Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook for 1985

680 Pages·2014·12.99 MB·English

YEARBOOK
1985
A Directory of
The General Conference, World Divisions,
Union and Local Conferences and Missions,
Educational Institutions, Food Companies,
Health-Care Institutions, Media Center,
Publishing Houses, Periodicals, and
Denominational Workers
Printed in the U.S.A..by.the
REVIEW AND HERALD PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION
HAGERSTOWN, MD 21740
For the Office of Archives and Statistics
GENERAL CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS
6840 EASTERN AVENUE, NORTHWEST
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20012

Contents
Preface and Statistics (cid:9) 4
Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists (cid:9) 5
Constitution and Bylaws (cid:9) 9
General Conference and Departments (cid:9) 15
Divisions:
Africa-Indian Ocean (cid:9) 37
Australasian (cid:9) 59
Eastern Africa (cid:9) 81
Euro-Africa (cid:9) 101
Far Eastern (cid:9) 127
Inter-American (cid:9) 169
North American (cid:9) 203
Health-Care Corporations (cid:9) 274
Northern European (cid:9) 279
South American (cid:9) 293
Southern Asia (cid:9) 325
Middle East Union (cid:9) 347
South African Union (cid:9) 349
Southern Union (Africa) (cid:9) 353
China (cid:9) 359
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the USSR (cid:9) 361
Institutions:
Educational Institutions (cid:9) 365
Food Companies (cid:9) 479
Health-Care Institutions (cid:9) 487
Dispensaries (cid:9) 529
Retirement Homes and Orphanages (cid:9) 535
Media Center (cid:9) 539
Publishing Houses (cid:9) 543
Periodicals (cid:9) 557
General Conference Presidents, Secretaries and Treasurers (cid:9) 571
Necrology (cid:9) 572
Calendars 1985-1986 (cid:9) 575
Calendars of Special Days and Offerings 1985-1986 (cid:9) 576
List of Countries With Their Organizational Locations (cid:9) 578
Telex Directory (cid:9) 580
Advertisers (cid:9) 582
Index of Institutional Workers (cid:9) 583
Postal Abbreviations (cid:9) 666
Directory of Workers (cid:9) 667
General Index (cid:9) 1003
3
Preface to the 1985 Edition
Scope of the Yearbook and opened a school, but the project ended when riots
broke out in the vicinity. The first non-Protestant
A world directory of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
Christian country entered was Russia, where an Adventist
is given in the following pages. It includes the General
minister went in 1886. On October 20, 1890, the
Conference and its international divisions, union and
schooner Pitcairn was launched at San Francisco and was
local conferences and missions, and related institutions.
soon engaged in carrying missionaries to the Pacific
Institutions that are managed but not fully owned and
islands. Seventh-day Adventist workers first entered
operated by church entities are not included. The
non-Christian countries in 1894—Gold Coast (Ghana),
information has been furnished by the organizations
West Africa, and Matabeleland, South Africa. The same
themselves; but in cases where current reports have not
year saw missionaries entering South America, and in
been received, the most recent previous records have
1896 the Church had its representatives in'Japan.
been retained or adjusted.
The publication and distribution of literature were
In the conference and mission sections, workers are
major factors in the growth of the Advent Movement. The
listed in the following sequence: ordained ministers
Advent Review and Sabbath Herald (now the Adventist
holding ministerial credentials, credentialed commis-
Review), general church paper, was launched in Paris,
sioned ministers, credentialed missionaries, licensed
Maine, in 1850; the Youth's Instructor in Rochester, New
ministers, licensed commissioned ministers, licensed
York, in 1852; and the Signs of the Times in Oakland,
missionaries, and credentialed literature evangelists. The
California, in 1874. The first denominational publishing
Directory of Workers gives the names and addresses of all house, at Battle Creek, Michigan, began operating in
credentialed workers, licensed ministers and licensed
1855 and was duly incorporated in 1861 under the name
commissioned ministers. Institutional workers are listed
of Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association.
separately in the Index of Institutional Workers.
The Health Reform Institute, later known as the Battle
The data that appears below has been summarized
Creek Sanitarium, opened its doors in 1866, and
largely from the 1983 Annual Statistical Report, while the
missionary society work was organized on a statewide
figures for the number of churches, and for church
basis in 1870. The first of the Church's worldwide
membership throughout the Yearbook are drawn from
network of schools was established in 1872, and 1877
official reports rendered for June 30, 1984.
saw the formation of state-wide Sabbath school associa-
Denominational History tions. In 1903, the denominational headquarters was
Although the name "Seventh-day Adventist" was moved from Battle Creek, Michigan, to Washington,
chosen in 1860, the denomination was not officially D.C., where it continues to form the nerve-center of an
organized until May 21, 1863, when the movement ever-expanding work. Each year sees further develop-
included some 125 churches and 3,500 members. Work ment in the work of the Church.
was largely confined to North America until 1874 when That the Church's growth and God's blessings may be
the Church's first missionary, J. N. Andrews, was sent to accurately and inspiringly reflected in this Yearbook is
Switzerland. Africa was penetrated briefly in 1879 when the desire of the Archives and Statistics Committee and
Dr. H. P. Ribton, an early convert in Italy, moved to Egypt staff.
