Seventh-day Adventists in Romania are implementing the second stage of a five-year plan for raising the church’s public profile, through a commitment to being „visible, active, and useful” in local communities. More than 350 pastors attended two training seminars held…Seventh-day Adventists in Romania are implementing the second stage of a five-year plan for raising the church’s public profile, through a commitment to being „visible, active, and useful” in local communities.
More than 350 pastors attended two training seminars held last month at venues in the cities of Cernica and Cluj. The events, built on a strategy launched in 2001, focused on encouraging church leaders and pastors to build relationships with their communities, and to be „leaders of public opinion.”
John Graz, world church public affairs and religious liberty director, was one of the speakers at the training sessions, and says the effort has made a „massive difference” in the way Adventists are perceived in Romania. „Ten years ago Adventists were excluded from public dialogues,” says Graz. „They were not considered a significant voice. Today, in many areas, Adventists are at the top of the invitation list for public functions and debates.”
