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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 2011 Copyright © 2011 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 organiza- tions 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 by Rowena J. Moore, Assistant Director, Archives and Statistics, the material in this publi- cation is the intellectual property of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists®, and as such is subject to the forego- ing copyright notice. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the General Conference Office of Archives and Statistics. A person in possession of the printed Yearbook may copy limited portions of the material to carry on an extended trip in lieu of carrying the entire book. Distributing sections of the Yearbook to a number of individuals or offices in an effort to reduce the number of volumes purchased would be considered a violation of the copyright. A Windows®version of the Yearbook is available on CD-ROM through the General Conference Office of Archives and Statistics. Content from the Yearbook can be accessed online at www.adventistyearbook.org. The Office of Archives and Statistics also manages the following websites: www.adventistdirectory.org; www.adventiststatistics.org; www.adventistarchives. org/DocArchives.asp. Adventist® and Seventh-day Adventist® are the registered trademarks of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists®. (For a list of other trademarks owned by the Seventh-day Adventist Church®or related entities, please see page 1183.) Cover designed by Regina Reaves Hayden 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...................................................................................................8 General Conference Officers (1863 to present)...............................................................16 Map—World Time Zones................................................................................................17 Map—World Divisions...................................................................................................18 General Conference........................................................................................................19 East-Central Africa Division—ECD..................................................................................41 Euro-Africa Division—EUD............................................................................................69 Euro-Asia Division—ESD................................................................................................93 Inter-American Division—IAD......................................................................................113 North American Division—NAD..................................................................................179 Postal Abbreviations..............................................................................................243 Healthcare Corporations.......................................................................................244 Northern Asia-Pacific Division—NSD..........................................................................249 South American Division—SAD..................................................................................263 South Pacific Division—SPD........................................................................................317 Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division—SID...............................................................341 Southern Asia Division—SUD......................................................................................367 Southern Asia-Pacific Division—SSD............................................................................391 Trans-European Division—TED.....................................................................................437 West-Central Africa Division—WAD............................................................................461 Educational Institutions.................................................................................................485 Secondary Schools................................................................................................544 Food Industries.............................................................................................................643 Healthcare Institutions..................................................................................................649 Clinics and Dispensaries.......................................................................................673 Nursing Homes and Retirement Centers................................................................681 Orphanages and Children’s Homes.......................................................................690 Media Centers..............................................................................................................693 Publishing Houses........................................................................................................699 Periodicals.............................................................................................................712 Radio and TV Stations...................................................................................................727 Risk Management.........................................................................................................737 Index of Institutional Employees...................................................................................739 Directory of Credentialed Employees............................................................................819 List of Countries With Their Organizational Locations.................................................1179 Trademarks.................................................................................................................1183 General Index.............................................................................................................1185 3 4 SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEARBOOK, 2011 Preface to the 2011 Edition Scope of the Yearbook Switzerland. The first non-Protestant Christian country entered A world directory of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is was Russia, where an Adventist minister went in 1886. On given in the following pages. It includes the General October 20, 1890, the schooner Pitcairn was launched at San Conference and its international divisions, union and local Francisco, California, and was soon engaged in carrying mis- conferences and missions, and related institutions. Institutions sionaries to the Pacific islands. Seventh-day Adventist workers that are managed but not fully owned and operated by first entered non-Christian countries in 1894—Gold Coast church entities are not included. The information has been (Ghana), West Africa, and Matabeleland, South Africa. The furnished by the organizations themselves, but in cases where same year saw missionaries entering South America, and in current reports have not been received, the most recent previ- 1896 there were representatives in Japan. The Church now ous records have been retained or adjusted. has established work in 201 countries. This publication does not define church structure or The publication and distribution of literature were major describe legal relationships among church entities. No listed entity assumes any responsibility for the liabilities, debts, or factors in the growth of the Advent Movement. The Adventist alleged acts or omissions of any other church entity simply Review and Sabbath Herald(now the Adventist Review), gen- because of its inclusion in this Yearbook. Persons with griev- eral church paper, was launched in Paris, Maine in 1850; the ances or claims against a listed entity must directly address Youth’s Instructor in Rochester, New York, in 1852; and the the entity involved and not any other entity or organization. Signs of the Times in Oakland, California, in 1874. The first In the division/union/conference/mission sections, denominational publishing house at Battle Creek, Michigan, employees are listed as follows: ordained ministers holding began operating in 1855 and was duly incorporated in 1861 ministerial credentials, credentialed commissioned ministers, under the name of Seventh-day Adventist Publishing credentialed commissioned teachers, and credentialed mis- Association. sionaries. The Directory of Credentialed Employees gives the The Health Reform Institute, later known as the Battle names and addresses of these individuals. Institutional Creek Sanitarium, opened in 1866, and missionary society employees are listed separately in the Index of Institutional work organized on a state-wide basis in 1870. The first of the Employees. Church’s worldwide network of schools was established in The data that appears below has been summarized largely 1872, and 1877 saw the formation of state-wide Sabbath from the 2009 Annual Statistical Report, while the figures for school associations. In 1903, denominational headquarters the number of churches and for church membership through- moved from Battle Creek, Michigan, to Washington, D.C., out the Yearbook are drawn from official reports rendered for and in 1989 to Silver Spring, Maryland, where it continues to June 30, 2010. form the nerve center of an ever-expanding work. Denominational History Seventh-day Adventists are, doctrinally, heirs of the The distinctive Seventh-day Adventist message may be Millerite Movement of the 1840’s. Although the name summarized as “the everlasting gospel,” the basic Christian “Seventh-day Adventist” was chosen in 1860, the denomina- message of salvation through faith in Christ, in the special tion was not officially organized until May 21, 1863, when setting of the threefold message of Revelation 14:6-12, the the movement included some 125 churches and 3,500 mem- call to worship the Creator, “for the hour of his judgment is bers. Work was largely confined to North America until 1874 come.” This message is epitomized in the phrase, “the com- when the Church’s first missionary, J. N. Andrews, was sent to mandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” World Statistics for 2009 (except as noted) MEMBERSHIP AND EMPLOYEES Nursing Homes and Retirement Centers. . . . . . . . . . . 132 Churches (June 30, 2010). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68,952 Orphanages and Children’s Homes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Church Membership (June 30, 2010) . . . . . . . 16,641,357 Outpatient Visits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,079,916 Baptisms and Professions of Faith. . . . . . . . . . . 1,055,312 HUMANITARIAN WORK Ordained Ministers, Active . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,949 Countries/Areas Where ADRA is Involved. . . . . . . . . . 118 Total Employees, Active. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213,267 Number of Projects Funded. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,167 MISSION WORK Number of Direct Beneficiaries. . . . . . . . . . . . 51,812,987 Countries and Areas as Recognized Value of Assistance Provided . . . . . . . . . . . $272,692,239 by the United Nations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232 MEDIA CENTERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Countries/Areas in Which SDA Work is Established. . . . 206 PUBLISHING WORK Divisions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Publishing Houses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Unions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114 Languages and Dialects Used in Publications. . . . . . . 372 Conferences, Missions, and Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 575 Languages and Dialects Used in Publications International Deployment of Personnel. . . . . . . . . . . . 134 and Oral Work. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 901 Adventist Volunteer and Youth Service . . . . . . . . . . . . 853 Literature Evangelists, Credentialed and Licensed. . . . . 6,975 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM SABBATH SCHOOLS Schools Operated by Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,804 Sabbath Schools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140,769 Colleges and Universities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 Sabbath School Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19,563,034 Worker Training Institutes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Secondary Schools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,748 CONTRIBUTIONS Primary Schools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,899 Tithe—World. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,891,325,291 Total Enrollment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,673,580 North America. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $877,932,667 Sabbath School Missions—World. . . . . . . . . $61,198,264 FOOD INDUSTRIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 North America. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $21,594,538 HEALTH MINISTRY Ingathering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8,113,834 Hospitals and Sanitariums. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 Total Tithe and Offerings—World. . . . . . . $2,833,003,169 Clinics and Dispensaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351 North America. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,507,112,153 FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS 5 FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS (As amended at the 58th session held in St. Louis, 4:18; Acts 10:38; 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Cor. 3:18; Eph. 4:11, 12; Missouri, June 29 to July 9, 2005.) Acts 1:8; John 14:16-18, 26; 15:26, 27; 16:7-13.) Seventh-day Adventists accept the Bible as their only creed and hold certain fundamental beliefs to be the teach- 6. Creation ing of the Holy Scriptures. These beliefs, as set forth here, God is Creator of all things, and has revealed in constitute the church’s understanding and expression of the Scripture the authentic account of His creative activity. In teaching of Scripture. Revision of these statements may be six days the Lord made “the heaven and the earth” and all expected at a General Conference session when the church living things upon the earth, and rested on the seventh day is led by the Holy Spirit to a fuller understanding of Bible of that first week. Thus He established the Sabbath as a per- truth or finds better language in which to express the teach- petual memorial of His completed creative work. The first ings of God’s Holy Word. man and woman were made in the image of God as the crowning work of Creation, given dominion over the world, 1. The Holy Scriptures and charged with responsibility to care for it. When the The Holy Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are the world was finished it was “very good,” declaring the glory written Word of God, given by divine inspiration through of God. (Gen. 1; 2; Ex. 20:8-11; Ps. 19:1-6; 33:6, 9; 104; holy men of God who spoke and wrote as they were Heb. 11:3.) moved by the Holy Spirit. In this Word, God has committed to man the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy 7. The Nature of Man Scriptures are the infallible revelation of His will. They are Man and woman were made in the image of God with the standard of character, the test of experience, the author- individuality, the power and freedom to think and to do. itative revealer of doctrines, and the trustworthy record of Though created free beings, each is an indivisible unity of God’s acts in history. (2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Ps. body, mind, and spirit, dependent upon God for life and 119:105; Prov. 30:5, 6; Isa. 8:20; John 17:17; 1 Thess. 2:13; breath and all else. When our first parents disobeyed God, Heb. 4:12.) they denied their dependence upon Him and fell from their high position under God. The image of God in them was 2. The Trinity marred and they became subject to death. Their descen- There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of dants share this fallen nature and its consequences. They three co-eternal Persons. God is immortal, all-powerful, all- are born with weaknesses and tendencies to evil. But God knowing, above all, and ever present. He is infinite and in Christ reconciled the world to Himself and by His Spirit beyond human comprehension, yet known through His self- restores in penitent mortals the image of their Maker. revelation. He is forever worthy of worship, adoration, and Created for the glory of God, they are called to love Him service by the whole creation. (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; and one another, and to care for their environment. (Gen. 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Tim. 1:17; Rev. 14:7.) 1:26-28; 2:7; Ps. 8:4-8; Acts 17:24-28; Gen. 3; Ps. 51:5; Rom. 5:12-17; 2 Cor. 5:19, 20; Ps. 51:10; 1 John 4:7, 8, 11, 3. The Father 20; Gen. 2:15.) God the eternal Father is the Creator, Source, Sustainer, and Sovereign of all creation. He is just and holy, merciful 8. The Great Controversy and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast All humanity is now involved in a great controversy love and faithfulness. The qualities and powers exhibited in between Christ and Satan regarding the character of God, the Son and the Holy Spirit are also revelations of the His law, and His sovereignty over the universe. This conflict Father. (Gen. 1:1; Rev. 4:11; 1 Cor. 15:28; John 3:16; 1 John originated in heaven when a created being, endowed with 4:8; 1 Tim. 1:17; Ex. 34:6, 7; John 14:9.) freedom of choice, in self-exaltation became Satan, God’s adversary, and led into rebellion a portion of the angels. He 4. The Son introduced the spirit of rebellion into this world when he God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. led Adam and Eve into sin. This human sin resulted in the Through Him all things were created, the character of God distortion of the image of God in humanity, the disordering is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and of the created world, and its eventual devastation at the the world is judged. Forever truly God, He became also time of the worldwide flood. Observed by the whole cre- truly man, Jesus the Christ. He was conceived of the Holy ation, this world became the arena of the universal conflict, Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and experi- out of which the God of love will ultimately be vindicated. enced temptation as a human being, but perfectly exempli- To assist His people in this controversy, Christ sends the fied the righteousness and love of God. By His miracles He Holy Spirit and the loyal angels to guide, protect, and sus- manifested God’s power and was attested as God’s tain them in the way of salvation. (Rev. 12:4-9; Isa. 14:12- promised Messiah. He suffered and died voluntarily on the 14; Eze. 28:12-18; Gen. 3; Rom. 1:19-32; 5:12-21; 8:19 cross for our sins and in our place, was raised from the 22; Gen. 6-8; 2 Peter 3:6; 1 Cor. 4:9; Heb. 1:14.) dead, and ascended to minister in the heavenly sanctuary in our behalf. He will come again in glory for the final 9. The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ deliverance of His people and the restoration of all things. In Christ’s life of perfect obedience to God’s will, His (John 1:1-3, 14; Col. 1:15-19; John 10:30; 14:9; Rom. 6:23; suffering, death, and resurrection, God provided the only 2 Cor. 5:17-19; John 5:22; Luke 1:35; Phil. 2:5-11; Heb. means of atonement for human sin, so that those who by 2:9-18; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4; Heb. 8:1, 2; John 14:13.) faith accept this atonement may have eternal life, and the whole creation may better understand the infinite and holy 5. The Holy Spirit love of the Creator. This perfect atonement vindicates the God the eternal Spirit was active with the Father and the righteousness of God’s law and the graciousness of His Son in Creation, incarnation, and redemption. He inspired character; for it both condemns our sin and provides for our the writers of Scripture. He filled Christ’s life with power. forgiveness. The death of Christ is substitutionary and expia- He draws and convicts human beings; and those who tory, reconciling and transforming. The resurrection of respond He renews and transforms into the image of God. Christ proclaims God’s