Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook for 1997

666 Pages·2014·12.01 MB·English

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YEARBOOK
1997
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
The General Conference Office of Archives and Statistics
would like to give special recognition to
Mrs. Evelyn Osborn,
who has contributed to thirty editions of
the Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook. Before coming to the General
Conference, she compiled and submitted the copy on behalf
of the Columbia Union Conference in North America for thirteen
years. For the past seventeen years Mrs. Osborn worked on the
Yearbook at the General Conference. She carried editorial
responsibilities for the last fifteen years. As she joins her husband
in retirement she leaves a legacy of excellence by her careful
attention to detail and insistence on accuracy. May God's richest
blessings accompany the Osborns in their future ventures.
Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook 1997
Copyright 1997
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,
mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the General Conference
Office of Archives and Statistics.
A person in possession of the printed Yearbook may copy limited portions of the material to carry on an extended
trip in lieu of carrying the entire book. Distributing sections of the Yearbook to a number of individuals or offices in
an effort to reduce the number of volumes purchased would be considered a violation of the copyright.
A Windows® version of the Yearbook is available on R" disk through the General Conference Office of Archives
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.C. (cid:9) 35
Divisions:
Africa-Indian Ocean (cid:9) 37
Eastern Africa (cid:9) 63
Euro-Africa (cid:9) 85
Euro-Asia (cid:9) 109
Inter-American (cid:9) 121
North American (cid:9) 159
Healthcare Corporations (cid:9) 221
Northern Asia-Pacific (cid:9) 225
South American (cid:9) 237
South Pacific (cid:9) 271
Southern Asia (cid:9) 291
Southern Asia-Pacific (cid:9) 305
Trans-European (cid:9) 339
Southern Africa Union (cid:9) 361
China (cid:9) 367
Institutions:
Educational Institutions (cid:9) 369
Food Industries (cid:9) 483
Healthcare Institutions (cid:9) 489
Clinics and Dispensaries (cid:9) 519
Nursing Homes and Retirement Centers (cid:9) 525
Orphanages and Children's Homes (cid:9) 527
Media Centers (cid:9) 529
Publishing Houses (cid:9) 533
Periodicals (cid:9) 546
Radio and TV Stations (cid:9) 559
Risk Management (cid:9) 565
List of Countries With Their Organizational Locations (cid:9) 567
Necrology (cid:9) 570
Postal Abbreviations (cid:9) 574
Index of Institutional Workers (cid:9) 575
Directory of Workers (cid:9) 653
General Index (cid:9) 985
3
Preface to the 1997 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 207
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.
The Adventist Review and Sabbath Herald (now the
In the conference and mission sections, employees
Adventist Review), general church paper, was launched
are listed in the following sequence: ordained ministers
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. 1 861 under the name of Seventh-day Adventist
The data that appears below has been summarized Publishing Association.
largely from the 1995 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, 1996. basis in 1870. The first of the Church's worldwide net-
Denominational History work of schools was established in 1872, and 1877 saw
Seventh-day Adventists are, doctrinally, heirs of the the formation of state-wide Sabbath school associa-
Millerite movement of the 1840's. Although the name tions. 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 D.C., and in 1989 to Silver Spring, Maryland, where it
21, 1863, when the movement included some 125
continues to form the nerve-center of an ever-expand-
churches and 3,500 members. Work was largely con-
ing work.
fined to North America until 1874 when the Church's
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, in
opened a school, but the project ended when riots 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 epit-
Adventist minister went in 1886. On October 20, 1890, omized in the phrase, "the commandments of God, and
the schooner Pitcairn was launched at San Francisco the faith of Jesus."
