Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook for 2008 (no - Online Archives

790 Pages·2008·8.74 MB·English

by  Toya M 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.
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Seventh-day Adventist®Yearbook 2008
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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..................................................................................39
Euro-Africa Division—EUD............................................................................................67
Euro-Asia Division—ESD................................................................................................89
Inter-American Division—IAD......................................................................................109
North American Division—NAD..................................................................................165
Postal Abbreviations..............................................................................................226
Healthcare Corporations.......................................................................................227
Northern Asia-Pacific Division—NSD..........................................................................231
South American Division—SAD..................................................................................245
South Pacific Division—SPD........................................................................................291
Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division—SID...............................................................313
Southern Asia Division—SUD......................................................................................335
Southern Asia-Pacific Division—SSD............................................................................357
Trans-European Division—TED.....................................................................................401
West-Central Africa Division—WAD............................................................................423
Educational Institutions.................................................................................................443
Secondary Schools................................................................................................495
Food Industries.............................................................................................................589
Healthcare Institutions..................................................................................................595
Clinics and Dispensaries.......................................................................................617
Nursing Homes and Retirement Centers................................................................625
Orphanages and Children’s Homes.......................................................................633
Media Centers..............................................................................................................637
Publishing Houses........................................................................................................641
Periodicals.............................................................................................................655
Radio and TV Stations...................................................................................................669
Risk Management.........................................................................................................679
Index of Institutional Employees...................................................................................681
Directory of Credentialed Employees............................................................................755
List of Countries With Their Organizational Locations.................................................1095
General Index.............................................................................................................1099
Trademarks.................................................................................................................1131
3
4 SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEARBOOK, 2008
Preface to the 2008 Edition
Scope of the Yearbook Francisco, California, and was soon engaged in carrying mis-
A world directory of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is sionaries to the Pacific islands. Seventh-day Adventist workers
given in the following pages. It includes the General first entered non-Christian countries in 1894—Gold Coast
Conference and its international divisions, union and local (Ghana), West Africa, and Matabeleland, South Africa. The
conferences and missions, and related institutions. same year saw missionaries entering South America, and in
Institutions that are managed but not fully owned and operat- 1896 there were representatives in Japan. The Church now
ed by church entities are not included. The information has has established work in 203 countries.
been furnished by the organizations themselves, but in cases The publication and distribution of literature were major
where current reports have not been received, the most recent factors in the growth of the Advent Movement. The Adventist
previous records have been retained or adjusted. This publi- Review and Sabbath Herald(now the Adventist Review), gen-
cation does not define church structure or describe legal rela- eral church paper, was launched in Paris, Maine in 1850; the
tionships among church entities. No listed entity assumes any Youth’s Instructor in Rochester, New York, in 1852; and the
responsibility for the liabilities, debts, or alleged acts or omis- Signs of the Times in Oakland, California, in 1874. The first
sions of any other church entity simply because of its inclu- denominational publishing house at Battle Creek, Michigan,
sion in this Yearbook. Persons with grievances or claims began operating in 1855 and was duly incorporated in 1861
against a listed entity must directly address the entity involved under the name of Seventh-day Adventist Publishing
and not any other entity or organization. Association.
In the division/union/conference/mission sections, The Health Reform Institute, later known as the Battle
employees are listed as follows: ordained ministers holding Creek Sanitarium, opened in 1866, and missionary society
ministerial credentials, credentialed commissioned ministers, work organized on a state-wide basis in 1870. The first of the
credentialed commissioned teachers, and credentialed mis- Church’s worldwide network of schools was established in
sionaries. The Directory of Credentialed Employees gives the 1872, and 1877 saw the formation of state-wide Sabbath
names and addresses of these individuals. Institutional school associations. In 1903, denominational headquarters
employees are listed separately in the Index of Institutional moved from Battle Creek, Michigan, to Washington, D.C.,
Employees. and in 1989 to Silver Spring, Maryland, where it continues to
The data that appears below has been summarized largely form the nerve center of an ever-expanding work.
from the 2006 Annual Statistical Report, while the figures for The distinctive Seventh-day Adventist message may be
the number of churches and for church membership through- summarized as “the everlasting gospel,” the basic Christian
out the Yearbook are drawn from official reports rendered for message of salvation through faith in Christ, in the special set-
June 30, 2007. ting of the threefold message of Revelation 14:6-12, the call
Denominational History to worship the Creator, “for the hour of his judgment is
Seventh-day Adventists are, doctrinally, heirs of the come.” This message is epitomized in the phrase, “the com-
Millerite Movement of the 1840’s. Although the name mandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”ter of an ever-
“Seventh-day Adventist” was chosen in 1860, the denomina- expanding work.
