds, with a few exceptions. At home and at church, it’s much more of a 50+ (emphasis on the plus) range, with, of course, a few exceptions. 

Yes, being Adventist results in quite a few common ideologies, such as the Sabbath, what’s clean to eat and many other things. But there is a stark contrast in perspectives. On things that aren’t necessarily taught in the church, there’ has been a fairly drastic shift from one generation to the next, in my personal experience. 

That’s what makes this so interesting to me. I see the differences first-hand. I live them out. One place feels a lot different than the other, despite seemingly being in similar surroundings. I think that, through research this semester, my experience will be borne out through the data. There is a generational divide in the church, as with everything in the world these days, and it only seems to be widening. 

Not being an Adventist lends me a unique perspective to this, but it also leaves me with a few questions. Most of the people I’m around at school come from similar environments as my home church, so why does this divide exist? Why is it such a powerful divide? Is this universal across different areas? There’s only one way to find out.

Hello, My name is Frank Canizares, and throughout the years I have noticed a generational divide among Hispanic Seventh-day Adventists. The gap underscores various perspectives regarding secular issues such as science and politics, as well as spiritual matters such as worship and modesty.

Conservatives vs. Liberals. These two stances have defined and divided church members into different groups.

As a student taking an Interactive Journalism course at Southern Adventist University, I will explore this topic through conversations, research and recollection based on my personal experience as someone who grew up in the Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist community, left the church for a period of time and then returned within recent years.

A religious practitioner of the faith, I was always involved in church activities during my childhood. That involvement provided me with a window through which I observed the range of behaviors among brethren practicing and promulgating their beliefs.

After years of wandering in the world – away from God and the church – I returned to an environment where some people with whom I grew up had, in my opinion, maintained certain positions, which throughout the years had defined them.

By observing their viewpoints, the ways they worshipped, how they dressed and practiced religion, I could detect an unspoken division among church members. Even though none of it played a role in my departure, the differences between young and old are intriguing.

However, it is important to note that the religious divide is not a defined line drawn in the sand. The differences sometimes fluctuate depending on one’s education, upbringing, and the influence parents have had on one’s outlook on life. The type of church a person attended as a child could also impact his or her formative years. That influence could define viewpoints, habits and a person’s overall character, regardless of age and generation.

It is my desire to research the origins and development of this issue. So, let’s embark on this journey together!