Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook for 2005

741 Pages·2007·6.81 MB·English

by  Toya Koch

A Directory of the General Conference,
World Divisions, Union and Local Conferences and Missions,
Educational Institutions, Food Industries, Healthcare Institutions,
Media Centers, Publishing Houses and Periodicals, Radio and TV Stations,
Risk Management, and the Index of Institutional Employees and the Directory
of Credentialed Employees.
Printed in the U.S.A. by the
REVIEW AND HERALD PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION
HAGERSTOWN, MD 21740
for the Office of Archives and Statistics
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, Maryland 20904-6600
Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook 2005
Copyright © 2005
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 submitted.
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 publication may be repro-
duced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, record-
ing, 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 CD-ROM through the General Conference Office of Archives and
Statistics.
Cover designed by Tanya Holland
Electronic makeup by Toy Shop Productions
Contents
Preface and Statistics........................................................................................................4
Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists.................................................................5
Mission Statement of the Seventh-day Adventist Church...................................................8
Constitution and Bylaws...................................................................................................9
General Conference Officers (1863 to present)...............................................................16
Map—World Time Zones................................................................................................17
Map—World Divisions...................................................................................................18
General Conference........................................................................................................19
East-Central Africa Division—ECD..................................................................................37
Euro-Africa Division—EUD............................................................................................63
Euro-Asia Division—ESD................................................................................................85
Inter-American Division—IAD......................................................................................105
North American Division—NAD..................................................................................155
Postal Abbreviations..............................................................................................215
Healthcare Corporations........................................................................................217
Northern Asia-Pacific Division—NSD...........................................................................221
South American Division—SAD...................................................................................235
South Pacific Division—SPD.........................................................................................277
Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division—SID...............................................................299
Southern Asia Division—SUD......................................................................................319
Southern Asia-Pacific Division—SSD............................................................................341
Trans-European Division—TED.....................................................................................381
West-Central Africa Division—WAD............................................................................403
Educational Institutions.................................................................................................423
Secondary Schools................................................................................................474
Food Industries.............................................................................................................555
Healthcare Institutions..................................................................................................561
Clinics and Dispensaries.......................................................................................582
Nursing Homes and Retirement Centers................................................................588
Orphanages and Children’s Homes.......................................................................594
Media Centers..............................................................................................................597
Publishing Houses........................................................................................................603
Periodicals.............................................................................................................617
Radio and TV Stations...................................................................................................631
Risk Management.........................................................................................................641
Index of Institutional Employees...................................................................................643
Directory of Credentialed Employees............................................................................715
List of Countries With Their Organizational Locations.................................................1045
General Index.............................................................................................................1049
3
Preface to the 2005 Edition
Scope of the Yearbook Adventist minister went in 1886. On October 20, 1890, the
A world directory of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is schooner Pitcairn was launched at San Francisco,
given in the following pages. It includes the General California, and was soon engaged in carrying missionaries
Conference and its international divisions, union and local to the Pacific islands. Seventh-day Adventist workers first
conferences and missions, and related institutions. entered non-Christian countries in 1894—Gold Coast
Institutions that are managed but not fully owned and operat- (Ghana), West Africa, and Matabeleland, South Africa. The
ed by church entities are not included. The information has same year saw missionaries entering South America, and in
been furnished by the organizations themselves; but in cases 1896 there were representatives in Japan. The Church now
where current reports have not been received, the most has established work in 203 countries.
recent previous records have been retained or adjusted. The publication and distribution of literature were major
In the conference and mission sections, employees are factors in the growth of the Advent Movement. The Adventist
listed in the following sequence: ordained ministers holding Review andSabbath Herald(now the Adventist Review),
ministerial credentials, credentialed commissioned minis- general church paper, was launched in Paris, Maine, in
ters, credentialed commissioned teachers, and credentialed 1850; the Youth’s Instructorin Rochester, New York, in
missionaries. The Directory of Credentialed Employees gives 1852; and the Signs of the Times in Oakland, California, in
the names and addresses of these individuals. Institutional 1874. The first denominational publishing house at Battle
employees are listed separately in the Index of Institutional Creek, Michigan, began operating in 1855 and was duly
Employees. incorporated in 1861 under the name of Seventh-day
The data that appears below has been summarized largely Adventist Publishing Association.
from the 2003 Annual Statistical Report, while the figures for The Health Reform Institute, later known as the Battle
the number of churches and for church membership through- Creek Sanitarium, opened its doors in 1866, and missionary
out the Yearbook are drawn from official reports rendered for society work was organized on a state-wide basis in 1870.
June 30, 2004. The first of the Church’s worldwide network of schools was
Denominational History established in 1872, and 1877 saw the formation of state-
Seventh-day Adventists are, doctrinally, heirs of the wide Sabbath school associations. In 1903, the denomina-
Millerite Movement of the 1840’s. Although the name tional headquarters was moved from Battle Creek,
“Seventh-day Adventist” was chosen in 1860, the denomi- Michigan, to Washington, D.C., and in 1989 to Silver
nation was not officially organized until May 21, 1863, Spring, Maryland, where it continues to form the nerve cen-
when the movement included some 125 churches and ter of an ever-expanding work.
