Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook for 1996

650 Pages·2014·11.88 MB·English

YEARBOOK
1996
A Directory of
The General Conference, World Divisions,
Union and Local Conferences and Missions,
Educational Institutions, Food Industries,
Health-Care Institutions, Media Centers, Publishing Houses,
Periodicals, Radio and TV Stations, 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
Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook 1996
Copyright © 1996
The General Conference Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists
All Rights Reserved
The Yearbook is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the organizations and
institutions associated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The information here presented has been submitted
by these organizations and institutions through their respective division offices (union offices for the North American
Division). No attempt is made by the Office of Archives and Statistics to verify the accuracy of the information sub-
mitted.
As compiled, arranged, and edited, the material in this publication is the intellectual property of the General
Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, and as such is subject to the foregoing copyright notice. No part of this publi-
cation may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic,
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and Statistics.
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) 17
Presidents, Secretaries, and Treasurers of G.0 (cid:9) 35
Divisions:
Africa-Indian Ocean (cid:9) 37
Asia-Pacific (cid:9) 61
Eastern Africa (cid:9) 103
Euro-Africa (cid:9) 123
Euro-Asia (cid:9) 149
Inter-American (cid:9) 159
North American (cid:9) 197
Healthcare Corporations (cid:9) 259
South American (cid:9) 263
South Pacific (cid:9) 297
Southern Asia (cid:9) 317
Trans-European (cid:9) 329
East Asia Association (cid:9) 351
Southern Africa Union (cid:9) 351
China (cid:9) 357
Institutions:
Educational Institutions (cid:9) 359
Food Industries (cid:9) 471
Healthcare Institutions (cid:9) 477
Clinics and Dispensaries (cid:9) 507
Nursing Homes and Retirement Centers (cid:9) 513
Orphanages and Children's Homes (cid:9) 515
Media Centers (cid:9) 517
Publishing Houses (cid:9) 521
Periodicals (cid:9) 535
Radio and TV Stations (cid:9) 549
List of Countries With Their Organizational Locations (cid:9) 553
Necrology (cid:9) 556
Index of Institutional Workers (cid:9) 559
Postal Abbreviations (cid:9) 636
Directory of Workers (cid:9) 637
General Index (cid:9) 1007
3
Preface to the 1996 Edition
Scope of the Yearbook and was soon engaged in carrying missionaries to the
A world directory of the Seventh-day Adventist Pacific islands. Seventh-day Adventist workers first
Church is given in the following pages. It includes the entered non-Christian countries in 1894—Gold Coast
General Conference and its international divisions, (Ghana), West Africa, and Matabeleland, South Africa.
union and local conferences and missions, and related The same year saw missionaries entering South
institutions. Institutions that are managed but not fully America, and in 1896 there were representatives in
owned and operated by church entities are not includ- Japan. The Church now has established work in 209
ed. The information has been furnished by the organi-
countries.
zations themselves; but in cases where current reports
The publication and distribution of literature were
have not been received, the most recent previous
major factors in the growth of the Advent Movement.
records have been retained or adjusted.
In the conference and mission sections, employees The Adventist Review and Sabbath Herald (now the
are listed in the following sequence: ordained ministers Adventist Review), general church paper, was launched
holding ministerial credentials, credentialed commis- in Paris, Maine, in 1850; the Youth's Instructor in
sioned ministers, credentialed commissioned teachers, Rochester, New York, in 1852; and the Signs of the
and credentialed missionaries. The Directory of Times in Oakland, California, in 1874. The first denom-
Workers gives the names and addresses of these work- inational publishing house at Battle Creek, Michigan,
ers. Institutional employees are listed separately in the began operating in 1855 and was duly incorporated in
Index of Institutional Workers. 1861 under the name of Seventh-day Adventist
The data that appears below has been summarized Publishing Association.
largely from the 1994 Annual Statistical Report, while The Health Reform Institute, later known as the
the figures for the number of churches and for church Battle Creek Sanitarium, opened its doors in 1866, and
membership throughout the Yearbook are drawn from missionary society work was organized on a statewide
official reports rendered for June 30, 1995. basis in 1870. The first of the Church's worldwide net-
Denominational History work of schools was established in 1872, and 1877
Seventh-day Adventists are, doctrinally, heirs of the saw the formation of state-wide Sabbath school associ-
Millerite movement of the 1840's. Although the name
ations. In 1903, the denominational headquarters was
"Seventh-day Adventist" was chosen in 1860, the
moved from Battle Creek, Michigan, to Washington,
denomination was not officially organized until May
21, 1863, when the movement included some 125 D.C., and in 1989 to Silver Spring, Maryland, where it
churches and 3,500 members. Work was largely con- continues to form the nerve-center of an ever-expand-
fined to North America until 1874 when the Church's ing work.
first missionary, J. N. Andrews, was sent to Switzerland. The distinctive Seventh-day Adventist message may
Africa was penetrated briefly in 1879 when Dr. H. P. be summarized as "the everlasting gospel," the basic
Ribton, an early convert in Italy, moved to Egypt and Christian message of salvation through faith in Christ,
opened a school, but the project ended when riots in the special setting of the threefold message of
broke out in the vicinity. The first non-Protestant Revelation 14:6-12, the call to worship the Creator, "for
Christian country entered was Russia, where an the hour of his judgment is come." This message is
Adventist minister went in 1886. On October 20, 1890, epitomized in the phrase, "the commandments of God,
the schooner Pitcairn was launched at San Francisco and the faith of Jesus."
