seventh-day adventist yearbook for 2012 (no credentialed

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.

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Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook 2012Copyright 2012

The General Conference Corporation of Seventh-day AdventistsAll Rights Reserved

The Yearbook is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the organizations and institutionsassociated 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 ismade by the Office of Archives and Statistics to verify the accuracy of the information submitted.

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Contents

Preface and Statistics ........................................................................................................4Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists .................................................................5Mission Statement of the Seventh-day Adventist Church ...................................................8Constitution and Bylaws ...................................................................................................8General Conference Officers (1863 to present) ...............................................................16MapWorld Time Zones................................................................................................17MapWorld Divisions ...................................................................................................18General Conference........................................................................................................19East-Central Africa DivisionECD..................................................................................39Euro-Africa DivisionEUD ............................................................................................71Euro-Asia DivisionESD................................................................................................93Inter-American DivisionIAD......................................................................................113North American DivisionNAD ..................................................................................183

Postal Abbreviations ..............................................................................................247Healthcare Corporations....................................................................................... 248

Northern Asia-Pacific DivisionNSD.......................................................................... 253South American DivisionSAD .................................................................................. 267South Pacific DivisionSPD........................................................................................ 323Southern Africa-Indian Ocean DivisionSID ...............................................................349Southern Asia DivisionSUD ......................................................................................375Southern Asia-Pacific DivisionSSD ............................................................................399Trans-European DivisionTED.....................................................................................445West-Central Africa DivisionWAD ............................................................................465Fields Attached to the General Conference

Greater Middle East Union MissionGMEU.........................................................491Israel FieldIF ......................................................................................................497

Educational Institutions.................................................................................................499Secondary Schools ................................................................................................558

Food Industries .............................................................................................................659Healthcare Institutions..................................................................................................665

Clinics and Dispensaries .......................................................................................689Nursing Homes and Retirement Centers ................................................................697Orphanages and Childrens Homes .......................................................................706

Media Centers ..............................................................................................................709Publishing Houses ........................................................................................................715

Periodicals.............................................................................................................728Radio and TV Stations...................................................................................................743Risk Management .........................................................................................................753Index of Institutional Employees ...................................................................................755Directory of Credentialed Employees............................................................................841List of Countries With Their Organizational Locations.................................................1207Trademarks .................................................................................................................1211General Index.............................................................................................................1213

3

Preface to the 2012 Edition

World Statistics for 2010(except as noted)

Scope of the YearbookA world directory of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is

given in the following pages. It includes the GeneralConference and its international divisions, union and localconferences and missions, and related institutions. Institutionsthat are managed but not fully owned and operated bychurch entities are not included. The information has beenfurnished by the organizations themselves, but in cases wherecurrent reports have not been received, the most recent previ-ous records have been retained or adjusted.

This publication does not define church structure ordescribe legal relationships among church entities. No listedentity assumes any responsibility for the liabilities, debts, oralleged acts or omissions of any other church entity simplybecause of its inclusion in this Yearbook. Persons with griev-ances or claims against a listed entity must directly addressthe entity involved and not any other entity or organization.

In the division/union/conference/mission sections,employees are listed as follows: ordained ministers holdingministerial credentials, credentialed commissioned ministers,credentialed commissioned teachers, and credentialed mis-sionaries. The Directory of Credentialed Employees gives thenames and addresses of these individuals. Institutionalemployees are listed separately in the Index of InstitutionalEmployees.

The data that appears below has been summarized largelyfrom the 2010 Annual Statistical Report, while the figures forthe number of churches and for church membership through-out the Yearbook are drawn from official reports rendered forJune 30, 2011.

Denominational HistorySeventh-day Adventists are, doctrinally, heirs of the

Millerite Movement of the 1840s. Although the nameSeventh-day Adventist was chosen in 1860, the denomina-tion was not officially organized until May 21, 1863, whenthe movement included some 125 churches and 3,500 mem-bers. Work was largely confined to North America until 1874when the Churchs first missionary, J. N. Andrews, was sent to

Switzerland. The first non-Protestant Christian country enteredwas Russia, where an Adventist minister went in 1886. OnOctober 20, 1890, the schooner Pitcairn was launched at SanFrancisco, California, and was soon engaged in carrying mis-sionaries to the Pacific islands. Seventh-day Adventist workersfirst entered non-Christian countries in 1894Gold Coast(Ghana), West Africa, and Matabeleland, South Africa. Thesame year saw missionaries entering South America, and in1896 there were representatives in Japan. The Church nowhas established work in 201 countries.

The publication and distribution of literature were majorfactors in the growth of the Advent Movement. The AdventistReview and Sabbath Herald (now the Adventist Review), gen-eral church paper, was launched in Paris, Maine in 1850; theYouths Instructor in Rochester, New York, in 1852; and theSigns of the Times in Oakland, California, in 1874. The firstdenominational publishing house at Battle Creek, Michigan,began operating in 1855 and was duly incorporated in 1861under the name of Seventh-day Adventist PublishingAssociation.

The Health Reform Institute, later known as the BattleCreek Sanitarium, opened in 1866, and missionary societywork organized on a state-wide basis in 1870. The first of theChurchs worldwide network of schools was established in1872, and 1877 saw the formation of state-wide Sabbathschool associations. In 1903, denominational headquartersmoved from Battle Creek, Michigan, to Washington, D.C.,and in 1989 to Silver Spring, Maryland, where it continues toform the nerve center of an ever-expanding work.

