Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook for 1987

662 Pages·2014·12.47 MB·English

YEARBOOK
1987
A Directory of
The General Conference, World Divisions,
Union and Local Conferences and Missions,
Educational Institutions, Food Companies,
Health-Care Institutions, Media Center,
Publishing Houses, Periodicals, and
Denominational Workers
Printed in the U.S.A. by the
REVIEW AND HERALD PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION-
HAGERSTOWN, MD 21740
For the Office of Archives and Statistics
GENERAL CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS
6840 EASTERN AVENUE, NORTHWEST
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20012

Contents
Preface and Statistics (cid:9) 4
Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists (cid:9) 5
Constitution and Bylaws (cid:9) 9
General Conference and Departments (cid:9) 15
Divisions:
Africa-Indian Ocean (cid:9) 39
Eastern Africa (cid:9) 63
Euro-Africa (cid:9) 83
Far Eastern (cid:9) 107
Inter-American (cid:9) 153
North American (cid:9) 189
Health-Care Corporations (cid:9) 261
South American (cid:9) 265
South Pacific (cid:9) 297
Southern Asia (cid:9) 321
Trans-European (cid:9) 337
Middle East Union (cid:9) 355
South African Union (cid:9) 357
Southern Union (Africa) (cid:9) 360
China (cid:9) 365
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the USSR (cid:9) 367
Institutions:
Educational Institutions (cid:9) 371
Food Companies (cid:9) 473
Health-Care Institutions (cid:9) 481
Dispensaries (cid:9) 519
Retirement Homes and Orphanages (cid:9) 525
Media Centers (cid:9) 529
Publishing Houses (cid:9) 533
Periodicals (cid:9) 545
Calendars 1987-1988 (cid:9) 559
Necrology (cid:9) 560
Calendars of Special Days and Offerings 1987-1988 (cid:9) 564
List of Countries With Their Organizational Locations (cid:9) 566
Telex Directory (cid:9) 568
Postal Abbreviations (cid:9) 570
Index of Institutional Workers (cid:9) 571
Directory of Workers (cid:9) 649
General Index (cid:9) 1009
3
Preface to the 1987 Edition
Scope of the Yearbook and opened a school, but the project ended when riots
A world directory of the Seventh-day Adventist Church broke out in the vicinity. The first non-Protestant
is given in the following pages. It includes the General Christian country entered was Russia, where an Adventist
Conference and its international divisions, union and minister went in 1886. On October 20, 1890, the
local conferences and missions, and related institutions. schooner Pitcairn was launched at San Francisco and was
Institutions that are managed but not fully owned and soon engaged in carrying missionaries to the Pacific
operated by church entities are not included. The islands. Seventh-day Adventist workers first entered
information has been furnished by the organizations non-Christian countries in 1894—Gold Coast (Ghana),
themselves; but in cases where current reports have not West Africa, and Matabeleland, South Africa. The same
been received, the most recent previous records have year saw missionaries entering South America, and in
been retained or adjusted. 1896 the Church had its representatives in Japan.
In the conference and mission sections, workers are The publication and distribution of literature were
listed in the following sequence: ordained ministers major factors in.the growth of the Advent Movement. The
holding ministerial credentials, credentialed commis- Advent Review and Sabbath Herald (now the Adventist
sioned ministers, credentialed missionaries, licensed Review), general church paper, was launched in Paris,
ministers, licensed commissioned ministers, licensed Maine, in 1850; the Youth's Instructor in Rochester, New
missionaries, and credentialed literature evangelists. The York, in 1852; and the Signs of the Times in Oakland,
Directory of Workers gives the names and addresses of all California, in 1874. The first denominational publishing
credentialed workers, licensed ministers and licensed house, at Battle Creek, Michigan, began operating in
commissioned ministers. Institutional workers are listed 1855 and was duly incorporated in 1861 under the name
separately in the Index of Institutional Workers. of Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association.
The data that appears below has been summarized The Health Reform Institute, later known as the Battle
largely from the 1985 Annual Statistical Report, while the Creek Sanitarium, opened its doors in 1866, and
figures for the number of churches and for church missionary society work was organized on a statewide
membership throughout the Yearbook are drawn from basis in 1870. The first of the Church's worldwide
official reports rendered for June 30, 1986. network of schools was established in 1872, and 1877
saw the formation of state-wide Sabbath school associa-
Denominational History
tions. In 1903, the denominational headquarters' was
Although the name "Seventh-day Adventist" was moved from Battle Creek, Michigan, to Washington,
chosen in 1860, the denomination was not officially D.C., where it continues to form the nerve-center of an
organized until May 21, 1863, when the movement ever-expanding work. Each year sees further develop-
included some 125 churches and 3,500 members. Work ment in the work of the Church.
was largely confined to North America until 1874 when That the Church's growth and God's blessings may be
the Church's first missionary, J. N. Andrews, was sent to accurately and inspiringly reflected in this Yearbook is
Switzerland. Africa was penetrated briefly in 1879 when the desire of the Archives and Statistics Committee and
Dr. H. P. Ribton, an early convert in Italy, moved to Egypt staff.