World Statistics for 1994
(except as noted)
MEMBERSHIP AND WORKERS HEALTH MINISTRY
(as of June 30, 1995) Hospitals and sanitariums (cid:9) 152
Baptized church members (cid:9) 8,609,055 Clinics and Dispensaries (cid:9) 330
Organized churches (cid:9) 39,403 Nursing Homes and Retirement Centers (cid:9) 79
Orphanages and Children's Homes (cid:9) 16
Ordained ministers, active (cid:9) 12,376
Physicians, dentists, residents, and interns (cid:9) 2,509
Total active workers (cid:9) 139,351 Nurses (cid:9) 15,540
Baptisms and professions of faith (cid:9) 663,973 Outpatient visits (cid:9) 8,018,368
(July 1, 1994 to June 30, 1995) Assets of health-care institutions (cid:9) $4,884,029,218
(1993 figure)
MISSION WORK
PUBLISHING WORK
Countries in which church is working (1994) (cid:9) 208 Publishing houses (cid:9) 56
(Countries and areas in the world-236) Languages in which church is working (1994) (cid:9) 732
Number of divisions (cid:9) 11 Languages, publishing in (1994) (cid:9) 219
Number of unions (cid:9) 94 Literature evangelists (cid:9) 8,024
Number of conferences, missions and fields (cid:9) 454
Missionaries sent (cid:9) 752 SABBATH SCHOOLS
Sabbath school members (cid:9) 10,213,704
Sabbath schools (cid:9) 79,080
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
Schools operated by church (cid:9) 5,698 CONTRIBUTIONS
• Total enrollment (cid:9) 822,235 Tithe—world (cid:9) $804,625,027
Primary schools (cid:9) 4,572 North America (cid:9) $480,730,815
Secondary schools (cid:9) 1,040 Sabbath School—world (cid:9) $44,807,207
North America (cid:9) $20,802,175
Colleges and Universities (cid:9) 86 Ingathering—world (cid:9) $14,493,045
All contributions—world (cid:9) $1,222,916,763
FOOD INDUSTRIES (cid:9) 33(cid:9) North America (cid:9) $777,748,181
4
FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS
OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS
Seventh-day Adventists accept the Bible as their only 5. The Holy Spirit
creed and hold certain fundamental beliefs to be the
God the eternal Spirit was active with the Father and
teaching of the Holy Scriptures. These beliefs, as set
the Son in Creation, incarnation, and redemption. He
forth here, constitute the church's understanding and
inspired the writers of Scripture. He filled Christ's life
expression of the teaching of Scripture. Revision of
with power. He draws and convicts human beings; and
these statements may be expected at a General those who respond He renews and transforms into the
Conference session when the church is led by the Holy image of God. Sent by the Father and the Son to be
Spirit to a fuller understanding of Bible truth or finds always with His children, He extends spiritual gifts to
better language in which to express the teachings of the church, empowers it to bear witness to Christ, and
God's Holy Word. in harmony with the Scriptures leads it into all truth.
(Gen. 1:1, 2; Luke 1:35; 4:18; Acts 10:38; 2 Peter 1:21;
1. The Holy Scriptures 2 Cor. 3:18; Eph. 4:11, 12; Acts 1:8; John 14:16-18, 26;
The Holy Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are 15:26, 27; 16:7-13.)
the written Word of God, given by divine inspiration 6. Creation
through holy men of God who spoke and wrote as they
were moved by the Holy Spirit. In this Word, God has God is Creator of all things, and has revealed in
committed to man the knowledge necessary for salva- Scripture the authentic account of His creative activity.
tion. The Holy Scriptures are the infallible revelation of In six days the Lord made ""the heaven and the earth"
His will. They are the standard of character, the test of and all living things upon the earth, and rested on the
experience, the authoritative revealer of doctrines, and seventh day of that first week. Thus He established the
Sabbath as a perpetual memorial of His completed cre-
the trustworthy record of God's acts in history. (2 Peter
ative work. The first man and woman were made in the
1:20, 21; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Ps. 119:105; Prov. 30:5, 6;
image of God as the crowning work of Creation, given
Isa. 8:20; John 17:17; 1 Thess. 2:13; Heb. 4:12.)
dominion over the world, and charged with responsibil-
2. The Trinity ity to care for it. When the world was finished it was
""very good," declaring the glory of God. (Gen. 1; 2; Ex.