3,500 members. Work was largely confined to North The distinctive Seventh-day Adventist message may be
America until 1874 when the Church’s first missionary, J. N. summarized as “the everlasting gospel,” the basic Christian
Andrews, was sent to Switzerland. Africa was penetrated message of salvation through faith in Christ, in the special
briefly in 1879 when Dr. H. P. Ribton, an early convert in setting of the threefold message of Revelation 14:6-12, the
Italy, moved to Egypt and opened a school, but the project call to worship the Creator, “for the hour of his judgment is
ended when riots broke out in the vicinity. The first non- come.” This message is epitomized in the phrase, “the com-
Protestant Christian country entered was Russia, where an mandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”
World Statistics for 2003
(except as noted)
MEMBERSHIP AND EMPLOYEES Orphanages and Children’s Homes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Churches (June 30, 2004). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56,575 Outpatient Visits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,416,725
Church Membership (June 30, 2003) . . . . . . . 13,663,497
HUMANITARIAN WORK
Baptisms and Professions of Faith. . . . . . . . . . . . . 991,717
Countries/Areas Where Work is Established. . . . . . . . . 122
Ordained Ministers, Active . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,229
Number of Projects Funded. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,325
Total Employees, Active. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216,713
Number of Direct Beneficiaries. . . . . . . . . . . . 23,076,047
MISSION WORK
Value of Assistance Provided . . . . . . . . . . . $121,550,016
Countries and Areas as Recognized
by the United Nations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230 MEDIA CENTERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Countries in Which Work is Established. . . . . . . . . . . 204 PUBLISHING WORK
Divisions (January 1, 2003). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Publishing Houses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Unions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Languages and Dialects Used in Publications. . . . . . . 349
Conferences, Missions, and Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 539 Languages and Dialects Used in Publications
International Deployment of Personnel. . . . . . . . . . . . 684
and Oral Work. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 882
Adventist Volunteer and Youth Service. . . . . . . . . . . 1,863
Literature Evangelists, Credentialed and Licensed. . . . . 7,312
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
SABBATH SCHOOLS
Schools Operated by Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,709
Sabbath Schools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116,892
Colleges and Universities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Worker Training Institutes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Sabbath School Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,423,111
Secondary Schools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,318 CONTRIBUTIONS
Primary Schools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,253 Tithe—World. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,231,293,999
Total Enrollment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,254,179 North America. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $727,180,608
FOOD INDUSTRIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Sabbath School Missions—World. . . . . . . . . $44,132,835
HEALTH MINISTRY North America. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $19,984,170
Hospitals and Sanitariums. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 Ingathering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,243,240
Clinics and Dispensaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 432 Total Tithe and Offerings—World. . . . . . . $1,875,728,145
Nursing Homes and Retirement Centers. . . . . . . . . . . 123 North America. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,154,464,002
4
FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS
OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS
Seventh-day Adventists accept the Bible as their only 10:38; 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Cor. 3:18; Eph. 4:11, 12; Acts 1:8;
creed and hold certain fundamental beliefs to be the teach- John 14:16-18, 26; 15:26, 27; 16:7-13.)
ing of the Holy Scriptures. These beliefs, as set forth here,
constitute the church’s understanding and expression of the 6. Creation
teaching of Scripture. Revision of these statements may be
God is Creator of all things, and has revealed in Scripture
expected at a General Conference session when the church
the authentic account of His creative activity. In six days the
is led by the Holy Spirit to a fuller understanding of Bible
Lord made “the heaven and the earth’’ and all living things
truth or finds better language in which to express the teach-
upon the earth, and rested on the seventh day of that first
ings of God’s Holy Word.
week. Thus He established the Sabbath as a perpetual
1. The Holy Scriptures memorial of His completed creative work. The first man
and woman were made in the image of God as the crown-
The Holy Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are the ing work of Creation, given dominion over the world, and
written Word of God, given by divine inspiration through charged with responsibility to care for it. When the world
holy men of God who spoke and wrote as they were moved was finished it was “very good,’’ declaring the glory of God.
by the Holy Spirit. In this Word, God has committed to man (Gen. 1; 2; Ex. 20:8-11; Ps. 19:1-6; 33:6, 9; 104; Heb. 11:3.)
the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy Scriptures
are the infallible revelation of His will. They are the standard 7. The Nature of Man
of character, the test of experience, the authoritative revealer
of doctrines, and the trustworthy record of God’s acts in his- Man and woman were made in the image of God with
tory. (2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Ps. 119:105; Prov. individuality, the power and freedom to think and to do.
30:5, 6; Isa. 8:20; John 17:17; 1 Thess. 2:13; Heb. 4:12.) Though created free beings, each is an indivisible unity of
body, mind, and spirit, dependent upon God for life and
2. The Trinity breath and all else. When our first parents disobeyed God,
they denied their dependence upon Him and fell from their
There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of high position under God. The image of God in them was
three co-eternal Persons. God is immortal, all-powerful, all- marred and they became subject to death. Their descendants
knowing, above all, and ever present. He is infinite and share this fallen nature and its consequences. They are born
beyond human comprehension, yet known through His self- with weaknesses and tendencies to evil. But God in Christ
revelation. He is forever worthy of worship, adoration, and reconciled the world to Himself and by His Spirit restores in
service by the whole creation. (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 2 penitent mortals the image of their Maker. Created for the
Cor. 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Tim. 1:17; Rev. 14:7.) glory of God, they are called to love Him and one another,
3. The Father and to 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.
God the Eternal Father is the Creator, Source, Sustainer, 5:19, 20; Ps. 51:10; 1 John 4:7, 8, 11, 20; Gen. 2:15.)