triumph over the forces of evil, and Sent by the Father and the Son to be always with His chil- for those who accept the atonement assures their final vic- dren, He extends spiritual gifts to the church, empowers it tory over sin and death. It declares the Lordship of Jesus to bear witness to Christ, and in harmony with the Christ, before whom every knee in heaven and on earth Scriptures leads it into all truth. (Gen. 1:1, 2; Luke 1:35; will bow. (John 3:16; Isa. 53; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; 1 Cor. 15:3, 6 SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEARBOOK, 2011 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. The 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 14. Unity in the Body of Christ our need, acknowledge our sinfulness, repent of our trans- 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. (Rom. 12:4, 5; 1 Cor. 12:12-14; Matt. 28:19, 20; Ps. 133:1; 1:13, 14; Rom. 8:14-17; Gal. 3:26; John 3:3-8; 1 Peter 2 Cor. 5:16, 17; Acts 17:26, 27; Gal. 3:27, 29; Col. 3:10 1:23; Rom. 12:2; Heb. 8:7-12; Eze. 36:25-27; 2 Peter 1:3, 15; Eph. 4:14-16; 4:1-6; John 17:20-23.) 4; Rom. 8:1-4; 5:6-10.) 15. Baptism 11. Growing in Christ By baptism we confess our faith in the death and resur- By His death on the cross Jesus triumphed over the rection of Jesus Christ, and testify of our death to sin and of forces of evil. He who subjugated the demonic spirits dur- our purpose to walk in newness of life. Thus we acknowl- ing His earthly ministry has broken their power and made edge Christ as Lord and Saviour, become His people, and certain their ultimate doom. Jesus’ victory gives us victory are received as members by His church. Baptism is a sym- over the evil forces that still seek to control us, as we walk bol of our union with Christ, the forgiveness of our sins, with Him in peace, joy, and assurance of His love. Now the and our reception of the Holy Spirit. It is by immersion in Holy Spirit dwells within us and empowers us. Continually water and is contingent on an affirmation of faith in Jesus committed to Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, we are set free and evidence of repentance of sin. It follows instruction in from the burden of our past deeds. No longer do we live in the Holy Scriptures and acceptance of their teachings. the darkness, fear of evil powers, ignorance, and meaning- (Rom. 6:6; Col. 2:12, 13; Acts 16:30-33; 22:16; 2:38; Matt. lessness of our former way of life. In this new freedom in 28:19, 20.) Jesus, we are called to grow into the likeness of His charac- ter, communing with Him daily in prayer, feeding on His 16. The Lord’s Supper Word, meditating on it and on His providence, singing His The Lord’s Supper is a participation in the emblems of praises, gathering together for worship, and participating in the body and blood of Jesus as an expression of faith in the mission of the Church. As we give ourselves in loving Him, our Lord and Saviour. In this experience of commu- service to those around us and in witnessing to His salva- nion Christ is present to meet and strengthen His people. tion, His constant presence with us through the Spirit trans- As we partake, we joyfully proclaim the Lord’s death until forms every moment and every task into a spiritual experi- He comes again. Preparation for the Supper includes self ence. (Ps 1:1, 2; 23:4; 77:11, 12; Col 1:13, 14; 2:6, 14, 15; examination, repentance, and confession. The Master Luke 10:17-20; Eph 5:19, 20; 6:12-18; 1 Thess 5:23; 2 ordained the service of foot- washing to signify renewed Peter 2:9; 3:18; 2 Cor. 3:17, 18; Phil 3:7-14; 1 Thess 5:16- cleansing, to express a willingness to serve one another in 18; Matt 20:25-28; John 20:21; Gal 5:22-25; Rom 8:38, 39; Christlike humility, and to unite our hearts in love. The 1 John 4:4; Heb 10:25.) communion service is open to all believing Christians. (1 Cor. 10:16, 17; 11:23-30; Matt. 26:17-30; Rev. 3:20; 12. The Church John 6:48-63; 13:1-17.) The church is the community of believers who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. In continuity with the peo- 17. Spiritual Gifts and Ministries 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 lov- for instruction in the Word, for the celebration of the Lord’s ing ministry for the common good of the church and of Supper, for service to all mankind, and for the worldwide humanity. Given by the agency of the Holy Spirit, who proclamation of the gospel. The church derives its authority apportions to each member as He wills, the gifts provide all from Christ, who is the incarnate Word, and from the abilities and ministries needed by the church to fulfill its Scriptures, which are the written Word. The church is God’s divinely ordained functions. According to the Scriptures, family; adopted by Him as children, its members live on these gifts include such ministries as faith, healing, prophe- the basis of the new covenant. The church is the body of cy, proclamation, teaching, administration, reconciliation, Christ, a community of faith of which Christ Himself is the compassion, and self-sacrificing service and charity for the Head. The church is the bride for whom Christ died that He help and encouragement of people. Some members are might sanctify and cleanse her. At His return in triumph, He called of God and endowed by the Spirit for functions rec- will present her to Himself a glorious church, the faithful of ognized by the church in pastoral, evangelistic, apostolic, all the ages, the purchase of His blood, not having spot or and teaching ministries particularly needed to equip the wrinkle, but holy and without blemish. (Gen. 12:3; Acts members for service, to build up the church to spiritual 7:38; Eph. 4:11-15; 3:8-11; Matt. 28:19, 20; 16:13-20; maturity, and to foster unity of the faith and knowledge of 18:18; Eph. 2:19-22; 1:22, 23; 5:23-27; Col. 1:17, 18.) God. When members employ these spiritual gifts as faithful stewards of God’s varied grace, the church is protected 13. The Remnant and Its Mission from the destructive influence of false doctrine, grows with The universal church is composed of all who truly a growth that is from God, and is built up in faith and love. believe in Christ, but in the last days, a time of widespread (Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:9-11, 27, 28; Eph. 4:8, 11-16; Acts apostasy, a remnant has been called out to keep the com- 6:1-7; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; 1 Peter 4:10, 11.) mandments of God and the faith of Jesus. This remnant announces the arrival of the judgment hour, proclaims sal- 18. The Gift of Prophecy vation through Christ, and heralds the approach of His sec- One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This gift is ond advent. This proclamation is symbolized by the three an identifying mark of the remnant church and was mani- FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS 7 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- 3; Rev. 12:17; 19:10.) 