There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a 20:8-11; Ps. 19:1-6; 33:6, 9; 104; Heb. 11:3.)
unity of three co-eternal Persons. God is immortal, all-
7. The Nature of Man
powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever present. He
is infinite and beyond human comprehension, yet Man and woman were made in the image of God
known through His self-revelation. He is forever worthy with individuality, the power and freedom to think and
of worship, adoration, and service by the whole cre- to do. Though created free beings, each is an indivisi-
ation. (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; ble unity of body, mind, and spirit, dependent upon
1 Peter 1:2; 1 Tim. 1:17; Rev. 14:7.) God for life and breath and all else. When our first par-
ents disobeyed God, they denied their dependence
3. The Father upon Him and fell from their high position under God.
The image of God in them was marred and they
God the Eternal Father is the Creator, Source,
became subject to death. Their descendants share this
Sustainer, and Sovereign of all creation. He is just and fallen nature and its consequences. They are born with
holy, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abound- weaknesses and tendencies to evil. But God in Christ
ing in steadfast love and faithfulness. The qualities and reconciled the world to Himself and by His Spirit
powers exhibited in the Son and the Holy Spirit are also restores in penitent mortals the image of their Maker.
revelations of the Father. (Gen. 1:1; Rev. 4:11; 1 Cor. Created for the glory of God, they are called to love
15:28; John 3:16; 1 John 4:8; 1 Tim. 1:17; Ex. 34:6, 7; Him and one another, and to care for their environment.
John 14:9.) (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:7; Ps. 8:4-8; Acts 17:24-28; Gen. 3; Ps.
51:5; Rom. 5:12-17; 2 Cor. 5:19, 20; Ps. 51:10; 1 John
4. The Son 4:7, 8, 11, 20; Gen. 2:15.)
God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. 8. The Great Controversy
Through Him all things were created, the character of
God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accom- All humanity is now involved in a great controversy
plished, and the world is judged. Forever truly God, He between Christ and Satan regarding the character of
became also truly man, Jesus the Christ. He was con- God, His law, and His sovereignty over the universe.
ceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. This conflict originated in heaven when a created being,
He lived and experienced temptation as a human being, endowed with freedom of choice, in self-exaltation
became Satan, God's adversary, and led into rebellion a
but perfectly exemplified the righteousness and love of
portion of the angels. He introduced the spirit of rebel-
God. By His miracles He manifested God's power and
lion into this world when he led Adam and Eve into sin.
was attested as God's promised Messiah. He suffered This human sin resulted in the distortion of the image of
and died voluntarily on the cross for our sins and in our God in humanity, the disordering of the created world,
place, was raised from the dead, and ascended to minis- and its eventual devastation at the time of the world-
ter in the heavenly sanctuary in our behalf. He will wide flood. Observed by the whole creation, this world
come again in glory for the final deliverance of His peo- became the arena of the universal conflict, out of which
ple and the restoration of all things. (John 1:1-3, 14; the God of love will ultimately be vindicated. To assist
Col. 1:15-19; John 10:30; 14:9; Rom. 6:23; 2 Cor. 5:17- His people in this controversy, Christ sends the Holy
19; John 5:22; Luke 1:35; Phil. 2:5-11; Heb. 2:9-18; 1 Spirit and the loyal angels to guide, protect, and sustain
Cor. 15:3, 4; Heb. 8:1, 2; John 14:1-3.) them in the way of salvation. (Rev. 12:4-9; Isa. 14:12-
5
6(cid:9) SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEARBOOK, 1996
14; Eze. 28:12-18; Gen. 3; Rom. 1:19-32; 5:12-21; proclaims salvation through Christ, and heralds the
8:19-22; Gen. 6-8; 2 Peter 3:6; 1 Cor. 4:9; Heb. 1:14.) approach of His second advent. This proclamation is
symbolized by the three angels of Revelation 14; it coin-
9. The Life, Death, cides with the work of judgment in heaven and results
and Resurrection of Christ in a work of repentance and reform on earth. Every
In Christ's life of perfect obedience to God's will, His believer is called to have a personal part in this world-
wide witness. (Rev. 12:17; 14:6-12; 18:1-4; 2 Cor. 5:10;
suffering, death, and resurrection, God provided the
only means of atonement for human sin, so that those Jude 3, 14; 1 Peter 1:16-19; 2 Peter 3:10-14; Rev. 21:1-
14.)
who by faith accept this atonement may have eternal
life, and the whole creation may better understand the 13. Unity in the Body of Christ
infinite and holy love of the Creator. This perfect atone-
ment vindicates the righteousness of God's law and the The church is one body with many members, called
graciousness of His character; for it both condemns our from every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. In
sin and provides for our forgiveness. The death of Christ Christ we are a new creation; distinctions of race, cul-
is substitutionary and expiatory, reconciling and trans- ture, learning, and nationality, and differences between
forming. The resurrection of Christ proclaims God's tri- high and low, rich and poor, male and female, must not
umph over the forces of evil, and for those who accept be divisive among us. We are all equal in Christ, who
the atonement assures their final victory over sin and by one Spirit has bonded us into one fellowship with
death. It declares the Lordship of Jesus Christ, before Him and with one another; we are to serve and be
whom every knee in heaven and on earth will bow. served without partiality or reservation. Through the
(John 3:16; Isa. 53; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4, 20- revelation of Jesus Christ in the Scriptures we share the
22; 2 Cor. 5:14, 15, 19-21; Rom. 1:4; 3:25; 4:25; 8:3, 4; same faith and hope, and reach out in one witness to
1 John 2:2; 4:10; Col. 2:15; Phil. 2:6-11.) all. This unity has its source in the oneness of the triune
God, who has adopted us as His children. (Rom. 12:4,
10. The Experience of Salvation 5; 1 Cor. 12:12-14; Matt. 28:19, 20; Ps. 133:1; 2 Cor.
In infinite love and mercy God made Christ, who 5:16, 17;.Acts 17:26, 27; Gal. 3:27, 29; Col. 3:10-15;
Eph. 4:14-16; 4:1-6; John 17:20-23.)