World Statistics for 1983
(except as noted)
MEMBERSHIP AND WORKERS HEALTH MINISTRY
(as of June 30, 1984) Hospitals and sanitariums (cid:9) 155
Baptized church members (cid:9) 4,261,116
Dispensaries, clinics, and launches (cid:9) 276
Organized churches (cid:9) 24,182 Retirement homes and orphanages (cid:9) 69
Ordained ministers, active (cid:9) 10,137
Physicians, dentists, residents, and
Total active workers (cid:9) 102,383 interns (cid:9) 2,499
Baptisms and professions of faith (cid:9) 380,673 Nurses (cid:9) 12,449
(July 1, 1983 to June 30, 1984) Outpatient visits (cid:9) 5,758,497
Assets of health-care institutions ... $1,655,035;014
MISSION WORK (1982 figure)
Countries in which church is working (cid:9) 185 Food companies (cid:9) 27
(Countries and areas in the world-213)
Number of divisions (cid:9) 11 PUBLISHING WORK
Number of unions (cid:9) 82 Publishing houses 51
Number of conferences, missions(cid:9) Languages in which church is working 597
and fields (cid:9) 389 Languages, publishing in (cid:9) 175
Missionaries sent (cid:9) 206 Literature evangelists 6,978
Literature sales $120,309,773
GOOD-NEIGHBOR PROGRAM
SABBATH SCHOOLS
Persons helped (cid:9) 13,680,774
Articles of clothing given (cid:9) 21,609,932 Sabbath school members (cid:9) 4,923,942
Cash and value of food given (cid:9) $11,486,214 Sabbath schools (cid:9) 48,588
CONTRIBUTIONS
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM Tithe—world (cid:9) $422,796,700
Schools operated by church (cid:9) 5,353 North America (cid:9) $292,736,700
Total enrollment (cid:9) 657,035 Sabbath School—world (cid:9) $31,369,093
Primary and elementary schools (cid:9) 4,334 North America (cid:9) $19,542,118
Secondary schools (cid:9) 927 Ingathering—world (cid:9) $13,538,246
Colleges (cid:9) 90 All contributions—world (cid:9) $671,500,181
Universities (cid:9) 2 North America (cid:9) $496,571,237
FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS
OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS-
Seventh-day Adventists accept the Bible as their John 10:30;-14:9; Rom. 6:23; 2 Cor. 5:17-19; John
only creed and hold certain fundamental beliefi to be 5:22; Luke. 1:35; Phil. 2:5-11; Heb. 2:9-18; 1 Cor.
the teaching of the Holy Scriptures. These beliefs, as 15:3, 4; Heb. 8:1, 2; John 14:173.)
set forth here, constitute the church's understanding
and expression of the teaching of Scripture. Revision
of these statements may be expected-at a General 5. The Holy Spirit
Conference session when the church is led by the God the eternal Spirit was active with the Father
Holy Spirit to a fuller understanding of Bible truth or and the Son in Creation, incarnation, and redemp-
finds better language in which to expreS's the Jeach- tion. He inspired the writers of Sctipture. He filled
ings of God's Holy Word. Christ's life with power. He draws and convicts hu-
man beings; and those who respond He renews and
transforms into the image of God. Sent by the Father
1. The Holy Scriptures and the Son to be always with His children, He ex-
The Holy Scriptures, Old and New Testaments,.are tends spiritual gifts to the church, empowers it to
the written Word of God, given by divine inspiration bear witness to Christ, and in harmony with the Scrip-
through holy men of-God- who spoke and wrote as tures leads it into all truth. (Gen. 1:1, 2; Luke 1:35;
they were moved by.the Holy Spirit. In this Word, 4:18; Acts 10:38; 2 Peter 1:21';'2 Cor. 3:18; Eph. 4:11,
God has committed to man the knowledge necessary 12; Acts 1:8; John 14:16-18, 26; 15:26, 27; 16:7-13.)
for salvation. The Holy Scriptures are the infallible
revelation of His will. They are the standard of charac-
ter, the test of experience, the authoritative revealer 6. Creation':
of doctrines, and tne trustworthy record of God's acts God is Creator of all things, and has revealed in
in history. (2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Ps. Scripture the authentic account of His creative activ-
119:105; Prov..30:5, 6; Isa. 8:20; John 17:17; 1 Thess. ity. In six days the Lord made 'the heaven and the
2:13; Heb. 4:12.) earth" and all living things upon the earth, and rested
'On the Seventh day of that first (cid:9)Thus He estab-
lished the Sabbath as a perpetual memorial of His
2. The Trinity. completed creative work. The.first man and woman
There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a were made in the image of God as the crowning work
unity of three co-eternal Persons. God is immortal, of Creation, .giveri dominion over the world, and
all-powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever pres- charged with responsibility to care for it. When the
ent. He is infinite and beyond human comprehen- world was finished it was ',very good," declaring the
sion, yet known through His self-revelation. He is for- glory of God. (Gen. 1; 2; Ex. 20:8-11;;Ps..19:1-6; 33:6,
ever worthy of worship, adoration, and service by the 9; 104; Heb. 11:3.)
whole creation. (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14;
Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Tim. 1:17; Rev. 14:7.)