World Statistics for 1995
(except as noted)
MEMBERSHIP AND WORKERS HEALTH MINISTRY
(as of June 30, 1996) Hospitals and sanitariums (cid:9) 157
Baptized church members (cid:9) 9,055,590 Clinics and Dispensaries (cid:9) 349
Nursing Homes and Retirement Centers (cid:9) 83
Organized churches (cid:9) 40,905
Orphanages and Children's Homes (cid:9) 16
Ordained ministers, active (cid:9) 12,590 Physicians, dentists, residents, and interns (cid:9) 3,675
Total active workers (cid:9) 144,022 Nurses (cid:9) 15,439
Baptisms and professions of faith (cid:9) 682,224 Outpatient visits (cid:9) 8,880,209
(July 1, 1995 to June 30, 1996) Assets of health-care institutions (cid:9) $4,823,743,160
(1994 figure)
MISSION WORK
PUBLISHING WORK
Countries in which church is working (1995) (cid:9) 207 Publishing houses (cid:9) 56
(Countries and areas in the world-233) Languages in which church is working (1995) (cid:9) 717
Number of divisions (cid:9) 11 Languages, publishing in (1995) (cid:9) 229
Number of unions (cid:9) 88 Literature evangelists (cid:9) 7,485
Number of conferences, missions and fields (cid:9) 465
SABBATH SCHOOLS
Missionaries sent (cid:9) 824
Sabbath school members (cid:9) 10,360,712
Sabbath schools (cid:9) 85,987
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
Schools operated by church (cid:9) 5,533 CONTRIBUTIONS
Total enrollment (cid:9) 913,315 Tithe—world (cid:9) $886,303,088
Primary schools (cid:9) 4,522 North America (cid:9) $491,795,445
Sabbath School—world (cid:9) $48,101,658
Secondary schools (cid:9) 930
North America (cid:9) $20,477,333
Colleges and Universities (cid:9) 81 Ingathering world (cid:9) $12,910,642
All contributions—world (cid:9) $1,332,781,946
FOOD INDUSTRIES (cid:9) 28 North America (cid:9) $804,357,655
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
teaching of the Holy Scriptures. These beliefs, as set God the eternal Spirit was active with the Father and
forth here, constitute the church's understanding and the Son in Creation, incarnation, and redemption. He
expression of the teaching of Scripture. Revision of inspired the writers of Scripture. He filled Christ's life
these statements may be expected at a General with power. He draws and convicts human beings; and
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 in
God's Holy Word.
harmony with the Scriptures leads it into all truth. (Gen.
1. The Holy Scriptures 1:1, 2; Luke 1:35; 4:18; Acts 10:38; 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Cor.
3:18; Eph. 4:11, 12; Acts 1 :8; John 14:16-18, 26; 15:26,
The Holy Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are 27; 16:7-13.)
the written Word of God, given by divine inspiration
through holy men of God who spoke and wrote as they 6. Creation
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
the trustworthy record of God's acts in history. (2 Peter Sabbath as a perpetual memorial of His completed cre-
1:20, 21; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Ps. 119:105; Prov. 30:5, 6; ative work. The first man and woman were made in the
Isa. 8:20; John 17:17; 1 Thess. 2:13; Heb. 4:12.) image of God as the crowning work of Creation, given
dominion over the world, and charged with responsibili-
2. The Trinity ty 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-
powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever present. He 7. The Nature of Man
is infinite and beyond human comprehension, yet
known through His self-revelation. He is forever worthy Man and woman were made in the image of God
of worship, adoration, and service by the whole cre- with individuality, the power and freedom to think and
ation. (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; to do. Though created free beings, each is an indivisible
1 Peter 1:2; 1 Tim. 1:17; Rev. 14:7.) unity of body, mind, and spirit, dependent upon God for
life and breath and all else. When our first parents dis-
3. The Father obeyed God, they denied their dependence upon Him
and fell from their high position under God. The image
God the Eternal Father is the Creator, Source, of God in them was marred and they became subject to
Sustainer, and Sovereign of all creation. He is just and death. Their descendants share this fallen nature and its
holy, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abound- consequences. They are born with weaknesses and ten-
ing in steadfast love and faithfulness. The qualities and dencies to evil. But God in Christ reconciled the world
powers exhibited in the Son and the Holy Spirit are also to Himself and by His Spirit restores in penitent mortals
revelations of the Father. (Gen. 1:1; Rev. 4:11; 1 Cor. the image of their Maker. Created for the glory of God,
15:28; John 3:16; 1 John 4:8; 1 Tim. 1:17; Ex. 34:6, 7; they are called to love Him and one another, and to
John 14:9.) care for their environment. (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.
4. The Son 5:19, 20; Ps. 51 :1 0; 1 John 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,
endowed with freedom of choice, in self-exaltation
He lived and experienced temptation as a human being,
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
(cid:9)
6 SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEARBOOK, 1997
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
believer is called to have a personal part in this world-
In Christ's life of perfect obedience to God's will, His
wide witness. (Rev. 12:17; 14:6-12; 18:1-4; 2 Cor. 5:10;
suffering, death, and resurrection, God provided the
Jude 3, 14; 1 Peter 1:16-19; 2 Peter 3:10-14; Rev. 21:1-
only means of atonement for human sin, so that those
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.