knew no sin, to be sin for us, so that in Him we might
be made the righteousness of God. Led by the Holy 14. Baptism
Spirit we sense our need, acknowledge our sinfulness,
repent of our transgressions, and exercise faith in Jesus By baptism we confess our faith in the death and res-
as Lord and Christ, as Substitute and Example. This faith urrection of Jesus Christ, and testify of our death to sin
which receives salvation comes through the divine and of our purpose to walk in newness of life. Thus we
power of the Word and is the gift of God's grace. acknowledge Christ as Lord and Saviour, become His
Through Christ we are justified, adopted as God's sons people, and are received as members by His church.
and daughters, and delivered from the lordship of sin. Baptism is a symbol of our union with Christ, the for-
Through the Spirit we are born again and sanctified; the giveness of our sins, and our reception of the Holy
Spirit renews our minds, writes God's law of love in our Spirit. It is by immersion in water and is contingent on
hearts, and we are given the power to live a holy life. an affirmation of faith in Jesus and evidence of repen-
Abiding in Him we become partakers of the divine tance of sin. It follows instruction in the Holy Scriptures
nature and have the assurance of salvation now and in and acceptance of their teachings. (Rom. 6:1-6; Col.
the judgment. (2 Cor. 5:17-21; John 3:16; Gal. 1:4; 4:4- 2:12, 13; Acts 16:30-33; 22:16; 2:38; Matt. 28:19, 20.)
7; Titus 3:3-7; John 16:8; Gal. 3:13, 14; 1 Peter 2:21,
22; Rom. 10:17; Luke 17:5; Mark 9:23, 24; Eph. 2:5-10; 15. The Lord's Supper
Rom. 3:21-26; Col. 1:13, 14; Rom. 8:14-17; Gal. 3:26;
The Lord's Supper is a participation in the emblems of
John 3:3-8; 1 Peter 1:23; Rom. 12:2; Heb. 8:7-12; Eze. the body and blood of Jesus as an expression of faith in
36:25-27; 2 Peter 1:3, 4; Rom. 8:1-4; 5:6-10.) Him, our Lord and Saviour. In this experience of com-
11. The Church munion Christ is present to meet and strengthen His
people. As we partake, we joyfully proclaim the Lord's
The church is the community of believers who con- death until He comes again. Preparation for the Supper
fess Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. In continuity with includes self-examination, repentance, and confession.
the people of God in Old Testament times, we are The Master ordained the service of foot washing to sig-
called out from the world; and we join together for wor- nify renewed cleansing, to express a willingness to serve
ship, for fellowship, for instruction in the Word, for the one another in Christlike humility, and to unite our
celebration of the Lord's Supper, for service to all hearts in love. The communion service is open to all
mankind, and for the world-wide proclamation of the believing Christians. (1 Cor. 10:16, 17; 11:23-30; Matt.
gospel. The church derives its authority from Christ, 26:17-30; Rev. 3:20; John 6:48-63; 13:1-17.)
who is the incarnate Word, and from the Scriptures,
which are the written Word. The church is God's fami- 16. Spiritual Gifts and Ministries
ly; adopted by Him as children, its members live on the
God bestows upon all members of His church in
basis of the new covenant. The church is the body of
every age spiritual gifts which each member is to
Christ, a community of faith of which Christ Himself is
employ in loving ministry for the common good of the
the Head. The church is the bride for whom Christ died church and of humanity. Given by the agency of the
that He might sanctify and cleanse her. At His return in
Holy Spirit, who apportions to each member as He
triumph, He will present her to Himself a glorious
wills, the gifts provide all abilities and ministries needed
church, the faithful of all the ages, the purchase of His
by the church to fulfill its divinely ordained functions.
blood, not having spot or wrinkle, but holy and without
According to the Scriptures, these gifts include such
blemish. (Gen. 12:3; Acts 7:38; Eph. 4:11-15; 3:8-11;
ministries as faith, healing, prophecy, proclamation,
Matt. 28:19, 20; 16:13-20; 18:18; Eph. 2:19-22; 1:22,
teaching, administration, reconciliation, compassion,
23; 5:23-27; Col. 1:17, 18.)
and self-sacrificing service and charity for the help and
12. The Remnant and Its Mission encouragement of people. Some members are called of
God and endowed by the Spirit for functions recognized
The universal church is composed of all who truly by the church in pastoral, evangelistic, apostolic, and
believe in Christ, but in the last days, a time of wide- teaching ministries particularly needed to equip the
spread apostasy, a remnant has been called out to keep members for service, to build up the church to spiritual
the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. This maturity, and to foster unity of the faith and knowledge
remnant announces the arrival of the judgment hour, of God. When members employ these spiritual gifts as
FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS(cid:9) 7
faithful stewards of God's varied grace, the church is 21. Christian Behaviour
protected from the destructive influence of false doc-
trine, grows with a growth that is from God, and is built We are called to be a godly people who think, feel,
and act in harmony with the principles of heaven. For
up in faith and love. (Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:9-11, 27,
the Spirit to recreate in us the character of our Lord we
28; Eph. 4:8, 11-16; Acts 6:1-7; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; 1 Peter
involve ourselves only in those things which will pro-
4:10, 11.)
duce Christlike purity, health, and joy in our lives. This
17. The Gift of Prophecy means that our amusement and entertainment should
meet the highest standards of Christian taste and beauty.
