With online engagement growing every year, we thought we’d give you the inside scoop on which articles you guys liked best from Adventist Record in 2019. It seems that news—and usually bad news—is the most popular online content, but this year we’ve also received some articles that have really captured your attention.
1. Adventist named PNG Prime Minister
On May 30, Adventist church member James Marape was named Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister. This was, by far, our most viewed story of 2019 and marks a significant milestone for our Church in leadership.
2. Is Easter pagan?
While our top-viewed articles are typically news stories, this feature article comes in at #2 on the list this year. Emanuel Millen’s perspective on Eaaster is challenging, enlightening and provides an answer to a question that many of us have asked throughout our Christian experience.
3. The Ten: Countries or areas with no Adventists
Our “The Ten” series is a gift that keeps on giving, year after year. These easy-to-read articles consistently rank high in popularity and explore interesting themes and general Bible knowledge. This year, you guys seem to be passionate about reaching non-believers at the far ends of the world. Let’s bring about Jesus’ return!
4. High Court ruling hands Vatuvonu Adventist High School back to the Church
After a lengthy legal battle with the Fiji government over whether control of Vatuvonu Adventist High School should be given to the government or the Church, the High Court judge declined the Ministry of Education’s application to take over management, thereby handing it back to the Church. We praise God for Adventist education and for preserving it in Fiji!
5. Adventist church locked in legal dispute with Fiji government
You guys have been following Vatuvonu’s journey since it began in April 2019. Although statistically bad news gets the most engagement, this is a good thing for Christians because it means that prayers increase! And in this case, God answered.
6. New Hope devastated by theft and arson attack
When thieves stole thousands of dollars of film equipment from a shipping container and trailer and set it on fire earlier this year, the news went ballistic. New Hope pastor Lloyd Grolimund and chief of production Andrew Hunt handled the ordeal with grace and patience.
7. ADRA International president steps down
Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) International president Jonathan Duffy stepped down from his role in October due to personal reasons. This made international headlines and was reposted on other news sites. We wish Jonathan all the best in his future endeavours.
8. NZ Church leaders issue apology for child sexual abuse in the Church
Prior to the royal commission into child abuse commencing in New Zealand this year, leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in New Zealand issued a heartfelt apology to survivors of child sexual abuse in the Church. Sexual abuse and the church has been a devastating and controversial topic in politics this year, reflected in this article’s popularity.
9. Seventh-day Adventist inmate denied clemency in death penalty case
This tragic story made headlines on May 15 when Donnie Edward Johnson, a member of the Riverside Chapel Seventh-day Adventist Church in Tennessee (USA), had his appeal for clemency rejected, days before his execution. Praise God that he was introduced to Jesus before his death—we eagerly await the day when we will see him again in heaven!
10. SPD responds to compliance action
With women’s ordination and compliance being hot topics in the Adventist community over the last few years, it’s no surprise that the South Pacific Division reaffirming their support for women in ministry made the top 10. It will be interesting to see what steps are taken in 2020 to address this controversial topic.