tion was not officially organized until May 21, 1863, when The distinctive Seventh-day Adventist message may be
the movement included some 125 churches and 3,500 mem- summarized as “the everlasting gospel,” the basic Christian
bers. Work was largely confined to North America until 1874 message of salvation through faith in Christ, in the special
when the Church’s first missionary, J. N. Andrews, was sent to setting of the threefold message of Revelation 14:6-12, the
Switzerland. The first non-Protestant Christian country entered call to worship the Creator, “for the hour of his judgment is
was Russia, where an Adventist minister went in 1886. On come.” This message is epitomized in the phrase, “the com-
October 20, 1890, the schooner Pitcairn was launched at San mandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”
World Statistics for 2006
(except as noted)
MEMBERSHIP AND EMPLOYEES Nursing Homes and Retirement Centers. . . . . . . . . . . 138
Churches (June 30, 2007). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62,716 Orphanages and Children’s Homes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Church Membership (June 30, 2007) . . . . . . . 15,435,470 Outpatient Visits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,371,479
Baptisms and Professions of Faith. . . . . . . . . . . 1,107,425 HUMANITARIAN WORK
Ordained Ministers, Active . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,813 Countries/Areas Where ADRAis Involved. . . . . . . . . . 112
Total Employees, Active. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201,646 Number of Projects Funded. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,421
MISSION WORK Number of Direct Beneficiaries. . . . . . . . . . . . 36,228,592
Countries and Areas as Recognized Value of Assistance Provided . . . . . . . . . . . $286,012,003
by the United Nations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229 MEDIA CENTERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Countries/Areas in Which SDA Work is Established. . . 203
PUBLISHING WORK
Divisions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Publishing Houses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Unions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Languages and Dialects Used in Publications. . . . . . . 361
Conferences, Missions, and Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 566
Languages and Dialects Used in Publications
International Deployment of Personnel. . . . . . . . . . . . 720 and Oral Work. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 886
Adventist Volunteer and Youth Service. . . . . . . . . . . 1,604 Literature Evangelists, Credentialed and Licensed. . . . . 6,193
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM SABBATH SCHOOLS
Schools Operated by Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,284 Sabbath Schools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131,892
Colleges and Universities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Sabbath School Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19,199,944
Worker Training Institutes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Secondary Schools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,470 CONTRIBUTIONS
Primary Schools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,666 Tithe—World. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,617,800,560
Total Enrollment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,436,290 North America. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $861,581,967
Sabbath School Missions—World. . . . . . . . . $53,327,823
FOOD INDUSTRIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 North America. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $22,142,933
HEALTH MINISTRY Ingathering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,034,443
Hospitals and Sanitariums. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 Total Tithe and Offerings—World. . . . . . . $2,383,690,238
Clinics and Dispensaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 442 North America. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,382,468,392
FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS 5
FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS
OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS
(As amended at the 58th session held in St. Louis, Scriptures leads it into all truth. (Gen. 1:1, 2; Luke 1:35;
Missouri, June 29 to July 9, 2005.) 4:18; Acts 10:38; 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Cor. 3:18; Eph. 4:11, 12;
Seventh-day Adventists accept the Bible as their only Acts 1:8; John 14:16-18, 26; 15:26, 27; 16:7-13.)
creed and hold certain fundamental beliefs to be the teach-
ing of the Holy Scriptures. These beliefs, as set forth here, 6. Creation
constitute the church’s understanding and expression of the God is Creator of all things, and has revealed in
teaching of Scripture. Revision of these statements may be Scripture the authentic account of His creative activity. In
expected at a General Conference session when the church six days the Lord made “the heaven and the earth” and all
is led by the Holy Spirit to a fuller understanding of Bible living things upon the earth, and rested on the seventh day
truth or finds better language in which to express the teach- of that first week. Thus He established the Sabbath as a per-
ings of God’s Holy Word. petual memorial of His completed creative work. The first
man and woman were made in the image of God as the
1. Holy Scriptures
crowning work of Creation, given dominion over the world,
The Holy Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are the and charged with responsibility to care for it. When the
written Word of God, given by divine inspiration through world was finished it was “very good,” declaring the glory
holy men of God who spoke and wrote as they were of God. (Gen. 1; 2; Ex. 20:8-11; Ps. 19:1-6; 33:6, 9; 104;
moved by the Holy Spirit. In this Word, God has committed Heb. 11:3.)
to man the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy
Scriptures are the infallible revelation of His will. They are 7. Nature of Man
the standard of character, the test of experience, the author- Man and woman were made in the image of God with
itative revealer of doctrines, and the trustworthy record of individuality, the power and freedom to think and to do.
God’s acts in history. (2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Ps. Though created free beings, each is an indivisible unity of
119:105; Prov. 30:5, 6; Isa. 8:20; John 17:17; 1 Thess. 2:13; body, mind, and spirit, dependent upon God for life and
Heb. 4:12.) breath and all else. When our first parents disobeyed God,
they denied their dependence upon Him and fell from their
2. Trinity
high position under God. The image of God in them was
There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of marred and they became subject to death. Their descen-
three co-eternal Persons. God is immortal, all-powerful, all- dants share this fallen nature and its consequences. They
knowing, above all, and ever present. He is infinite and are born with weaknesses and tendencies to evil. But God
beyond human comprehension, yet known through His self- in Christ reconciled the world to Himself and by His Spirit
revelation. He is forever worthy of worship, adoration, and restores in penitent mortals the image of their Maker.
service by the whole creation. (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; Created for the glory of God, they are called to love Him
2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Tim. 1:17; Rev. 14:7.) and one another, 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;
3. Father Rom. 5:12-17; 2 Cor. 5:19, 20; Ps. 51:10; 1 John 4:7, 8, 11,
God the eternal Father is the Creator, Source, Sustainer, 20; Gen. 2:15.)