One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This While recognizing cultural differences, our dress is to be
gift is an identifying mark of the remnant church and simple, modest, and neat, befitting those whose true
was manifested in the ministry of Ellen G. White. As the beauty does not consist of outward adornment but in
Lord's messenger, her writings are a continuing and the imperishable ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit. It
authoritative source of truth which provide for the also means that because our bodies are the temples of
church comfort, guidance, instruction, and correction. the Holy Spirit, we are to care for them intelligently.
They also make clear that the Bible is the standard by Along with adequate exercise and rest, we are to adopt
which all teaching and experience must be tested. (Joel the most healthful diet possible and abstain from the
2:28, 29; Acts 2:14-21; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 12:17; 19:10.) unclean foods identified in the Scriptures. Since alco-
holic beverages, tobacco, and the irresponsible use of
18. The Law of God drugs and narcotics are harmful to our bodies, we are to
abstain from them as well. Instead, we are to engage in
The great principles of God's law are embodied in the whatever brings our thoughts and bodies into the disci-
Ten Commandments and exemplified in the life of pline of Christ, who desires our wholesomeness, joy,
Christ. They express God's love, will, and purposes con- and goodness. (Rom. 12:1, 2; 1 John 2:6; Eph. 5:1-21;
cerning human conduct and relationships and are bind- Phil. 4:8; 2 Cor. 10:5; 6:14-7:1; 1 Peter 3:1-4; 1 Cor.
ing upon all people in every age. These precepts are 6:19, 20; 10:31; Lev. 11:1-47; 3 John 2.)
the basis of God's covenant with His people and the
standard in God's judgment. Through the agency of the 22. Marriage and the Family
Holy Spirit they point out sin and awaken a sense of
Marriage was divinely established in Eden and
need for a Saviour. Salvation is all of grace and not of
affirmed by Jesus to be a lifelong union between a man
works, but its fruitage is obedience to the
and a woman in loving companionship. For the
Commandments. This obedience develops Christian
Christian a marriage commitment is to God as well as to
character and results in a sense of well-being. It is an
the spouse, and should be entered into only between
evidence of our love for the Lord and our concern for partners who share a common faith. Mutual love,
our fellow men. The obedience of faith demonstrates honor, respect, and responsibility are the fabric of this
the power of Christ to transform lives, and therefore relationship, which is to reflect the love, sanctity, close-
strengthens Christian witness. (Ex. 20:1-17; Ps. 40:7, 8; ness, and permanence of the relationship between
Matt. 22:36-40; Deut. 28:1-14; Matt. 5:17-20; Heb. 8:8- Christ and His church. Regarding divorce, Jesus taught
10; John 15:7-10; Eph. 2:8-10; 1 John 5:3; Rom. 8:3, 4; that the person who divorces a spouse, except for forni-
Ps. 19:7-14.) cation, and marries another, commits adultery.
Although some family relationships may fall short of the
19. The Sabbath
ideal, marriage partners who fully commit themselves to
The beneficent Creator, after the six days of Creation, each other in Christ may achieve loving unity through
rested on the seventh day and instituted the Sabbath for the guidance of the Spirit and the nurture of the church.
all people as a memorial of Creation. The fourth com- Goc blesses the family and intends that its members
mandment of God's unchangeable law requires the shall assist each other toward complete maturity.
observance of this seventh-day Sabbath as the day of Parents are to bring up their children to love and obey
rest, worship, and ministry in harmony with the teach- the Lord. By their example and their words they are to
ing and practice of Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath. The teach them that Christ is a loving disciplinarian, ever
Sabbath is a day of delightful communion with God and tender and caring, who wants them to become mem-
one another. It is a symbol of our redemption in Christ, bers of His body, the family of God. Increasing family
closeness is one of the earmarks of the final gospel mes-
a sign of our sanctification, a token of our allegiance,
and a foretaste of our eternal future in God's kingdom. sage. (Gen. 2:18-25; Matt. 19:3-9; John 2:1-11; 2 Cor.
