Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook for 1993

620 Pages·2014·10.78 MB·English

YEARBOOK
1993
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
12501 OLD COLUMBIA PIKE
SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND 20904-6600

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) 35
Eastern Africa (cid:9) 57
Euro-Africa (cid:9) 77
Euro-Asia (cid:9) 99
Far Eastern (cid:9) 105
Inter-American (cid:9) 147
North American (cid:9) 181
Healthcare Corporations (cid:9) 242
South American (cid:9) 247
South Pacific (cid:9) 277
Southern Asia (cid:9) 297
Trans-European (cid:9) 309
Middle East Union (cid:9) 325
Southern Africa Union (cid:9) 327
China (cid:9) 333
Presidents, Secretaries, and Treasurers of G.C. (cid:9) 334
Institutions:
Educational Institutions (cid:9) 335
Food Companies (cid:9) 441
Healthcare Institutions (cid:9) 447
Dispensaries and Clinics (cid:9) 481
Retirement Homes and Orphanages (cid:9) 487
Media Centers (cid:9) 491
Publishing Houses (cid:9) 495
Periodicals (cid:9) 507
List of Countries With Their Organizational Locations (cid:9) 521
Necrology (cid:9) 524
Index of Institutional Workers (cid:9) 527
Postal Abbreviations (cid:9) 606
Directory of Workers (cid:9) 607
General Index (cid:9) 995
3
Preface to the 1993 Edition
Scope of the Yearbook country entered was Russia, where an Adventist minister
A world directory of the Seventh-day Adventist went in 1886. On October 20, 1890, the schooner
Church is given in the following pages. It includes the Pitcairn was launched at San Francisco and was soon
General Conference and its international divisions, engaged in carrying missionaries to the Pacific islands.
union and local conferences and missions, and related Seventh-day Adventist workers first entered non-
institutions. Institutions that are managed but not fully Christian countries in 1894—Gold Coast (Ghana), West
owned and operated by church entities are not included. Africa, and Matabeleland, South Africa. The same year
The information has been furnished by the organizations saw missionaries entering South America, and in 1896
themselves; but in cases where current reports have not there were representatives in Japan. The Church now
been received, the most recent previous records have has established work in 201 countries.
been retained or adjusted. Thepublication and distribution of literature were
In the conference and mission sections, employees major factors in the growth of the Advent Movement.
are listed in the following sequence: ordained ministers The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald (now the Ad-
holding ministerial credentials, credentialed commis- ventist Review), general church paper, was launched in
Paris, Maine, in 1850; the Youth's Instructor in Roches-
sioned ministers, credentialed commissioned teachers,
ter, New York, in 1852; and the Signs of the Times in
credentialed missionaries, and credentialed literature Oakland, California, in 1874. The first denominational
evangelists. The Directory of Workers gives the names publishing house at Battle Creek, Michigan, began op-
and addresses of these workers. Institutional employees erating in 1855 and was duly incorporated in 1861
are listed separately in the Index of Institutional Work- under the name of Seventh-day Adventist Publishing
ers. Association.
The data that appears below has been summarized The Health Reform Institute, later known as the Battle
largely from the 1991 Annual Statistical Report, while Creek Sanitarium, opened its doors in 1866, and mis-
the figures for the number of churches and for church sionary society work was organized on a statewide basis
membership throughout the Yearbook are drawn from in 1870. The first of the Church's worldwide network of
official reports rendered for June 30, 1992. schools was established in 1872, and 1877 saw the
Denominational History formation of state-wide Sabbath school associations. In
Seventh-day Adventists are, doctrinally, heirs of the 1903, the denominational headquarters was moved
Millerite movement of the 1840's. Although the name from Battle Creek, Michigan, to Washington, D.C., and
"Seventh-day Adventist" was chosen in 1860, the de- in 1989 to Silver Spring, Maryland, where it continues to
nomination was not officially organized until May 21, form the nerve-center of an ever-expanding work.
