Dr Roger Walter is lead pastor of Adventist Community Church in Vancouver, Washington, where he has served since 2009. He has authored a number of books and spoke recently about his two recent publications.
Where did you begin with writing?
Writing for me began with the journalling my prayers and it has become an outgrowth of my creative energy. I nearly flunked out of College Writing 101 in college, but the journalling has made the computer keyboard an extension of my thinking process. When I was finishing up my doctorate, my advisor said I was good writer and I nearly fell over, but then realised that I had been journalling for more than 20 years and then it made sense.
How does your ministry inform and shape what you write?
My ministry informs my writing by directing me to write about the things I’m passionate about and the things I see my own members—and me—struggling with. I realised a long time ago that the primary thing people need is a relationship with God and the rest of things will work their way out as people grow into that relationship through scripture, prayer and more.
How do personal devotions make a difference in your life?
Personal devotions saved my spiritual life. They fill me up every day so I have something to give back to my wife, my kids and my church. It has grown my spiritual roots deeper than I could imagine. Sometimes I think, “Why am I still struggling with ____?” Then I look back over the years, since having daily time with God and I realise I’ve grown a lot! They continue to shape my ministry, my life. How many times have I read over something and said, “I’ve never seen that in scripture before”? I obviously have, but the LIFE application principle is what is the most life changing.
What is the difference between practising devotions and reading a book about devotional practices?
It’s easy to read, hard to do. But creating healthy, holy habits will continue to inform and change people and moves things from head knowledge to what Ellen White calls “experimental religion” (experiential). It’s no longer, “Here’s what I think,” but not becomes, “Here’s what God said to me today.”
Tell us about Matthew Asks Why.
Matthew Asks Why is my personal story of becoming a Christian and an Adventist. It’s a story that only covers about two months of time, but captures the essence of someone getting introduced to the Sabbath for the first time in their life. That information becomes life changing and sets the journey to a life of ministry.
What prompted you to write for younger readers?
As a new Adventist, I read a book Margie Asks Why and it was a life-altering book for me. It was about what happens when you die. I’ve handed it out to many people, read it to my kids. Then about 15 years ago, a book came out called Michael Asks Why—a story about the Great Controversy and I read it to my kids about five years ago. I didn’t feel it was a strong story. Good information, but I thought, “I could do better than this” and that prompted me to write my story—which is about the Sabbath.
What is the best feedback you have had to your writing?
I’ve gotten a lot of laughs from church members (see the Burrito story in “Learning Life”). I sent Matthew Asks Why to my former next-door neighbour—he’s in the book and is not a Christian. He read it in one sitting and is passing it on to his grandson. One guy told me that the Learning Life changed his life altogether. His wife confirmed that. It’s all very humbling.
Learning Life and Matthew Asks Why are available from Adventist bookshops in Australia and New Zealand, or online.