and Sovereign of all creation. He is just and holy, merciful
and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast 8. Great Controversy
love and faithfulness. The qualities and powers exhibited in All humanity is now involved in a great controversy
the Son and the Holy Spirit are also revelations of the between Christ and Satan regarding the character of God,
Father. (Gen. 1:1; Rev. 4:11; 1 Cor. 15:28; John 3:16; 1 John His law, and His sovereignty over the universe. This conflict
4:8; 1 Tim. 1:17; Ex. 34:6, 7; John 14:9.) originated in heaven when a created being, endowed with
freedom of choice, in self-exaltation became Satan, God’s
4. Son 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
Through Him all things were created, the character of God led Adam and Eve into sin. This human sin resulted in the
is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and distortion of the image of God in humanity, the disordering
the world is judged. Forever truly God, He became also of the created world, and its eventual devastation at the
truly man, Jesus the Christ. He was conceived of the Holy time of the worldwide flood. Observed by the whole cre-
Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and experi- ation, this world became the arena of the universal conflict,
enced temptation as a human being, but perfectly exempli- out of which the God of love will ultimately be vindicated.
fied the righteousness and love of God. By His miracles He To assist His people in this controversy, Christ sends the
manifested God’s power and was attested as God’s Holy Spirit and the loyal angels to guide, protect, and sus-
promised Messiah. He suffered and died voluntarily on the tain them in the way of salvation. (Rev. 12:4-9; Isa. 14:12-
cross for our sins and in our place, was raised from the 14; Eze. 28:12-18; Gen. 3; Rom. 1:19-32; 5:12-21; 8:19
dead, and ascended to minister in the heavenly sanctuary 22; Gen. 6-8; 2 Peter 3:6; 1 Cor. 4:9; Heb. 1:14.)
in our behalf. He will come again in glory for the final
deliverance of His people and the restoration of all things. 9. Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ
(John 1:1-3, 14; Col. 1:15-19; John 10:30; 14:9; Rom. 6:23; In Christ’s life of perfect obedience to God’s will, His
2 Cor. 5:17-19; John 5:22; Luke 1:35; Phil. 2:5-11; Heb. suffering, death, and resurrection, God provided the only
2:9-18; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4; Heb. 8:1, 2; John 14:13.) means of atonement for human sin, so that those who by
faith accept this atonement may have eternal life, and the
5. Holy Spirit whole creation may better understand the infinite and holy
God the eternal Spirit was active with the Father and the love of the Creator. This perfect atonement vindicates the
Son in Creation, incarnation, and redemption. He inspired righteousness of God’s law and the graciousness of His
the writers of Scripture. He filled Christ’s life with power. character; for it both condemns our sin and provides for our
He draws and convicts human beings; and those who forgiveness. The death of Christ is substitutionary and expia-
respond He renews and transforms into the image of God. tory, reconciling and transforming. The resurrection of
Sent by the Father and the Son to be always with His chil- Christ proclaims God’s triumph over the forces of evil, and
dren, He extends spiritual gifts to the church, empowers it for those who accept the atonement assures their final vic-
to bear witness to Christ, and in harmony with the tory over sin and death. It declares the Lordship of Jesus
6 SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEARBOOK, 2008
Christ, before whom every knee in heaven and on earth vation through Christ, and heralds the approach of His sec-
will bow. (John 3:16; Isa. 53; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; 1 Cor. 15:3, ond advent. This proclamation is symbolized by the three
4, 20-22; 2 Cor. 5:14, 15, 19-21; Rom. 1:4; 3:25; 4:25; 8:3, angels of Revelation 14; it coincides with the work of judg-
4; 1 John 2:2; 4:10; Col. 2:15; Phil. 2:611.) ment in heaven and results in a work of repentance and
reform on earth. Every believer is called to have a personal
10. Experience of Salvation
part in this worldwide witness. (Rev. 12:17; 14:6-12; 18:1-
In infinite love and mercy God made Christ, who knew 4; 2 Cor. 5:10; Jude 3, 14; 1 Peter 1:16-19; 2 Peter 3:10-14;
no sin, to be sin for us, so that in Him we might be made Rev. 21:1-14.)
the righteousness of God. Led by the Holy Spirit we sense
our need, acknowledge our sinfulness, repent of our trans- 14. Unity in the Body of Christ
gressions, and exercise faith in Jesus as Lord and Christ, as The church is one body with many members, called
Substitute and Example. This faith which receives salvation from every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. In Christ
comes through the divine power of the Word and is the gift we are a new creation; distinctions of race, culture, learn-
of God’s grace. Through Christ we are justified, adopted as ing, and nationality, and differences between high and low,
God’s sons and daughters, and delivered from the lordship rich and poor, male and female, must not be divisive
of sin. Through the Spirit we are born again and sanctified; among us. We are all equal in Christ, who by one Spirit has
the Spirit renews our minds, writes God’s law of love in our bonded us into one fellowship with Him and with one
hearts, and we are given the power to live a holy life.
another; we are to serve and be served without partiality or
Abiding in Him we become partakers of the divine nature
reservation. Through the revelation of Jesus Christ in the
and have the assurance of salvation now and in the judg-
Scriptures we share the same faith and hope, and reach out
ment. (2 Cor. 5:17-21; John 3:16; Gal. 1:4; 4:4-7; Titus 3:3-
in one witness to all. This unity has its source in the one-
7; John 16:8; Gal. 3:13, 14; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; Rom. 10:17;
ness of the triune God, who has adopted us as His children.
