NEW FUNDAMENTAL BELIEF ENDORSED WORLD HEADQUARTERS PERSONNEL CHANGES NOTED 2007 ANNUAL COUNCIL IN KIEV, UKRAINE AFRICAN GRADUATE SCHOOL VOTED FOR NAIROBI EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TO MEET BEFORE ST. LOUIS SESSION
NEW FUNDAMENTAL BELIEF ENDORSED
In an Oct. 12 vote delegates to Annual Council recommended a new addition to the 27 doctrinal affirmations currently identified in the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Fundamental Beliefs.
“Growing in Christ,” the proposed new statement, will be on the agenda at the church’s worldwide General Conference Session in July 2005 in St. Louis, Missouri. It’s the first addition recommended by the executive committee since the original beliefs document was approved at the church’s 1980 world session.
The new statement addresses several areas of Christian belief and practice that many church leaders and theologians believe did not receive adequate attention in the present statement of core beliefs. The power of Christ in confronting and vanquishing demonic powers is highlighted, and the freedom of believers from past deeds and influences is affirmed. Specific spiritual practices, including personal Bible study, prayer, worship and witness, are described as supporting the believer’s new life in Christ.
“As a church, we’ve set a priority on reaching those who live in the 10/40 window—nearly 70 percent of the world’s population,” says Michael L. Ryan, vice president for strategic planning and director of the church’s Global Mission initiative. “Most of these people go to bed each night fearing evil spirits. Their first question to us invariably is, ‘What will your Jesus do about the evil spirits?’”
He added, “If we’re going to be a people of hope, we also have to be able to show people where to find it—and that’s why these spiritual resources and practices that point to Jesus have been identified in the new statement.”
The complete text of the “Growing in Christ” Fundamental Belief, along with supporting Bible references, can be viewed at www.adventistreview.org.—Adventist Review/ANN
WORLD HEADQUARTERS PERSONNEL CHANGES NOTED
In comments during Annual Council meetings, the departures of several departmental and institutional leaders of the world headquarters were noted.
Ardis Dick Stenbakken, Women’s Ministries director of the world church since 1997, will soon retire to move to Colorado with her husband, Richard, who retired in July 2004 as director of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries. Heather-Dawn Small, associate women’s ministries director, was elected as acting department head until the St. Louis world session nominates and elects a permanent successor.
Ben Maxson, stewardship director for the world church, left that position Oct. 1 to become senior pastor of the Paradise Seventh-day Adventist Church in Paradise, California. His wife, Mary, will continue in her role as Women’s Ministries director for North America from their new location. Jean-Luc Lezeau, associate stewardship director, has been voted acting director, effective until a successor is elected in 2005.
Dr. Joseph Gurubatham is leaving Griggs University and Home Study International for another position. No successor has been named.
After 15 years of service in the position, Dr. Patricia J. Gustin, director of the Institute of World Mission at Andrews University, is retiring.
2007 ANNUAL COUNCIL IN KIEV, UKRAINE
The Seventh-day Adventist Church’s executive committee, continuing a tradition of meeting in various overseas locations at a midpoint between quinquennial world sessions, will holds its 2007 Annual Council in Kiev, Ukraine. Having been opened to the gospel in recent years, the Ukraine is one of the fastest-growing church areas.
AFRICAN GRADUATE SCHOOL VOTED FOR NAIROBI
One year ago, Annual Council voted to establish a graduate school to serve the Adventist Church in Africa. On Oct. 13, following consultation with leaders in the three church regions on the continent, it was voted that the school would be located on property adjacent to Maxwell Academy, near Nairobi, Kenya. The church already owns the property, officials said.
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TO MEET BEFORE ST. LOUIS SESSION
Also on Oct. 13, it was voted that the executive council of the church would meet for a day and one-half before the June 29, 2005 start of the General Council Session in St. Louis, Missouri. The session will consider potential business to be put before the world church meeting.