and Sovereign of all creation. He is just and holy, merciful
and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love 8. The Great Controversy
and faithfulness. The qualities and powers exhibited in the All humanity is now involved in a great controversy
Son and the Holy Spirit are also revelations of the Father. between Christ and Satan regarding the character of God,
(Gen. 1:1; Rev. 4:11; 1 Cor. 15:28; John 3:16; 1 John 4:8; 1 His law, and His sovereignty over the universe. This conflict
Tim. 1:17; Ex. 34:6, 7; John 14:9.) originated in heaven when a created being, endowed with
4. The Son freedom of choice, in self-exaltation became Satan, God’s
adversary, and led into rebellion a portion of the angels. He
God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. introduced the spirit of rebellion into this world when he led
Through Him all things were created, the character of God Adam and Eve into sin. This human sin resulted in the dis-
is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and tortion of the image of God in humanity, the disordering of
the world is judged. Forever truly God, He became also the created world, and its eventual devastation at the time of
truly man, Jesus the Christ. He was conceived of the Holy the worldwide flood. Observed by the whole creation, this
Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and experi- world became the arena of the universal conflict, out of
enced temptation as a human being, but perfectly exempli- which the God of love will ultimately be vindicated. To
fied the righteousness and love of God. By His miracles He assist His people in this controversy, Christ sends the Holy
manifested God’s power and was attested as God’s promised Spirit and the loyal angels to guide, protect, and sustain
Messiah. He suffered and died voluntarily on the cross for them in the way of salvation. (Rev. 12:4-9; Isa. 14:12-14;
our sins and in our place, was raised from the dead, and Eze. 28:12-18; Gen. 3; Rom. 1:19-32; 5:12-21; 8:19-22;
ascended to minister in the heavenly sanctuary in our Gen. 6-8; 2 Peter 3:6; 1 Cor. 4:9; Heb. 1:14.)
behalf. He will come again in glory for the final deliverance
of His people and the restoration of all things. (John 1:1-3, 9. The Life, Death,
14; Col. 1:15-19; John 10:30; 14:9; Rom. 6:23; 2 Cor. 5:17- and Resurrection of Christ
19; John 5:22; Luke 1:35; Phil. 2:5-11; Heb. 2:9-18; 1 Cor.
In Christ’s life of perfect obedience to God’s will, His suf-
15:3, 4; Heb. 8:1, 2; John 14:1-3.)
fering, death, and resurrection, God provided the only
5. The Holy Spirit means of atonement for human sin, so that those who by
faith accept this atonement may have eternal life, and the
God the eternal Spirit was active with the Father and the whole creation may better understand the infinite and holy
Son in Creation, incarnation, and redemption. He inspired love of the Creator. This perfect atonement vindicates the
the writers of Scripture. He filled Christ’s life with power. righteousness of God’s law and the graciousness of His char-
He draws and convicts human beings; and those who acter; for it both condemns our sin and provides for our for-
respond He renews and transforms into the image of God. giveness. The death of Christ is substitutionary and expiato-
Sent by the Father and the Son to be always with His chil- ry, reconciling and transforming. The resurrection of Christ
dren, He extends spiritual gifts to the church, empowers it to proclaims God’s triumph over the forces of evil, and for
bear witness to Christ, and in harmony with the Scriptures those who accept the atonement assures their final victory
leads it into all truth. (Gen. 1:1, 2; Luke 1:35; 4:18; Acts over sin and death. It declares the Lordship of Jesus Christ,
5
6 SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEARBOOK, 2005
before whom every knee in heaven and on earth will bow. 14. Baptism
(John 3:16; Isa. 53; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4, 20-22; 2
Cor. 5:14, 15, 19-21; Rom. 1:4; 3:25; 4:25; 8:3, 4; 1 John By baptism we confess our faith in the death and resurrec-
2:2; 4:10; Col. 2:15; Phil. 2:6-11.) tion of Jesus Christ, and testify of our death to sin and of our
purpose to walk in newness of life. Thus we acknowledge
10. The Experience of Salvation Christ as Lord and Saviour, become His people, and are
received as members by His church. Baptism is a symbol of
In infinite love and mercy God made Christ, who knew no our union with Christ, the forgiveness of our sins, and our
sin, to be sin for us, so that in Him we might be made the reception of the Holy Spirit. It is by immersion in water and
righteousness of God. Led by the Holy Spirit we sense our is contingent on an affirmation of faith in Jesus and evidence
need, acknowledge our sinfulness, repent of our transgres- of repentance of sin. It follows instruction in the Holy
sions, and exercise faith in Jesus as Lord and Christ, as Scriptures and acceptance of their teachings. (Rom. 6:1-6;
Substitute and Example. This faith which receives salvation Col. 2:12, 13; Acts 16:30-33; 22:16; 2:38; Matt. 28:19, 20.)
comes through the divine power of the Word and is the gift of
God’s grace. Through Christ we are justified, adopted as 15. The Lord’s Supper
God’s sons and daughters, and delivered from the lordship of The Lord’s Supper is a participation in the emblems of the
sin. Through the Spirit we are born again and sanctified; the body and blood of Jesus as an expression of faith in Him,
Spirit renews our minds, writes God’s law of love in our our Lord and Saviour. In this experience of communion
hearts, and we are given the power to live a holy life. Abiding Christ is present to meet and strengthen His people. As we
in Him we become partakers of the divine nature and have partake, we joyfully proclaim the Lord’s death until He
the assurance of salvation now and in the judgment. (2 Cor. comes again. Preparation for the Supper includes self-
5:17-21; John 3:16; Gal. 1:4; 4:4-7; Titus 3:3-7; John 16:8; examination, repentance, and confession. The Master
Gal. 3:13, 14; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; Rom. 10:17; Luke 17:5; Mark ordained the service of foot washing to signify renewed
9:23, 24; Eph. 2:5-10; Rom. 3:21-26; Col. 1:13, 14; Rom. cleansing, to express a willingness to serve one another in
8:14-17; Gal. 3:26; John 3:3-8; 1 Peter 1:23; Rom. 12:2; Heb. Christlike humility, and to unite our hearts in love. The com-
8:7-12; Eze. 36:25-27; 2 Peter 1:3, 4; Rom. 8:1-4; 5:6-10.) munion service is open to all believing Christians. (1 Cor.