Luke 17:5; Mark 9:23, 24; Eph. 2:5-10; Rom. 3:21-26; Col.
1:13, 14; Rom. 8:14-17; Gal. 3:26; John 3:3-8; 1 Peter (Rom. 12:4, 5; 1 Cor. 12:12-14; Matt. 28:19, 20; Ps. 133:1;
1:23; Rom. 12:2; Heb. 8:7-12; Eze. 36:25-27; 2 Peter 1:3, 2 Cor. 5:16, 17; Acts 17:26, 27; Gal. 3:27, 29; Col. 3:10
4; Rom. 8:1-4; 5:6-10.) 15; Eph. 4:14-16; 4:1-6; John 17:20-23.)
11. Growing in Christ 15. Baptism
By His death on the cross Jesus triumphed over the By baptism we confess our faith in the death and resur-
forces of evil. He who subjugated the demonic spirits dur- rection of Jesus Christ, and testify of our death to sin and of
ing His earthly ministry has broken their power and made our purpose to walk in newness of life. Thus we acknowl-
certain their ultimate doom. Jesus’ victory gives us victory edge Christ as Lord and Saviour, become His people, and
over the evil forces that still seek to control us, as we walk are received as members by His church. Baptism is a sym-
with Him in peace, joy, and assurance of His love. Now the bol of our union with Christ, the forgiveness of our sins,
Holy Spirit dwells within us and empowers us. Continually and our reception of the Holy Spirit. It is by immersion in
committed to Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, we are set free water and is contingent on an affirmation of faith in Jesus
from the burden of our past deeds. No longer do we live in and evidence of repentance of sin. It follows instruction in
the darkness, fear of evil powers, ignorance, and meaning- the Holy Scriptures and acceptance of their teachings.
lessness of our former way of life. In this new freedom in (Rom. 6:6; Col. 2:12, 13; Acts 16:30-33; 22:16; 2:38; Matt.
Jesus, we are called to grow into the likeness of His charac- 28:19, 20.)
ter, communing with Him daily in prayer, feeding on His
Word, meditating on it and on His providence, singing His 16. Lord’s Supper
praises, gathering together for worship, and participating in The Lord’s Supper is a participation in the emblems of
the mission of the Church. As we give ourselves in loving the body and blood of Jesus as an expression of faith in
service to those around us and in witnessing to His salva- Him, our Lord and Saviour. In this experience of commu-
tion, His constant presence with us through the Spirit trans- nion Christ is present to meet and strengthen His people.
forms every moment and every task into a spiritual experi- As we partake, we joyfully proclaim the Lord’s death until
ence. (Ps 1:1, 2; 23:4; 77:11, 12; Col 1:13, 14; 2:6, 14, 15; He comes again. Preparation for the Supper includes self
Luke 10:17-20; Eph 5:19, 20; 6:12-18; 1 Thess 5:23; 2 examination, repentance, and confession. The Master
Peter 2:9; 3:18; 2 Cor. 3:17, 18; Phil 3:7-14; 1 Thess 5:16- ordained the service of foot- washing to signify renewed
18; Matt 20:25-28; John 20:21; Gal 5:22-25; Rom 8:38, 39; cleansing, to express a willingness to serve one another in
1 John 4:4; Heb 10:25.) Christlike humility, and to unite our hearts in love. The
12. Church communion service is open to all believing Christians.
(1 Cor. 10:16, 17; 11:23-30; Matt. 26:17-30; Rev. 3:20;
The church is the community of believers who confess John 6:48-63; 13:1-17.)
Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. In continuity with the peo-
ple of God in Old Testament times, we are called out from 17. Spiritual Gifts and Ministries
the world; and we join together for worship, for fellowship,
God bestows upon all members of His church in every
for instruction in the Word, for the celebration of the Lord’s
Supper, for service to all mankind, and for the worldwide age spiritual gifts which each member is to employ in lov-
proclamation of the gospel. The church derives its authority ing ministry for the common good of the church and of
from Christ, who is the incarnate Word, and from the humanity. Given by the agency of the Holy Spirit, who
Scriptures, which are the written Word. The church is God’s apportions to each member as He wills, the gifts provide all
family; adopted by Him as children, its members live on abilities and ministries needed by the church to fulfill its
the basis of the new covenant. The church is the body of divinely ordained functions. According to the Scriptures,
Christ, a community of faith of which Christ Himself is the these gifts include such ministries as faith, healing, prophe-
Head. The church is the bride for whom Christ died that He cy, proclamation, teaching, administration, reconciliation,
might sanctify and cleanse her. At His return in triumph, He compassion, and self-sacrificing service and charity for the
will present her to Himself a glorious church, the faithful of help and encouragement of people. Some members are
all the ages, the purchase of His blood, not having spot or called of God and endowed by the Spirit for functions rec-
wrinkle, but holy and without blemish. (Gen. 12:3; Acts ognized by the church in pastoral, evangelistic, apostolic,
7:38; Eph. 4:11-15; 3:8-11; Matt. 28:19, 20; 16:13-20; and teaching ministries particularly needed to equip the
18:18; Eph. 2:19-22; 1:22, 23; 5:23-27; Col. 1:17, 18.) members for service, to build up the church to spiritual
maturity, and to foster unity of the faith and knowledge of
13. Remnant and Its Mission God. When members employ these spiritual gifts as faithful
The universal church is composed of all who truly stewards of God’s varied grace, the church is protected
believe in Christ, but in the last days, a time of widespread from the destructive influence of false doctrine, grows with
apostasy, a remnant has been called out to keep the com- a growth that is from God, and is built up in faith and love.
mandments of God and the faith of Jesus. This remnant (Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:9-11, 27, 28; Eph. 4:8, 11-16; Acts
announces the arrival of the judgment hour, proclaims sal- 6:1-7; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; 1 Peter 4:10, 11.)
FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS 7
18. Gift of Prophecy alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and the irresponsible use of
One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This gift is drugs and narcotics are harmful to our bodies, we are to
an identifying mark of the remnant church and was mani- abstain from them as well. Instead, we are to engage in
fested in the ministry of Ellen G. White. As the Lord’s mes- whatever brings our thoughts and bodies into the discipline
senger, her writings are a continuing and authoritative of Christ, who desires our wholesomeness, joy, and good-
source of truth which provide for the church comfort, guid- ness. (Rom. 12:1, 2; 1 John 2:6; Eph. 5:1-21; Phil. 4:8;
ance, instruction, and correction. They also make clear that 2 Cor. 10:5; 6:14-7:1; 1 Peter 3:1-4; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20; 10:31;
the Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experi- Lev. 11:1-47; 3 John 2.)
ence must be tested. (Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:14-21; Heb. 1:1- 23. Marriage and the Family
3; Rev. 12:17; 19:10.)
Marriage was divinely established in Eden and affirmed
19. Law of God by Jesus to be a lifelong union between a man and a
The great principles of God’s law are embodied in the woman in loving companionship. For the Christian a mar-
Ten Commandments and exemplified in the life of Christ. riage commitment is to God as well as to the spouse, and
They express God’s love, will, and purposes concerning should be entered into only between partners who share a
human conduct and relationships and are binding upon all common faith. Mutual love, honor, respect, and responsi-
people in every age. These precepts are the basis of God’s bility are the fabric of this relationship, which is to reflect
covenant with His people and the standard in God’s judg- the love, sanctity, closeness, and permanence of the rela-
ment. Through the agency of the Holy Spirit they point out tionship between Christ and His church. Regarding divorce,
sin and awaken a sense of need for a Saviour. Salvation is Jesus taught that the person who divorces a spouse, except
all of grace and not of works, but its fruitage is obedience for fornication, and marries another, commits adultery.
to the Commandments. This obedience develops Christian Although some family relationships may fall short of the
character and results in a sense of well-being. It is an evi- ideal, marriage partners who fully commit themselves to
dence of our love for the Lord and our concern for our fel- each other in Christ may achieve loving unity through the
low men. The obedience of faith demonstrates the power of guidance of the Spirit and the nurture of the church. God
Christ to transform lives, and therefore strengthens Christian blesses the family and intends that its members shall assist
witness. (Ex. 20:1-17; Ps. 40:7, 8; Matt. 22:36-40; Deut. each other toward complete maturity. Parents are to bring
28:1-14; Matt. 5:17-20; Heb. 8:8-10; John 15:7-10; Eph. up their children to love and obey the Lord. By their exam-
2:8-10; 1 John 5:3; Rom. 8:3, 4; Ps. 19:7-14.) ple and their words they are to teach them that Christ is a
loving disciplinarian, ever tender and caring, who wants
20. Sabbath them to become members of His body, the family of God.
The beneficent Creator, after the six days of Creation, Increasing family closeness is one of the earmarks of the
rested on the seventh day and instituted the Sabbath for all final gospel message. (Gen. 2:18-25; Matt. 19:3-9; John
people as a memorial of Creation. The fourth commandment 2:1-11; 2 Cor. 6:14; Eph. 5:21-33; Matt. 5:31, 32; Mark
of God’s unchangeable law requires the observance of this 10:11, 12; Luke 16:18; 1 Cor. 7:10, 11; Ex. 20:12; Eph.
seventh-day Sabbath as the day of rest, worship, and min- 6:1-4; Deut. 6:5-9; Prov. 22:6; Mal. 4:5, 6.)