6:14; Eph. 5:21-33: Matt. 5:31, 32; Mark 10:11, 12;
The Sabbath is God's perpetual sign of His eternal
Luke 16:18; 1 Cor. 7:10, 11; Ex. 20:12; Eph. 6:1-4;
covenant between Him and His people. Joyful obser-
Deut. 6:5-9; Prov. 22:6; Mal. 4:5, 6.)
vance of this holy time from evening to evening, sunset
to sunset, is a celebration of God's creative and redemp- 23. Christ's Ministry
tive acts. (Gen. 2:1-3; Ex. 20:8-11; Luke 4:16; Isa. 56:5; in the Heavenly Sanctuary
6; 58:13, 14; Matt. 12:1-12; Ex. 31:13-17; Eze. 20:12,
20; Deut. 5:12-15; Heb. 4:1-11; Lev. 23:32; Mark 1:32.) There is a sanctuary in heaven, the true tabernacle
which the Lord set up and not man. In it Christ minis-
20. Stewardship ters on our behalf, making available to believers the
benefits of His atoning sacrifice offered once for all on
We are God's stewards, entrusted by Him with time the cross. He was inaugurated as our great High Priest
and opportunities, abilities and possessions, and the and began His intercessory ministry at the time of His
blessings of the earth and its resources. We are respon- ascension. In 1844, at the end of the prophetic period
sible to Him for their proper use. We acknowledge of 2300 days, He entered the second and last phase of
God's ownership by faithful service to Him and our fel- His atoning ministry. It is a work of investigative judg-
low men, and by returning tithes and giving offerings for ment which is part of the ultimate disposition of all sin,
the proclamation of His gospel and the support and typified by the cleansing of the ancient Hebrew sanctu-
growth of His church. Stewardship is a privilege given ary on the Day of Atonement. In that typical service the
to us by God for nurture in love and the victory over sanctuary was cleansed with the blood of animal sacri-
selfishness and covetousness. The steward rejoices in fices, but the heavenly things are purified with the per-
the blessings that come to others as a result of his faith- fect sacrifice of the blood of Jesus. The investigative
fulness. (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15; 1 Chron. 29:14; Hag. 1:3- judgment reveals to heavenly intelligences who among
11; Mal. 3:8-12; 1 Cor. 9:9-14; Matt. 23:23; 2 Cor. 8:1- the dead are asleep in Christ and therefore, in Him, are
15; Rom. 15:26, 27.) deemed worthy to have part in the first resurrection. It
(cid:9)
8 SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEARBOOK, 1996
also makes manifest who, among the living are abiding righteous and the living righteous will be glorified and
in Christ, keeping the commandments of God and the caught up to meet their Lord. The second resurrection,
faith of Jesus, and in Him, therefore, are ready for trans- the resurrection of the unrighteous, will take place a
lation into His everlasting kingdom. This judgment vin- thousand years later. (Rom. 6:23; 1 Tim. 6:15, 16; Eccl.
dicates the justice of God in saving those who believe in 9:5, 6; Ps. 146:3, 4; John 11:11-14; Col. 3:4; 1 Cor.
Jesus. It declares that those who have remained loyal to 15:51-54; 1 Thess. 4:13-17; John 5:28, 29; Rev. 20:1-
God shall receive the kingdom. The completion of this 10.)
ministry of Christ will mark the close of human proba-
tion before the Second Advent. (Heb. 8:1-5; 4:14-16; 26. The Millennium and the End of Sin
9:11-28; 10:19-22; 1:3; 2:16, 17; Dan. 7:9-27; 8:13, 14;
9:24-27; Num. 14:34; Eze. 4:6; Lev. 16; Rev. 14:6, 7; The millennium is the thousand-year reign of Christ
20:12; 14:12; 22:12.) with His saints in heaven between the first and second
resurrections. During this time the wicked dead will be
24. The Second Coming of Christ judged; the earth will be utterly desolate, without living
human inhabitants, but occupied by Satan and his
The second coming of Christ is the blessed hope of
angels. At its close Christ with His saints and the Holy
the church, the grand climax of the gospel. The
City will descend from heaven to earth. The unright-
Saviour's coming will be literal, personal, visible and
eous dead will then be resurrected, and with Satan and
worldwide. When He returns, the righteous dead will be
his angels will surround the city; but fire from God will
resurrected, and together with the righteous living will
be glorified and taken to heaven, but the unrighteous consume them and cleanse the earth. The universe will
will die. The almost complete fulfillment of most lines thus be freed of sin and sinners forever. (Rev. 20; 1 Cor.
of prophecy, together with the present condition of the 6:2, 3; Jer. 4:23-26; Rev. 21:1-5; Mal. 4:1; Eze. 28:18,
world, indicates that Christ's coming is imminent. The 19.)
time of that event has not been revealed, and we are 27. The New Earth
therefore exhorted to be ready at all times. (Titus 2:13;
Heb. 9:28; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; Matt. 24:14; Rev. On the new earth, in which righteousness dwells,
1:7; Matt. 24:43, 44; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; God will provide an eternal home for the redeemed and
2 Thess. 1:7-10; 2:8; Rev. 14:14-20; 19:11-21; Matt. 24; a perfect environment for everlasting life, love, joy, and
Mark 13; Luke 21; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 1 Thess. 5:1-6.) learning in His presence. For here God Himself will
dwell with His people, and suffering and death will
25. Death and Resurrection
have passed away. The great controversy will be ended,
The wages of sin is death. But God, who alone is and sin will be no more. All things, animate and inani-
immortal, will grant eternal life to His redeemed. Until mate, will declare that God is love; and He shall reign
that day death is an unconscious state for all people. forever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:13; Isa. 35; 65:17-25; Matt.