5:16, 17; Acts 17:26, 27; Gal. 3:27, 29; Col. 3:10-15;
In infinite love and mercy God made Christ, who
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 called The Master ordained the service of foot washing to sig-
out from the world; and we join together for worship, nify renewed cleansing, to express a willingness to serve
for fellowship, for instruction in the Word, for the cele- one another in Christlike humility, and to unite our
bration of the Lord's Supper, for service to all mankind, hearts in love. The communion service is open to all
and for the world-wide proclamation of the gospel. The believing Christians. (1 Cor. 10:16, 17; 11:23-30; Matt.
church derives its authority from Christ, who is the 26:17-30; Rev. 3:20; John 6:48-63; 13:1-17.)
incarnate Word, and from the Scriptures, which are the
written Word. The church is God's family; adopted by 16. Spiritual Gifts and Ministries
Him as children, its members live on the basis of the
God bestows upon all members of His church in
new covenant. The church is the body of Christ, a com- every age spiritual gifts which each member is to
munity of faith of which Christ Himself is the Head. The employ in loving ministry for the common good of the
church is the bride for whom Christ died that He might
church and of humanity. Given by the agency of the
sanctify and cleanse her. At His return in triumph, He
Holy Spirit, who apportions to each member as He
will present her to Himself a glorious church, the faithful wills, the gifts provide all abilities and ministries needed
of all the ages, the purchase of His blood, not having
by the church to fulfill its divinely ordained functions.
spot or wrinkle, but holy and without blemish. (Gen.
According to the Scriptures, these gifts include such
12:3; Acts 7:38; Eph. 4:11-15; 3:8-11; Matt. 28:19, 20;
ministries as faith, healing, prophecy, proclamation,
16:13-20; 18:18; Eph. 2:19-22; 1:22, 23; 5:23-27; Col. teaching, administration, reconciliation, compassion,
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,
up in faith and love. (Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:9-11, 27, and act in harmony with the principles of heaven. For
28; Eph. 4:8, 11-16; Acts 6:1-7; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; 1 Peter the Spirit to recreate in us the character of our Lord we
4:10, 11.) involve ourselves only in those things which will pro-
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 the 6:19, 20; 10:31; Lev. 11:1-47; 3 John 2.)
basis of God's covenant with His people and the stan-
dard 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
need for a Saviour. Salvation is all of grace and not of Marriage was divinely established in Eden and
works, but its fruitage is obedience to the affirmed by Jesus to be a lifelong union between a man
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.
19. The Sabbath Although some family relationships may fall short of the
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- God 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 teaching the Lord. By their example and their words they are to
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 members
one another. It is a symbol of our redemption in Christ, of His body, the family of God. Increasing family close-
a sign of our sanctification, a token of our allegiance, ness is one of the earmarks of the final gospel message.
and a foretaste of our eternal future in God's kingdom. (Gen. 2:18-25; Matt. 19:3-9; John 2:1-11; 2 Cor. 6:14;
The Sabbath is God's perpetual sign of His eternal Eph. 5:21-33: Matt. 5:31, 32; Mark 10:11, 12; Luke
16:18; 1 Cor. 7:10, 11; Ex. 20:12; Eph. 6:1-4; Deut. 6:5-
covenant between Him and His people. Joyful obser-
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 to ary on the Day of Atonement. In that typical service the
us by God for nurture in love and the victory over self- sanctuary was cleansed with the blood of animal sacri-
ishness and covetousness. The steward rejoices in the fices, but the heavenly things are purified with the per-
blessings that come to others as a result of his faithful- fect sacrifice of the blood of Jesus. The investigative
ness. (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15; 1 Chron. 29:14; Hag. 1:3-11; judgment reveals to heavenly intelligences who among
Mal. 3:8-12; 1 Cor. 9:9-14; Matt. 23:23; 2 Cor. 8:1-15; the dead are asleep in Christ and therefore, in Him, are
Rom. 15:26, 27.) deemed worthy to have part in the first resurrection. It
8(cid:9) SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEARBOOK, 1997
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 unrighteous
Saviour's coming will be literal, personal, visible and
dead will then be resurrected, and with Satan and his
worldwide. When He returns, the righteous dead will be
angels will surround the city; but fire from God will
resurrected, and together with the righteous living will
consume them and cleanse the earth. The universe will
be glorified and taken to heaven, but the unrighteous
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.