World Statistics for 1985
(except as noted)
MEMBERSHIP AND WORKERS HEALTH MINISTRY
(as of June 30, 1986) Hospitals and sanitariums (cid:9) 152
Baptized church members (cid:9) 4,863,047 Dispensaries, clinics, and launches (cid:9) 292
Organized churches 26,135 Retirement homes and orphanages (cid:9) 84
Ordained ministers, active (cid:9) 10,490 Physicians, dentists, residents, and
Total active workers (cid:9) 103,960 interns (cid:9) 2,767
Baptisms and professions of faith (cid:9) 376,477 Nurses (cid:9) 14,519
(July 1, 1985 to June 30, 1986) Outpatient visits (cid:9) 5,828,088
Assets of health-care institutions $1,964,010,049
MISSION WORK (1984 figure)
Countries in which church is working (1984).(cid:9) 184 Food companies (cid:9) 28
(Countries and areas in the world-213) PUBLISHING WORK
NNNuuummmbbbeeerrr ooofff ducionvniiofseniorsen ns(cid:9) c(cid:9)es, missions 8140 LPuabnlgiushaignegs hino uwsehsi ch(cid:9) church is working (1984)... 6 5117
Miasnsdio fniaerlidess s(cid:9)ent (cid:9) 347140 LLLiiattneergraauttauugrreee sse,av plaeunsb g leilsihstisn g in (1984) (cid:9) $106,8(cid:9)663(cid:9),,841268959
GOOD-NEIGHBOR PROGRAM SABBATH SCHOOLS
Persons helped (cid:9) 16,677,970 Sabbath school members (cid:9) 5,494,809
Articles of clothing given (cid:9) 25,889,324 Sabbath schools (cid:9) 52,609
Cash and value of food given (cid:9) $12,140,595
CONTRIBUTIONS
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM Tithe—world (cid:9) $452,475,435
North America (cid:9) $317,233,301
Schools operated by church (cid:9) 5,458 Sabbath School(cid:9) world (cid:9) $30,402,796
Total enrollment (cid:9) 716,877 North America (cid:9) $19,573,429
Primary and elementary schools (cid:9) 4,306 Ingathering—world (cid:9) $12,641,218
Secondary schools (cid:9) 914 All contributions—world (cid:9) $724,875,867
Colleges and Universities (cid:9) 94 North America (cid:9) $534,377,100
4
FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS
OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS
Seventh-day Adventists accept the Bible as their John 10:30; 14:9; Rom. 6:23; 2 Cor. 5:17-19; John
only creed and hold certain fundamental beliefs to be 5:22; Luke 1:35; Phil. 2:5-11; Heb. 2:9-18; 1 Cor.
the teaching of the Holy Scriptures. These beliefs, as 15:3, 4; Heb. 8:1, 2; John 14:1-3.)
set forth here, constitute the church's understanding
and expression of the teaching of Scripture. Revision
of these statements may be expected at a General 5. The Holy Spirit
Conference session when the church is led by the God the eternal Spirit was active with the Father
Holy Spirit to a fuller understanding of Bible truth or and the Son in Creation, incarnation, and redemp-
finds better language in which to express the teach- tion. He inspired the writers of Scripture. He filled
ings of God's Holy Word. Christ's life with power. He draws and convicts hu-
man beings.; and those who respond He renews and
transforms into the image of God. Sent by the Father
1. The Holy Scriptures and the Son to be always with His children, He ex-
The Holy Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are tends spiritual gifts to the church, empowers it to
the written Word of God, given by divine inspiration bear witness to Christ, and in harmony with the Scrip-
through holy men of God who spoke and wrote as tures leads it into all truth. (Gen. 1:1, 2; Luke 1:35;
they were moved by the Holy Spirit. In this Word, 4:18; Acts 10:38; 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Cor. 3:18; Eph. 4:11,
God has committed to man the knowledge necessary 12; Acts 1:8; John 14:16-18, 26; 15:26, 27; 16:7-13.)
for salvation. The Holy Scriptures are the infallible
revelation of His will. They are the standard of charac- 6. Creation
ter, the test of experience, the authoritative revealer
of doctrines, and tne trustworthy record of God's acts God is Creator of all things, and has revealed in
in history. (2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Ps. Scripture the authentic account of His creative activ-
119:105; Prov. 30:5, 6; Isa. 8:20; John 17:17; 1 Thess. ity. In six days the Lord made "the heaven and the
2:13; Heb. 4:12.) earth" and all living things upon the earth, and rested
on the seventh day of that first week. Thus He estab-
lished the Sabbath as a perpetual memorial of His
2. The Trinity completed creative work. The first man and woman
There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a were made in the image of God as the crowning work
unity of three co-eternal Persons. God is immortal, of Creation, given dominion over the world, and
all-powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever pres- charged with responsibility to care for it. When the
ent. He is infinite and beyond human comprehen- world was finished it was "very good," declaring the
sion, yet known through His self-revelation. He is for- glory of God. (Gen. 1; 2; Ex. 20:8-11; Ps. 19:1-6; 33:6,
ever worthy of worship, adoration, and service by the 9; 104; Heb. 11:3.)
whole creation. (Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14;
Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Tim. 1:17; Rev. 14:7.)