7 The. Nature of Man
Man and woman were made in the image of God
3. The Father with individuality, the power and freedoM to think
God the Eternal Father is the Creator, SourCe, Stis- and to do. Though created free beings, each is an in-
tainer, and Sovereign of all creation. He is just and divisible unity of body, mind, and soul, dependent
holy, merciful and- gracious, slow to anger, and upon God for life and breath and all. else. When our
abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. The first parents -disobeyed. God, they denied their de-
qualities and powers exhibited in the Son .and the pendence. upon Him and fell from their high position
Holy Spirit are also revelations of the Father. (Gen. under God. The image of God in them was marred
1:1; Rev. 4:11; 1 Cor. 15:28; John 3:16; 1 John 4:8; 1 and theybecame subject to death. Their descendants
Tim. 1:17; Ex. 34:6, 7; John 14:9.) share this fallen, nature and its consequences. They
are born with'weaknesses and tendencies to evil. But
God in Christ reconciled the worldto Himself and by
4. The Son His Spirit restores in penitent mortals the image of
God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus their Maker. Created for the glory of God, they are
Christ. Through Him all things were created, the called to love Him and one'another, and to care for
character of God is revealed, the salvation of human- their environment. (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:7; Ps. 8:4-8; Acts
ity is accomplished, and the world is judged. Forever 17:24,28; Gen. 3; Ps. 51:5; Rom. 5:12-17; 2 Cor. 5:19,
truly God, He became also truly man, Jesus the 20; Ps.. 51:10; 1 John 4:7, 8,'11.,20; Gen.-2:15.)
Christ. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born
of the virgin Mary. He lived and experienced tempta-
tion as a human being, but perfectly exemplified the 8. The Great Controversy'
righteousness and love of God. By His miracles He All humanity is now involved in a great controversy
manifested God's power and was attested as God's between Christ and Satan regarding the charatter of
promised Messiah. He suffered and died-voluntarily God, His law, and His sovereignty over the universe.
on the cross for our sins and in our place, was raised This conflict originated in heaven when a created
from the dead, and ascended to minister in the heav- being, endowed with freedom of choice, in self-
enly sanctuary in our behalf. He will come again in exaltation became,Satan, God's,-adversary, and led
glory for the final deliverance of His people and the into rebellion a portion of the angels. He introduced
restoration of all things. (John 1:1-3,14; Col. 1:15-19; the spirit of rebellion into this world when he led
6(cid:9) SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEARBOOK, 1985
Adam and Eve into sin. This human sin resulted in the bride for whom Chist died that He might sanctify and
distortion of the image of God in humanity, the disor- cleanse her. At His return in triumph, He will present
dering of the created world, and its eventual devasta- her to Himself a glorious church, the faithful of all the
tion at the time of the worldwide flood. Observed by ages, the purchase of His blood, not having spot or
the whole creation, this world became the arena of wrinkle, but holy and without blemish. (Gen. 12:3;
the universal conflict, out of which the God of love Acts 7:38; Eph. 4:11-15; 3:8-11; Matt. 28:19, 20;
will ultimately be vindicated. To assist His people in 16:13-20; 18:18; Eph. 2:19-22; 1:22, 23; 5:23-27; Col.
this controversy, Christ sends the Holy Spirit and the 1:17, 18.)
loyal angels to guide, protect, and sustain them in the
way of salvation. (Rev. 12:4-9; isa. 14:12-14; Eze.
28:12-18; Gen. 3; Rom. 1:19-32; 5:12-21; 8:19-22; 12. The Remnant and Its Mission
Gen. 6-8; 2 Peter 3:6; 1 Cor. 4:9; Heb. 1:14.) The universal church is composed of all who truly
believe in Christ, but in the last days, a time of wide-
spread apostasy, a remnant has been called out to
9. The Life, Death, keep the commandments. of God and the faith of Je-
and Resurrection of Christ sus. This remnant announces the arrival of the judg-
In Christ's life of perfect obedience to God's will, ment hour, proclaims salvation through Christ, and
His suffering, death, and resurrection, God provided heralds the approach of His second advent. This
the only means of atonement for human sin, so that proclamation is symbolized by the three angels of
those who by faith accept this atonement may have Revelation 14; it coincides with the work of judgment
eternal life, and the whole creation may better under- in heaven and results in a work of repentance and re-
stand the infinite and holy love of the Creator. This form on earth. Every believer is called to have a per-
sonal part in this worldwide witness. (Rev. 12:17;
perfect atonement vindicates the righteousness of
God's law and the graciousness of His character; for 14:6-12; 18:1-4; 2 Cor. 5:10; Jude 3, 14; 1 Peter
it both condeinns our sin and provides for our for- 1:16-19; 2 Peter 3:10-14; Rev. 21:1-14.)
giveness. The death of Christ is substitutionary and
expiatory, reconciling and transforming. The resur- 13. Unity in the Body of Christ
rection of Christ proclaims God's triumph over the
The church is one body with many members, called
forces of evil, and for those who accept the atone-
from every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. In
ment assures their final victory over sin and death. It
Christ we are a new creation; distinctions of race, cul-
declares the Lordship of Jesus Christ, before whom
ture, learning, and nationality, and differences be-
every knee in heaven and on earth will bow. (John
tween high and low, rich and poor, male and female,
3:16; Isa. 53; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4, 20-22; 2
must not be divisive among us. We are all equal in
Cor. 5:14, 15, 19-21; Rom. 1:4; 3:25; 4:25; 8:3, 4; 1
Christ, who by one Spirit has bonded us into one fel-
John 2:2; 4:10; Col. 2:15; Phil. 2:6-11.)
lowship with Him and with one another; we are to
serve and be served without partiality or reservation.