istry in harmony with the teaching and practice of Jesus, the 24. Christ’s Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary
Lord of the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a day of delightful com-
munion with God and one another. It is a symbol of our There is a sanctuary in heaven, the true tabernacle
redemption in Christ, a sign of our sanctification, a token of which the Lord set up and not man. In it Christ ministers on
our allegiance, and a foretaste of our eternal future in God’s our behalf, making available to believers the benefits of His
kingdom. 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 inter-
of this holy time from evening to evening, sunset to sunset, cessory ministry at the time of His ascension. In 1844, at
is a celebration of God’s creative and redemptive acts. (Gen. the end of the prophetic period of 2300 days, He entered
2:1-3; Ex. 20:1-11; Luke 4:16; Isa. 56:5, 6; 58:13, 14; Matt. the second and last phase of His atoning ministry. It is a
12:1-12; Ex. 31:13-17; Eze. 20:12, 20; Deut. 5:12-15; Heb. work of investigative judgment which is part of the ultimate
4:1-11; Lev. 23:32; Mark 1:32.) disposition of all sin, typified by the cleansing of the
ancient Hebrew sanctuary on the Day of Atonement. In that
21. Stewardship typical service the sanctuary was cleansed with the blood
We are God’s stewards, entrusted by Him with time and of animal sacrifices, but the heavenly things are purified
opportunities, abilities and possessions, and the blessings of with the perfect sacrifice of the blood of Jesus. The inves-
the earth and its resources. We are responsible to Him for tigative judgment reveals to heavenly intelligences who
their proper use. We acknowledge God’s ownership by among the dead are asleep in Christ and therefore, in Him,
faithful service to Him and our fellow men, and by return- are deemed worthy to have part in the first resurrection. It
ing tithes and giving offerings for the proclamation of His also makes manifest who among the living are abiding in
gospel and the support and growth of His church. Christ, keeping the commandments of God and the faith of
Stewardship is a privilege given to us by God for nurture in Jesus, and in Him, therefore, are ready for translation into
love and the victory over selfishness and covetousness. The His everlasting kingdom. This judgment vindicates the jus-
steward rejoices in the blessings that come to others as a tice of God in saving those who believe in Jesus. It declares
result of his faithfulness. (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15; 1 Chron. that those who have remained loyal to God shall receive
29:14; Haggai 1:3-11; Mal. 3:8-12; 1 Cor. 9:9-14; Matt. the kingdom. The completion of this ministry of Christ will
23:23; 2 Cor. 8:1-15; Rom. 15:26, 27.) mark the close of human probation before the Second
Advent. (Heb. 8:1-5; 4:14-16; 9:11-28; 10:19-22; 1:3; 2:16,
22. Christian Behavior 17; Dan. 7:9-27; 8:13, 14; 9:24-27; Num. 14:34; Eze. 4:6;
We are called to be a godly people who think, feel, and Lev. 16; Rev. 14:6, 7; 20:12; 14:12; 22:12.)
act in harmony with the principles of heaven. For the Spirit
25. 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 ing will be literal, personal, visible, and worldwide. When
standards of Christian taste and beauty. While recognizing He returns, the righteous dead will be resurrected, and
cultural differences, our dress is to be simple, modest, and together with the righteous living will be glorified and taken
neat, befitting those whose true beauty does not consist of to heaven, but the unrighteous will die. The almost complete
outward adornment but in the imperishable ornament of a fulfillment of most lines of prophecy, together with the pre-
gentle and quiet spirit. It also means that because our bod- sent condition of the world, indicates that Christ’s coming is
ies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, we are to care for imminent. The time of that event has not been revealed, and
them intelligently. Along with adequate exercise and rest, we are therefore exhorted to be ready at all times. (Titus
we are to adopt the most healthful diet possible and abstain 2:13; Heb. 9:28; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; Matt. 24:14; Rev.
from the unclean foods identified in the Scriptures. Since 1:7; Matt. 24:43, 44; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:51-54;
8 SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEARBOOK, 2008
2 Thess. 1:7-10; 2:8; Rev. 14:14-20; 19:11-21; Matt. 24; tants, but occupied by Satan and his angels. At its close
Mark 13; Luke 21; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 1 Thess. 5:1-6.) Christ with His saints and the Holy City will descend from
heaven to earth. The unrighteous dead will then be resur-
26. Death and Resurrection
rected, and with Satan and his angels will surround the
The wages of sin is death. But God, who alone is city; but fire from God will consume them and cleanse the
immortal, will grant eternal life to His redeemed. Until that earth. The universe will thus be freed of sin and sinners for-
day death is an unconscious state for all people. When ever. (Rev. 20; 1 Cor. 6:2, 3; Jer. 4:23-26; Rev. 21:1-5; Mal.
Christ, who is our life, appears, the resurrected righteous 4:1; Eze. 28:18, 19.)
and the living righteous will be glorified and caught up to
meet their Lord. The second resurrection, the resurrection 28. New Earth
of the unrighteous, will take place a thousand years later.
On the new earth, in which righteousness dwells, God
(Rom. 6:23; 1 Tim. 6:15, 16; Eccl. 9:5, 6; Ps. 146:3, 4;
John 11:11-14; Col. 3:4; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 1 Thess. 4:13-17; will provide an eternal home for the redeemed and a per-
John 5:28, 29; Rev. 20:1-10.) fect environment for everlasting life, love, joy, and learning
in His presence. For here God Himself will dwell with His
27. Millennium and the End of Sin people, and suffering and death will have passed away. The
The millennium is the thousand-year reign of Christ with great controversy will be ended, and sin will be no more.
His saints in heaven between the first and second resurrec- All things, animate and inanimate, will declare that God is
tions. During this time the wicked dead will be judged; the love; and He shall reign forever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:13; Isa.
earth will be utterly desolate, without living human inhabi- 35; 65:1-25; 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
tionship to God, His Word, and the created universe.
and to unite with His church, and nurturing them in prepa-
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
1. Preaching—Accepting Christ’s commission (Matthew through our ministry to the poor and oppressed, cooper-
28:18-20), we proclaim to all the world the message of a ate with the Creator in His compassionate work of
loving God, most fully revealed in His Son’s reconciling 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
message, including the second advent of Christ and the the Scriptures, we see as the climax of God’s plan 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.
CONSTITUTION
of the
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists*
(As revised at the 58th session held in St Louis, United the delegates present.
States of America, June 29 to July 9, 2005.) Sec. 5. The delegates to a General Conference Session
shall be designated as follows:
ARTICLE I—NAME a.Regular delegates.