10:16, 17; 11:23-30; Matt. 26:17-30; Rev. 3:20; John 6:48-
11. The Church
63; 13:1-17.)
The church is the community of believers who confess 16. Spiritual Gifts and Ministries
Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. In continuity with the peo-
ple of God in Old Testament times, we are called out from God bestows upon all members of His church in every
the world; and we join together for worship, for fellowship, age spiritual gifts which each member is to employ in loving
for instruction in the Word, for the celebration of the Lord’s ministry for the common good of the church and of humani-
Supper, for service to all mankind, and for the world-wide ty. Given by the agency of the Holy Spirit, who apportions to
proclamation of the gospel. The church derives its authority each member as He wills, the gifts provide all abilities and
from Christ, who is the incarnate Word, and from the ministries needed by the church to fulfill its divinely
Scriptures, which are the written Word. The church is God’s ordained functions. According to the Scriptures, these gifts
family; adopted by Him as children, its members live on the include such ministries as faith, healing, prophecy, procla-
basis of the new covenant. The church is the body of Christ, mation, teaching, administration, reconciliation, compas-
a community of faith of which Christ Himself is the Head. sion, and self-sacrificing service and charity for the help and
The church is the bride for whom Christ died that He might encouragement of people. Some members are called of
sanctify and cleanse her. At His return in triumph, He will God and endowed by the Spirit for functions recognized by
present her to Himself a glorious church, the faithful of all the church in pastoral, evangelistic, apostolic, and teaching
the ages, the purchase of His blood, not having spot or wrin- ministries particularly needed to equip the members for ser-
kle, but holy and without blemish. (Gen. 12:3; Acts 7:38; vice, to build up the church to spiritual maturity, and to fos-
Eph. 4:11-15; 3:8-11; Matt. 28:19, 20; 16:13-20; 18:18; ter unity of the faith and knowledge of God. When mem-
Eph. 2:19-22; 1:22, 23; 5:23-27; Col. 1:17, 18.) bers employ these spiritual gifts as faithful stewards of God’s
varied grace, the church is protected from the destructive
12. The Remnant and Its Mission influence of false doctrine, grows with a growth that is from
God, and is built up in faith and love. (Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor.
The universal church is composed of all who truly believe 12:9-11, 27, 28; Eph. 4:8, 11-16; Acts 6:1-7; 1 Tim. 3:1-13;
in Christ, but in the last days, a time of widespread apostasy, 1 Peter 4:10, 11.)
a remnant has been called out to keep the commandments
of God and the faith of Jesus. This remnant announces the 17. The Gift of Prophecy
arrival of the judgment hour, proclaims salvation through
One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This gift is
Christ, and heralds the approach of His second advent. This
an identifying mark of the remnant church and was mani-
proclamation is symbolized by the three angels of Revelation
fested in the ministry of Ellen G. White. As the Lord’s mes-
14; it coincides with the work of judgment in heaven and
senger, her writings are a continuing and authoritative
results in a work of repentance and reform on earth. Every
source of truth which provide for the church comfort, guid-
believer is called to have a personal part in this worldwide
ance, instruction, and correction. They also make clear that
witness. (Rev. 12:17; 14:6-12; 18:1-4; 2 Cor. 5:10; Jude 3, the Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experi-
14; 1 Peter 1:16-19; 2 Peter 3:10-14; Rev. 21:1-14.) ence must be tested. (Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:14-21; Heb. 1:1-
13. Unity in the Body of Christ 3; Rev. 12:17; 19:10.)
The church is one body with many members, called from 18. The Law of God
every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. In Christ we are The great principles of God’s law are embodied in the Ten
a new creation; distinctions of race, culture, learning, and Commandments and exemplified in the life of Christ. They
nationality, and differences between high and low, rich and express God’s love, will, and purposes concerning human
poor, male and female, must not be divisive among us. We conduct and relationships and are binding upon all people
are all equal in Christ, who by one Spirit has bonded us into in every age. These precepts are the basis of God’s covenant
one fellowship with Him and with one another; we are to with His people and the standard in God’s judgment.
serve and be served without partiality or reservation. Through the agency of the Holy Spirit they point out sin and
Through the revelation of Jesus Christ in the Scriptures we awaken a sense of need for a Saviour. Salvation is all of
share the same faith and hope, and reach out in one witness grace and not of works, but its fruitage is obedience to the
to all. This unity has its source in the oneness of the triune Commandments. This obedience develops Christian charac-
God, who has adopted us as His children. (Rom. 12:4, 5; 1 ter and results in a sense of well-being. It is an evidence of
Cor. 12:12-14; Matt. 28:19, 20; Ps. 133:1; 2 Cor. 5:16, 17; our love for the Lord and our concern for our fellow men.
Acts 17:26, 27; Gal. 3:27, 29; Col. 3:10-15; Eph. 4:14-16; The obedience of faith demonstrates the power of Christ to
4:1-6; John 17:20-23.) transform lives, and therefore strengthens Christian witness.
FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS 7
(Ex. 20:1-17; Ps. 40:7, 8; Matt. 22:36-40; Deut. 28:1-14; plete maturity. Parents are to bring up their children to love
Matt. 5:17-20; Heb. 8:8-10; John 15:7-10; Eph. 2:8-10; 1 and obey the Lord. By their example and their words they
John 5:3; Rom. 8:3, 4; Ps. 19:7-14.) are to teach them that Christ is a loving disciplinarian, ever
tender and caring, who wants them to become members of
19. The Sabbath His body, the family of God. Increasing family closeness is
The beneficent Creator, after the six days of Creation, rest- one of the earmarks of the final gospel message. (Gen. 2:18-
ed on the seventh day and instituted the Sabbath for all peo- 25; Matt. 19:3-9; John 2:1-11; 2 Cor. 6:14; Eph. 5:21-33:
ple as a memorial of Creation. The fourth commandment of Matt. 5:31, 32; Mark 10:11, 12; Luke 16:18; 1 Cor. 7:10, 11;
God’s unchangeable law requires the observance of this sev- Ex. 20:12; Eph. 6:1-4; Deut. 6:5-9; Prov. 22:6; Mal. 4:5, 6.)
enth-day Sabbath as the day of rest, worship, and ministry in 23. Christ’s Ministry
harmony with the teaching and practice of Jesus, the Lord of in the Heavenly Sanctuary
the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a day of delightful communion
with God and one another. It is a symbol of our redemption There is a sanctuary in heaven, the true tabernacle which
in Christ, a sign of our sanctification, a token of our alle- the Lord set up and not man. In it Christ ministers on our
giance, and a foretaste of our eternal future in God’s king- behalf, making available to believers the benefits of His
dom. The Sabbath is God’s perpetual sign of His eternal atoning sacrifice offered once for all on the cross. He was
covenant between Him and His people. Joyful observance inaugurated as our great High Priest and began His interces-
of this holy time from evening to evening, sunset to sunset, sory ministry at the time of His ascension. In 1844, at the
is a celebration of God’s creative and redemptive acts. (Gen. end of the prophetic period of 2300 days, He entered the
2:1-3; Ex. 20:8-11; Luke 4:16; Isa. 56:5; 6; 58:13, 14; Matt. second and last phase of His atoning ministry. It is a work
12:1-12; Ex. 31:13-17; Eze. 20:12, 20; Deut. 5:12-15; Heb. of investigative judgment which is part of the ultimate dispo-
4:1-11; Lev. 23:32; Mark 1:32.) sition of all sin, typified by the cleansing of the ancient
Hebrew sanctuary on the Day of Atonement. In that typical
20. Stewardship service the sanctuary was cleansed with the blood of animal
We are God’s stewards, entrusted by Him with time and sacrifices, but the heavenly things are purified with the per-
opportunities, abilities and possessions, and the blessings of fect sacrifice of the blood of Jesus. The investigative judg-
the earth and its resources. We are responsible to Him for ment reveals to heavenly intelligences who among the dead
their proper use. We acknowledge God’s ownership by are asleep in Christ and therefore, in Him, are deemed wor-
faithful service to Him and our fellow men, and by returning thy to have part in the first resurrection. It also makes mani-
tithes and giving offerings for the proclamation of His gospel fest who, among the living are abiding in Christ, keeping the
and the support and growth of His church. Stewardship is a commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and in Him,
privilege given to us by God for nurture in love and the vic- therefore, are ready for translation into His everlasting king-
tory over selfishness and covetousness. The steward rejoices dom. This judgment vindicates the justice of God in saving
in the blessings that come to others as a result of his faithful- those who believe in Jesus. It declares that those who have
ness. (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15; 1 Chron. 29:14; Hag. 1:3-11; remained loyal to God shall receive the kingdom. The com-
Mal. 3:8-12; 1 Cor. 9:9-14; Matt. 23:23; 2 Cor. 8:1-15; Rom. pletion of this ministry of Christ will mark the close of
15:26, 27.) human probation before the Second Advent. (Heb. 8:1-5;
4:14-16; 9:11-28; 10:19-22; 1:3; 2:16, 17; Dan. 7:9-27;
21. Christian Behaviour 8:13, 14; 9:24-27; Num. 14:34; Eze. 4:6; Lev. 16; Rev. 14:6,
7; 20:12; 14:12; 22:12.)
We are called to be a godly people who think, feel, and
act in harmony with the principles of heaven. For the Spirit 24. The Second Coming of Christ
to recreate in us the character of our Lord we involve our-
selves only in those things which will produce Christlike The second coming of Christ is the blessed hope of the
purity, health, and joy in our lives. This means that our church, the grand climax of the gospel. The Saviour’s com-
amusement and entertainment should meet the highest stan- ing will be literal, personal, visible and worldwide. When
dards of Christian taste and beauty. While recognizing cul- He returns, the righteous dead will be resurrected, and
tural differences, our dress is to be simple, modest, and neat, together with the righteous living will be glorified and taken
befitting those whose true beauty does not consist of outward to heaven, but the unrighteous will die. The almost com-
adornment but in the imperishable ornament of a gentle and plete fulfillment of most lines of prophecy, together with the
quiet spirit. It also means that because our bodies are the present condition of the world, indicates that Christ’s com-
temples of the Holy Spirit, we are to care for them intelligent- ing is imminent. The time of that event has not been
ly. Along with adequate exercise and rest, we are to adopt revealed, and we are therefore exhorted to be ready at all
the most healthful diet possible and abstain from the unclean times. (Titus 2:13; Heb. 9:28; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; Matt.
foods identified in the Scriptures. Since alcoholic beverages, 24:14; Rev. 1:7; Matt. 24:43, 44; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor.
tobacco, and the irresponsible use of drugs and narcotics are 15:51-54; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; 2:8; Rev. 14:14-20; 19:11-21;
harmful to our bodies, we are to abstain from them as well. Matt. 24; Mark 13; Luke 21; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 1 Thess. 5:1-6.)