Through the revelation of Jesus Christ in the Scrip-
10. The Experience of Salvation
tures we share the same faith and hope, and reach
In infinite love and mercy God made Christ, who out in one witness to all. This unity has its source in
knew no sin, to be sin for us, so that in Him we might the oneness of the triune God, who has adopted us as
be made the righteousness of God. Led by the Holy His children. (Rom. 12:4, 5; 1 Cor. 12:12-14; Matt.
Spirit we sense our need, acknowledge our sinful- 28:19, 20; Ps. 133:1; 2 Cor. 5:16, 17; Acts 17:26, 27;
ness, repent of our transgressions, and exercise faith Gal. 3:27, 29; Col. 3:10-15; Eph. 4:14-16; 4:1-6; John
in Jesus as Lord and Christ, as Substitute and Exam- 17:20-23.)
ple. This faith which receives salvation comes
through the divine power of the Word and is the gift
of God's grace. Through Christ we are justified, 14. Baptism
adopted as God's sons and daughters, and delivered By baptism we confess our faith in the death and
from the lordship of sin. Through the Spirit we are resurrection of Jesus Christ, and testify of our death
born again and sanctified; the Spirit renews our to sin and of our purpose to walk in newness of life.
minds, writes God's law of love in our hearts, and we Thus we acknowledge Christ as Lord and Saviour, be-
are given the power to live a holy life. Abiding in Him come His people, and are received as members by
we become partakers of the divine nature and have His church. Baptism is a symbol of our union with
the assurance of salvation now and in the judgment. Christ, the forgiveness of our sins, and our reception
(2 Cor. 5:17-21; John 3:16; Gal. 1:4; 4:4-7; Titus of the Holy Spirit. It is by immersion in water and is
3:3-7; John 16:8; Gal. 3:13,14; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; Rom. contingent on an affirmation of faith in Jesus and evi-
10:17; Luke 17:5; Mark 9:23, 24; Eph. 2:5-10; Rom. dence of repentance of sin. It follows instruction in
3:21-26; Col. 1:13, 14; Rom. 8:14-17; Gal. 3:26; John the Holy Scriptures and acceptance of their teach-
3:3-8; 1 Peter 1:23; Rom. 12:2; Heb. 8:7-12; Eze. ings. (Rom. 6:1-6; Col. 2:12,13; Acts 16:30-33; 22:16;
36:25-27; 2 Peter 1:3, 4; Rom. 8:1-4; 5:6-10.) 2:38; Matt. 28:19, 20.)
11. The Church 15. The Lord's Supper
The church is the community of believers who con- The Lord's Supper is a participation in the emblems
fess Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. In continuity of the body and blood of Jesus as an expression of
with the people of God in Old Testament times, we faith in Him, our Lord and Saviour. In this experience
are called out from the world; and we join together of communion Christ is present to meet and
for worship, for fellowship, for instruction in the strengthen His people. As we partake, we joyfully
Word, for the celebration of the Lord's Supper, for proclaim the Lord's death until He comes again. Prep-
service to all mankind, and for the world-wide procla- aration for the Supper includes self-examination, re-
mation of the gospel. The church derives its authority pentance, and confession. The Master ordained the
from Christ, who is the incarnate Word, and from the service of foot washing to signify renewed cleansing,
Scriptures, which are the written Word. The church is to express a willingness to serve one another in
God's family; adopted by Him as children, its mem- Christlike humility, and to unite our hearts in love.
bers live on the basis of the new covenant. The The communion service is open to all believing Chris-
church is the body of Christ, a community of faith of tians. (1 Cor. 10:16,17; 11:23-30; Matt. 26:17-30; Rev.
which Christ Himself is the Head. The church is the 3:20; John 6:48-63; 13:1-17.)
FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS(cid:9) 7
16. Spiritual Gifts and Ministries and His people. Joyful observance of this holy time
God bestows upon all members of His church in from evening to evening, sunset to sunset, is a cele-
every age spiritual gifts which each member is to em- bration of God's creative and redemptive acts. (Gen.
ploy in loving ministry for the common good of the 2:1-3; Ex. 20:8-11; Luke 4:16; Isa. 56:5, 6; 58:13, 14;
church and of humanity. Given by the agency of the Matt. 12:1-12; Ex. 31:13-17; Eze. 20:12, 20; Deut.