The distinctive Seventh-day Adventist message may besummarized as the everlasting gospel, the basic Christianmessage of salvation through faith in Christ, in the specialsetting of the threefold message of Revelation 14:6-12, thecall to worship the Creator, for the hour of his judgment iscome. This message is epitomized in the phrase, the com-mandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

MEMBERSHIP AND EMPLOYEESChurches (June 30, 2011). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71,048Church Membership (June 30, 2011) . . . . . . . 17,214,683Baptisms and Professions of Faith . . . . . . . . . . . 1,050,785Ordained Ministers, Active . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,272Total Employees, Active . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220,760MISSION WORKCountries and Areas as Recognizedby the United Nations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232

Countries/Areas in Which SDA Work is Established. . . . 209Divisions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Unions (conferences, missions, unions of churches) . . . 119Local Conferences, Missions, and Fields . . . . . . . . . . . 585International Deployment of Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . 107Adventist Volunteer and Youth Service . . . . . . . . . . . . 639EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMSchools Operated by Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,806Colleges and Universities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111Worker Training Institutes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59Secondary Schools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,823Primary Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,813Total Enrollment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,668,754FOOD INDUSTRIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20HEALTH MINISTRYHospitals and Sanitariums. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173Clinics and Dispensaries (report was incomplete) . . . . 216

Nursing Homes and Retirement Centers . . . . . . . . . . . 132Orphanages and Childrens Homes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36Outpatient Visits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,705,827HUMANITARIAN WORKCountries/Areas Where ADRA is Involved . . . . . . . . . . 131Number of Projects Funded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,897Number of Direct Beneficiaries. . . . . . . . . . . . 40,740,106Value of Assistance Provided . . . . . . . . . . . $281,435,008MEDIA CENTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14PUBLISHING WORKPublishing Houses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63Languages and Dialects Used in Publications . . . . . . . 377Languages and Dialects Used in Publicationsand Oral Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 921

Literature Evangelists, Credentialed and Licensed . . . . . 6,994SABBATH SCHOOLSSabbath Schools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140,694Sabbath School Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19,368,905CONTRIBUTIONSTitheWorld . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,037,618,294North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $887,976,937

Sabbath School MissionsWorld . . . . . . . . . $61,362,489North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $22,081,348

Ingathering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $11,067,178Total Tithe and OfferingsWorld. . . . . . . $2,900,945,610

North America. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,391,982,709

4 SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEARBOOK, 2012

FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFSOF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS

(As amended at the 58th session held in St. Louis,Missouri, June 29 to July 9, 2005.)

Seventh-day Adventists accept the Bible as their onlycreed and hold certain fundamental beliefs to be the teach-ing of the Holy Scriptures. These beliefs, as set forth here,constitute the churchs understanding and expression of theteaching of Scripture. Revision of these statements may beexpected at a General Conference session when the churchis led by the Holy Spirit to a fuller understanding of Bibletruth or finds better language in which to express the teach-ings of Gods Holy Word.

1. The Holy ScripturesThe Holy Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are the

written Word of God, given by divine inspiration throughholy men of God who spoke and wrote as they weremoved by the Holy Spirit. In this Word, God has committedto man the knowledge necessary for salvation. The HolyScriptures are the infallible revelation of His will. They arethe standard of character, the test of experience, the author-itative revealer of doctrines, and the trustworthy record ofGods acts in history. (2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Ps.119:105; Prov. 30:5, 6; Isa. 8:20; John 17:17; 1 Thess. 2:13;Heb. 4:12.)

2. The TrinityThere is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of

three co-eternal Persons. God is immortal, all-powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever present. He is infinite andbeyond human comprehension, yet known through His self-revelation. He is forever worthy of worship, adoration, andservice by the 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.)

3. The FatherGod the eternal Father is the Creator, Source, Sustainer,

and Sovereign of all creation. He is just and holy, mercifuland gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfastlove and faithfulness. The qualities and powers exhibited inthe Son and the Holy Spirit are also revelations of theFather. (Gen. 1:1; Rev. 4:11; 1 Cor. 15:28; John 3:16; 1 John4:8; 1 Tim. 1:17; Ex. 34:6, 7; John 14:9.)

4. The SonGod the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ.

Through Him all things were created, the character of Godis revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, andthe world is judged. Forever truly God, He became alsotruly man, Jesus the Christ. He was conceived of the HolySpirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and experi-enced temptation as a human being, but perfectly exempli-fied the righteousness and love of God. By His miracles Hemanifested Gods power and was attested as Godspromised Messiah. He suffered and died voluntarily on thecross for our sins and in our place, was raised from thedead, and ascended to minister in the heavenly sanctuaryin our behalf. He will come again in glory for the finaldeliverance of His people and the restoration of all things.(John 1:1-3, 14; Col. 1:15-19; John 10:30; 14:9; Rom. 6:23;2 Cor. 5:17-19; John 5:22; Luke 1:35; Phil. 2:5-11; Heb.2:9-18; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4; Heb. 8:1, 2; John 14:13.)

5. The Holy SpiritGod the eternal Spirit was active with the Father and the

Son in Creation, incarnation, and redemption. He inspiredthe writers of Scripture. He filled Christs life with power.He draws and convicts human beings; and those whorespond He renews and transforms into the image of God.Sent by the Father and the Son to be always with His chil-dren, He extends spiritual gifts to the church, empowers itto bear witness to Christ, and in harmony with theScriptures leads it into all truth. (Gen. 1:1, 2; Luke 1:35;

4:18; Acts 10:38; 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Cor. 3:18; Eph. 4:11, 12;Acts 1:8; John 14:16-18, 26; 15:26, 27; 16:7-13.)