7. The Nature of Man
Man and woman were made in the image of God
3. The Father with individuality, the power and freedom to think
God the Eternal Father is the Creator, Source, Sus- and to do. Though created free beings, each is an
tainer, and Sovereign of all creation. He is just and indivisible unity of body, mind, and spirit, depen-
holy, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and dent upon God for life and breath and all else. When
abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. The our first parents disobeyed God, they denied their
qualities and powers exhibited in the Son and the dependence upon Him and fell from their high posi-
Holy Spirit are also revelations of the Father. (Gen. tion under God. The image of God in them was mar-
1:1; Rev. 4:11; 1 Cor. 15:28; John 3:16; 1 John 4:8; 1 red and they became subject to death. Their descen-
Tim. 1:17; Ex. 34:6, 7; John 14:9.) dants share this fallen nature and its consequences.
They are born with weaknesses and tendencies to
evil. But God in Christ reconciled the world to Him-
4. The Son self and by His Spirit restores in penitent mortals the
image of their Maker. Created for the glory of God,
God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus
they are called to love Him and one another, and to
Christ. Through Him all things were created, the
care for their environment. (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:7; Ps.
character of God is revealed, the salvation of human-
8:4-8; Acts 17:24-28; Gen. 3; Ps. 51:5; Rom. 5:12-17;
ity is accomplished, and the world is judged. Forever
2 Cor. 5:19, 20; Ps. 51:10; 1 John 4:7, 8, 11, 20; Gen.
truly God, He became also truly man, Jesus the
2:15.)
Christ. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born
of the virgin Mary. He lived and experienced tempta-
tion as a human being, but perfectly exemplified the 8. The Great Controversy
righteousness and love of God. By His miracles He " 'All humanity is now involved in a great controversy
manifested God's power and was attested as God's between Christ and Satan regarding the character of
promised Messiah. He suffered and died voluntarily God, His law, and His sovereignty over the universe.
on the cross for our sins and in our place, was raised This conflict originated in heaven when a created
from the dead, and ascended to minister in the heav- being, endowed with freedom of choice, in self-
enly sanctuary in our behalf. He will come again in exaltation became Satan, God's adversary, and led
glory for the final deliverance of His people and the into rebellion a portion of the angels. He introduced
restoration of all things. (John 1:1-3, 14; Col. 1:15-19; the spirit of rebellion into this world when he led
5
6(cid:9) SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEARBOOK, 1987
Adam and Eve into sin. This human sin resulted in the bride for whom Chist died that He might sanctify and
distortion of the image of God in humanity, the disor- cleanse her. At His return in triumph, He will present
dering of the created, world, and its eventual devasta- her to Himself a glorious church, the faithful of all the
tion at the time of the worldwide flood. Observed by ages, the purchase of His blood, not having spot or
the whole creation, this world became the arena of wrinkle, but holy and without blemish. (Gen. 12:3;
the universal conflict, out of which the God of love Acts 7:38; Eph. 4:11-15; 3:8-11; Matt. 28:19, 20;
will ultimately be vindicated. To assist His people in 16:13-20; 18:18; Eph. 2:19-22; 1:22, 23; 5:23-27; Col.
this controversy, Christ sends the Holy Spirit and the 1:17, 18.)
loyal angels to guide, protect, and sustain them in the
way of salvation. (Rev. 12:4-9; Isa. 14:12-14; Eze.
28:12-18; Gen. 3; Rom. 1:19-32; 5:12-21; 8:19-22; 12. The Remnant and Its Mission
Gen. 6-8; 2 Peter 3:6; 1 Cor. 4:9; Heb. 1:14.) The universal church is composed of all who truly
believe in Christ, but in the last days, a time of wide-
spread apostasy, a remnant has been called' out to
9. The Life, Death, keep the commandments of God and the faith of Je-
and Resurrection of Christ sus. This remnant announces the arrival of the judg-
In Christ's life of perfect obedience to God's will, ment hour, proclaims salvation through Christ, and
His suffering, death, and resurrection, God provided heralds the approach of His second advent. This
the only means of atonement for human sin, so that proclamation is symbolized by the three angels of
those who by faith accept this atonement may have Revelation 14; it coincides with the work of judgment
eternal life, and the whole creation may better under- in heaven and results in a work of repentance and re-
stand the infinite and holy love of the Creator. This form on earth. Every believer is called to have a per-
perfect atonement vindicates the righteousness of. sonal part in this worldwide witness. (Rev. 12:17;
God's law and the graciousness of His character; for 14:6-12; 18:1-4; 2 Cor. 5:10; Jude 3, 14; 1 Peter
it both condemns our sin and provides for our for- 1:16-19; 2 Peter 3:10-14; Rev. 21:1-14.)
giveness. The death of Christ is substitutionary and
expiatory, reconciling and transforming. The resur- 13. Unity in the Body of Christ
rection of Christ proclaims God's triumph over the
forces of evil, and for those who accept the atone- The church is one body with many members, called
ment assures their final victory over sin and death. It from every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. In
declare's the Lordship of Jesus Christ, before whom Christ we are a new creation; distinctions of race, cul-
every knee in heaven and on earth will bow. (John ture, learning, and nationality, and differences be-
3:16; Isa. 53; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4, 20-22; 2 tween high and low, rich and poor, male and female,
Cor. 5:14, 15, 19-21; Rom. 1:4; 3:25; 4:25; 8:3, 4; 1 must not be divisive among us. We are all equal in
John 2:2; 4:10; Col. 2:15; Phil. 2:6-11.) Christ, who by one Spirit has bonded us into one fel-
lowship with Him and with one another; we are to
serve and be served without partiality or reservation.