Holy Spirit, who apportions to each member as He 5:12-15; Heb. 4:1-11; Lev. 23:32; Mark 1:32.)
wills, the gifts provide all abilities and ministries
needed by the church to fulfill its divinely ordained
functions. According to the Scriptures, these gifts in- 20. Stewardship
clude such ministries as faith, healing, prophecy, We are God's stewards, entrusted by Him with time
proclamation, teaching, administration, reconcilia- and opportunities, abilities and possessions, and the
tion, compassion, and self-sacrificing service and blessings of the earth and its resources. We are re-
charity for the help and encouragement of people. sponsible to Him for their proper use. We acknowl-
Some members are called of God and endowed by edge God's ownership by faithful service to Him and
the Spirit for functions recognized by the church in our fellow men, and by returning tithes and giving of-
pastoral, evangelistic, apostolic, and teaching minis- ferings for the proclamation of His gospel- and the
tries particularly needed to equip the members for support and growth of His church. Stewardship is a
service, to build up the church to spiritual maturity, privilege given to us by God for nurture in love and
and to foster unity of the faith and knowledge of God. the victory over selfishness and covetousness. The
When members employ these spiritual gifts as faith- steward rejoices in the blessings that come to others
ful stewards of God's varied grace, the church is pro- as a result of his faithfulness. (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15; 1
tected from the destructive influence of false doc- Chron. 29:14; Hag. 1:3-11; Mal. 3:8-12; 1 Cor. 9:9-14;
trine, grows with a growth that is from God, and is Matt. 23:23; 2 Cor. 8:1-15; Rom. 15:26, 27.)
built up in faith and love. (Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor.
12:9-11, 27, 28; Eph. 4:8, 11-16; Acts 6:1-7; 1 Tim.
2:1-3; 1 Peter 4:10, 11-.) 21. Christian Behaviour
We are called to be a godly people who think, feel,
and act in harmony with the principles of heaven. For
17. The Gift of Prophecy
the Spirit to recreate in us the character of our Lord
One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This we involve ourselves only in those things which will
gift is an identifying mark of the remnant church and produce Christlike purity, health, and joy in our lives.
was manifested in the ministry of Ellen G. White. As This means that our ammusement and entertainment
the Lord's messenger, her writings are a continuing should meet the highest standards of Christian taste
and authoritative source of truth which provide for and beauty. While recognizing cultural differences,
the church comfort, guidance, instruction, and cor- our dress is to be simple, modest, and neat, befitting
rection. They also make clear that the Bible is the those whose true beauty does not consist of outward
standard by which all teaching and experience must adornment but in the imperishable ornament of a
be tested. (Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:14-21; Heb. 1:1-3; entle and quiet spirit. It also means that because our
Rev. 12:17; 19:10.) bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, we are to
care for them intelligently. Along with adequate exer-
cise and rest, we are to adopt the most healthful diet
18. The Law of God possible and abstain from the unclean foods identi-
The great principles of God's law are embodied in fied in the Scriptures. Since alcoholic beverages, to-
the Ten Commandments and exemplified in the life bacco, and the irresponsible use of drugs and narcot-
of Christ. They express God's love, will, and pur- ics are harmful to our bodies, we are to abstain from
poses concerning human conduct and relationships them as well. Instead, we are to engage in whatever
and are binding upon all people in every age. These brings our thoughts and bodies into the discipline of
precepts are the basis of God's covenant with His Christ, who desires our wholesomeness, joy, and
people and the standard in God's judgment. Through goodness. (Rom. 12:1, 2; 1 John 2:6; Eph. 5:1-21;
the agency of the Holy Spirit they point out sin and Phil, 4:8; 2 Cor. 10:5; 6:14-7:1; 1 Peter 3:1-4; 1 Cor.
awaken a sense of need for a Saviour. Salvation is all 6:19, 20; 10:31; Lev. 11:1-47; 3 John 2.)