6. CreationGod is Creator of all things, and has revealed in

Scripture the authentic account of His creative activity. Insix days the Lord made the heaven and the earth and allliving things upon the earth, and rested on the seventh dayof that first week. Thus He established the Sabbath as a per-petual memorial of His completed creative work. The firstman and woman were made in the image of God as thecrowning work of Creation, given dominion over the world,and charged with responsibility to care for it. When theworld was finished it was very good, declaring the gloryof God. (Gen. 1; 2; Ex. 20:8-11; Ps. 19:1-6; 33:6, 9; 104;Heb. 11:3.)

7. The Nature of ManMan and woman were made in the image of God with

individuality, the power and freedom to think and to do.Though created free beings, each is an indivisible unity ofbody, mind, and spirit, dependent upon God for life andbreath and all else. When our first parents disobeyed God,they denied their dependence upon Him and fell from theirhigh position under God. The image of God in them wasmarred and they became subject to death. Their descen-dants share this fallen nature and its consequences. Theyare born with weaknesses and tendencies to evil. But Godin Christ reconciled the world to Himself and by His Spiritrestores in penitent mortals the image of their Maker.Created for the glory of God, they are called to love Himand one another, and to care for their environment. (Gen.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, 11,20; Gen. 2:15.)

8. The Great ControversyAll humanity is now involved in a great controversy

between Christ and Satan regarding the character of God,His law, and His sovereignty over the universe. This conflictoriginated in heaven when a created being, endowed withfreedom of choice, in self-exaltation became Satan, Godsadversary, and led into rebellion a portion of the angels. Heintroduced the spirit of rebellion into this world when heled Adam and Eve into sin. This human sin resulted in thedistortion of the image of God in humanity, the disorderingof the created world, and its eventual devastation at thetime of the worldwide flood. Observed by the whole cre-ation, this world became the arena of the universal conflict,out of which the God of love will ultimately be vindicated.To assist His people in this controversy, Christ sends theHoly Spirit and the loyal angels to guide, protect, and sus-tain 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; 8:1922; Gen. 6-8; 2 Peter 3:6; 1 Cor. 4:9; Heb. 1:14.)

9. The Life, Death, and Resurrection of ChristIn Christs life of perfect obedience to Gods will, His

suffering, death, and resurrection, God provided the onlymeans of atonement for human sin, so that those who byfaith accept this atonement may have eternal life, and thewhole creation may better understand the infinite and holylove of the Creator. This perfect atonement vindicates therighteousness of Gods law and the graciousness of Hischaracter; for it both condemns our sin and provides for ourforgiveness. The death of Christ is substitutionary and expia-tory, reconciling and transforming. The resurrection ofChrist proclaims Gods triumph over the forces of evil, andfor those who accept the atonement assures their final vic-tory over sin and death. It declares the Lordship of JesusChrist, before whom every knee in heaven and on earthwill bow. (John 3:16; Isa. 53; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; 1 Cor. 15:3,

5FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS

4, 20-22; 2 Cor. 5:14, 15, 19-21; Rom. 1:4; 3:25; 4:25; 8:3,4; 1 John 2:2; 4:10; Col. 2:15; Phil. 2:611.)

10. The Experience of SalvationIn infinite love and mercy God made Christ, who knew

no sin, to be sin for us, so that in Him we might be madethe righteousness of God. Led by the Holy Spirit we senseour need, acknowledge our sinfulness, repent of our trans-gressions, and exercise faith in Jesus as Lord and Christ, asSubstitute and Example. This faith which receives salvationcomes through the divine power of the Word and is the giftof Gods grace. Through Christ we are justified, adopted asGods sons and daughters, and delivered from the lordshipof sin. Through the Spirit we are born again and sanctified;the Spirit renews our minds, writes Gods law of love in ourhearts, and we are given the power to live a holy life.Abiding in Him we become partakers of the divine natureand have the assurance of salvation now and in the judg-ment. (2 Cor. 5:17-21; John 3:16; Gal. 1:4; 4:4-7; Titus 3:3-7; John 16:8; Gal. 3:13, 14; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; Rom. 10:17;Luke 17:5; Mark 9:23, 24; Eph. 2:5-10; Rom. 3:21-26; Col.1:13, 14; Rom. 8:14-17; Gal. 3:26; John 3:3-8; 1 Peter1:23; Rom. 12:2; Heb. 8:7-12; Eze. 36:25-27; 2 Peter 1:3,4; Rom. 8:1-4; 5:6-10.)

11. Growing in ChristBy His death on the cross Jesus triumphed over the

forces of evil. He who subjugated the demonic spirits dur-ing His earthly ministry has broken their power and madecertain their ultimate doom. Jesus victory gives us victoryover the evil forces that still seek to control us, as we walkwith Him in peace, joy, and assurance of His love. Now theHoly Spirit dwells within us and empowers us. Continuallycommitted to Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, we are set freefrom the burden of our past deeds. No longer do we live inthe darkness, fear of evil powers, ignorance, and meaning-lessness of our former way of life. In this new freedom inJesus, we are called to grow into the likeness of His charac-ter, communing with Him daily in prayer, feeding on HisWord, meditating on it and on His providence, singing Hispraises, gathering together for worship, and participating inthe mission of the Church. As we give ourselves in lovingservice to those around us and in witnessing to His salva-tion, His constant presence with us through the Spirit trans-forms every moment and every task into a spiritual experi-ence. (Ps 1:1, 2; 23:4; 77:11, 12; Col 1:13, 14; 2:6, 14, 15;Luke 10:17-20; Eph 5:19, 20; 6:12-18; 1 Thess 5:23; 2Peter 2:9; 3:18; 2 Cor. 3:17, 18; Phil 3:7-14; 1 Thess 5:16-18; Matt 20:25-28; John 20:21; Gal 5:22-25; Rom 8:38, 39;1 John 4:4; Heb 10:25.)

