The Seventh-day Adventist world church is moving forward with confidence in God as it makes “mission-driven resource allocation” a top priority, said Robert L. Rawson, treasurer of the Adventist world church, in his financial report to Annual Council on September 26.

“The Lord has promised that financial resources will be available as needed, and we have seen that promise fulfilled during this past year,” said Rawson, who reported a distribution of an additional $7.5 million to world divisions and General Conference institutions, made possible by operating gains in 2000. “I, as do my colleagues, attribute success to the blessings of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.”

For the church to have the greatest impact, it must make spending decisions with “a clear view of the mission of the church,” said Rawson. Quality of life, unity and growth are strategic issues the church has identified as crucial to its mission, he explained, and commitment to addressing these areas will impact spending over the coming years.

A new tithe-sharing arrangement between different regions of the world church was implemented this year, but “not without significant pain,” said Rawson. The arrangement, voted April 2000, means that 11 of the 12 divisions, or church administrative regions, of the church have increased the portion of tithe income they contribute to the Adventist Church world headquarters from 1 percent to 1.2 percent. The church in North America, which has traditionally contributed 10.72 percent of its tithe income, has reduced that amount to 10 percent.

The worldwide accounting and management processes of the church will soon be better able to “meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world environment,” said Rawson.  A uniform accounting software system for all church entities is currently being installed and should begin operating at some sites by early 2002.

Rawson also referred to the volatility and uncertainty of the market following the terrorist attacks on the United States. “Events of the recent past underscore the importance of diversity, conservative management, and careful attention to policy in our investment approach,” said Rawson. “Our investment team has taken steps to protect the portfolios of the church through diversification in asset allocation, market selection and management style.” 

In his report, Rawson affirmed the church’s treasury team has both “a personal and corporate commitment” to reporting financial information to church members with clarity and consistency. This is something that goes to “the heart of our calling,” he said.

Members of the church’s executive committee voted a $127 million General Conference budget for the year 2002, up by some 11.7 percent from last year.