of grace and not of works, but its fruitage is obedi-
ence to the Commandments. This obedience devel-
ops Christian character and results in a sense of well- M. Marriage and the Family
being. It is an evidence of our love for the Lord and Marriage was divinely established in Eden and af-
our concern for our fellow men. The obedience of firmed by Jesus to be a lifelong union between a man
faith demonstrates the power of Christ to transform and a woman in loving companionship. For the Chris-
lives, and therefore strengthens Christian witness. tian a marriage commitment is to God as well as to the
(Ex. 20:1-17; Ps. 40:7, 8; Matt. 22:36-40; Deut. spouse, and should be entered into only between
28:1-14; Matt. 5:17-20; Heb. 8:8-10; John 16:7-10; pirtners who share a common faith. Mutual love,
Eph. 2:8-10; 1 John 5:3; Rom. 8:3, 4; Ps. 19:7-14.) honor, respect, and responsibility are the fabric of
this relationship, which is to reflect the love, sanctity,
closeness, and. permanence of the relationship be-
19. The Sabbath tween Christ and His church. Regarding divorce, Je-
The beneficent Creator, after the six days of Crea- sus taught that the person who divorces a spouse, ex-
tion, rested on the seventh day and instituted the cept for fornication, and marries another, commits
Sabbath for all people as a memorial of Creation. The adultery. Although some family relationships may fall
fourth commandment of God's unchangeable law re- short of the ideal, marriage partners who fully com-
quires the observance of this seventh-day Sabbath as mit themselves to each other in Christ may achieve
the day of rest, worship, and ministry in harmony loving unity through the guidance of the Spirit and
with the teaching and practice of Jesus, the Lord of the nurture of the church. God blesses the family and
the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a day of delightful com- intends that its members shall assist each other to-
munion with God and one another. It is a symbol of ward complete maturity. Parents are to bring up their
our redemption in Christ, a sign of our sanctification, children to love and obey the Lord. By their example
a token of our allegiance, and a foretaste of our eter- and their words they are to teach them that Christ is a
nal future in God's kingdom. The Sabbath is God's loving disciplinarian, ever tender and caring, who
perpetual sign of His eternal covenant between Him wants them to become members of His body, the
•
8(cid:9) SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEARBOOK, 1985
family of God. Increasing family closeness is one of condition of the world, indicates that Christ's coming
the earmarks of the final gospel message. (Gen. is imminent. The time of that event has not been re-
2:18-25; Matt. 19:3-9; John 2:1-11; 2 Cor. 6:14; Eph. vealed, and we are therefore exhorted to be ready at
5:21-33; Matt. 5:31, 32; Mark 10:11, 12; Luke 16:18; all times. (Titus 2:13; Heb. 9:28; John 14:1-3; Acts
1 Cor. 7:10, 11; Ex. 20:12; Eph. 6:1-4; Deut. 6:5-9; 1:9-11; Matt. 24:14; Rev. 1:7; Matt. 26:43, 44; 1
Prov. 22:6; Mal. 4:5, 6.) Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; 2:8;
Rev. 14:14-20; 19:11-21; Matt. 24; Mark 13; Luke 21; 2
Tim. 3:1-5; 1 Thess. 5:1-6.)
23. Christ's Ministry
in the Heavenly Sanctuary
There is a sanctuary in heaven, the true tabernacle 25. Death and Resurrection
which the Lord set up and not man. In it Christ minis- The wages of sin is death. But God, who alone is im-
ters on our behalf, making available to believers the mortal, will grant eternal life to His redeemed. Until
benefits of His atoning sacrifice offered once for all that day death is an unconscious state for all people.
on the cross. He was inaugurated as our great High When Christ, who is our life, appears, the resurrected
Priest and began His intercessory ministry at the time righteous and the living righteous will be glorified
of His ascension. In 1844, at the end of the prophetic and caught up to meet their Lord. The second resur-
period of 2300 days, He entered the second and last rection, the resurrection of the unrighteous, will take
phase of His atoninministry. It is a work of investiga- place a thousand years later. (Rom. 6:23; 1 Tim. 6:15,
tive judgment which is part of the ultimate disposi- 16; Eccl. 9:5, 6; Ps. 146:3, 4; John 11:11-14; Col. 3:4; 1
tion of all sin, typified by the cleansing of the ancient Cor. 15:51-54; 1 Thess. 4:13-17; John 5:28, 29; Rev.
Hebrew sanctuary on the Day of Atonement. In that 20:1-10.)
typical service the sanctuary was cleansed with the
blood of animal sacrifices, but the heavenly things
are purified with the perfect sacrifice of the blood of 26. The Millennium and the End of Sin
Jesus. The investigative judgment reveals to heavenly
intelligences who among the dead are asleep in The millennium is the thousand-year reign of
Christ and therefore, in Him, are deemed worthy to Christ with His saints in heaven between the first and
have part in the first resurrection. It also makes man- second resurrections. During this time the wicked
ifest who, among the living are abiding in Christ, dead will be judged; the earth will be utterly deso-
keeping the commandments of God and-the faith of late, without living human inhabitants, but occupied
Jesus, and in Him, therefore, are ready for translation by Satan and his angels. At its close Christ with His
into His everlasting kingdom. This judgment vindi- saints and the Holy City will descend from heaven to
cates the justice of God in saving those who believe in earth. The unrighteous dead will then be resur-
Jesus. It declares that those who have remained loyal rected, and with Satan and his angels will surround
to God shall receive the kingdom. The completion of the city; but fire from God will consume them and
this ministry of Christ will mark the close of human cleanse the earth. The universe will thus be freed of
probation before the Second Advent. (Heb. 8:1-5; sin and sinners forever. (Rev. 20; 1 Cor. 6:2, 3; Jer.
4:14-16; 9:11-28; 10:19-22; 1:3; 2:16, 17; Dan. 7:9- 4:23-26; Rev. 21:1-5; Mal. 4:1; Eze. 28:18, 19.)
27; 8:13, 14; 9:24-27; Num. 14:34; Eze. 4:6; Lev. 16;
Rev. 14:6, 7; 20:12; 14:12; 22:12.)