12. The ChurchThe church is the community of believers who confess

Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. In continuity with the peo-ple of God in Old Testament times, we are called out fromthe world; and we join together for worship, for fellowship,for instruction in the Word, for the celebration of the LordsSupper, for service to all mankind, and for the worldwideproclamation of the gospel. The church derives its authorityfrom Christ, who is the incarnate Word, and from theScriptures, which are the written Word. The church is Godsfamily; adopted by Him as children, its members live onthe basis of the new covenant. The church is the body ofChrist, a community of faith of which Christ Himself is theHead. The church is the bride for whom Christ died that Hemight sanctify and cleanse her. At His return in triumph, Hewill present her to Himself a glorious church, the faithful ofall the ages, the purchase of His blood, not having spot orwrinkle, but holy and without blemish. (Gen. 12:3; Acts7:38; Eph. 4:11-15; 3:8-11; Matt. 28:19, 20; 16:13-20;18:18; Eph. 2:19-22; 1:22, 23; 5:23-27; Col. 1:17, 18.)

13. The Remnant and Its MissionThe universal church is composed of all who truly

believe in Christ, but in the last days, a time of widespreadapostasy, a remnant has been called out to keep the com-mandments of God and the faith of Jesus. This remnantannounces the arrival of the judgment hour, proclaims sal-vation through Christ, and heralds the approach of His sec-ond advent. This proclamation is symbolized by the three

angels of Revelation 14; it coincides with the work of judg-ment in heaven and results in a work of repentance andreform on earth. Every believer is called to have a personalpart in this worldwide witness. (Rev. 12:17; 14:6-12; 18:1-4; 2 Cor. 5:10; Jude 3, 14; 1 Peter 1:16-19; 2 Peter 3:10-14;Rev. 21:1-14.)

14. Unity in the Body of ChristThe church is one body with many members, called

from every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. In Christwe are a new creation; distinctions of race, culture, learn-ing, and nationality, and differences between high and low,rich and poor, male and female, must not be divisiveamong us. We are all equal in Christ, who by one Spirit hasbonded us into one fellowship with Him and with oneanother; we are to serve and be served without partiality orreservation. Through the revelation of Jesus Christ in theScriptures we share the same faith and hope, and reach outin one witness to all. This unity has its source in the one-ness of the triune God, who has adopted us as His children.(Rom. 12:4, 5; 1 Cor. 12:12-14; Matt. 28:19, 20; Ps. 133:1;2 Cor. 5:16, 17; Acts 17:26, 27; Gal. 3:27, 29; Col. 3:1015; Eph. 4:14-16; 4:1-6; John 17:20-23.)

15. BaptismBy baptism we confess our faith in the death and resur-

rection of Jesus Christ, and testify of our death to sin and ofour purpose to walk in newness of life. Thus we acknowl-edge Christ as Lord and Saviour, become His people, andare received as members by His church. Baptism is a sym-bol of our union with Christ, the forgiveness of our sins,and our reception of the Holy Spirit. It is by immersion inwater and is contingent on an affirmation of faith in Jesusand evidence of repentance of sin. It follows instruction inthe Holy Scriptures and acceptance of their teachings.(Rom. 6:6; Col. 2:12, 13; Acts 16:30-33; 22:16; 2:38; Matt.28:19, 20.)

16. The Lords SupperThe Lords Supper is a participation in the emblems of

the body and blood of Jesus as an expression of faith inHim, our Lord and Saviour. In this experience of commu-nion Christ is present to meet and strengthen His people.As we partake, we joyfully proclaim the Lords death untilHe comes again. Preparation for the Supper includes selfexamination, repentance, and confession. The Masterordained the service of foot- washing to signify renewedcleansing, to express a willingness to serve one another inChristlike humility, and to unite our hearts in love. Thecommunion service is open to all believing Christians. (1 Cor. 10:16, 17; 11:23-30; Matt. 26:17-30; Rev. 3:20;John 6:48-63; 13:1-17.)

17. Spiritual Gifts and MinistriesGod bestows upon all members of His church in every

age spiritual gifts which each member is to employ in lov-ing ministry for the common good of the church and ofhumanity. Given by the agency of the Holy Spirit, whoapportions to each member as He wills, the gifts provide allabilities and ministries needed by the church to fulfill itsdivinely ordained functions. According to the Scriptures,these gifts include such ministries as faith, healing, prophe-cy, proclamation, teaching, administration, reconciliation,compassion, and self-sacrificing service and charity for thehelp and encouragement of people. Some members arecalled of God and endowed by the Spirit for functions rec-ognized by the church in pastoral, evangelistic, apostolic,and teaching ministries particularly needed to equip themembers for service, to build up the church to spiritualmaturity, and to foster unity of the faith and knowledge ofGod. When members employ these spiritual gifts as faithfulstewards of Gods varied grace, the church is protectedfrom the destructive influence of false doctrine, grows witha growth that is from God, and is built up in faith and love.(Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:9-11, 27, 28; Eph. 4:8, 11-16; Acts6:1-7; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; 1 Peter 4:10, 11.)