Instead, we are to engage in whatever brings our thoughts 25. Death and Resurrection
and bodies into the discipline of Christ, who desires our
wholesomeness, joy, and goodness. (Rom. 12:1, 2; 1 John The wages of sin is death. But God, who alone is immor-
2:6; Eph. 5:1-21; Phil. 4:8; 2 Cor. 10:5; 6:14-7:1; 1 Peter 3:1- tal, will grant eternal life to His redeemed. Until that day
4; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20; 10:31; Lev. 11:1-47; 3 John 2.) death is an unconscious state for all people. When Christ,
who is our life, appears, the resurrected righteous and the
22. Marriage and the Family living righteous will be glorified and caught up to meet their
Marriage was divinely established in Eden and affirmed by Lord. The second resurrection, the resurrection of the
Jesus to be a lifelong union between a man and a woman in unrighteous, will take place a thousand years later. (Rom.
loving companionship. For the Christian a marriage commit- 6:23; 1 Tim. 6:15, 16; Eccl. 9:5, 6; Ps. 146:3, 4; John 11:11-
ment is to God as well as to the spouse, and should be 14; Col. 3:4; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 1 Thess. 4:13-17; John 5:28,
entered into only between partners who share a common 29; Rev. 20:1-10.)
faith. Mutual love, honor, respect, and responsibility are the 26. The Millennium and the End of Sin
fabric of this relationship, which is to reflect the love, sancti-
ty, closeness, and permanence of the relationship between The millennium is the thousand-year reign of Christ with
Christ and His church. Regarding divorce, Jesus taught that His saints in heaven between the first and second resurrec-
the person who divorces a spouse, except for fornication, tions. During this time the wicked dead will be judged; the
and marries another, commits adultery. Although some fami- earth will be utterly desolate, without living human inhabi-
ly relationships may fall short of the ideal, marriage partners tants, but occupied by Satan and his angels. At its close
who fully commit themselves to each other in Christ may Christ with His saints and the Holy City will descend from
achieve loving unity through the guidance of the Spirit and heaven to earth. The unrighteous dead will then be resur-
the nurture of the church. God blesses the family and rected, and with Satan and his angels will surround the city;
intends that its members shall assist each other toward com- but fire from God will consume them and cleanse the earth.
8 SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEARBOOK, 2005
The universe will thus be freed of sin and sinners forever. environment for everlasting life, love, joy, and learning in
(Rev. 20; 1 Cor. 6:2, 3; Jer. 4:23-26; Rev. 21:1-5; Mal. 4:1; His presence. For here God Himself will dwell with His
Eze. 28:18, 19.) people, and suffering and death will have passed away. The
great controversy will be ended, and sin will be no more.
27. The New Earth
All things, animate and inanimate, will declare that God is
On the new earth, in which righteousness dwells, God love; and He shall reign forever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:13; Isa.
will provide an eternal home for the redeemed and a perfect 35; 65:17-25; Matt. 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 Adventist 2. Teaching—Acknowledging that development of mind
Church is to proclaim to all peoples the everlasting gospel and character is essential to God’s redemptive plan, we
in the context of the three angels’ messages of Revelation
promote the growth of a mature understanding of and rela-
14:6-12, leading them to accept Jesus as personal Saviour
and to unite with His church, and nurturing them in prepa- tionship to God, His Word, and the created universe.
ration for His soon return. 3. Healing—Affirming the biblical emphasis on the
Our Method—We pursue this mission under the guid- well-being of the whole person, we make the preservation
ance of the Holy Spirit through:
of health and the healing of the sick a priority and through
1. Preaching—Accepting Christ’s commission (Matthew
28:18-20), we proclaim to all the world the message of a our ministry to the poor and oppressed, cooperate with
loving God, most fully revealed in His Son’s reconciling the Creator in His compassionate work of restoration.
ministry and atoning death. Recognizing the Bible to be Our Vision—In harmony with the great prophecies of
God’s infallible revelation of His will, we present its full
the Scriptures, we see as the climax of God’s plan the
message, including the second advent of Christ and the
continuing authority of His Ten Commandment law with restoration of all His creation to full harmony with His per-
its reminder of the seventh-day Sabbath. fect will and righteousness.
THE CONSTITUTION
of the
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
(As revised at the 57th session held in Toronto, Canada, cated above, to both regular delegates and delegates at large.
June 29 to July 8, 2000.) Sec. 5. Regular delegates shall represent the General
Conference’s member union conferences, union missions,
ARTICLE I—NAME member conferences, missions, and unions of churches as
This organization shall be known as the General defined in Article IV, as follows:
Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. a. Delegates representing union conferences having divi-
sion affiliation shall be appointed by the respective union
ARTICLE II—PURPOSE conference executive committee.
The purpose of the General Conference is to teach all b. Delegates representing union missions and unions of
nations the everlasting gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus churches having division affiliation shall be appointed by the
Christ and the commandments of God. respective division executive committees in consultation with
the organizations concerned.