10. The Experience of Salvation Through the revelation of Jesus Christ in the Scrip-
tures we share the same faith and hope, and reach
In infinite love and mercy God made Christ, who out in one witness to all. This unity has its source in
knew no sin, to be sin for us, so that in Him we might the oneness of the triune God, who has adopted us as
be made the righteousness of God. Led by the Holy His children. (Rom. 12:4, 5; 1 Cor. 12:12-14; Matt.
Spirit we sense our need, acknowledge our sinful- 28:19, 20; Ps. 133:1; 2 Cor. 5:16, 17; Acts 17:26, 27;
ness, repent of our transgressions, and exercise faith Gal. 3:27, 29; Col. 3:10-15; Eph. 4:14-16; 4:1-6; John
in Jesus as Lord and Christ, as Substitute and Exam- 17:20-23.)
ple. This faith which receives salvation comes
through the divine power of the Word and is the gift
of God's grace. Through Christ we are justified, 14. Baptism
adopted as God's sons and daughters, and delivered By baptism we confess our faith in the death and
from the lordship of sin. Through the Spirit we are resurrection of Jesus Christ, and testify of our death
born again and sanctified; the Spirit renews our to sin and of our purpose to walk in newness of life.
minds, writes God's law of love in our hearts, and we Thus we acknowledge Christ as Lord and Saviour, be-
are given the power to live a holy life. Abiding in Him come His people, and are received as members by
we become partakers of the divine nature and have His church. Baptism is a symbol of our union with
the assurance of salvation now and in the judgment. Christ, the forgiveness of our sins, and our reception
(2 Cor. 5:17-21; John 3:16; Gal. 1:4; 4:4-7; Titus of the Holy Spirit. It is by immersion in water and is
3:3-7; John 16:8; Gal. 3:13,14; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; Rom. contingent on an affirmation of faith in Jesus and evi-
10:17; Luke 17:5; Mark 9:23, 24; Eph. 2:5-10; Rom. dence of repentance of sin. It follows instruction in
3:21-26; Col. 1:13, 14; Rom. 8:14-17; Gal. 3:26; John the Holy Scriptures and acceptance of their teach-
3:3-8; 1 Peter 1:23; Rom. 12:2; Heb. 8:7-12; Eze. ings. (Rom. 6:1-6; Col. 2:12, 13; Acts 16:30-33; 22:16;
36:25-27; 2 Peter 1:3, 4; Rom. 8:1-4; 5:6-10.) 2:38; Matt. 28:19, 20.)
11. The Church 15. The Lord's Supper
The church is the community of believers who con- The Lord's Supper is a participation in the emblems
fess Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. In continuity of the body and blood of Jesus as an expression of
with the people of God in Old Testament times, we faith in Him, our Lord and Saviour. In this experience
are called out from the world; and we join together of communion Christ is present to meet and
for worship, for fellowship, for instruction in the strengthen His people. As we partake, we joyfully
Word, for the celebration of the Lord's Supper, for proclaim the Lord's death until He comes again. Prep-
service to all mankind, and for the world-wide procla- aration for the Supper includes self-examination, re-
mation of thegospel. The church derives its authority pentance, and confession. The Master ordained the
from Christ, who is the incarnate Word, and from the service of foot washing to signify renewed cleansing,
Scriptures, which are the written Word. The church is to express a willingness to serve one another in
God's family; adopted by Him as children, its mem- Christlike humility, and to unite our hearts in love.
bers live on the basis of the new covenant. The The communion service is open to all believing Chris-
church is the body of Christ, a community of faith of tians. (1 Cor. 10:16, 17; 11:23-30; Matt. 26:17-30; Rev.
which Christ Himself is the Head. The church is the 3:20; John 6:48-63; 13:1-17.)
FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS(cid:9) 7
16. Spiritual Gifts and Ministries and His people. Joyful observance of this holy time
God bestows upon all members of His church in from evening to evening, sunset to sunset, is a cele-
every age spiritual gifts which each member is to em- bration of God's creative and redemptive acts. (Gen.
ploy in loving ministry for the common good of the 2:1-3; Ex. 20:8-11; Luke 4:16; lsa. 56:5, 6; 58:13, 14;
church and of humanity. Given by the agency of the Matt. 12:1-12; Ex. 31:13-17; Eze. 20:12, 20; Deut.