18. The Gift of ProphecyOne of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This gift is

an identifying mark of the remnant church and was mani-


fested in the ministry of Ellen G. White. As the Lords mes-senger, her writings are a continuing and authoritativesource of truth which provide for the church comfort, guid-ance, instruction, and correction. They also make clear thatthe Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experi-ence must be tested. (Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:14-21; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 12:17; 19:10.)

19. The Law of GodThe great principles of Gods law are embodied in the

Ten Commandments and exemplified in the life of Christ.They express Gods love, will, and purposes concerninghuman conduct and relationships and are binding upon allpeople in every age. These precepts are the basis of Godscovenant with His people and the standard in Gods judg-ment. Through the agency of the Holy Spirit they point outsin and awaken a sense of need for a Saviour. Salvation isall of grace and not of works, but its fruitage is obedienceto the Commandments. This obedience develops Christiancharacter and results in a sense of well-being. It is an evi-dence of our love for the Lord and our concern for our fel-low men. The obedience of faith demonstrates the power ofChrist to transform lives, and therefore strengthens Christianwitness. (Ex. 20:1-17; Ps. 40:7, 8; Matt. 22:36-40; Deut.28:1-14; Matt. 5:17-20; Heb. 8:8-10; John 15:7-10; Eph.2:8-10; 1 John 5:3; Rom. 8:3, 4; Ps. 19:7-14.)

20. The SabbathThe beneficent Creator, after the six days of Creation,

rested on the seventh day and instituted the Sabbath for allpeople as a memorial of Creation. The fourth commandmentof Gods unchangeable law requires the observance of thisseventh-day Sabbath as the day of rest, worship, and min-istry in harmony with the teaching and practice of Jesus, theLord of the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a day of delightful com-munion with God and one another. It is a symbol of ourredemption in Christ, a sign of our sanctification, a token ofour allegiance, and a foretaste of our eternal future in Godskingdom. The Sabbath is Gods perpetual sign of His eternalcovenant between Him and His people. Joyful observanceof this holy time from evening to evening, sunset to sunset,is a celebration of Gods creative and redemptive acts. (Gen.2:1-3; Ex. 20:1-11; Luke 4:16; Isa. 56:5, 6; 58:13, 14; Matt.12:1-12; Ex. 31:13-17; Eze. 20:12, 20; Deut. 5:12-15; Heb.4:1-11; Lev. 23:32; Mark 1:32.)

21. StewardshipWe are Gods stewards, entrusted by Him with time and

opportunities, abilities and possessions, and the blessings ofthe earth and its resources. We are responsible to Him fortheir proper use. We acknowledge Gods ownership byfaithful service to Him and our fellow men, and by return-ing tithes and giving offerings for the proclamation of Hisgospel and the support and growth of His church.Stewardship is a privilege given to us by God for nurture inlove and the victory over selfishness and covetousness. Thesteward rejoices in the blessings that come to others as aresult of his faithfulness. (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15; 1 Chron.29:14; Haggai 1:3-11; Mal. 3:8-12; 1 Cor. 9:9-14; Matt.23:23; 2 Cor. 8:1-15; Rom. 15:26, 27.)

22. Christian BehaviorWe are called to be a godly people who think, feel, and

act in harmony with the principles of heaven. For the Spiritto recreate in us the character of our Lord we involve our-selves only in those things which will produce Christlikepurity, health, and joy in our lives. This means that ouramusement and entertainment should meet the higheststandards of Christian taste and beauty. While recognizingcultural differences, our dress is to be simple, modest, andneat, befitting those whose true beauty does not consist ofoutward adornment but in the imperishable ornament of agentle and quiet spirit. It also means that because our bod-ies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, we are to care forthem intelligently. Along with adequate exercise and rest,we are to adopt the most healthful diet possible and abstainfrom the unclean foods identified in the Scriptures. Sincealcoholic beverages, tobacco, and the irresponsible use ofdrugs and narcotics are harmful to our bodies, we are toabstain from them as well. Instead, we are to engage in

whatever brings our thoughts and bodies into the disciplineof Christ, who desires our wholesomeness, joy, and good-ness. (Rom. 12:1, 2; 1 John 2:6; Eph. 5:1-21; Phil. 4:8; 2 Cor. 10:5; 6:14-7:1; 1 Peter 3:1-4; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20; 10:31;Lev. 11:1-47; 3 John 2.)

23. Marriage and the FamilyMarriage was divinely established in Eden and affirmed

by Jesus to be a lifelong union between a man and awoman in loving companionship. For the Christian a mar-riage commitment is to God as well as to the spouse, andshould be entered into only between partners who share acommon faith. Mutual love, honor, respect, and responsi-bility are the fabric of this relationship, which is to reflectthe love, sanctity, closeness, and permanence of the rela-tionship between Christ and His church. Regarding divorce,Jesus taught that the person who divorces a spouse, exceptfor fornication, and marries another, commits adultery.Although some family relationships may fall short of theideal, marriage partners who fully commit themselves toeach other in Christ may achieve loving unity through theguidance of the Spirit and the nurture of the church. Godblesses the family and intends that its members shall assisteach other toward complete maturity. Parents are to bringup their children to love and obey the Lord. By their exam-ple and their words they are to teach them that Christ is aloving disciplinarian, ever tender and caring, who wantsthem to become members of His body, the family of God.Increasing family closeness is one of the earmarks of thefinal gospel message. (Gen. 2:18-25; Matt. 19:3-9; John2:1-11; 2 Cor. 6:14; Eph. 5:21-33; Matt. 5:31, 32; Mark10:11, 12; Luke 16:18; 1 Cor. 7:10, 11; Ex. 20:12; Eph. 6:1-4; Deut. 6:5-9; Prov. 22:6; Mal. 4:5, 6.)