23. Marriage and the Family Marriage was divinely established in Eden and affirmed 19. The 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 20. The Sabbath loving disciplinarian, ever tender and caring, who wants 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. 6:1- seventh-day Sabbath as the day of rest, worship, and min- 4; Deut. 6:5-9; Prov. 22:6; Mal. 4:5, 6.) istry in harmony with the teaching and practice of Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a day of delightful com- 24. Christ’s Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary 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. 2:1-3; Ex. 20:1-11; Luke 4:16; Isa. 56:5, 6; 58:13, 14; Matt. the end of the prophetic period of 2300 days, He entered 12:1-12; Ex. 31:13-17; Eze. 20:12, 20; Deut. 5:12-15; Heb. the second and last phase of His atoning ministry. It is a 4:1-11; Lev. 23:32; Mark 1:32.) work of investigative judgment which is part of the ultimate disposition of all sin, typified by the cleansing of the 21. Stewardship ancient Hebrew sanctuary on the Day of Atonement. In that 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 their proper use. We acknowledge God’s ownership by tigative judgment reveals to heavenly intelligences who faithful service to Him and our fellow men, and by return- among the dead are asleep in Christ and therefore, in Him, ing tithes and giving offerings for the proclamation of His are deemed worthy to have part in the first resurrection. It gospel and the support and growth of His church. also makes manifest who among the living are abiding in Stewardship is a privilege given to us by God for nurture in Christ, keeping the commandments of God and the faith of love and the victory over selfishness and covetousness. The Jesus, and in Him, therefore, are ready for translation into steward rejoices in the blessings that come to others as a His everlasting kingdom. This judgment vindicates the jus- result of his faithfulness. (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15; 1 Chron. tice of God in saving those who believe in Jesus. It declares 29:14; Haggai 1:3-11; Mal. 3:8-12; 1 Cor. 9:9-14; Matt. that those who have remained loyal to God shall receive 23:23; 2 Cor. 8:1-15; Rom. 15:26, 27.) the kingdom. The completion of this ministry of Christ will mark the close of human probation before the Second 22. Christian Behavior Advent. (Heb. 8:1-5; 4:14-16; 9:11-28; 10:19-22; 1:3; 2:16, We are called to be a godly people who think, feel, and 17; Dan. 7:9-27; 8:13, 14; 9:24-27; Num. 14:34; Eze. 4:6; act in harmony with the principles of heaven. For the Spirit Lev. 16; Rev. 14:6, 7; 20:12; 14:12; 22:12.) to recreate in us the character of our Lord we involve our- 25. The Second Coming of Christ selves only in those things which will produce Christlike purity, health, and joy in our lives. This means that our The second coming of Christ is the blessed hope of the amusement and entertainment should meet the highest church, the grand climax of the gospel. The Saviour’s com- standards of Christian taste and beauty. While recognizing ing will be literal, personal, visible, and worldwide. When cultural differences, our dress is to be simple, modest, and He returns, the righteous dead will be resurrected, and neat, befitting those whose true beauty does not consist of together with the righteous living will be glorified and taken outward adornment but in the imperishable ornament of a to heaven, but the unrighteous will die. The almost complete gentle and quiet spirit. It also means that because our bod- fulfillment of most lines of prophecy, together with the pre- ies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, we are to care for sent condition of the world, indicates that Christ’s coming is them intelligently. Along with adequate exercise and rest, imminent. The time of that event has not been revealed, and we are to adopt the most healthful diet possible and abstain we are therefore exhorted to be ready at all times. (Titus from the unclean foods identified in the Scriptures. Since 2:13; Heb. 9:28; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; Matt. 24:14; Rev. alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and the irresponsible use of 1:7; Matt. 24:43, 44; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; drugs and narcotics are harmful to our bodies, we are to 2 Thess. 1:7-10; 2:8; Rev. 14:14-20; 19:11-21; Matt. 24; abstain from them as well. Instead, we are to engage in Mark 13; Luke 21; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 1 Thess. 5:1-6.) 8 SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEARBOOK, 2011 26. Death and Resurrection Christ with His saints and the Holy City will descend from The wages of sin is death. But God, who alone is heaven to earth. The unrighteous dead will then be resur- immortal, will grant eternal life to His redeemed. Until that rected, and with Satan and his angels will surround the day death is an unconscious state for all people. When city; but fire from God will consume them and cleanse the Christ, who is our life, appears, the resurrected righteous earth. The universe will thus be freed of sin and sinners for- and the living righteous will be glorified and caught up to ever. (Rev. 20; 1 Cor. 6:2, 3; Jer. 4:23-26; Rev. 21:1-5; Mal. meet their Lord. The second resurrection, the resurrection 4:1; Eze. 28:18, 19.) of the unrighteous, will take place a thousand years later. 28. The New Earth (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; On the new earth, in which righteousness dwells, God John 5:28, 29; Rev. 20:1-10.) will provide an eternal home for the redeemed and a per- fect environment for everlasting life, love, joy, and learning 27. The Millennium and the End of Sin in His presence. For here God Himself will dwell with His The millennium is the thousand-year reign of Christ with people, and suffering and death will have passed away. The His saints in heaven between the first and second resurrec- great controversy will be ended, and sin will be no more. tions. During this time the wicked dead will be judged; the All things, animate and inanimate, will declare that God is earth will be utterly desolate, without living human inhabi- love; and He shall reign forever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:13; Isa. tants, but occupied by Satan and his angels. At its close 35; 65:1-25; Matt. 5:5; Rev. 21:1-7; 22:1-5; 11:15.) MISSION STATEMENT of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (As amended by the Annual Council of the General of the seventh-day Sabbath. Conference Executive Committee in Silver Spring, 2. Teaching—Acknowledging that development of mind Maryland, United States