27. The New Earth
On the new earth, in which righteousness dwells,
24. The Second Coming of Christ God will provide an eternal home for the redeemed
The second coming of Christ is the blessed hope of and a perfect environment for everlasting life, love,
the church, the grand climax of the gospel. The Sa- Joy , and learning in His presence. For here God Him-
viour's coming will be literal, personal, visible and self will dwell with His people, and suffering and
worldwide. When He returns, the righteous dead will death will have passed away. The great controversy
be resurrected, and together with the righteous liv- will be ended, and sin will be no more. All things, ani-
ing will be glorified and taken to heaven, but the un- mate and inanimate, will declare that God is love; and
righteous will die. The almost complete fulfillment of He shall reign forever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:13; Isa. 35;
most lines of prophecy, together with the present 65:17-25; Matt. 5:5; Rev. 21:1-7; 22:1-5; 11:15.)
THE CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
of the
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
(As revised at the Fifty-third Session held in Dallas, (c) Delegates representing union missions, local
Texas, April 17-26, 1980.) conferences, and local missions without division af-
filiation shall be appointed by the General Confer-
ence Committee in consultation with the organiza-
Article I—Name tion concerned.
This organization shall be known as General Con- Sec. 5. Regular delegates shall be appointed and
ference of Seventh-day Adventists. accredited on the following basis:
(a) Each union conference and each union mission
Article II—Object shall be entitled to one delegate in addition to its
president, without regard to number, an additional
The object of this Conference is to teach all nations
delegate for each local-conference and each regularly
the everlasting gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
organized mission in its territory without regard to
Christ and the commandments of God. number, and an additional delegate for each 4,300, or
major fraction thereof, of the membership of the
Article III—Membership union conference or mission.
Sec. 1. The membership of this Conference shall (b) Each local conference or local mission directly
consist of: attached to divisions or to the General Conference,
as has been or shall be properly organized and ac-
(a) Such union conferences and union missions cepted by vote of the General Conference in session,
either in organized division sections or without divi- shall be entitled to one delegate without regard to
sional affiliation as have been or shall be properly or- number, and an additional delegate for each 4,300, or
ganized and accepted by vote of the General Confer- major fraction thereof, of the membership of the
ence in session. local conference or mission.
(b) Such local conferences and properly organized (c) Calculations for delegate allotments shall be
local missions not included in any division, union based upon the membership as of December 31 of
conference or union mission or such local confer- the year preceding the session.
ences or local missions directly attached to divisions
Sec. 6. Credentials to sessions shall be issued by
as have been or shall be properly organized and ac-
the General Conference to those appointed as pro-
cepted by vote of the General Conference in session.
vided for in harmony with the provisions of this arti-
Sec. 2. The voters of this Conference shall be desig- cle.
nated as follows:
(a) Delegates at large.
Article IV—Officers and Their Duties
(b) Regular delegates.
Sec. 1. The officers of this Conference shall be a
Sec. 3. Delegates at large shall be:
President, Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, an Undersec-
(a) All members of the General Conference Execu- retary, Associate Secretaries, a Treasurer, an Under-
tive Committee. treasurer, and Assistant Treasurers, who shall be
(b) Such representatives of missions of the General elected by the Conference.
Conference and of general institutions and depart- Sec. 2. President: The President shall preside at the
ments of work, and such general laborers and field sessions of the Conference, act as chairman of the Ex-
secretaries as shall receive delegate's credentials ecutive Committee, and labor in the general interests
from the Executive Committee of the General Con- of the Conference, as the Executive Committee may
ference, such credentials to be ratified by the Gen- advise, and perform such other duties as usually per-
eral Conference in session. The number of these del- tain to such office.
egates thus seated shall not exceed 25 per cent of the
Sec. 3. Vice-Presidents: Each Vice-President shall
total number of delegates otherwise provided for.
at the time of his election be assigned to serve as a
(c) Four delegates from each division without re- general administrative assistant to the President or to
gard to membership and one additional delegate for preside over a division field.
each 200,000, or major fraction thereof, of the divi-
sion membership, such delegates to be appointed by Sec. 4. Secretary, Undersecretary, and Associate
the division committee and their credentials to be ra- Secretaries: It shall be the duty of the Secretary, Un-
tified by the General Conference in session. Calcula- dersecretary, and the Associate Secretaries to keep
tions for these delegate allotments shall be based the minutes of the proceedings of the General Con-
upon the membership as of December 31 of the year ference sessions and of the General Conference
preceding the session. Committee meetings, to maintain correspondence
with the fields, and to perform such other duties as
Sec. 4. Regular delegates shall be appointed in the usually pertain to such office.
following manner:
Sec. 5. Treasurer, Undertreasurer, and Assistant
(a) Delegates representing union conferences shall Treasurers: It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to re-
be appointed by the respective unions. ceive all funds of the General Conference, and dis-
(b) Delegates representing union missions, and burse them in harmony with the actions of the Execu-
local conferences and missions attached to the divi- tive Committee of the General Conference, and to
sion but not to any union, shall be appointed by the render such financial statements at regular intervals
division committee in consultation with the organiza- as may be desired by the General Conference or by
tion concerned. the Executive Committee. The Undertreasurer and
9
10(cid:9) SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEARBOOK, 1985
Assistant Treasurers shall assist the Treasurer in his Conference Executive Committee, as the develop-
work. ment of the work may require.