24. Christs Ministry in the Heavenly SanctuaryThere is a sanctuary in heaven, the true tabernacle

which the Lord set up and not man. In it Christ ministers onour behalf, making available to believers the benefits of Hisatoning sacrifice offered once for all on the cross. He wasinaugurated as our great High Priest and began His inter-cessory ministry at the time of His ascension. In 1844, atthe end of the prophetic period of 2300 days, He enteredthe second and last phase of His atoning ministry. It is awork of investigative judgment which is part of the ultimatedisposition of all sin, typified by the cleansing of theancient Hebrew sanctuary on the Day of Atonement. In thattypical service the sanctuary was cleansed with the bloodof animal sacrifices, but the heavenly things are purifiedwith the perfect sacrifice of the blood of Jesus. The inves-tigative judgment reveals to heavenly intelligences whoamong the dead are asleep in Christ and therefore, in Him,are deemed worthy to have part in the first resurrection. Italso makes manifest who among the living are abiding inChrist, keeping the commandments of God and the faith ofJesus, and in Him, therefore, are ready for translation intoHis everlasting kingdom. This judgment vindicates the jus-tice of God in saving those who believe in Jesus. It declaresthat those who have remained loyal to God shall receivethe kingdom. The completion of this ministry of Christ willmark the close of human probation before the SecondAdvent. (Heb. 8:1-5; 4:14-16; 9:11-28; 10:19-22; 1:3; 2:16,17; Dan. 7:9-27; 8:13, 14; 9:24-27; Num. 14:34; Eze. 4:6;Lev. 16; Rev. 14:6, 7; 20:12; 14:12; 22:12.)

25. The Second Coming of ChristThe second coming of Christ is the blessed hope of the

church, the grand climax of the gospel. The Saviours com-ing will be literal, personal, visible, and worldwide. WhenHe returns, the righteous dead will be resurrected, andtogether with the righteous living will be glorified and takento heaven, but the unrighteous will die. The almost completefulfillment of most lines of prophecy, together with the pre-sent condition of the world, indicates that Christs coming isimminent. The time of that event has not been revealed, andwe are therefore exhorted to be ready at all times. (Titus2:13; Heb. 9:28; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; Matt. 24:14; Rev.1:7; Matt. 24:43, 44; 1 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.)

7FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS

CONSTITUTIONof the

General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists*(As revised at the 59th Session held in Atlanta, United

States of America, June 24 to July 3, 2010.)

ARTICLE INAMEThis organization shall be known as the General

Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

ARTICLE IIPURPOSEThe purpose of the General Conference is to teach all

nations the everlasting gospel of our Lord and Savior JesusChrist and the commandments of God.

ARTICLE IIIDIVISIONS OF THEGENERAL CONFERENCE

The General Conference conducts much of its workthrough its divisions, which in turn are comprised of unions inspecific areas of the world. Each division of the GeneralConference is authorized to carry out responsibilities in theterritory assigned to it. It shall act in full harmony with theGeneral Conference Constitution and Bylaws, the General

Conference Working Policy, and actions of the ExecutiveCommittee.In order to carry the authority of the General Conference,

the actions of division committees shall, of necessity, be inharmony with and complementary to the decisions of theGeneral Conference in Session, and the actions of theGeneral Conference Executive Committee between Sessions.

ARTICLE IVMEMBERSHIPSec. 1. The membership of the General Conference shall

consist of:a. All unions that have been or shall be properly organized

and accepted by vote of the General Conference in Session. b. All of the following entities that are directly attached to

the General Conference or to a division:1) Local conferences2) Local mission and functional equivalents thereof pro-

vided they have two or more officers and an executive com-mittee, observe a schedule of regular constituency meetingsand have been properly organized.

(As amended by the Annual Council of the GeneralConference Executive Committee in Silver Spring,Maryland, United States of America, on October 13, 2009.)Our MissionThe mission of the Seventh-day Adventist

Church is to make disciples of all people, communicatingthe everlasting gospel in the context of the three angelsmessages of Revelation 14:6-12, leading them to acceptJesus as personal Savior and unite with His remnantChurch, discipling them to serve Him as Lord, and prepar-ing them for His soon return.Our MethodWe pursue this mission under the guid-

ance and through the empowerment of the Holy Spiritthrough:

1. PreachingAccepting Christs commission (Matt28:18-20), we proclaim to all the world in these last daysthe everlasting gospel of Gods love, most fully revealed inHis Sons life, ministry, atoning death, resurrection, andhigh priestly ministry. Recognizing the Bible to be Godsinfallible revelation of His will, we present its full message,including the second advent of Christ and the continuingauthority of His Ten Commandment law with its reminder

of the seventh-day Sabbath.2. TeachingAcknowledging that development of mind

and character is essential to Gods redemptive plan, wepromote the growth of a mature understanding of and rela-tionship to God, His Word, and the created universe.

3. HealingAffirming the biblical principles of thewell-being of the whole person, we make the preservationof health and the healing of the sick a priority and throughour ministry to the poor and oppressed, cooperate with theCreator in His compassionate work of restoration.

