Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook for 2003

722 Pages·2014·15.03 MB·English

SEVENTH-DAY ADONTIST CHURCH
l.fo one who drinks the water I give will ever be thirsty again.
The water 'I give is like a flowing fountain that gives eternal life.
John 434 cry
Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook 2003
Copyright © 2003
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 insti-
tutions 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 submitted.
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and Statistics.
Cover designed by Tanya Holland
Contents
Preface and Statistics (cid:9) 4
Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists (cid:9) 5
Mission Statement of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (cid:9) 8
Constitution and Bylaws (cid:9) 9
General Conference Officers (1863 to present) (cid:9) 16
Map—World Time Zones (cid:9) 17
Map—World Divisions (cid:9) 18
General Conference (cid:9) 19
East-Central Africa Division—ECD (cid:9) 39
Euro-Africa Division—EUD (cid:9) 65
Euro-Asia Division—ESD (cid:9) 87
Inter-American Division—IAD (cid:9) 107
North American Division—NAD (cid:9) 155
Postal Abbreviations (cid:9) 217
Healthcare Corporations (cid:9) 219
Northern Asia-Pacific Division—NSD (cid:9) 223
South American Division—SAD (cid:9) 237
South Pacific Division—SPD (cid:9) 279
Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division—SID (cid:9) 301
Southern Asia Division—SUD (cid:9) 323
Southern Asia-Pacific Division—SSD (cid:9) 343
Trans-European Division—TED (cid:9) 385
Western Africa Division—WAD (cid:9) 409
Educational Institutions (cid:9) 429
Secondary Schools (cid:9) 478
Food Industries (cid:9) 545
Healthcare Institutions (cid:9) 551
Clinics and Dispensaries (cid:9) 571
Nursing Homes and Retirement Centers (cid:9) 578
Orphanages and Children's Homes (cid:9) 580
Media Centers (cid:9) 583
Publishing Houses (cid:9) 587
Periodicals (cid:9) 600
Radio and TV Stations (cid:9) 615
Risk Management (cid:9) 625
Index of Institutional Employees (cid:9) 627
Directory of Credentialed Employees (cid:9) 695
List of Countries With Their Organizational Locations (cid:9) 1055
General Index (cid:9) 1059
3
Preface to the 2003 Edition
Scope of the Yearbook launched at San Francisco, California, and was soon
A world directory of the Seventh-day Adventist engaged in carrying missionaries to the Pacific islands.
Church is given in the following pages. It includes the Seventh-day Adventist workers first entered non-
General Conference and its international divisions, Christian countries in 1894—Gold Coast (Ghana), West
union and local conferences and missions, and related Africa, and Matabeleland, South Africa. The same year
institutions. Institutions that are managed but not fully saw missionaries entering South America, and in 1896
owned and operated by church entities are not includ- there were representatives in Japan. The Church now
ed. The information has been furnished by the organiza-
has established work in 203 countries.
tions 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 denomi-
Credentialed Employees gives the names and addresses national publishing house at Battle Creek, Michigan,
of these individuals. Institutional employees are listed began operating in 1855 and was duly incorporated in
separately in the Index of Institutional Employees. 1861 under the name of Seventh-day Adventist
The data that appears below has been summarized Publishing Association.
largely from the 2001 Annual Statistical Report, while The Health Reform Institute, later known as the Battle
the figures for the number of churches and for church Creek Sanitarium, opened its doors in 1866, and mis-
membership throughout the Yearbook are drawn from sionary society work was organized on a state-wide
official reports rendered for June 30, 2002. 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 associations.
Millerite Movement of the 1840's. Although the name
In 1903, the denominational headquarters was moved
"Seventh-day Adventist" was chosen in 1860, the
from Battle Creek, Michigan, to Washington, D.C., and
denomination was not officially organized until May 21,
1863, when the movement included some 125 church- in 1989 to Silver Spring, Maryland, where it continues
es and 3,500 members. Work was largely confined to to form the nerve center of an ever-expanding work.