Holy Spirit, who apportions to each member as He 5:12-15; Heb. 4:1-11; Lev. 23:32; Mark 1:32.)
wills, the gifts provide all abilities and ministries
needed by the church to fulfill its divinely ordained
20. Stewardship
functions. According to the Scriptures, these gifts in-
clude such ministries as faith, healing, prophecy, We are God's stewards, entrusted by Him with time
proclamation, teaching, administration, reconcilia- and opportunities, abilities and possessions, and the
tion, compassion, and self-sacrificing service and blessings of the earth and its resources. We are re-
charity for the help and encouragement of people. sponsible to Him for their proper use. We acknowl-
Some members are called of God and endowed by edge God's ownership by faithful service to Him and
the Spirit for functions recognized by the church in our fellow men, and by returning tithes and giving of-
pastoral, evangelistic, apostolic, and teaching minis- ferings for the proclamation of His gospel and the
tries particularly needed to equip the members for support and growth of His church. Stewardship is a
service, to build up the church to spiritual maturity, privilege given to us by God for nurture in love and
and to foster unity of the faith and knowledge of God. the victory over selfishness and covetousness. The
When members employ these spiritual gifts as faith- steward rejoices in the blessings that come to others
ful stewards of God's varied grace, the church is pro- as a result of his faithfulness. (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15; 1
tected from the destructive influence of false doc- Chron. 29:14; Hag. 1:3-11; Mal. 3:8-12; 1 Cor. 9:9-14;
trine, grows with a growth that is from God, and is Matt. 23:23; 2 Cor. 8:1-15; Rom. 15:26, 27.)
built up in faith and love. (Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor.
12:9-11, 27, 28; Eph. 4:8, 11-16; Acts 6:1-7; 1 Tim.
2:1-3; 1 Peter 4:10, 11.) 21. Christian Behaviour
We are called to be a godly people who think, feel,
and act in harmony with the principles of heaven. For
17. The Gift of Prophecy the Spirit to recreate in us the character of our Lord
One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This we involve ourselves only in those things which will
gift is an identifying mark of the remnant church and produce Christlike purity, health, and joy in our lives.
was manifested in the ministry of Ellen G. White. As This means that our ammusement and entertainment
the Lord's messenger, her writings are a continuing should meet the highest standards of Christian taste
and authoritative source of truth which provide for and beauty. While recognizing cultural differences,
the church comfort, guidance, instruction, and cor- our dress is to be simple, modest, and neat, befitting
rection. They also make clear that the Bible is the those whose true beauty does not consist of outward
standard by which all teaching and experience must adornment but in the imperishable ornament of a
be tested. (Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:14-21; Heb. 1:1-3; gentle and quiet spirit. It also means that because our
Rev. 12:17; 19:10.) bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, we are to
care for them intelligently. Along with adequate exer-
cise and rest, we are to adopt the most healthful diet
18. The Law of God possible and abstain from the unclean foods identi-
The great principles of God's law are embodied in fied in the Scriptures. Since alcoholic beverages, to-
the Ten Commandments and exemplified in the life bacco, and the irresponsible use of drugs and narcot-
of Christ. They express God's love, will, and pur- ics are harmful to our bodies, we are to abstain from
poses concerning human conduct and relationships them as well. Instead, we are to engage in whatever
and are binding upon all people in every age. These brings our thoughts and bodies into the discipline of
precepts are the basis of God's covenant with His Christ, who desires our wholesomeness, joy, and
people and the standard in God's judgment. Through goodness. (Rom. 12:1, 2; 1 John 2:6; Eph. 5:1 -21;
the agency of the Holy Spirit they point out sin and Phil. 4:8; 2 Cor. 10:5; 6:14-7:1; 1 Peter 3:1-4; 1 Cor.
awaken a sense of need for a Saviour. Salvation is all 6:19, 20; 10:31; Lev. 11:1-47; 3 John 2.)