1863, when the movement included some 125 churches The distinctive Seventh-day Adventist message may
and 3,500 members. Work was largely confined to be summarized as "the everlasting gospel," the basic
North America until 1874 when the Church's first Christian message of salvation through faith in Christ, in
missionary, J. N. Andrews, was sent to Switzerland. the special setting of the threefold message of Revelation
Africa was penetrated briefly in 1879 when Dr. H. P. 14:6-12, the call to worship the Creator, "for the hour of
Ribton, an early convert in Italy, moved to Egypt and his judgment is come." This message is epitomized in
opened a school, but the project ended when riots broke the phrase, "the commandments of God, and the faith of
out in the vicinity. The first non-Protestant Christian Jesus."
World Statistics for 1991
(except as noted)
MEMBERSHIP AND WORKERS HEALTH MINISTRY
(as of June 30, 1992) Hospitals and sanitariums (cid:9) 162
OBargpatinziezde dc hcuhrucrhc hmeesm (cid:9)bers (cid:9) 7,27344,,138613 DReistpireenmseanrite hs,o cmliensi casn,d a nodrp lhaaunnacgheess(cid:9) (cid:9) 31808
Ordained ministers, active (cid:9) 11,590 Physicians, dentists, residents, and
Total active workers (cid:9) 126,165 interns (cid:9) 2,076
Baptisms and professions of faith (cid:9) 634,034 Nurses (cid:9) 14,667
(July 1, 1991 to June 30, 1992) Outpatient visits (cid:9) 7,059,835
Assets of health-care institutions (cid:9) $4,156,912,263
MISSION WORK (1990 figure)
Countries in which church is working (1991) .... 201 PUBLISHING WORK
(Countries and areas in the world-229) Publishing houses (cid:9) 60
Number of divisions (cid:9) 11 Languages in which church is working (1991) ... 619
Number of unions (cid:9) 92 Languages, publishing in (1991) (cid:9) 184
Number of conferences, missions Literature evangelists (cid:9) 7,649
and fields (cid:9) 442
Missionaries sent (cid:9) 632 SABBATH SCHOOLS
Sabbath school members (cid:9) 8,197,876
Sabbath schools (cid:9) 71,266
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM CONTRIBUTIONS
Schools operated by church (cid:9) 5,835 Tithe—world (cid:9) $702,838,919
Total enrollment (cid:9) 860,232 North America (cid:9) $428,185,701
Primary schools (cid:9) 4,731 Sabbath School—world (cid:9) $42,367,707
Secondary schools (cid:9) 1,026 North America (cid:9) $21,024,196
Colleges and Universities (cid:9) 78 Ingathering(cid:9) world (cid:9) $12,229,431
All contributions—world (cid:9) $1,074,166,034
FOOD COMPANIES (cid:9) 26 North America (cid:9) $704,930,100
4
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 beliefs 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 14:1-3.)
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 express the teach- tion. He inspired the writers of Scripture. 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-
6. Creation
ter, the test of experience, the authoritative revealer
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 week. 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, given 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, Sus- and to do. Though created free beings, each is an
tainer, and Sovereign of all creation. He is just and indivisible unity of body, mind, and spirit, depen-
holy, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and dent upon God for life and breath and all else. When
abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. The our first parents disobeyed God, they denied their
qualities and powers exhibited in the Son and the dependence upon Him and fell from their high posi-
Holy Spirit are also revelations of the Father. (Gen. tion under God. The image of God in them was mar-
1:1; Rev. 4:11; 1 Cor, 15:28; John 3:16; 1 John 4:8; 1 red and they became subject to death. Their descen-
Tim. 1:17; Ex. 34:6, 7; John 14:9.) dants share this fallen nature and its consequences.