North America until 1874 when the Church's first mis- The distinctive Seventh-day Adventist message may
sionary, I. N. Andrews, was sent to Switzerland. Africa be summarized as "the everlasting gospel," the basic
was penetrated briefly in 1879 when Dr. H. P. Ribton, Christian message of salvation through faith in Christ, in
an early convert in Italy, moved to Egypt and opened a the special setting of the threefold message of
school, but the project ended when riots broke out in Revelation 14:6-12, the call to worship the Creator, "for
the vicinity. The first non-Protestant Christian country the hour of his judgment is come." This message is epit-
entered was Russia, where an Adventist minister went in omized in the phrase, "the commandments of God, and
1886. On October 20, 1890, the schooner Pitcairn was the faith of Jesus."
World Statistics for 2001
(except as noted)
MEMBERSHIP AND EMPLOYEES Orphanages and Children's Homes (cid:9) 33
Churches (June 30, 2002) (cid:9) 51,919 Outpatient Visits (cid:9) 10,491,637
Church Membership (June 30, 2002) .. 12,593,704
HUMANITARIAN WORK
Baptisms and Professions of Faith (cid:9) 961,542
Ordained Ministers, Active (cid:9) 14,669 Countries/Areas Where Work is Established (cid:9) 125
Total Employees, Active (cid:9) 174,682 Number of Projects Funded (cid:9) 2,083
Number of Direct Beneficiaries (cid:9) 16,447,918
MISSION WORK
Countries and Areas as Recognized Value of Assistance Provided (cid:9) $108,088,234
by the United Nations (cid:9) 228 MEDIA CENTERS (cid:9) 9
Countries in Which Work is Established 203 PUBLISHING WORK
Divisions (January 1, 2003) (cid:9) 13 Publishing Houses (cid:9) 57
Unions (cid:9) 94 Languages and Dialects Used in Publications.... 338
Conferences, Missions, and Fields (cid:9) 503 Languages and Dialects Used in Publications
International Deployment of Personnel 517
Adventist Volunteer and Youth Service (cid:9) 1 524 and Oral Work (cid:9) 834
Literature Evangelists, Credentialed and Licensed.. 6,692
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
Schools Operated by Church (cid:9) 6 355 SABBATH SCHOOLS
Colleges and Universities (cid:9) 99 Sabbath Schools (cid:9) 112,541
Worker Training Institutes (cid:9) 37 Sabbath School Membership (cid:9) 15,859,274
Secondary Schools (cid:9) 1 214 CONTRIBUTIONS
Primary Schools (cid:9) 5,005 Tithe—World (cid:9) $1,120,268,583
Total Enrollment (cid:9) 1 185,316 North America (cid:9) $685,051,304
FOOD INDUSTRIES (cid:9) 27 Sabbath School Missions—World (cid:9) $44,601,909
HEALTH MINISTRY North America (cid:9) $20,994,740
Hospitals and Sanitariums (cid:9) 169 Ingathering (cid:9) $9,959,552
Clinics and Dispensaries (cid:9) 393 Total Tithe and Offerings—World(cid:9) . $1,717,789,094
Nursing Homes and Retirement Centers 128 North America (cid:9) $1,090,333,740
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 in
God's Holy Word. 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; 2 Cor.
1. The Holy Scriptures
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
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
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
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 indivisible
ation. (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6;
unity of body, mind, and spirit, dependent upon God for
1 Peter 1:2; 1 Tim. 1:17; Rev. 14:7.) 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. 51:10; 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
All humanity is now involved in a great controversy
God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accom-
between Christ and Satan regarding the character of
plished, and the world is judged. Forever truly God, He
God, His law, and His sovereignty over the universe.
became also truly man, Jesus the Christ. He was con-
This conflict originated in heaven when a created being,
ceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. 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, 2003
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-
suffering, death, and resurrection, God provided the wide witness. (Rev. 12:17; 14:6-12; 18:1-4; 2 Cor. 5:10;
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-
who by faith accept this atonement may have eternal 14.)
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;
knew no sin, to be sin for us, so that in Him we might Eph. 4:14-16; 4:1-6; John 17:20-23.)
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
sanctify and cleanse her. At His return in triumph, He church and of humanity. Given by the agency of the
will present her to Himself a glorious church, the faithful Holy Spirit, who apportions to each member as He
of all the ages, the purchase of His blood, not having wills, the gifts provide all abilities and ministries needed
spot or wrinkle, but holy and without blemish. (Gen. by the church to fulfill its divinely ordained functions.