When Christ, who is our life, appears, the resurrected 5:5; Rev. 21:1-7; 22:1-5; 11:15.)
THE CONSTITUTION
of the
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
(As revised at the 56th session held in Utrecht, The a. Delegates representing union conferences having
Netherlands June 29 to July 8, 1995) division affiliation shall be appointed by the respective
unions.
b. Delegates representing union missions and unions
ARTICLE I—NAME
of churches having division affiliation shall be appoint-
This organization shall be known as the General ed by the respective division executive committees in
Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. consultation with the organizations concerned.
c. Delegates representing conferences and missions
having union conference affiliation shall be appointed
ARTICLE II—PURPOSE by the respective union conference executive commit-
The purpose of the General Conference is to teach all tees in consultation with the organizations concerned.
nations the everlasting gospel of our Lord and Saviour d. Delegates representing conferences and missions
Jesus Christ and the commandments of God. having union mission affiliation shall be appointed by
the respective division executive committees in consul-
tation with the organizations concerned.
ARTICLE III—MEMBERSHIP
e. Delegates representing conferences and missions
Sec. 1. The membership of the General Conference directly attached to divisions, shall be appointed by the
shall consist of: respective division executive committees in consultation
with the organizations concerned.
a. All union conferences and union missions that
have been or shall be properly organized and accepted f. Delegates representing division institutions, the
by vote of the General Conference in session. number of whom shall correspond to the number of
division institutions within each division, shall be
b. All conferences and missions and unions of appointed by the respective division executive commit-
churches directly attached to the General Conference,
tees in consultation with the organizations concerned.
and all conferences and missions and unions of church-
es directly attached to a division, that have been or shall g. Delegates representing union conferences directly
be properly organized. attached to the General Conference shall be appointed
by the executive committees of the respective attached
union conferences.
ARTICLE IV—GENERAL CONFERENCE SESSIONS h. Delegates representing union missions, confer-
Sec. 1. The General Conference shall hold quinquen- ences, missions, and unions of churches directly
attached to the General Conference shall be appointed
nial sessions at such time and place as the Executive
by the Executive Committee in consultation with the
Committee shall designate and announce by a notice
organizations concerned.
published in the Adventist Review in three consecutive
issues at least four months before the date for the open- Sec. 6. Regular delegates shall be allotted on the fol-
ing of the session. In case special world conditions lowing basis:
make it imperative to postpone the calling of the ses- a. Twenty-two initial delegates for each division with-
sion, the Executive Committee, in regular or special out regard to membership.
council, shall have authority to make such postpone- b. Each division shall be entitled to additional dele-
ment, not to exceed two years, giving notice to all con- gates corresponding to the number of division institu-
stituent organizations. tions within its territory.
Sec. 2. The Executive Committee may call special ses- c. Each union conference and union mission having
sions of the General Conference at such time and place division affiliation, shall be entitled to one delegate
as it considers proper, by means of a notice as provided other than its president (who is a delegate at large) with-
for in Sec. 1., and the transactions of such special ses- out regard to membership.
sions shall have the same force as those of the regular
sessions. d. Each union conference and union mission directly
attached to the General Conference shall be entitled to
Sec. 3. The election of officers and the voting on all one delegate other than its president (who is a delegate
matters of business shall be by viva-voce vote, or as des- at large) without regard to membership.
ignated by the chairman, unless otherwise requested by
a majority of the delegates present. e. Each conference and mission having union affilia-
tion shall be entitled to one delegate without regard to
Sec. 4. The delegates to a General Conference membership.
Session shall be designated as follows:
f. Each union of churches, conference, and mission
a. Regular delegates. directly attached to the division shall be entitled to one
b. Delegates at large. delegate without regard to membership.
c. The total number of delegates under these two desig- g. Each union of churches, conference, and mission
nations shall not exceed 2,000. In case of financial exigency directly attached to the General Conference shall be
or major international crisis, the Executive Committee may entitled to one delegate without regard to membership.
take an action to reduce this cap. Such reduction shall then h. Each division shall be entitled to additional dele-
be proportionally distributed in harmony with the categories gates based upon its membership as a proportion of the
under Sec. 6., Sec. 7-c., and Sec. 7-d. World Church membership. The total number of dele-
Sec. 5. Regular delegates shall represent the General gates from all divisions under this provision shall not
Conference's member union conferences, union mis- exceed the difference between 2,000 and the total num-
sions, member conferences, missions, and unions of ber of delegates provided for under Sec. 6-a. to 6-g. and
churches as defined in Article III, as follows: under Sec. 7-a. to 7-d.