They are born with weaknesses and tendencies to
evil. But God in Christ reconciled the world to Him-
4. The Son self and by His Spirit restores in penitent mortals the
image of their Maker. Created for the glory of God,
God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus
they are called to love Him and one another, and to
Christ. Through Him all things were created, the
care for their environment. (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:7; Ps.
character of God is revealed, the salvation of human-
8:4-8; Acts 17:24-28; Gen. 3; Ps. 51:5; Rom. 5:12-17;
ity is accomplished, and the world is judged. Forever
2 Cor. 5:19, 20; Ps. 51:10; 1 John 4:7, 8, 11, 20; Gen.
truly God, He became also truly man, Jesus the
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 character 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. (Iohn 1:1-3,14; Col. 1:15-19; the spirit of rebellion into this world when he led
5
6(cid:9) SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEARBOOK, 1993
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-
perfect atonement vindicates the righteousness of sonal part in this worldwide witness. (Rev. 12:17;
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 condemns 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
forces of evil, and for those who accept the atone- The church is one body with many members, called
ment assures their final victory over sin and death. It from every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. In
declares the Lordship of Jesus Christ, before whom Christ we are a new creation; distinctions of race, cul-
every knee in heaven and on earth will bow. (John ture, learning, and nationality, and differences be-
3:16; Isa. 53; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4, 20-22; 2 tween high and low, rich and poor, male and female,
Cor. 5:14, 15, 19-21; Rom. 1:4; 3:25; 4:25; 8:3, 4; 1 must not be divisive among us. We are all equal in
John 2:2; 4:10; Col. 2:15; Phil. 2:6-11.) Christ, who by one Spirit has bonded us into one fel-
lowship with Him and with one another; we are to
serve and be served without partiality or reservation.
10. The Experience of Salvation Through the revelation of Jesus Christ in the Scrip-
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, w-ho 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; 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; gentle 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- 22. 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; partners 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, anda 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, 1993
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
2:18-25; Matt. 19:3-9; John 2:1-11; 2 Cor. 6:14; Eph. revealed, and we are therefore exhorted to be ready
5:21-33; Matt. 5:31, 32; Mark 10:11, 12; Luke 16:18; at 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. 24:43, 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 atoning ministry. 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; Nuin. 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 joy, and learning in His presence. For here God Him-
Saviour'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 mate and inanimate, will declare that God is love; and
unrighteous will die. The almost complete fulfillment He shall reign forever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:13; Isa. 35;
of 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-fifth Session held in Indiana- appointed by the respective division executive com-
polis, Indiana, July 5 to July 14, 1990.) mittees in consultation with the organizations con-
cerned.
CONSTITUTION c. Delegates representing conferences and mis-
sions attached to a division but not to any union
Article I—Name conference or mission shall be appointed by the re-
This organization shall be known as the General spective division executive committee in consulta-
Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. tion with the organizations concerned.
d. Delegates representing union conferences and
Article II—Purpose union missions, conferences and missions and un-
The purpose of the General Conference is to teach ions of churches attached to the General Conference
all nations the everlasting gospel of our Lord and but not to any division shall be appointed by the
Saviour Jesus Christ and the commandments of God. Executive Committee in consultation with the orga-
nizations concerned.
Article Ill—Membership Sec. 6. Regular delegates shall be allotted on the
Sec. 1. The membership of the General Confer- following basis:
ence shall consist of: a. Each union conference and union mission shall
a. All union conferences and union missions that be entitled to one delegate other than its president
have been or shall be properly organized and (who is a delegate at large), without regard to mem-
accepted by vote of the General Conference in ses- bership; and an additional delegate for each confer-
sion. ence and mission in its territory without regard to
b. All conferences and missions and unions of membership.
churches directly attached to the General Confer- b. Each union of churches shall be entitled to one
ence, and all conferences and missions and unions of delegate, without regard to membership.
churches directly attached to a division, that have c. Each conference and mission directly attached to
been or shall be properly organized. a division or to the General Conference shall be enti-
tled to one delegate, without regard to membership.