of America, on October 13, 2009.) and character is essential to God’s redemptive plan, we Our Mission—The mission of the Seventh-day Adventist promote the growth of a mature understanding of and rela- Church is to make disciples of all people, communicating tionship to God, His Word, and the created universe. the everlasting gospel in the context of the three angels’ 3. Healing—Affirming the biblical principles of the messages of Revelation 14:6-12, leading them to accept Jesus as personal Savior and unite with His remnant well-being of the whole person, we make the preservation Church, discipling them to serve Him as Lord, and prepar- of health and the healing of the sick a priority and through ing them for His soon return. our ministry to the poor and oppressed, cooperate with the Our Method—We pursue this mission under the guid- Creator in His compassionate work of restoration. ance and through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit 4. Discipling—Affirming the continued spiritual growth through: and development of all members, we nurture the newly 1. Preaching—Accepting Christ’s commission (Matt converted, instruct them in righteous living, train them for 28:18-20), we proclaim to all the world in these last days effective witness, and encourage their responsive obedi- the everlasting gospel of God’s love, most fully revealed in ence to God’s will. His Son’s life, ministry, atoning death, resurrection, and high priestly ministry. Recognizing the Bible to be God’s Our Vision—In harmony with the great prophecies of infallible revelation of His will, we present its full message, the Scriptures, we see as the climax of God’s plan the including the second advent of Christ and the continuing restoration of all His creation to full harmony with His per- authority of His Ten Commandment law with its reminder fect will and righteousness. CONSTITUTION of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists* (As revised at the 59th Session held in Atlanta, United Conference Working Policy,and actions of the Executive States of America, June 24 to July 3, 2010.) Committee. In order to carry the authority of the General Conference, ARTICLE I—NAME the actions of division committees shall, of necessity, be in This organization shall be known as the General harmony with and complementary to the decisions of the Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. General Conference in Session, and the actions of the General Conference Executive Committee between Sessions. ARTICLE II—PURPOSE The purpose of the General Conference is to teach all ARTICLE IV—MEMBERSHIP nations the everlasting gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Sec. 1. The membership of the General Conference shall Christ and the commandments of God. consist of: a.All unions that have been or shall be properly organized ARTICLE III—DIVISIONS OF THE and accepted by vote of the General Conference in Session. GENERAL CONFERENCE b.All of the following entities that are directly attached to The General Conference conducts much of its work the General Conference or to a division: through its divisions, which in turn are comprised of unions in 1) Local conferences specific areas of the world. Each division of the General 2) Local mission and functional equivalents thereof pro- Conference is authorized to carry out responsibilities in the vided they have two or more officers and an executive com- territory assigned to it. It shall act in full harmony with the mittee, observe a schedule of regular constituency meetings General Conference Constitution and Bylaws, the General and have been properly organized. CONSTITUTION 9 ARTICLE V—GENERAL CONFERENCE SESSIONS regard to membership size. Sec. 1. The General Conference shall hold quinquennial c.Each union of churches conference shall be entitled to Sessions at such time and place as the General Conference one delegate other than its president (who is a delegate at Executive Committee shall designate and announce by a large) without regard to membership size. notice published in the Adventist Reviewand Adventist d.Each union of churches mission is represented by its Worldin three consecutive issues at least four months before president (who is a delegate at large). the date for the opening of the Session. In case special world e.Each local conference shall be entitled to two delegates conditions make it imperative to postpone the calling of the without regard to membership size. Session, the General Conference Executive Committee, in f. Each local mission* shall be entitled to one delegate regular or special council, shall have authority to make such without regard to membership size. postponement, not to exceed two years, giving notice to all g.Each division shall be entitled to additional delegates constituent organizations. based upon its membership as a proportion of the world Sec. 2. The General Conference Executive Committee Church membership. The total number of delegates from all may call special sessions of the General Conference at divisions under this provision shall not exceed 400. The such time and place as it considers proper, by means of a resulting quota of division delegates under this provision shall notice as provided for in Sec. 1., and the transactions of be distributed first to the unions that are affiliated with that such special sessions shall have the same force as those of division, based on each union’s proportion of the division the regular sessions. membership. Any unallocated delegate entitlements under Sec. 3. At least one-third of the total delegates authorized this process shall be allocated at the discretion of the division hereinafter under Sec. 5. of Article V, must be present at the executive committee. opening meeting of any regular or specially called General h.Unused quotas of regular delegates allocated to unions Conference Session to constitute a quorum for the transaction and unions of churches may be reallocated by the divisions. of business. Once the Session is declared open, the delegates Sec. 8. Delegates at large shall represent the General remaining present shall constitute a quorum. Conference, its institutions, divisions of the General Sec. 4. The election of officers and the voting on all mat- Conference, and division institutions and shall be appointed ters of business shall be by viva-vocevote, or as designated on the following basis: by the Chair, unless otherwise requested by a majority of the a.All members of the General Conference Executive delegates present. Committee. Sec. 5. The delegates to a General Conference Session b.Associate directors/secretaries of General Conference shall be designated as follows: departments and associations. a.Regular delegates. c.Twenty delegates from General Conference appointed b.Delegates at large. staff. Such delegates shall be selected by