It's not easy for a civil servant to maintain a regular, active religious lifestyle, says Ray Coombe, public affairs and religious liberty director for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific.
It’s not easy for a civil servant to maintain a regular, active religious lifestyle, says Ray Coombe, public affairs and religious liberty director for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific. This issue is being looked at by Adventists in the region.
Spiritual growth seminars, organized by the church in the South Pacific, were held in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, and Honiara, Solomon Islands.
“Adventists in politics and public affairs do not receive the same nurture as others do,” Coombe says. “The demands of their jobs challenge their commitment to God and to the church. This is why we organize these seminars.”
Presentations focused on how a Christian balances public life with family responsibility, good health and spiritual growth. The seminars were attended by 20 government and judicial leaders—all members of the Adventist Church—from Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
In both island countries, Seventh-day Adventists have been involved in government and state affairs for decades, including such prominent positions as prime minister or heads of varied ministries. Presently, Sir Silas Atopare, an Adventist, is Papua New Guinea’s governor general. Some of the highest judiciary posts, including that of the Supreme Court, are held by Adventist judges.
