In July, just a short time ago, the Seventh-day Adventist Church held its sixty-second General Conference (GC) Session in St. Louis, Missouri. Top leaders for the worldwide church were selected; church policy was updated; guests enjoyed the ministry exhibits, the pageantry, music, and worship gatherings — and the “family reunion” element of it all. And, hopefully, the visiting Adventists left a positive impression on the city.

This was the sixth session I attended as an Adventist Church employee. By what can only be described as God’s plans for my life, thus far I have spent most of my adult working years in church employment. It’s not just a paycheck; far from that. The words in Matthew 24:14 matter. I believe in ministry. I believe in God. I believe that inviting Jesus into our hearts and minds is of eternal consequence. And I believe it is important to share this message with others. I happen to try to do that each day from my communication and public relations perch.

After each of these GC sessions, after all the articles, photos, videos, and social media posts, I’ve wondered: What are we leaving behind? And what are we moving toward as a denomination? Who are we moving toward?

Believers are told by Jesus Christ to make people our priority. It is recorded in Scripture — to go out and witness and preach to them (Matt. 28:19), to treat others the way we want to be treated (Matt. 7:12), and to love others as much as we love ourselves (Matt. 22:39). Working for the church, no matter the department, no matter the capacity, our mission is likewise. And for that matter, being a church member, no matter the position, implies serving. People are the priority. 

Reports, meetings and all sorts of things that are part of serving organizationally can sometimes obscure our view and shift the mission away from caring for others. It is interesting that “reformed” tax collector Matthew wrote so much reminding us, and probably himself, to love the Lord and keep others first.

Paul was worried about the care of church members. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 he shares his troubles and burdens. In addition to beatings, shipwrecks, and fears of attack by others (to name a few things), Paul writes about his significant workload. And no, he isn’t boasting, he’s just putting things into perspective for the Corinthians. Despite all he has gone through, at the end of the day his focus is on the church — or rather, the people that comprise the church. He concludes, “Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.” 

It can be a challenge to remember our priorities as we labor for Him. Prayer helps keep us energized, humble, deliberate, and focused.

We all have talents in various areas, and we all have jobs to do. These revolve in some way around relationships with people — building them and nurturing them while pointing toward Jesus and His precious gift of salvation. 

We are Christ’s body and as parts of the body we must work with and for each other (see 1 Cor. 12:1-13 and 25). Paul reminds us that “the same Spirit distributes them.” And: “There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.”

I am not saying that the church doesn’t work together. It does. But we can all use a little adjustment sometime or another. A God, the Son, and Holy Spirit reality check.

As we go about this earthly life of ours, I hope we all strive to keep our priorities straight; and that we all remember there is no work without the people. 

— Kimberly Luste Maran is editor of Adventist Journey and communication director for the North American Division.