9
(cid:9)
10 SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEARBOOK, 1996
i. The number of delegates from each division, pro- and the associate directors/ secretaries of General
vided for under Sec. 6-a. and 6-h., shall be allotted to Conference departments and associations.
the union conferences and union missions that are affili- 2)Presidents of union conferences, presidents of union
ated with that division, based on each union's propor-
missions, presidents of attached unions, past presidents
tion of the division membership.
of the General Conference holding credentials from the
Sec. 7. Delegates at large shall represent the General General Conference, the president-executive director of
Conference, its divisions, and its organizations, and Adventist Development and Relief Agency International,
shall be appointed on the following basis: the president of Adventist Media Center Incorporated,
a. All members of the Executive Committee. the editor of Adventist Review, the president of
b. Associate directors/secretaries of General Adventist Risk Management Incorporated, the president-
executive director of Adventist World Radio, the presi-
Conference departments and associations.
dent of Andrews University, the director of Archives and
c. Thirty-four delegates selected from General Statistics, the director of Biblical Research Institute, the
Conference appointed staff. president of Christian Record Services Incorporated, the
d. Those representatives of the General Conference president and the director of Ellen G White Estate, the
and division institutions and other entities, and those director of Geoscience Research Institute, the president
employees, field secretaries, laypersons, and pastors of Home Study International, the director of
who are selected by the Executive Committees of the International Health Food Association, the president of
General Conference and its divisions. The number of Loma Linda University, the president of Loma Linda
these delegates shall be determined as the difference University Medical Center, the president of Oakwood
between the sum of all the other categories of delegates College, the president of Pacific Press Publishing
at large, and 640. Association, and the president of Review and Herald
Sec. 8. In the selection of regular delegates and dele- Publishing Association.
gates at large, organizations shall choose Seventh-day b. Elected Members-1) Three laypersons and one
Adventists in regular standing, at least 50 percent of church pastor from each division without regard to
whom shall be laypersons, pastors, teachers, and non- membership, and one additional church pastor or other
administrative employees, of both genders, and repre- frontline denominational employee for each 500,000
senting a range of age groups and nationalities. The members or major portion thereof beyond the first
majority of the above 50 percent shall be laypersons. 500,000 members. The above laypersons, pastors, and
Sec. 9. Credentials to sessions shall be issued by the other denominational employees shall be selected by
General Conference to those appointed in harmony each division executive committee from individuals rec-
with the provisions of this article. ommended by the union executive committees.
Sec. 10. Calculations for all delegate allotments, as 2)Thirty additional members selected by the General
provided for in this article, shall be based upon the Conference Executive Committee.
membership as of December 31 of the second year pre-
ceding the General Conference Session. ARTICLE VIII—OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES
Sec. 1. The officers of the General Conference shall
ARTICLE V—ELECTION be a president, vice presidents, a secretary, an undersec-
Sec. 1. The following shall be elected at each regular retary, associate secretaries, a treasurer, an undertreasur-
session of the General Conference: er, and associate treasurers. It is the duty of these offi-
cers, in consultation with one another, to carry forward
A president, vice presidents, a secretary, an undersec- the work according to plans and programs voted by the
retary, associate secretaries, division secretaries, a trea- General Conference in session and according to plans
surer, an undertreasurer, associate treasurers, division and policies agreed upon by the Executive Committee.
treasurers, general field secretaries, a director and asso-
ciate directors of the General Conference Auditing Sec. 2. Executive Officers: The president, secretary,
Service to serve from the General Conference, and a and treasurer are the executive officers, and shall carry
director/secretary and associate director/secretary (direc- forward the work in consultation with one another.
tors/secretaries) of each duly organized General Sec. 3. President: The president is the first officer of
Conference department and association as specified in the General Conference, and shall report to the
Article X, Sec. 1. of the General Conference Bylaws. Executive Committee in consultation with the secretary
Sec. 2. The following shall be approved by vote of the and the treasurer. He or his designee shall preside at the
Executive Committee at a subsequent meeting, follow- sessions of the General Conference, act as chairperson
ing recommendations from the division: of the Executive Committee, serve in the general inter-
ests of the General Conference as the Executive
Other persons to serve as members of the Executive Committee shall determine, and perform such other
Committee as provided for in Article VII, Sec. 1-b. duties as usually pertain to such office.
Sec. 4. Vice Presidents: Each vice president shall
ARTICLE VI—APPOINTMENT assist the president in the general administrative work of
the General Conference or preside over a division terri-
The following shall be appointed at the first Annual tory.
Council of the Executive Committee following a regular
session: a director of Archives and Statistics, associate Sec. 5. Secretary, undersecretary, and associate secre-
directors of the General Conference Auditing Service to taries: The secretary, in the performance of the executive
responsibilities, shall report to the Executive Committee
serve in the divisions, and editors and associate editors
after consultation with the president. The secretary shall
for the principal denominational journals prepared at
the General Conference. be responsible for keeping the minutes of the proceed-
ings of the General Conference sessions and meetings of
the Executive Committee, for maintaining correspon-
ARTICLE VII—EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE dence with church organizations, and for the perfor-
mance of such other duties as usually pertain to such
Sec. 1. The Executive Committee of the General office. The undersecretary and associate secretaries shall
Conference shall consist of: assist the secretary in this work.
a. Ex officio members-1) Those elected as provided Sec. 6. Treasurer, undertreasurer, and associate trea-
for in Article V, Sec. 1. except the director and associate surers: The treasurer, in the performance of the execu-
directors of the General Conference Auditing Service tive responsibilities, shall report to the Executive