Article IV—General Conference Sessions
d. Each union conference, union mission, union of
Sec. 1. The General Conference shall hold quin-
churches, and attached conference and mission de-
quennial sessions at such time and place as the
scribed in Sections 6-a, 6-b, and 6-c shall be entitled
Executive Committee shall designate and announce
to additional delegates based upon its proportion of
by a notice published in the Adventist Review in
the world church membership. The total delegates
three consecutive issues at least four months before
under this provision shall not exceed 1,200.
the date for the opening of the session. In case special
world conditions make it imperative to postpone the Sec. 7. Delegates at large shall represent the
calling of the Session, the Executive Committee, in General Conference, its divisions, and its organiza-
regular or special council, shall have authority to tions and shall be appointed on the following basis:
make such postponement, not to exceed two years, a. All members of the Executive Committee.
giving notice to all constituent organizations. b. Four delegates from each division, without re-
Sec. 2. The Executive Committee may call special gard to membership, and one additional delegate for
sessions of the General Conference at such time and each 100,000, or major fraction thereof, of the divi-
place as it considers proper, by means of a notice as sion membership, such delegates to be appointed by
provided for in Sec. 1., and the transactions of such the division executive committee and their creden-
special sessions shall have the same force as those of tials to be ratified by the General Conference in ses-
the regular sessions. sion. At least 50 percent of these delegates shall be
Sec. 3. The election of officers, and the voting on laypersons, pastors, teachers, and non-
all matters of business shall be by viva-voce vote, administrative employees.
or as designated by the chairman, unless other- c. Those. representatives of the church's general
wise requested by a majority of the delegates pre- and division institutions and other entities, and those
sent. general workers, field secretaries, lay persons, and
Sec. 4. The delegates to a General Conference Ses- pastors who are selected by the Executive Commit-
sion shall be designated as follows: tees of the General Conference and its divisions, the
a. Regular delegates. credentials for whom are to be ratified by the General
Conference in session. The number of these dele-
b. Delegates at large. gates shall not exceed 20 percent of the total number
Sec. 5. Regular delegates shall represent the of both regular delegates and other delegates at large
General Conference's member union conferences, herein provided for.
union missions, member conferences, missions, and Sec. 8. Credentials to sessions shall be issued by
unions of churches as defined in Article III, Sec. 1., the General Conference to those appointed as pro-
and shall be appointed with the objective that at least vided for in harmony with the provisions of this arti-
25 percent be lay delegates as follows: cle.
a. Delegates representing union conferences shall Sec. 9. Calculations for all delegate allotments as
be appointed by the respective unions. provided for in this article shall be based upon the
b. Delegates representing union missions, and un- membership as of December 31 of the second year
ions of churches having division affiliation shall be preceding the General Conference Session.
9
10(cid:9) SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEARBOOK, 1993
Article V—Election ence, as the Executive Committee may advise, and
Sec. 1. The following shall be elected at each regu- perform such other duties as usually pertain to such
lar session of the General Conference: office.
a. A president, vice presidents, a secretary, an Sec. 3. Vice Presidents: Each vice president shall
undersecretary, associate secretaries, division secre- • assist the president in the general administrative
taries, a treasurer, an undertreasurer, associate work of the General Conference or preside over a
treasurers, division treasurers,general field secretar- division territory.
ies, division field secretaries, a director and associate
Sec. 4. Secretary, undersecretary. and associate
directors of the General Conference Auditing Ser-
secretaries: It shalt be the duty of the secretary to
vice, directors of division Auditing Services, a secret-
keep the minutes of the proceedings of the General
ary and associate secretaries of the Ministerial Asso-
Conference Sessions and meetings of the Executive
ciation, a director and associate directors of each
Committee, to maintain correspondence with
duly organized General Conference department;
church organizations, and topei iurm such other
namely, Church Ministries, Communication, Educa-
duties as usually pertain to such office. The under-
tion, Health and Temperance, Public Affairs and Reli-
secretary and associate secretaries shall assist the
gious Liberty, Publishing; a director of Archives and
secretary in this work.