of grace and not of works, but its fruitage is obedi-
ence to the Commandments. This obedience devel-
ops Christian character and results in a sense of well- 22. Marriage and the Family
being. It is an evidence of our love for the Lord and Marriage was divinely established in Eden and af-
our concern for our fellow men, The obedience of firmed by Jesus to be a lifelong union between a man
faith demonstrates the power of Christ to transform and a woman in loving companionship. For the Chris-
lives, and therefore strengthens Christian witness. tian a marriage commitment is to God as well as to the
(Ex. 20:1-17; Ps. 40:7, 8; Matt. 22:36-40; Deut. spouse, and should be entered into only between
28:1-14; Matt. 5:17-20; Heb. 8:8-10; John 16:7-10; partners who share a common faith. Mutual love,
Eph. 2:8-10; 1 John 5:3; Rom. 8:3, 4; Ps. 19:7-14.) honor, respect, and responsibility are the fabric of
this relationship, which is to reflect the love, sanctity,
closeness, and permanence of the relationship be-
19. The Sabbath tween Christ and His church. Regarding divorce, le-
The beneficent Creator, after the six days of Crea- sus taught that the person who divorces a spouse, ex-
tion, rested on the seventh day and instituted the cept 'for fornication, and marries another, commits
Sabbath for all people as a memorial of Creation. The adultery. Although some family relationships may fall
fourth commandment of God's unchangeable law re- short of the ideal, marriage partners who fully com-
quires the observance of this seventh-day Sabbath as mit themselves to each other in Christ may achieve
the day of rest, worship, and ministry in harmony loving unity through the guidance of the Spirit and
with the teaching and practice of Jesus, the Lord of the nurture of the church. God blesses the family and
the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a day of delightful com- intends that its members shall assist each other to-
munion with God and one another. It is a symbol of ward complete maturity. Parents are to bring up their
our redemption in Christ, a sign of our sanctification, children to love and obey the Lord. By their example
a token of our allegiance, and a foretaste of our eter- and their words they are to teach them that Christ is a
nal future in God's kingdom. The Sabbath is Cod's loving disciplinarian, ever tender and caring, who
perpetual sign of His eternal covenant between Him wants them to become members of His body, the
8(cid:9) SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEARBOOK, 1987
family of God. Increasing family closeness is one of condition of the world, indicates that Christ's coming
the earmarks of the final gospel message. (Gen. is imminent. The time of that event has not been
2:18-25; Matt. 19:3-9; John 2:1-11; 2 Cor. 6:14; Eph. revealed, and we are therefore exhorted to be ready
5:21-33; Matt. 5:31, 32; Mark 10:11, 12; Luke 16:18; at all times. (Titus 2:13; Heb. 9:28; John 14:1-3; Acts
1 Cor. 7:10, 11; Ex. 20:12; Eph. 6:1-4; Deut. 6:5-9; 1:9-11; Matt. 24:14; Rev. 1:7; Matt. 24:43, 44; 1
Prov. 22:6; Mal. 4:5, 6.) Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; 2:8;
Rev. 14:14-20; 19:11-21; Matt. 24; Mark 13; Luke 21; 2
Tim. 3:1-5; 1 Thess. 5:1-6.)
23. Christ's Ministry
in the Heavenly Sanctuary
There is a sanctuary in heaven, the true tabernacle 25. Death and Resurrection
which the Lord set up and not man. In it Christ minis- The wages of sin is death. But God, who alone is im-
ters on our behalf, making available to believers the mortal, will grant eternal life to His redeemed. Until
benefits of His atoning sacrifice offered once for all that day death is an unconscious state for all people.
on the cross. He was inaugurated as our great High When Christ, who is our life, appears, the resurrected
Priest and began His intercessory ministry at the time righteous and the living righteous will be glorified
of His ascension. In 1844, at the end of the prophetic and caught up to meet their Lord. The second resur-
period of 2300 days, He entered the second and last rection, the resurrection of the unrighteous, will take
phase of His atoninministry. It is a work of investiga- place a thousand years later. (Rom. 6:23; 1 Tim. 6:15,
tive judgment which is part of the ultimate disposi- 16; Eccl. 9:5, 6; Ps. 146:3, 4; John 11:11-14; Col. 3:4; 1
tion of all sin, typified by the cleansing of the ancient Cor. 15:51-54; 1 Thess. 4:13-17; John 5:28, 29; Rev.
Hebrew sanctuary on the Day of Atonement. In that 20:1-10.)
typical service the sanctuary was cleansed with the
blood of animal sacrifices, but the heavenly things
are purified with the perfect sacrifice of the blood of 26. The Millennium and the End of Sin
Jesus. The investigative judgment reveals to heavenly
intelligences who among the dead are asleep in The millennium is the thousand-year reign of
Christ and therefore, in Him, are deemed worthy to Christ with His saints in heaven between the first and
have part in the first resurrection. It also makes man- second resurrections. During this time the wicked
ifest who, among the living are abiding in Christ, dead will be judged; the earth will be utterly deso-
keeping the commandments of God and the faith of late, without living human inhabitants, but occupied
Jesus, and in Him, therefore, are ready for translation by Satan and his angels. At its close Chris/ with His
into His everlasting kingdom. This judgment vindi- saints and the Holy City will descend from heaven to
cates the justice of God in saving those who believe in earth. The unrighteous dead will then be resur-
Jesus. It declares that those who have remained loyal rected, and with Satan and his angels will surround
to God shall receive the kingdom. The completion of the city; but fire from God will consume them and
this ministry of Christ will mark the close of human cleanse the earth. The universe will thus be freed of
probation before the Second Advent. (Heb. 8:1-5; sin and sinners forever. (Rev. 20; 1 Cor. 6:2, 3; Jer.
4:14-16; 9:11-28; 10:19-22; 1:3; 2:16, 17; Dan. 7:9- 4:23-26; Rev. 21:1-5; Mal. 4:1; Eze. 28:18, 19.)
27; 8:13, 14; 9:24-27; Num. 14:34; Eze. 4:6; Lev. 16;
Rev. 14:6, 7; 20:12; 14:12; 22:12.)
27. The New Earth
On the new earth, in which righteousness dwells,
24. The Second Coming of Christ God will provide an eternal home for the redeemed
The second coming of Christ is the blessed hope of and a perfect environment for everlasting life, love,
the church, the grand climax of the gospel. The joy, and learning in His presence. For here God Him-
Saviour's coming will be literal, personal, visible and self will dwell with His people, and suffering and
worldwide. When He returns, the righteous dead will death will have passed away. The great controversy
be resurrected, and together with the righteous liv- will be ended, and sin will be no more. All things, ani-
ing will be glorified and taken to heaven, but the mate and inanimate, will declare that God is love; and
unrighteous will die. The almost complete fulfillment He shall reign forever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:13; Isa. 35;
of most lines of prophecy, together with the present 65:17-25; Matt. 5:5; Rev. 21:1-7; 22:1-5; 11:15.)
