The generational spectrum in our church creates understandable but not always recognizable differences. For a perspective from the senior group, I will relate my personal story.

I was born at the end of the first decade of the 20th century. My parents emigrated from Germany via southern Russia. They settled in the Dakotas. The pioneers of the Seventh-day Adventist Church saw an open field in these newcomers and quickly moved in to make converts.

My mother was one of many who accepted the “truth,” as we spoke of it then. My father, who died during the 1919 influenza epidemic when I was seven, also believed, but like many others of that time regarded religion as something for mothers and children.

Churches developed, the Dakota Conference was organized, and Plainview Academy was established. My mother decided early on that two of the youngest boys must go to Plainview Academy to become preachers. I was one of the two.

The authoritarian model manifested by my mother, also prevailed at the academy. As students, we believed what we were told and did not question it, so religion and Adventist principles became deeply embedded in our young lives.

Life was simple and hard, particularly during the depression years of the early 30s. This, combined with earlier family experiences on the farm, made me, with hundreds of other Seventh-day Adventist young people, totally committed to the church and all it stood for.

During the early part of my life, the church grew at a rapid pace. Numerous church schools and academies sprang up throughout the country. Adventist colleges were being established. Loma Linda University, at the urging of Ellen White, had a near-miraculous beginning. The overseas work of the church spread rapidly. All of this confirmed within me and my peers a strong belief in the church and its teaching.

My generation holds very dear the words of Ellen White:

In reviewing our past history, having traveled over every step of advance to our present standing, I can say Praise God! As I see what the Lord has wrought, I am filled with astonishment, and with confidence in Christ as leader. We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history (Life Sketches).

We have seen the church throughout the world grow from thousands of members to the present 7 million members. Our schools, colleges and universities have not only grown numerically but in sophistication and world renown-witness Loma Linda University. The organization of the church since its inception has become a model in effectiveness. It is therefore no wonder that many of us at the end of the generation spectrum regard the church with tremendous awe and respect.

The younger generation, however, reminds us that things have changed. My generation would be totally blind and insensitive if we did not recognize this truth. We also think of the present and the future. In the recent national election, 50 percent of Americans 55 years and older voted for a baby boomer as president of the United States. They recognized that a new generation, a younger generation, a future-orientated generation must now give leadership to our country and the world.

At the same time we must continue to be mindful of the past and of God’s leading, recognizing that the great principles Jesus enunciated must guide the church today Our methods must change with changing times, but we must always differentiate between principles and methods.

Since I have been connected with Adventist schools all my working years, I feel I have developed at least some understanding of the feelings and perspectives of younger generations. I feel that this is a time when we must all take a careful look at what the other generations think. The Valuegenesis study is a good beginning in helping us know what teenagers feel about the church.

The hard and challenging task of finding answers is now before us. It is time to talk frankly, candidly and honestly with each other and to follow up with solutions that, without compromising scriptural principles and fundamental beliefs of the church, bring all together in a better understanding of each other and the direction we want the church to go.

I am optimistic for the future of the church if all generations press together. God has led the church in the past, is still in control and will guide us to the finish.