Statistics, a director of Adventist Chaplaincy Minis-
tries, a director and associate directors of Trust Ser- Sec. 5. Treasurer, undertreasurer, and associate
vices; division Ministerial Association secretaries, di- treasurers: It shall be the duty of the treasurer to
vision departmental directors, division directors of receive all funds of the General Conference and dis-
Trust Services, and, for divisions in which special burse them in harmony with the actions of the Execu-
circumstances require it, any other departmental or tive Committee, to render such financial statements
service directors, upon the request of the division at regular intervals as may be desired by the president
executive committee, and the approval of the Gener- or by the Executive Committee, and toperform such
al Conference Executive Committee. other duties as usually pertain to such office. The
b. Other persons, not to exceed 80 in number, to undertreasurer and associate treasurers shall assist
serve as members of the Executive Committee, at the treasurer in this work.
least 30 of whom shall be laypersons from all the
divisions.
Article VIII—Term of Office
Article VI—Executive Committee Sec. 1. All officers of the General Conference and
Sec. 1. The Executive Committee of the General those members of the Executive Committee pro-
Conference shall consist of: vided for by Article V, Sec. 1-a, shall hold office from
the time of election until the next ensuing regular
a. Those elected as provided by Article V except the session, or until their successors are elected and
director and associate directors of the General Con- appear to enter upon their duties.
ference Auditing Service and directors of division
auditing services. Sec. 2. Members of the Executive Committee pro-
vided for by Article V, Sec. 1-b, shall serve from the
b. Presidents of union conferences, presidents of time of their election until the next ensuing regular
union missions, past presidents of the General Con- session.
ference holding credentials from the General Confer-
ence, the manager of Adventist World Radio-Asia, Article IX—Corporations and Agents
the president of Andrews University, the director and
associate directors of Biblical Research Institute, the Sec. 1. Corporations may be authorized by the
president of Christian Record Services, the executive General Conference in session or by the Executive
Committee.
director of General Conference Risk Management
Services, the director of Geoscience Research Insti- Sec. 2. The General Conference Corporation is a
tute, the president of Home Study International, the legal entity formed to hold title to General Confer-
president of Loma Linda University, the president of ence assets, to serve the General Conference in car-
Oakwood College, the president of Pacific Press rying out its purposes, and to receive gifts and lega-
Publishing Association, the director of Philanthropic cies for the General Conference unincorporated.
Service for Institutions, the president of Seventh-day
Adventist Radio, Television and Film Center, the Sec. 3. At each regular session of the General Con-
president of Review and Herald Publishing Associa- ference, the delegates shall elect the trustees of
tion, the president/executive director of Adventist corporate bodies connected with this organization
Development and Relief Agency International, the that may be required by the statutory laws governing
each corporate body.
executive secretary of Adventist-Laymen's Services
and Industries, the director of General Conference Sec. 4. The Executive Committee shall appoint or
Personnel Administration, the editor and associate employ agents and other persons as necessary to
editors of Adventist Review, the president, secretary, execute its work effectively.
undersecretary, and associate secretaries of Ellen G.
White Estate, the speaker of Ayer, Hoy y Manana, the
speaker of Breath of Life, the speaker of Faith for Article X—Bylaws
Today, the speaker of It Is Written, the speaker of
At any regular or special session of the General
Voice of Prophecy, and the speaker of La Voz de la
Conference the delegates may enact, amend, or re-
Esperanza.
peal bylaws. Such actions may embrace any provision
not inconsistent with the Constitution.
Article VII—Officers and Their Duties
Sec. 1. The officers of the General Conference shall
be a president, vice presidents, a secretary, an under- Article XI—Amendments
secretary, associate secretaries, a treasurer, an This Constitution or its Bylaws may be amended by
undertreasurer, and associate treasurers. a two-thirds vote of the delegates present and voting
Sec. 2. President: The president or his designee at any session, provided that, if it is proposed to
shall preside at the sessions of the General Confer- amend the Constitution at a special session of the
ence, act as chairman of the Executive Committee, General Conference, notice of such purpose shall be
serve in the general interests of the General Confer- given in the call for that special session.