12:3; Acts 7:38; Eph. 4:11-15; 3:8-11; Matt. 28:19, 20; According to the Scriptures, these gifts include such
16:13-20; 18:18; Eph. 2:19-22; 1:22, 23; 5:23-27; Col. ministries as faith, healing, prophecy, proclamation,
1:17, 18.) teaching, administration, reconciliation, compassion,
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 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
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- 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.
(Gen. 2:18-25; Matt. 19:3-9; John 2:1-11; 2 Cor. 6:14;
and a foretaste of our eternal future in God's kingdom.
Eph. 5:21-33: Matt. 5:31, 32; Mark 10:11, 12; Luke
The Sabbath is God's perpetual sign of His eternal
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, 2003
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
worldwide. When He returns, the righteous dead will be dead will then be resurrected, and with Satan and his
resurrected, and together with the righteous living will angels will surround the city; but fire from God 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
25. Death and Resurrection dwell with His people, and suffering and death will
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.)
MISSION STATEMENT
of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
Our Mission—The mission of the Seventh-day reminder of the seventh-day Sabbath.
Adventist Church is to proclaim to all peoples the ever- 2. Teaching—Acknowledging that development of
lasting gospel in the context of the three angels' mes- mind and character is essential to God's redemptive
sages of Revelation 14:6-12, leading them to accept plan, we promote the growth of a mature understand-
Jesus as personal Saviour and to unite with His church, ing of and relationship to God, His Word, and the cre-
and nurturing them in preparation for His soon return. ated universe.
Our Method—We pursue this mission under the 3. Healing—Affirming the biblical emphasis on the
guidance of the Holy Spirit through: well-being of the whole person, we make the preser-
1. Preaching—Accepting Christ's commission vation of health and the healing of the sick a priority
(Matthew 28:18-20), we proclaim to all the world the and through our ministry to the poor and oppressed,
message of a loving God, most fully revealed in His cooperate with the Creator in His compassionate work
Son's reconciling ministry and atoning death. of restoration.
Recognizing the Bible to be God's infallible revela- Our Vision—In harmony with the great prophecies
tion of His will, we present its full message, including of the Scriptures, we see as the climax of God's plan
the second advent of Christ and the continuing the restoration of all His creation to full harmony with
authority of His Ten Commandment law with its His perfect will and righteousness.
THE CONSTITUTION
of the
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists(cid:9) I
--- _ (cid:9) _
(As revised at the 57th session held in Toronto, c. In case of financial exigency or other major crisis
Canada, June 29 to July 8, 2000.) within the Church or in the international arena, the
Executive Committee may take an action to reduce the
ARTICLE I—NAME maximum number of delegates to a particular General
This organization shall be known as the General Conference Session. Such reduction shall then be
Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. applied, in the proportions indicated above, to both reg-
ular delegates and delegates at large.
ARTICLE II—PURPOSE Sec. 5. 'Regular delegates shall represent the General
Conference's member union conferences, union mis-
The purpose of the General Conference is to teach all
sions, member conferences, missions, and unions of
nations the everlasting gospel of our Lord and Saviour
churches as defined in Article IV, as follows:
Jesus Christ and the commandments of God.
a. Delegates representing union conferences having
ARTICLE III—DIVISIONS OF division affiliation shall be appointed by the respective
THE GENERAL CONFERENCE union conference executive committee.
b. Delegates representing union missions and unions
The General Conference conducts much of its work of churches having division affiliation shall be appointed
through its divisions, which in turn are comprised of by the respective division executive committees in con-
union conferences and union missions in specific areas sultation with the organizations concerned.
of the world. Each division is an administrative unit of c. Delegates representing conferences and missions
the General Conference with commensurate authority to having union conference affiliation shall be appointed
carry out responsibilities in the territory assigned to it. It by the respective union conference executive commit-
is not a separate constituent level of organization. It shall tees in consultation with the organizations concerned.
act in full harmony with the General Conference d. Delegates representing conferences and missions
Constitution and Bylaws, the General Conference having union mission affiliation shall be appointed by
Working Policy, and actions of the Executive Committee. the respective division executive committees in consul-
In order to carry the authority of the General tation with the organizations concerned.
Conference, the actions of division committees shall, of e. Delegates representing conferences and missions
necessity, be in harmony with and complementary to the directly attached to divisions, shall be appointed by the
decisions of the General Conference in session, and the respective division executive committees in consultation
actions of the Executive Committee between sessions. with the organizations concerned.