ARTICLE III—DIVISIONS OF c. Delegates representing conferences and missions having
THE GENERAL CONFERENCE union conference affiliation shall be appointed by the respec-
tive union conference executive committees in consultation
The General Conference conducts much of its work
with the organizations concerned.
through its divisions, which in turn are comprised of union
d. Delegates representing conferences and missions having
conferences and union missions in specific areas of the
union mission affiliation shall be appointed by the respective
world. Each division is an administrative unit of the General
division executive committees in consultation with the orga-
Conference with commensurate authority to carry out respon-
nizations concerned.
sibilities in the territory assigned to it. It is not a separate con-
e. Delegates representing conferences and missions direct-
stituent level of organization. It shall act in full harmony with
ly attached to divisions, shall be appointed by the respective
the General Conference Constitution and Bylaws, the General
division executive committees in consultation with the orga-
Conference Working Policy, and actions of the Executive
nizations concerned.
Committee.
f. Delegates representing division institutions, the number
In order to carry the authority of the General Conference,
of whom shall correspond to the number of division institu-
the actions of division committees shall, of necessity, be in
tions within each division, shall be appointed by the respec-
harmony with and complementary to the decisions of the
tive division executive committees in consultation with the
General Conference in session, and the actions of the
organizations concerned.
Executive Committee between sessions.
g. Delegates representing union conferences directly
ARTICLE IV—MEMBERSHIP attached to the General Conference shall be appointed by the
executive committees of the respective attached union con-
Sec. 1. The membership of the General Conference shall ferences.
consist of: h. Delegates representing union missions, conferences,
a. All union conferences and union missions that have missions, and unions of churches directly attached to the
been or shall be properly organized and accepted by vote of General Conference shall be appointed by the Executive
the General Conference in session. Committee in consultation with the organizations concerned.
b.All conferences and missions and unions of churches Sec. 6. Regular delegates shall be allotted on the following
directly attached to the General Conference, and all confer- basis:
ences and missions and unions of churches directly attached a. Twelve initial delegates for each division without regard
to a division, that have been or shall be properly organized. to membership.
b. Each division shall be entitled to additional delegates
ARTICLE V—GENERAL CONFERENCE SESSIONS
corresponding to the number of division institutions within its
Sec. 1. The General Conference shall hold quinquennial territory.
sessions at such time and place as the Executive Committee c. Each union conference and union mission having divi-
shall designate and announce by a notice published in the sion affiliation, shall be entitled to one delegate other than its
Adventist Review in three consecutive issues at least four president (who is a delegate at large) without regard to mem-
months before the date for the opening of the session. In case bership.
special world conditions make it imperative to postpone the d. Each union conference and union mission directly
calling of the session, the Executive Committee, in regular or attached to the General Conference shall be entitled to one
special council, shall have authority to make such postpone- delegate other than its president (who is a delegate at large)
ment, not to exceed two years, giving notice to all constituent without regard to membership.
organizations. e. Each conference and mission* having union affiliation
Sec. 2. The Executive Committee may call special sessions shall be entitled to one delegate without regard to member-
of the General Conference at such time and place as it con- ship.
siders proper, by means of a notice as provided for in Sec. 1., f. Each union of churches, conference, and mission* direct-
and the transactions of such special sessions shall have the ly attached to the division shall be entitled to one delegate
same force as those of the regular sessions. without regard to membership.
Sec. 3. The election of officers and the voting on all matters g. Each union of churches, conference, and mission*
of business shall be by viva-voce vote, or as designated by the directly attached to the General Conference shall be entitled
chairman, unless otherwise requested by a majority of the to one delegate without regard to membership.
delegates present. h.Each division shall be entitled to additional delegates
Sec. 4. The delegates to a General Conference Session shall based upon its membership as a proportion of the world
be designated as follows: Church membership. The total number of delegates from all
a. Regular delegates, not to exceed 1,240. divisions under this provision shall not exceed the difference
b. Delegates at large, not to exceed 760. between 1,240 and the total number of delegates provided
c. In case of financial exigency or other major crisis within for under Sec. 6-a. to 6-g.
the Church or in the international arena, the Executive i. Delegates from each division, provided for under Sec. 6-
Committee may take an action to reduce the maximum num- a. and 6-h., shall be allotted to the union conferences and
ber of delegates to a particular General Conference Session. union missions that are affiliated with that division, based on
Such reduction shall then be applied, in the proportions indi- each union’s proportion of the division membership. Any unal-
9
10 SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEARBOOK, 2005
located delegate entitlements under this process shall be allo- Conference shall consist of:
cated at the discretion of the division executive committee. a. Ex officio members—1) Those elected as provided for in
j. Unused quotas of regular delegates allocated to unions Article VI, Sec. 1. except the director and associate directors
may be reallocated by the divisions. of the General Conference Auditing Service and the associate
Sec. 7. Delegates at large shall represent the General directors/secretaries of General Conference departments and
Conference, its divisions, and its organizations, and shall be associations.