This organization shall be known as the General b.Delegates at large.
Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. c.In case of financial exigency or other major crisis within
the Church or in the international arena, the Executive
ARTICLE II—PURPOSE Committee may take an action to reduce the maximum num-
The purpose of the General Conference is to teach all ber of delegates to a particular General Conference Session.
nations the everlasting gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Such reduction shall then be applied to both regular delegates
Christ and the commandments of God. and delegates at large.
Sec. 6. Regular delegates shall represent the General
ARTICLE III—DIVISIONS OF Conference’s member union conferences, union missions,
THE GENERAL CONFERENCE member conferences, missions, and unions of churches as
The General Conference conducts much of its work defined in Article IV, as follows:
through its divisions, which in turn are comprised of union a. Delegates representing union conferences having divi-
conferences and union missions in specific areas of the sion affiliation shall be appointed by the respective union
world. Each division is an administrative unit of the General conference executive committee.
Conference with commensurate authority to carry out b.Delegates representing union missions and unions of
responsibilities in the territory assigned to it. It is not a sepa- churches having division affiliation shall be appointed by the
rate constituent level of organization. It shall act in full har- respective division executive committees in consultation with
mony with the General Conference Constitution and Bylaws, the organizations concerned.
the General Conference Working Policy, and actions of the c. Delegates representing conferences and missions having
Executive Committee. union conference affiliation shall be appointed by the respec-
tive union conference executive committees in consultation
In order to carry the authority of the General Conference, with the organizations concerned.
the actions of division committees shall, of necessity, be in d.Delegates representing conferences and missions having
harmony with and complementary to the decisions of the union mission affiliation shall be appointed by the respective
General Conference in session, and the actions of the division executive committees in consultation with the orga-
Executive Committee between sessions. nizations concerned.
e. Delegates representing conferences and missions direct-
ARTICLE IV—MEMBERSHIP
ly attached to divisions, shall be appointed by the respective
Sec. 1. The membership of the General Conference shall division executive committees in consultation with the orga-
consist of: nizations concerned.
a.All union conferences and union missions that have f. Delegates representing division institutions, the number
been or shall be properly organized and accepted by vote of of whom shall correspond to the number of division institu-
the General Conference in session. tions within each division, shall be appointed by the respec-
b.All of the following entities that are directly attached to tive division executive committees in consultation with the
the General Conference or a division: organizations concerned.
1) Union of churches g. Delegates representing union conferences directly
2) Local Conferences attached to the General Conference shall be appointed by the
3) Local mission and functional equivalents thereof pro- executive committees of the respective attached union con-
vided they have two or more officers and an executive com- ferences.
mittee, observe a schedule of regular constituency meetings h.Delegates representing union missions, conferences,
and have been properly organized. missions, and unions of churches directly attached to the
General Conference shall be appointed by the Executive
ARTICLE V—GENERAL CONFERENCE SESSIONS Committee in consultation with the organizations concerned.
Sec. 1. The General Conference shall hold quinquennial Sec. 7. Regular delegates shall be allotted on the follow-
sessions at such time and place as the Executive Committee ing basis:
shall designate and announce by a notice published in the a. Each union conference shall be entitled to two delegates
Adventist Reviewin three consecutive issues at least four other than its president (who is a delegate at large) without
months before the date for the opening of the session. In regard to membership size.
case special world conditions make it imperative to postpone b.Each union mission shall be entitled to one delegate
the calling of the session, the Executive Committee, in regu- other than its president (who is a delegate at large) without
lar or special council, shall have authority to make such regard to membership size.
postponement, not to exceed two years, giving notice to all c. Each local conference shall be entitled to two delegates
constituent organizations. without regard to membership size.
Sec. 2. The Executive Committee may call special sessions d.Each local mission* shall be entitled to one delegate
of the General Conference at such time and place as it con- without regard to membership size.
siders proper, by means of a notice as provided for in Sec. 1., e. Each union of churches shall be entitled to two dele-
and the transactions of such special sessions shall have the gates without regard to membership size.
same force as those of the regular sessions. f. Each division shall be entitled to additional delegates
Sec. 3. At least one-third of the total delegates authorized based upon its membership as a proportion of the world
hereinafter under Sec. 5. of Article V, must be present at the Church membership. The total number of delegates from all
opening meeting of any regular or specially called General divisions under this provision shall not exceed 400.
Conference Session to constitute a quorum for the transaction g. Delegates from each division, provided for under Sec. 7.
of business. Once the Session is declared open, the delegates f., shall be allotted to the union conferences and union mis-
remaining present shall constitute a quorum. sions that are affiliated with that division, based on each
Sec. 4. The election of officers and the voting on all mat- union’s proportion of the division membership. Any unallo-
ters of business shall be by viva-vocevote, or as designated cated delegate entitlements under this process shall be allo-
by the chairman, unless otherwise requested by a majority of cated at the discretion of the division executive committee.