4. DisciplingAffirming the continued spiritual growthand development of all members, we nurture the newlyconverted, instruct them in righteous living, train them foreffective witness, and encourage their responsive obedi-ence to Gods will.Our VisionIn harmony with the great prophecies of

the Scriptures, we see as the climax of Gods plan therestoration of all His creation to full harmony with His per-fect will and righteousness.

26. Death and ResurrectionThe wages of sin is death. But God, who alone is

immortal, will grant eternal life to His redeemed. Until thatday death is an unconscious state for all people. WhenChrist, who is our life, appears, the resurrected righteousand the living righteous will be glorified and caught up tomeet their Lord. The second resurrection, the resurrectionof the unrighteous, will take place a thousand years later.(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;John 5:28, 29; Rev. 20:1-10.)

27. The Millennium and the End of SinThe millennium is the thousand-year reign of Christ with

His saints in heaven between the first and second resurrec-tions. During this time the wicked dead will be judged; theearth will be utterly desolate, without living human inhabi-tants, but occupied by Satan and his angels. At its close

Christ with His saints and the Holy City will descend fromheaven to earth. The unrighteous dead will then be resur-rected, and with Satan and his angels will surround thecity; but fire from God will consume them and cleanse theearth. The universe will thus be freed of sin and sinners for-ever. (Rev. 20; 1 Cor. 6:2, 3; Jer. 4:23-26; Rev. 21:1-5; Mal.4:1; Eze. 28:18, 19.)

28. The New EarthOn the new earth, in which righteousness dwells, God

will provide an eternal home for the redeemed and a per-fect environment for everlasting life, love, joy, and learningin His presence. For here God Himself will dwell with Hispeople, and suffering and death will have passed away. Thegreat controversy will be ended, and sin will be no more.All things, animate and inanimate, will declare that God islove; and He shall reign forever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:13; Isa.35; 65:1-25; Matt. 5:5; Rev. 21:1-7; 22:1-5; 11:15.)


MISSION STATEMENTof the Seventh-day Adventist Church

ARTICLE VGENERAL CONFERENCE SESSIONSSec. 1. The General Conference shall hold quinquennial

Sessions at such time and place as the General ConferenceExecutive Committee shall designate and announce by anotice published in the Adventist Review and AdventistWorld in three consecutive issues at least four months beforethe date for the opening of the Session. In case special worldconditions make it imperative to postpone the calling of theSession, the General Conference Executive Committee, inregular or special council, shall have authority to make suchpostponement, not to exceed two years, giving notice to allconstituent organizations.Sec. 2. The General Conference Executive Committee

may call special sessions of the General Conference atsuch time and place as it considers proper, by means of anotice as provided for in Sec. 1., and the transactions ofsuch special sessions shall have the same force as those ofthe regular sessions.Sec. 3. At least one-third of the total delegates authorized

hereinafter under Sec. 5. of Article V, must be present at theopening meeting of any regular or specially called GeneralConference Session to constitute a quorum for the transactionof business. Once the Session is declared open, the delegatesremaining present shall constitute a quorum.Sec. 4. The election of officers and the voting on all mat-

ters of business shall be by viva-voce vote, or as designatedby the Chair, unless otherwise requested by a majority of thedelegates present.Sec. 5. The delegates to a General Conference Session

shall be designated as follows:a. Regular delegates.b. Delegates at large.c. In case of financial exigency or other major crisis within

the Church or in the international arena, the GeneralConference Executive Committee may take an action toreduce the maximum number of delegates to a particularGeneral Conference Session. Such reduction shall then beapplied to both regular delegates and delegates at large.Sec. 6. Regular delegates shall represent the General

Conferences member units as defined in Article IV, as fol-lows:a. Delegates representing union conferences and union of

churches conferences having division affiliation shall beappointed by the respective union executive committee. b. Delegates representing union missions and union of

churches missions having division affiliation shall be appoint-ed by the respective division executive committees in consul-tation with the organizations concerned.c. Delegates representing conferences and missions having

union conference affiliation shall be appointed by the respec-tive union conference executive committees in consultationwith the organizations concerned.d. Delegates representing conferences and missions having

union mission affiliation shall be appointed by the respectivedivision executive committees in consultation with the orga-nizations concerned.e. Delegates representing conferences and missions direct-

ly attached to divisions shall be appointed by the respectivedivision executive committees in consultation with the orga-nizations concerned.f. Delegates representing division institutions, the number

of whom shall correspond to the number of division institu-tions within each division, shall be appointed by the respec-tive division executive committees in consultation with theorganizations concerned.g. Delegates representing union conferences and union of

churches conferences directly attached to the GeneralConference shall be appointed by the executive committee ofthe respective attached entity.h. Delegates representing union missions, union of church-

es missions, and local conferences and missions directlyattached to the General Conference shall be appointed by theGeneral Conference Executive Committee in consultationwith the organizations concerned.Sec. 7. Regular delegates shall be allotted on the follow-

ing basis:a. Each union conference shall be entitled to two delegates

other than its president (who is a delegate at large) withoutregard to membership size.b. Each union mission shall be entitled to one delegate

other than its president (who is a delegate at large) without

regard to membership size.c. Each union of churches conference shall be entitled to

one delegate other than its president (who is a delegate atlarge) without regard to membership size.d. Each union of churches mission is represented by its

president (who is a delegate at large).e. Each local conference shall be entitled to two delegates

without regard to membership size.f. Each local mission* shall be entitled to one delegate

without regard to membership size.g. Each division shall be entitled to additional delegates

based upon its membership as a proportion of the worldChurch membership. The total number of delegates from alldivisions under this provision shall not exceed 400. Theresulting quota of division delegates under this provision shallbe distributed first to the unions that are affiliated with thatdivision, based on each unions proportion of the divisionmembership. Any unallocated delegate entitlements underthis process shall be allocated at the discretion of the divisionexecutive committee.h. Unused quotas of regular delegates allocated to unions

and unions of churches may be reallocated by the divisions.Sec. 8. Delegates at large shall represent the GeneralConference, its institutions, divisions of the GeneralConference, and division institutions and shall be appointedon the following basis:a. All members of the General Conference Executive