the General c.In case of financial exigency or other major crisis within Conference Executive Committee upon recommendation the Church or in the international arena, the General from the General Conference Administrative Committee. Conference Executive Committee may take an action to d.Twenty delegates for each division. reduce the maximum number of delegates to a particular e.Each division shall be entitled to additional delegates General Conference Session. Such reduction shall then be corresponding to the number of division institutions within its applied to both regular delegates and delegates at large. territory. Sec. 6. Regular delegates shall represent the General f. Those representatives of the General Conference and Conference’s member units as defined in Article IV, as fol- division institutions and other entities, and those employees, lows: field secretaries, laypersons, and pastors who are selected by a.Delegates representing union conferences and union of the Executive Committees of the General Conference and its churches conferences having division affiliation shall be divisions. The number of these delegates shall be 300. appointed by the respective union executive committee. Sec. 9. Division administrations shall consult with unions b.Delegates representing union missions and union of to ensure that the entire division delegation shall be com- churches missions having division affiliation shall be appoint- prised of Seventh-day Adventists in regular standing, at least ed by the respective division executive committees in consul- 50 percent of whom shall be laypersons, pastors, teachers, tation with the organizations concerned. and nonadministrative employees, of both genders, and rep- c.Delegates representing conferences and missions having resenting a range of age groups and nationalities. The majority union conference affiliation shall be appointed by the respec- of the above 50 percent shall be laypersons. Delegate selec- tive union conference executive committees in consultation tions from General Conference and division institutions, and with the organizations concerned. those selected under Sec. 8.d. above, shall not be required to d.Delegates representing conferences and missions having satisfy the quota for laity. union mission affiliation shall be appointed by the respective Sec. 10. Credentials to sessions shall be issued by the division executive committees in consultation with the orga- General Conference to those appointed in harmony with the nizations concerned. provisions of this article. e.Delegates representing conferences and missions direct- Sec. 11. Calculations for all delegate allotments, as pro- ly attached to divisions shall be appointed by the respective vided for in this article, shall be based upon: division executive committees in consultation with the orga- a.The membership as of December 31 of the second year nizations concerned. preceding the General Conference Session. f. Delegates representing division institutions, the number b.The number of denominational entities eligible for inclu- of whom shall correspond to the number of division institu- sion in determining quotas and which are in existence as of tions within each division, shall be appointed by the respec- December 31 of the second year preceding the General tive division executive committees in consultation with the Conference Session. organizations concerned. __________ g.Delegates representing union conferences and union of churches conferences directly attached to the General *It should be noted in this chapter that other terminology is Conference shall be appointed by the executive committee of used in some geographical areas for organizations units such the respective attached entity. as fields, sections, regions, or delegations. h.Delegates representing union missions, union of church- es missions, and local conferences and missions directly ARTICLE VI—ELECTION attached to the General Conference shall be appointed by the Sec. 1. The following shall be elected at each regular ses- General Conference Executive Committee in consultation sion of the General Conference: with the organizations concerned. a.A president, vice presidents, a secretary, an undersecre- Sec. 7. Regular delegates shall be allotted on the follow- tary, associate secretaries, division secretaries, a treasurer, an ing basis: undertreasurer, associate treasurers, division treasurers, gener- a.Each union conference shall be entitled to two delegates al field secretaries, a director and associate directors of the other than its president (who is a delegate at large) without General Conference Auditing Service, and a director/secretary regard to membership size. and associate director/secretary (directors/secretaries) of each b.Each union mission shall be entitled to one delegate duly organized General Conference department and associa- other than its president (who is a delegate at large) without tion as specified in Article X, Sec. 1. of the General 10 SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEARBOOK, 2011 Conference Bylaws. General Conference Executive Committee. b.A General Conference Auditing Service Board as pro- Sec. 2. Executive Officers: The president, secretary, and vided for in the General Conference Bylaws, Article VIII, treasurer are the executive officers, and shall carry forward Sec. 2. a. the work in consultation with one another. Sec. 2. The following shall be approved by vote of the Sec. 3. President: The president is the first officer of the Executive Committee at a subsequent meeting, following rec- General Conference and shall report to the General ommendations from the divisions: Conference Executive Committee in consultation with the Other persons to serve as members of the General secretary and the treasurer. He or his designee shall preside at Conference Executive Committee as provided for in Article the sessions of the General Conference, act as chair of the VIII, Sec. 1. b. General Conference Executive Committee, serve in the gener- al interests of the General Conference as the General ARTICLE VII—APPOINTMENT Conference Executive Committee shall determine, and per- The following shall be appointed at the first Annual form such other duties as usually pertain to such office. The Council of the Executive Committee following a regular ses- General Conference president shall be an ordained minister sion: a director of Archives and Statistics, a director and asso- of experience. ciate directors of the Biblical Research Institute, a director and Sec. 4. Vice Presidents: Each vice president shall assist the research scientists of the Geoscience Research Institute, edi- president in the general administrative work of the General tors and associate editors for the principal denominational Conference or preside over a division territory. journals prepared