9
10 SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEARBOOK, 2008
h.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 associ-
Sec. 8. Delegates at large shall represent the General ate directors/ secretaries of General Conference departments
Conference institutions, divisions of the General Conference, and associations.
and division institutions and shall be appointed on the follow- 2)Presidents of union conferences, presidents of union
ing basis: missions, presidents of attached unions, past presidents of the
a. All members of the Executive Committee. General Conference holding credentials from the General
b.Associate directors/secretaries of General Conference Conference, the president-executive director of Adventist
departments and associations. Development and Relief Agency International, the president
c. Twenty delegates from General Conference appointed of Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies, the
staff. Such delegates shall be selected by the Executive editor of Adventist Review, the editor of Adult Sabbath School
Committee upon recommendation from the General Bible Study Guide, the president of Adventist Risk
Conference Administrative Committee. Management Incorporated, the president-executive director
d.Twenty delegates for each division. of Adventist World Radio, the president of Andrews Universi-
e.Each division shall be entitled to additional delegates ty, the director of Archives and Statistics, the director of
corresponding to the number of division institutions within Biblical Research Institute, the president of Christian Record
its territory. Services Incorporated, the president and the director of Ellen
f. Those representatives of the General Conference and G White Estate, the director of Geoscience Research Institute,
division institutions and other entities, and those employees, the president of Home Study International, the director of
field secretaries, laypersons, and pastors who are selected by International Health Food Association, the president of Loma
the Executive Committees of the General Conference and its Linda University, the president of Loma Linda University
divisions. The number of these delegates shall be 300. Medical Center, the editor of Ministry, the president of
Sec. 9. Division administrations shall consult with unions Oakwood College, the president of Pacific Press Publishing
to ensure that the entire division delegation shall be com- Association, and the president of Review and Herald
prised of Seventh-day Adventists in regular standing, at least Publishing Association.
50 percent of whom shall be laypersons, pastors, teachers, b.Elected Members—1) Three laypersons and one church
and nonadministrative employees, of both genders, and rep- pastor from each division without regard to membership, and
resenting a range of age groups and nationalities. The majority one additional church pastor or other frontline denomination-
of the above 50 percent shall be laypersons. Delegate selec- al employee for each 500,000 members or major portion
tions from General Conference and division institutions, and thereof beyond the first 500,000 members. The above layper-
those selected under Sec. 8.d. above, shall not be required to sons, pastors, and other denominational employees shall be
satisfy the quota for laity. selected by each division executive committee from individu-
Sec. 10. Credentials to sessions shall be issued by the als recommended by the union executive committees.
General Conference to those appointed in harmony with the 2)Thirty additional members selected by the General
provisions of this article. Conference Executive Committee.
Sec. 11. Calculations for all delegate allotments, as pro-
vided for in this article, shall be based upon: ARTICLE IX—OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES
a. The membership as of December 31 of the second year Sec. 1. The officers of the General Conference shall be a
preceding the General Conference Session. president, vice presidents, a secretary, an undersecretary,
b.The number of denominational entities eligible for inclu- associate secretaries, a treasurer, an undertreasurer, and asso-
sion in determining quotas and which are in existence as of ciate treasurers. It is the duty of these officers, in consultation
December 31 of the second year preceding the General with one another, to carry forward the work according to
Conference Session. plans and programs voted by the General Conference in ses-
sion and according to plans and policies agreed upon by the
*It should be noted in this chapter that other terminology Executive Committee.
is used in some geographical areas for organizational units Sec. 2. Executive Officers: The president, secretary, and
such as fields, sections, regions, or delegations. treasurer are the executive officers, and shall carry forward
the work in consultation with one another.
ARTICLE VI—ELECTION
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 The General Conference President shall be an ordained min-
duly organized General Conference department and associa- ister of experience.
tion as specified in Article X, Sec. 1. of the General Sec. 4. Vice Presidents: Each vice president shall assist the
Conference Bylaws. president in the general administrative work of the General
b.A General Conference Auditing Service Board as pro- Conference or preside over a division territory.
vided for in the General Conference Bylaws, Article VIII, Sec. 5. Secretary, undersecretary, and associate secre-
Sec. 2.-a. taries: The secretary, in the performance of the executive
Sec. 2. The following shall be approved by vote of the responsibilities, shall report to the Executive Committee after
Executive Committee at a subsequent meeting, following rec- consultation with the president. The secretary shall be respon-
ommendations from the divisions: sible for keeping the minutes of the proceedings of the
Other persons to serve as members of the Executive General Conference sessions and meetings of the Executive
Committee as provided for in Article VIII, Sec. 1.-b. Committee, for maintaining correspondence with church
organizations, and for the performance of such other duties as
ARTICLE VII—APPOINTMENT usually pertain to such office. The undersecretary and associ-
The following shall be appointed at the first Annual ate secretaries shall assist the secretary in this work.
Council of the Executive Committee following a regular Sec. 6. Treasurer, undertreasurer, and associate treasurers:
Session: a director of Archives and Statistics, a director and The treasurer, in the performance of the executive responsibil-
associate directors of the Biblical Research Institute, and edi- ities, shall report to the Executive Committee after consulta-
tors and associate editors for the principal denominational tion with the president. The treasurer shall be responsible for
journals prepared at the General Conference. providing financial leadership to the General Conference
which will include, but not be limited to, receiving, safe-
ARTICLE VIII—EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE guarding, and disbursing all funds in harmony with the
Sec. 1. The Executive Committee of the General actions of the Executive Committee, for providing financial
Conference shall consist of: information to the president and to the Executive Committee,
a.Ex officio members—1) Those elected as provided for in and for the performance of such other duties as usually per-