appointed on the following basis: 2) Presidents of union conferences, presidents of union
a. All members of the Executive Committee. missions, presidents of attached unions, past presidents of the
b.Associate directors/secretaries of General Conference General Conference holding credentials from the General
departments and associations. Conference, the president-executive director of Adventist
c. Twenty delegates from General Conference appointed Development and Relief Agency International, the president
staff. Such delegates shall be selected by the Executive of Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies, the
Committee upon recommendation from the General editor of Adventist Review,the editor of Adult Sabbath
Conference Administrative Committee. School Bible Study Guide,the president of Adventist Risk
d.Ten delegates for each division. Management Incorporated, the president-executive director
e. Those representatives of the General Conference and divi- of Adventist World Radio, the president of Andrews
sion institutions and other entities, and those employees, field University, the director of Archives and Statistics, the director
secretaries, laypersons, and pastors who are selected by the of Biblical Research Institute, the president of Christian
Executive Committees of the General Conference and its divi- Record Services Incorporated, the president and the director
sions. The number of these delegates shall be determined as the of Ellen G White Estate, the director of Geoscience Research
difference between the sum of all the other categories of dele- Institute, the president of Home Study International, the
gates at large, and 760. director of International Health Food Association, the presi-
Sec. 8. Division administration shall consult with unions to dent of Loma Linda University, the president of Loma Linda
ensure that the entire division delegation shall be comprised University Medical Center, the editor of Ministry,the presi-
of Seventh-day Adventists in regular standing, at least 50 per- dent of Oakwood College, the president of Pacific Press
cent of whom shall be laypersons, pastors, teachers, and non- Publishing Association, and the president of Review and
administrative employees, of both genders, and representing a Herald Publishing Association.
range of age groups and nationalities. The majority of the b. Elected Members—1) Three laypersons and one church
above 50 percent shall be laypersons. Delegate selections pastor from each division without regard to membership, and
from General Conference and division institutions shall not be one additional church pastor or other frontline denomination-
required to satisfy the quota for laity. al employee for each 500,000 members or major portion
Sec. 9. Credentials to sessions shall be issued by the thereof beyond the first 500,000 members. The above layper-
General Conference to those appointed in harmony with the sons, pastors, and other denominational employees shall be
provisions of this article. selected by each division executive committee from individu-
Sec. 10. Calculations for all delegate allotments, as provid- als recommended by the union executive committees.
ed for in this article, shall be based upon: 2) Thirty additional members selected by the General
a. The membership as of December 31 of the second year Conference Executive Committee.
preceding the General Conference Session. ARTICLE IX—OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES
b.The number of denominational entities eligible for inclu-
sion in determining quotas and which are in existence as of Sec. 1. The officers of the General Conference shall be a
December 31 of the second year preceding the General president, vice presidents, a secretary, an undersecretary,
Conference Session. associate secretaries, a treasurer, an undertreasurer, and asso-
ciate treasurers. It is the duty of these officers, in consultation
*In several areas of the world, local field units not holding conference with one another, to carry forward the work according to
status may be classified with terminology other than “mission.” For the plans and programs voted by the General Conference in ses-
purposes of Article V, Sec. 6, such field units may be considered equiva- sion and according to plans and policies agreed upon by the
lent to a mission provided they have two or more officers and an execu- Executive Committee.
tive committee and observe a schedule of regular constituency
meetings. Sec. 2. Executive Officers: The president, secretary, and
treasurer are the executive officers, and shall carry forward
ARTICLE VI—ELECTION the work in consultation with one another.
Sec. 3. President: The president is the first officer of the
Sec. 1. The following shall be elected at each regular ses-
General Conference, and shall report to the Executive
sion of the General Conference:
Committee in consultation with the secretary and the treasur-
a. A president, vice presidents, a secretary, an undersecre-
er. He or his designee shall preside at the sessions of the
tary, associate secretaries, division secretaries, a treasurer, an
General Conference, act as chairperson of the Executive
undertreasurer, associate treasurers, division treasurers, gener-
Committee, serve in the general interests of the General
al field secretaries, a director and associate directors of the
Conference as the Executive Committee shall determine, and
General Conference Auditing Service, and a director/secretary
perform such other duties as usually pertain to such office.
and associate director/secretary (directors/secretaries) of each
Sec. 4.Vice Presidents: Each vice president shall assist the
duly organized General Conference department and associa-
president in the general administrative work of the General
tion as specified in Article X, Sec. 1. of the General
Conference or preside over a division territory.
Conference Bylaws.
Sec. 5. Secretary, undersecretary, and associate secretaries:
b. A General Conference Auditing Service Board as provid-
The secretary, in the performance of the executive responsibil-
ed for in the General Conference Bylaws, Article VIII, Sec. 2.- ities, shall report to the Executive Committee after consulta-
a. tion with the president. The secretary shall be responsible for
Sec. 2. The following shall be approved by vote of the keeping the minutes of the proceedings of the General
Executive Committee at a subsequent meeting, following rec- Conference sessions and meetings of the Executive
ommendations from the division: Committee, for maintaining correspondence with church
Other persons to serve as members of the Executive organizations, and for the performance of such other duties as
Committee as provided for in Article VIII, Sec. 1-b. usually pertain to such office. The undersecretary and associ-
ARTICLE VII—APPOINTMENT ate secretaries shall assist the secretary in this work.
Sec. 6. Treasurer, undertreasurer, and associate treasurers:
The following shall be appointed at the first Annual Council The treasurer, in the performance of the executive responsibil-
of the Executive Committee following a regular Session: a ities, shall report to the Executive Committee after consulta-
director of Archives and Statistics, a director and associate tion with the president. The treasurer shall be responsible for
directors of the Biblical Research Institute, and editors and providing financial leadership to the General Conference
associate editors for the principal denominational journals which will include, but not be limited to, receiving, safe-
prepared at the General Conference. guarding, and disbursing all funds in harmony with the
actions of the Executive Committee, for providing financial
ARTICLE VIII—EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
information to the president and to the Executive Committee,
Sec. 1. The Executive Committee of the General and for the performance of such other duties as usually per-