ARTICLE I—NAME b. Delegates representing union missions and unions
of churches having division affiliation shall be appointed
This organization shall be known as the General by the respective division executive committees in con-
Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. sultation 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
a. All union conferences and union missions that have with the organizations concerned.
been or shall be properly organized and accepted by f. Delegates representing division institutions, the
vote of the General Conference in session. number of whom shall correspond to the number of
b. All conferences and missions and unions of division institutions within each division, shall be
churches directly attached to the General Conference, appointed by the respective division executive commit-
and all conferences and missions and unions of church- tees in consultation with the organizations concerned.
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
nial sessions at such time and place as the Executive attached to the General Conference shall be appointed
Committee shall designate and announce by a notice by the Executive Committee in consultation with the
published in the Adventist Review in three consecutive organizations concerned.
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 Session
membership.
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 designa- g. Each union of churches, conference, and mission
tions 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, 1997
i. The number of delegates from each division, provid- and the associate directors/ secretaries of General
ed for under Sec. 6-a. and 6-h., shall be allotted to the Conference departments and associations.
union conferences and union missions that are affiliated 2)Presidents of union conferences, presidents of union
with that division, based on each union's proportion of missions, presidents of attached unions, past presidents
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 Adventist
Risk Management Incorporated, the president-executive
b. Associate directors/secretaries of General director of Adventist World Radio, the president of
Conference departments and associations. 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
Publishing Association.
Sec. 8. In the selection of regular delegates and dele-
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 nonad- membership, and one additional church pastor or other
ministrative employees, of both genders, and represent- frontline denominational employee for each 500,000
ing a range of age groups and nationalities. The majority members or major portion thereof beyond the first
of the above 50 percent shall be laypersons. 500,000 members. The above laypersons, pastors, and
other denominational employees shall be selected by
Sec. 9. Credentials to sessions shall be issued by the
each division executive committee from individuals rec-
General Conference to those appointed in harmony
with the provisions of this article. ommended by the union executive committees.
2)Thirty additional members selected by the General
Sec. 10. Calculations for all delegate allotments, as
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-
retary, associate secretaries, a treasurer, an undertreasur-
Sec. 1. The following shall be elected at each regular
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-
Sec. 2. Executive Officers: The president, secretary,
ciate directors of the General Conference Auditing
and treasurer are the executive officers, and shall carry
Service to serve from the General Conference, and a
forward the work in consultation with one another.
director/secretary and associate director/secretary (direc-
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
and the treasurer. He or his designee shall preside at the
Sec. 2. The following shall be approved by vote of the
Executive Committee at a subsequent meeting, follow- sessions of the General Conference, act as chairperson
of the Executive Committee, serve in the general inter-
ing recommendations from the division:
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 assist
ARTICLE VI—APPOINTMENT the president in the general administrative work of the
• General Conference or preside over a division territory.
The following shall be appointed at the first Annual
Sec. 5. Secretary, undersecretary, and associate secre-
Council of the Executive Committee following a regular
taries: The secretary, in the performance of the executive
session: a director of Archives and Statistics, associate
responsibilities, shall report to the Executive Committee
directors of the General Conference Auditing Service to
after consultation with the president. The secretary shall
serve in the divisions, and editors and associate editors be responsible for keeping the minutes of the proceed-
for the principal denominational journals prepared at
ings of the General Conference sessions and meetings of
the General Conference.
the Executive Committee, for maintaining correspon-
dence with church organizations, and for the perfor-
ARTICLE VII—EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE mance of such other duties as usually pertain to such
office. The undersecretary and associate secretaries shall
Sec. 1. The Executive Committee of the General assist the secretary in this work.
Conference shall consist of: Sec. 6. Treasurer, undertreasurer, and associate trea-
a. Ex officio members-1) Those elected as provided surers:The treasurer, in the performance of the executive
for in Article V, Sec. 1. except the director and associate responsibilities, shall report to the Executive Committee
directors of the General Conference Auditing Service after consultation with the president. The treasurer shall