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The Obama Factor, Timothy Nixon

180 Symposium Publications

The candidacy of Barack Obama and historic presidential election revealed some important lessons to us about our country and its future. One of the most interesting elements of his election was the way in which this campaign was able to engage youth and young adults. In the general election Obama won 66% of 18-29 year old voters. Much of his organization and support for youth was done by collegians on college and university campuses around the country. At a time when the Christian church is hemorrhaging 70% of young adults ages 18-22 Obama’s ability to galvanize and win the youth …

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Ellen G. White And The Secular Campus, William Cork

180 Symposium Publications

Ellen White’s statements about secular college campuses provide principles that can guide the development of Adventist campus ministry today. Remarks she made in 1891 and 1895 acknowledge the challenges of the secular campus, but also the necessity of a positive witness. Guided by the principles she outlines, Adventist campus ministry will both support students on the secular campus and live out a nonconfrontational ministry of presence in the heart of the university.

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When The Canaries Stop Singing, Martin Weber

180 Symposium Publications

Concerned about attrition of Adventist students attending secular campuses, we seek ways of inducing them to remain with us—unaware that their departure is due to systemic dysfunction in churches throughout North America. The causative factor of young adult attrition is judgmentalism resulting from a lack of knowing how to love. We have forgotten a core insight into the Great Controversy—that love requires freedom of choice, despite the inevitable risks. Paradoxically, our very concern about safeguarding the spirituality of our young adults generates a judgmental counterfeit of love that drives them away in a spirit of toxic anxiety.

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Taskforce Now, Michael J. Stevenson

180 Symposium Publications

The world is currently wrestling with an economic downturn. As life gets rearranged; plans have to change. The convergence of a sluggish economy, lack of jobs and fewer slots available means that more Adventist young people are out of a job. At the same time the huge needs for leadership, mentoring and global economic mix up, we can seize the moment, employ and deploy hundreds to nurture the needs of thousands through the revival and adaptation of Adventist Collegiate Taskforce (ACT).

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