THE CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
of the
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
(As revised at the Fifty-fourth Session held in New c. Delegates representing union missions, and loc-
Orleans, Louisiana, June 27 to July 6, 1985.) al conferences/local missions/unions of churches
without division affiliation, shall be appointed by the
CONSTITUTION General Conference Committee in consultation with
the organization concerned.
Article I—Name
Sec. 5. Regular delegates shall be appointed and
This organization shall be known as General Con- accredited on the following basis:
ference of Seventh-day Adventists.
a. Delegates from union conferences/missions.
Article II—Object Each union conference/mission shall be entitled to
one delegate in addition to its president, without
The object of this Conference is to teach all nations regard to number, an additional delegate for each
the everlasting gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus local conference and each regularly organized mis-
Christ and the commandments of God. sion in its territory without regard to number, and an
additional delegate for each 5,000 or major fraction
Article III—Membership
thereof, of the membership of the union conference
Sec. 1. The membership of this Conference shall or mission.
consist of:
b. Delegates from attached local fields. Each local
a. Such union conferences and union missions, conference/local mission/union of churches directly
either in organized division sections or without di- attached to a division or to the General Conference,
visional affiliation, as have been or shall be properly as has been or shall be properly organized and
organized and accepted by vote of the General Con- accepted by vote of the General Conference in ses-
ference in session. sion, shall be entitled to one delegate, without re-
b. Such local conferences and properly organized gard to number, and an additional delegate for each
local missions not included in any division, union 5,000 or major fraction thereof, of the membership of
conference/mission, or such local conferences/mis- the local conference or mission.
sions/unions of churches directly attached to divi- c. Calculations for delegate allotments shall be
sions, as have been or shall be properly organized based upon the membership as of December 31 of
and accepted by vote of the General Conference in the second year preceding the session.
session.
Sec. 6. Credentials to sessions shall be issued by
Sec. 2. The voters of this Conference shall be desig- the General Conference to those appointed as pro-
nated as follows: vided for in harmony with the provisions of this arti-
a. Delegates at large. cle.
b. Regular delegates.
Article IV—Officers and Their Duties
Sec. 3. Delegates at large shall be:
Sec. 1. The officers of this Conference shall be a
a. All members of the General Conference Execu- president, vice-presidents, a secretary, an under-
tive Committee. secretary, associate secretaries, a treasurer, an
b. Such representatives of missions of the General undertreasurer, and associate treasurers, who shall
Conference and of general institutions and depart- be elected by the Conference.
ments of work, and such general laborers, field sec- Sec. 2. President: The president shall preside at the
retaries and lay persons as shall receive delegate's sessions of the Conference, act as chairman of the
credentials from the Executive Committee of the Executive Committee and labor in the general in-
General Conference, such credentials to be ratified terests of the Conference, as the Executive Commit-
by the General Conference in session. The number tee may advise, and perform such other duties as
of these delegates thus seated shall not exceed 25 per usually pertain to such office.
cent of the total number of delegates otherwise pro-
Sec. 3. Vice-Presidents: Each vice-president shall at
vided for.
the time of his election be assigned to serve as a
c. Four delegates from each division, without re- general administrative assistant to the president or to
gard to membership, and one additional delegate for preside over a division field.
each 200,000, or major fraction thereof, of the divi-
Sec. 4. Secretary, undersecretary and associate
sion membership, such delegates to be appointed by
secretaries: It shall be the duty of the secretary,
the Division Committee and their credentials to be
undersecretary, and the associate secretaries to keep
ratified by the General Conference in session. Cal-
the minutes of the proceedings of the General Con-
culations for these delegate allotments shall be based
ference Sessions and of the General Conference
upon the membership as of December 31 of the
Committee meetings, to maintain correspondence
second year preceding the session.
with the fields and to perform such other duties as
Sec. 4. Regular delegates shall be appointed in the usually pertain to such office.
following manner:
Sec. 5. Treasurer, undertreasurer and associate
a. Delegates representing union conferences shall treasurers: It shall be the duty of the treasurer to
be appointed by the respective unions. receive all funds of the General Conference, and
b. Delegates representing union missions, and loc- disburse them in harmony with the actions of the
al conferences/local missions/unions of churches Executive Committee of the General Conference,
attached to the division but not to any union, shall be and to render such financial statements at regular
appointed by the Division Committee in consultation intervals as-may be desired by the General Confer-
with the organization concerned. ence or by the Executive Committee. The under-
9
10(cid:9) SEVENTH-DAY ADDVENTIST YEARBOOK, 1987
treasurer and associate treasurers shall assist the Conference Executive Committee, as the develop-
treasurer in his work. ment of the work may require.