Sec. 2. At each regular session of this Conference,
the delegates shall elect such trustees and corporate
Article V—Election bodies connected with this organization as may be
Sec. 1. The following shall be elected at each regu- provided in the statutory laws governing each.
lar session of the General Conference: Sec. 3. The Conference shall employ such commit-
(a) A President, Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, an tees, secretaries, treasurers, auditors, agents, minis-
Undersecretary, Associate Secretaries, Division Sec- ters, missionaries, and other persons, and make such
retaries, a Treasurer, an Undertreasurer, Assistant distribution of its laborers, as may be necessary effec-
Treasurers, Division Treasurers, General Field Secre- tively to execute its work.
taries, Division Field Secretaries, an Auditor, Associ- Sec. 4. The Conference shall grant credentials or li-
ate Auditors, Division Auditors, a Secretary and Asso- censes to ministers and missionaries except in divi-
ciate Secretaries of the Ministerial Association, a Di- sion fields, in union and local conferences, and in or-
rector and Associate Directors of each duly organized ganized union missions.
General Conference Department; namely, Commu-
nication, Education, Health, Lay Activities, Public Af-
fairs and Religious Liberty, Publishing, Sabbath Article IX—Sessions
School, Stewardship and Development, Temper-
Sec. 1. This Conference shall hold quinquennial
ance, Youth; a Director of Archives and Statistics, a
Director and Associate Director of Human Relations. sessions at such time and place as the Executive Com-
mittee shall designate and announce by a notice pub-
a Director and Associate Director of Trust Services, a
lished in the Adventist Review in three consecutive is-
Director of World Foods Service; Division Ministerial
sues at least four months before the date for the
Association Secretaries, Division Departmental Di-
opening of the session. In case special world condi-
rectors, Division Directors of Trust Services, and Di-
tions seem to make it imperative to postpone the call-
vision Directors of World Foods Service.
ing of the session, the Executive Committee in regu-
(b) Other persons, not to exceed 50 in number, to lar or special Council shall have authority to make
serve as members of the Executive Committee. such postponement not to exceed two years, giving
notice to all constituent organizations.
Article VI—Executive Committee Sec. 2. The Executive Committee may call special
sessions of the General Conference at such time and
Sec. 1. The Executive Committee shall consist of: place as it deems proper, by a like notice as of regular
(a) Those elected as provided by Article V except sessions, and the transactions of such special ses-
the General Conference Auditor and Associate Audi- sions shall have the same force as those of the regular
tors, and Division Auditors. sessions.
(b) Presidents of Union Conferences, Presidents of Sec. 3. The election of officers, and the voting on all
Union Missions, Past-Presidents of the General Con- matters of business shall be by viva-voce vote or as
ference holding credentials from this Conference, designated by the chairman, unless otherwise de-
the President of Andrews University, the Director manded by a majority of the delegates present.
and Associate Directors of the Biblical Research Insti-
tute, the General Manager of Christian Record Braille
Foundation, the President of the General Conference Article X—Bylaws
Insurance Service, the Director of the Geoscience The voters of this Conference may enact Bylaws
Research Institute, the President of Harris Pine Mills, and amend or repeal them at any session thereof, and
the Director of Home and Family Service, the Presi- such Bylaws may embrace any provision not incon-
dent of the Home Study Institute, the President of sistent with the Constitution.
Loma Linda University, the President of Oakwood
College, the General Manager of the Pacific Press
Publishing Association, the President of the Seventh- Article XI—Amendments
day Adventist Radio, Television and Film Center, the This Constitution or its Bylaws may be amended by
General Manager of the Review and Herald Pub- a two-thirds vote of the voters present and voting at
lishing Association, Executive Director of Seventh- any session: provided that, if it is proposed to amend
day Adventist World Service, the Executive Secretary the Constitution at a special session, notice of such
of the Association of Privately Owned Seventh-day purpose shall be given in the call for such special ses-
Adventist Services and Industries, the Director of sion.
General Conference Personnel Administration, the
General Manager of Institutional Services/ESDA, the
Editor and Associate Editors of the Adventist Review, BYLAWS
the Secretary and Associate Secretaries of the Ellen G.
White Estate, the Speaker of the Breath of Life, the Article I—Division Sections
Speaker of Faith for Today, the Speaker of It Is Writ- Sec. 1. The General Conference shall conduct its
ten, and the Speaker of the Voice of Prophecy. world-wide work in division sections, each section to
operate within a specified territory in harmony with
the policy of the General Conference.
Article VII—Term of Office Sec. 2. Union conference and union mission field
All officers of the General Conference and those organizations, together with all other organizations
members of the Executive Committee provided for and institutions within the territory, shall be respon-
by Article VI, Sec. 1 (a), shall hold office from the time sible to the respective division committees, or in the
of election until the next ensuing regular session or case of fields without divisional affiliation, to the
until their successors are elected and appear to enter General Conference Committee.
upon their duties. Sec. 3. The division sections shall be known as:
Afro-Mideast Division, Australasian Division, China
Division, Euro-Africa Division, Far Eastern Division,
Article VIII—Incorporations and Agents Inter-American Division, North American Division,
Sec. 1. Such incorporations may be authorized by Northern Europe-West Africa Division, South Ameri-
the General Conference in session, or by the General can Division, Southern Asia Division, Trans-Africa Di-