at the General Conference, and any other Sec. 5. Secretary, undersecretary, and associate secre- non-departmental positions which have been established and taries: The secretary, in the performance of the executive filled by General Conference Executive Committee appoint- responsibilities, shall report to the General Conference ment. This Annual Council shall also appoint the membership Executive Committee after consultation with the president. of standing committees and various operating boards which The secretary shall be responsible for keeping the minutes of have been established and filled by General Conference the proceedings of the General Conference Sessions and Executive Committee appointment. meetings of the General Conference Executive Committee, for maintaining correspondence with church organizations, and ARTICLE VIII—GENERAL CONFERENCE for the performance of such other duties as usually pertain to EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE such office. The undersecretary and associate secretaries shall Sec. 1. The Executive Committee of the General assist the secretary in this work. Conference shall consist of: Sec. 6. Treasurer, undertreasurer, and associate treasurers: a.Ex Officio Members—1) Those elected as provided for in The treasurer, in the performance of the executive responsibil- Article VI, Sec. 1. except the director and associate directors ities, shall report to the General Conference Executive of the General Conference Auditing Service and the associate Committee after consultation with the president. The treasurer directors/ secretaries of General Conference departments and shall be responsible for providing financial leadership to the associations. General Conference which will include, but not be limited to, 2)Presidents of unions, past presidents of the General receiving, safeguarding, and disbursing all funds in harmony Conference holding credentials from the General Conference, with the actions of the General Conference Executive the president-executive director of Adventist Development Committee, for providing financial information to the presi- and Relief Agency International, the president of Adventist dent and to the General Conference Executive Committee, International Institute of Advanced Studies, the editor of and for the performance of such other duties as usually per- Adventist Review and Adventist World,the editor of Adult tain to such office. The undertreasurer and associate treasurers Sabbath School Bible Study Guide,the president of Adventist shall assist the treasurer in this work. Risk Management Incorporated, the president of Adventist University of Africa, the president-executive director of ARTICLE X—TERM OF OFFICE Adventist World Radio, the president of Andrews University, Sec. 1. All officers of the General Conference and those the director of Archives and Statistics, the director of Biblical whose election is provided for in Article VI, Sec 1. shall hold Research Institute, the president of Christian Record Services office from the time they are elected and, except for resigna- Incorporated, the president and the board chair of Ellen G tion or other termination, shall serve until their reelection, or White Estate, the president of Hope Channel, the director of until their replacement is elected. A person who is not Geoscience Research Institute, the president of Griggs reelected during a session does not thereby lose delegate sta- University and International Academy, the president of Loma tus at the session. Unless other arrangements are made in Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center, the editor consultation with administration, such individuals will be of Ministry, the president of Oakwood University, the presi- expected to fulfill during the session itself any session-related dent of Pacific Press Publishing Association, and the president responsibilities which have been assigned to them. In situa- of Review and Herald Publishing Association. tions where official responsibilities cannot be immediately b.Elected Members—1) Three laypersons and one church transferred to a newly elected individual, the officer whose pastor from each division without regard to membership size term has expired may be requested by the newly elected offi- up to 500,000 members. One additional church pastor or cer, and approved by the General Conference Administrative other frontline denominational employee for each additional Committee, to carry limited responsibilities, for a defined 500,000 members or major portion thereof. The above layper- period of time until transition arrangements have been com- sons, pastors, and other denominational employees shall be pleted. Their term of office, unless government requirements selected by each division executive committee from individu- dictate otherwise, is not subject to division retirement poli- als recommended by the union executive committees and cies, which may determine specific ages for mandatory shall be Seventh-day Adventists in regular standing. retirements. 2)No fewer than fifteen and no more than twenty addition- Sec. 2. Members of the General Conference Executive al members selected by the General Conference Executive Committee provided for in Article VIII, Sec. 1. a. 2) shall serve Committee from denominational retirees and current employ- for the period of time they hold the office that entitled them to ees, including pastors, teachers, and other frontline employ- membership on the General Conference Executive ees. Committee. 3)No fewer than fifteen and no more than twenty mem- Sec. 3. Members of the General Conference Executive bers selected by the General Conference Executive Committee provided for in Article VIII, Sec. 1. b. shall serve, Committee from laity including young adults. except for resignation or other termination, from the time of their selection until their replacements are selected by a divi- ARTICLE IX—OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES sion executive committee. Sec. 1. The officers of the General Conference shall be a Sec. 4. Those persons who, by virtue of holding elected president, vice presidents, a secretary, an undersecretary, position, have been members of the General Conference associate secretaries, a treasurer, an undertreasurer, and asso- Executive Committee at the beginning of the current session ciate treasurers. It is the duty of these officers, in consultation but who have not been reelected shall be entitled to voice with one another, to carry forward the work according to and vote at any General Conference Executive Committee plans and programs voted by the General Conference in ses- convened during the session. sion and according to plans and policies agreed upon by the Sec. 5. All those who are appointed to serve the General

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