Sec. 2. At each regular session of this Conference,
Article V—Election
the delegates shall elect such trustees and corporate
Sec. 1. The following shall be elected at each regu- bodies connected with this organization as may be
lar session of the General Conference: provided in the statutory laws governing each.
a. A president, vice-presidents, a secretary, an Sec. 3. The Conference shall employ such commit-
undersecretary, associate secretaries, division secre- tees, secretaries, treasurers, auditors, agents, minis-
taries, a treasurer, an undertreasurer, associate ters, missionaries and other persons, and make such
treasurers, division treasurers, general field secretar- distribution of its laborers as may be necessary effec-
ies, division field secretaries, an auditor, associate tively to execute its work.
auditors, division auditors, a secretary and associate
Sec. 4. The Conference shall grant credentials or
secretaries of the ministerial association, a director
licenses to ministers and missionaries except in divi-
and associate directors of each duly organized
sion fields, in union and local conferences, and in
General Conference department; namely, ,Com-
organized union missions.
munication, Education, Health and Temperance, Lay
Activities, Public Affairs and Religious Liberty, Pub- Sec. 5. The General Conference Corporation is an
lishing, Sabbath School, Stewardship and Develop- organization formed as an instrumentality of the
ment, Youth; a director of Archives and Statistics, a General Conference for the purpose of assisting the
director of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries, a direc- General Conference in carrying out its purposes.
tor of Adventist Personnel Service, a director and
associate director of the Office of Human Relations, a Article IX—Sessions
director and associate director of Trust Services, a Sec. 1. This Conference shall hold quinquennial
director of World Foods Service; division Ministerial sessions at such time and place as the Executive Com-
Association secretaries, division departmental direc- mittee shall designate and announce by a notice pub-
tors, division directors of Trust Services and division lished in the Adventist Review in three consecutive
directors of World Foods Service. issues at least four months before the date for the
b. Other persons, not to exceed 60 in number, to opening of the session. In case special world condi-
serve as members of the Executive Committee, one- tions seem to make it imperative to postpone the
third of which shall be laymen. calling of the Session, the Executive Committee, in
regular or special council, shall have authority to
Article VI—Executive Committee make such postponement, not to exceed two years,
giving notice to all constituent organizations.
Sec. 1. The Executive Committee shall consist of:
Sec. 2. The Executive Committee may call special
a. Those elected as provided by Article V except the sessions of the General Conference at such time and
General Conference auditor and associate auditors place as it deems proper, by a like notice as of regular
and division auditors. sessions, and the transactions of such special ses-
b. Presidents of union conferences, presidents of sions shall have the same force as those of the regular
union missions, past presidents of the General Con- sessions.
ference holding credentials from this Conference, Sec. 3. The election of officers, and the voting on
the president of Andrews University, the director and all matters of business shall be by viva-voce vote, or
associate directors of the Biblical Research Institute, as designated by the chairman, unless otherwise de-
the president of Christian Record Braille Foundation, manded by a majority of the delegates present.
the president of the General Conference Risk Man-
agement Service, the director of the Geoscience Re- Article X—Bylaws
search Institute, the president of Harris Pine Mills,
The voters of this Conference may enact bylaws
the director of Home and Family Service, the Presi-
and amend or repeal them at any session thereof, and
dent of the Home Study International, the president
such bylaws may embrace any provision not inconsis-
of Loma Linda University, the president of Oakwood
tent with the Constitution.
College, the president of the Pacific Press Publishing
Association, the director of Philanthropic Service for Article XI—Amendments
Institutions, the president of the Seventh-day Adven-
tist Radio, Television and Film Center, the president This Constitution or its Bylaws may be amended by
of the Review and Herald Publishing Association, the a two-thirds vote of the voters present and voting at
executive director of Adventist Development and Re- any session, provided that, if it is proposed to amend
lief Agency International, the executive secretary of the Constitution at a special session, notice of such
the Adventist-Laymen's Services and Industries, the purpose shall be given in the call for such special
director of General Conference Personnel Adminis- session.
tration, the editor and associate editors of the Adven-
tist Review, the secretary and associate secretaries of BYLAWS
the Ellen G. White Estate, the speaker of the Breath of
Life, the speaker of Faith for Today, the speaker of It Article I—Division Sections
Is Written, the speaker of the Voice of Prophecy and Sec. 1. The General Conference shall conduct its
the speaker of the "La Voz de la Esperanza' (Spanish) worldwide work in division sections, each section to
radio program. operate within a specified territory in harmony with
the policy of the General Conference.
Article VII—Term of Office
Sec. 2. Union conference and union mission field
All officers of the General Conference and those organizations, together with all other organizations
members of the Executive Committee provided for and institutions within the territory, shall be re-
by Article VI, Sec. 1 a, shall hold office from the time sponsible to the respective division committees, or
of election until the next ensuing regular session, or in the case of fields without divisional affiliation, to
until their successors are elected andappear to enter the General Conference Committee.
upon their duties.
Sec. 3. The division sections shall be known as:
Africa-Indian Ocean Division, China Division, East-
Article VIII—Incorporations and Agents
ern Africa Division, Euro-Africa Division, Far Eastern
Sec. 1. Such incorporations may be authorized by Division, Inter-American Division, North American
the General Conference in session, or by the General Division, South American Division, South Pacific Di-