ARTICLE IV—MEMBERSHIP f. Delegates representing division institutions, the
number of whom shall correspond to the number of
Sec. 1. The membership of the General Conference division institutions within each division, shall be
shall consist of: appointed by the respective division executive commit-
a. All union conferences and union missions that tees in consultation with the organizations concerned.
have been or shall be properly organized and accepted g. Delegates representing union conferences directly
by vote of the General Conference in session. attached to the General Conference shall be appointed
b. All conferences and missions and unions of by the executive committees of the respective attached
churches directly attached to the General Conference, union conferences.
and all conferences and missions and unions of church- h. Delegates representing union missions, confer-
es directly attached to a division, that have been or shall ences, missions, and unions of churches directly
be properly organized. attached to the General Conference shall be appointed
by the Executive Committee in consultation with the
ARTICLE V—GENERAL CONFERENCE SESSIONS
organizations concerned.
Sec. 1. The General Conference shall hold quinquen- Sec. 6. Regular delegates shall be allotted on the fol-
nial sessions at such time and place as the Executive lowing basis:
Committee shall designate and announce by a notice a. Twelve initial delegates for each division without
published in the Adventist Review in three consecutive regard to membership.
issues at least four months before the date for the open- b. Each division shall be entitled to additional dele-
ing of the session. In case special world conditions gates corresponding to the number of division institu-
make it imperative to postpone the calling of the ses- tions within its territory.
sion, the Executive Committee, in regular or special c. Each union conference and union mission having
council, shall have authority to make such postpone- division affiliation, shall be entitled to one delegate
ment, not to exceed two years, giving notice to all con- other than its president (who is a delegate at large) with-
stituent organizations. out regard to membership.
Sec. 2. The Executive Committee may call special ses- d. Each union conference and union mission directly
sions of the General Conference at such time and place attached to the General Conference shall be entitled to
as it considers proper, by means of a notice as provided one delegate other than its president (who is a delegate
for in Sec. 1., and the transactions of such special sessions at large) without regard to membership.
shall have the same force as those of the regular sessions. e. Each conference and mission* having union affilia-
Sec. 3. The election of officers and the voting on all tion shall be entitled to one delegate without regard to
matters of business shall be by viva-voce vote, or as des- membership.
ignated by the chairman, unless otherwise requested by f. Each union of churches, conference, and mission*
a majority of the delegates present. directly attached to the division shall be entitled to one
Sec. 4. The delegates to a General Conference Session delegate without regard to membership.
shall be designated as follows: g. Each union of churches, conference, and mission*
a. Regular delegates, not to exceed 1,240. directly attached to the General Conference shall be
b. Delegates at large, not to exceed 760. entitled to one delegate without regard to membership.
9
10(cid:9) SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEARBOOK, 2003
h. Each division shall be entitled to additional dele- Sec. 2. The following shall be approved by vote of the
gates based upon its membership as a proportion of the Executive Committee at a subsequent meeting, follow-
world Church membership. The total number of dele- ing recommendations from the division:
gates from all divisions under this provision shall not Other persons to serve as members of the Executive
exceed the difference between 1,240 and the total num- Committee as provided for in Article VIII, Sec. 1-b.
ber of delegates provided for under Sec. 6-a. to 6-g.
i. Delegates from each division, provided for under ARTICLE VII—APPOINTMENT
Sec. 6-a. and 6-h., shall be allotted to the union confer- The following shall be appointed at the first Annual
ences and union missions that are affiliated with that Council of the Executive Committee following a regular
division, based on each union's proportion of the divi- Session: a director of Archives and Statistics, a director
sion membership. Any unallocated delegate entitle- and associate directors of the Biblical Research Institute,
ments under this process shall be allocated at the and editors and associate editors for the principal denom-
discretion of the division executive committee. inational journals prepared at the General Conference.
j. Unused quotas of regular delegates allocated to
unions may be reallocated by the divisions. ARTICLE VIII—EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Sec. 7. Delegates at large shall represent the General Sec. 1. The Executive Committee of the General
Conference, its divisions, and its organizations, and Conference shall consist of:
shall be appointed on the following basis: a. Ex officio members-1) Those elected as provided
a. All members of the Executive Committee. for in Article VI, Sec. 1. except the director and associate
b. Associate directors/secretaries of General directors of the General Conference Auditing Service
Conference departments and associations. and the associate directors/secretaries of General
c. Twenty delegates from General Conference Conference departments and associations.
appointed staff. Such delegates shall be selected by the 2) Presidents of union conferences, presidents of union
Executive Committee upon recommendation from the missions, presidents of attached unions, past presidents
General Conference Administrative Committee. of the General Conference holding credentials from the
d. Ten delegates for each division. General Conference, the president-executive director of
e. Those representatives of the General Conference and Adventist Development and Relief Agency International,
division institutions and other entities, and those employ- the president of Adventist International Institute of
ees, field secretaries, laypersons, and pastors who are Advanced Studies, the editor of Adventist Review, the
selected by the Executive Committees of the General editor of Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide, the
Conference and its divisions. The number of these delegates president of Adventist Risk Management Incorporated,
shall be determined as the difference between the sum of the president-executive director of Adventist World
all the other categories of delegates at large, and 760. Radio, the president of Andrews University, the director
Sec. 8. Division administration shall consult with of Archives and Statistics, the director of Biblical
unions to ensure that the entire division delegation shall Research Institute, the president of Christian Record
be comprised of Seventh-day Adventists in regular Services Incorporated, the president and the director of
standing, at least 50 percent of whom shall be layper- Ellen G White Estate, the director of Geoscience
sons, pastors, teachers, and nonadministrative employ- Research Institute, the president of Home Study
ees, of both genders, and representing a range of age International, the director of International Health Food
groups and nationalities. The majority of the above 50 Association, the president of Loma Linda University, the
percent shall be laypersons. Delegate selections from president of Loma Linda University Medical Center, the
General Conference and division institutions shall not editor of Ministry, the president of Oakwood College, the
be required to satisfy the quota for laity. president of Pacific Press Publishing Association, and the
Sec. 9. Credentials to sessions shall be issued by the president of Review and Herald Publishing Association.
General Conference to those appointed in harmony b. Elected Members-1) Three laypersons and one
with the provisions of this article. church pastor from each division without regard to
Sec. 10. Calculations for all delegate allotments, as membership, and one additional church pastor or other
provided for in this article, shall be based upon: frontline denominational employee for each 500,000
a. The membership as of December 31 of the second members or major portion thereof beyond the first
year preceding the General Conference Session. 500,000 members. The above laypersons, pastors, and
b. The number of denominational entities eligible for other denominational employees shall be selected by
inclusion in determining quotas and which are in exis- each division executive committee from individuals rec-
tence as of December 31 of the second year preceding ommended by the union executive committees.
the General Conference Session. 2) Thirty additional members selected by the General
Conference Executive Committee.
9n several areas of the world, local field units not holding
conference status may be classified with terminology other ARTICLE IX—OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES
than "mission." For the purposes of Article V, Sec. 6, such field
units may be considered equivalent to a mission provided they Sec. 1. The officers of the General Conference shall be
have two or more officers and an executive committee and a president, vice presidents, a secretary, an undersecre-
observe a schedule of regular constituency meetings. tary, associate secretaries, a treasurer, an undertreasurer,
ARTICLE VI—ELECTION and associate treasurers. It is the duty of these officers, in
consultation with one another, to carry forward the work
Sec. 1. The following shall be elected at each regular according to plans and programs voted by the General
session of the General Conference: Conference in session and according to plans and poli-
a. A president, vice presidents, a secretary, an under- cies agreed upon by the Executive Committee.
secretary, associate secretaries, division secretaries, a Sec. 2. Executive Officers: The president, secretary,
treasurer, an undertreasurer, associate treasurers, divi- and treasurer are the executive officers, and shall carry
sion treasurers, general field secretaries, a director and forward the work in consultation with one another.
associate directors of the General Conference Auditing Sec. 3. President: The president is the first officer of
Service, and a director/secretary and associate the General Conference, and shall report to the
director/secretary (directors/secretaries) of each duly Executive Committee in consultation with the secretary
organized General Conference department and associa- and the treasurer. He or his designee shall preside at the
tion as specified in Article X, Sec. 1. of the General sessions of the General Conference, act as chairperson
Conference Bylaws. of the Executive Committee, serve in the general inter-
b. A General Conference Auditing Service Board as ests of the General Conference as the Executive
provided for in the General Conference Bylaws, Article Committee shall determine, and perform such other
VIII, Sec. 2.-a. duties as usually pertain to such office.