Committee.b. Associate directors/secretaries of General Conference

departments and associations.c. Twenty delegates from General Conference appointed

staff. Such delegates shall be selected by the GeneralConference Executive Committee upon recommendationfrom the General Conference Administrative Committee.d. Twenty delegates for each division.e. Each division shall be entitled to additional delegates

corresponding to the number of division institutions within itsterritory.f. Those representatives of the General Conference and

division institutions and other entities, and those employees,field secretaries, laypersons, and pastors who are selected bythe Executive Committees of the General Conference and itsdivisions. The number of these delegates shall be 300.Sec. 9. Division administrations shall consult with unions

to ensure that the entire division delegation shall be com-prised of Seventh-day Adventists in regular standing, at least50 percent of whom shall be laypersons, pastors, teachers,and nonadministrative employees, of both genders, and rep-resenting a range of age groups and nationalities. The majorityof the above 50 percent shall be laypersons. Delegate selec-tions from General Conference and division institutions, andthose selected under Sec. 8.d. above, shall not be required tosatisfy the quota for laity.Sec. 10. Credentials to sessions shall be issued by the

General Conference to those appointed in harmony with theprovisions of this article.Sec. 11. Calculations for all delegate allotments, as pro-

vided for in this article, shall be based upon:a. The membership as of December 31 of the second year

preceding the General Conference Session.b. The number of denominational entities eligible for inclu-

sion in determining quotas and which are in existence as ofDecember 31 of the second year preceding the GeneralConference Session.__________*It should be noted in this chapter that other terminology isused in some geographical areas for organizations units suchas fields, sections, regions, or delegations.

ARTICLE VIELECTIONSec. 1. The following shall be elected at each regular ses-

sion of the General Conference:a. A president, vice presidents, a secretary, an undersecre-

tary, associate secretaries, division secretaries, a treasurer, anundertreasurer, associate treasurers, division treasurers, gener-al field secretaries, a director and associate directors of theGeneral Conference Auditing Service, and a director/secretaryand associate director/secretary (directors/secretaries) of eachduly organized General Conference department and associa-tion as specified in Article X, Sec. 1. of the General

9CONSTITUTION

Conference Bylaws.b. A General Conference Auditing Service Board as pro-

vided for in the General Conference Bylaws, Article VIII,Sec. 2. a.Sec. 2. The following shall be approved by vote of the

Executive Committee at a subsequent meeting, following rec-ommendations from the divisions:Other persons to serve as members of the General

Conference Executive Committee as provided for in ArticleVIII, Sec. 1. b.

ARTICLE VIIAPPOINTMENTThe following shall be appointed at the first Annual

Council of the Executive Committee following a regular ses-sion: a director of Archives and Statistics, a director and asso-ciate directors of the Biblical Research Institute, a director andresearch scientists of the Geoscience Research Institute, edi-tors and associate editors for the principal denominationaljournals prepared at the General Conference, and any othernon-departmental positions which have been established andfilled by General Conference Executive Committee appoint-ment. This Annual Council shall also appoint the membershipof standing committees and various operating boards whichhave been established and filled by General ConferenceExecutive Committee appointment.

ARTICLE VIIIGENERAL CONFERENCEEXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Sec. 1. The Executive Committee of the GeneralConference shall consist of:a. Ex Officio Members1) Those elected as provided for in

Article VI, Sec. 1. except the director and associate directorsof the General Conference Auditing Service and the associatedirectors/ secretaries of General Conference departments andassociations.2) Presidents of unions, past presidents of the General

Conference holding credentials from the General Conference,the president-executive director of Adventist Developmentand Relief Agency International, the president of AdventistInternational Institute of Advanced Studies, the editor ofAdventist Review and Adventist World, the editor of AdultSabbath School Bible Study Guide, the president of AdventistRisk Management Incorporated, the president of AdventistUniversity of Africa, the president-executive director ofAdventist World Radio, the president of Andrews University,the director of Archives and Statistics, the director of BiblicalResearch Institute, the president of Christian Record ServicesIncorporated, the president and the board chair of Ellen GWhite Estate, the president of Hope Channel, the director ofGeoscience Research Institute, the president of GriggsUniversity and International Academy, the president of LomaLinda University Adventist Health Sciences Center, the editorof Ministry, the president of Oakwood University, the presi-dent of Pacific Press Publishing Association, and the presidentof Review and Herald Publishing Association.b. Elected Members1) Three laypersons and one church

pastor from each division without regard to membership sizeup to 500,000 members. One additional church pastor orother frontline denominational employee for each additional500,000 members or major portion thereof. The above layper-sons, pastors, and other denominational employees shall beselected by each division executive committee from individu-als recommended by the union executive committees andshall be Seventh-day Adventists in regular standing.2) No fewer than fifteen and no more than twenty addition-

al members selected by the General Conference ExecutiveCommittee from denominational retirees and current employ-ees, including pastors, teachers, and other frontline employ-ees.3) No fewer than fifteen and no more than twenty mem-

bers selected by the General Conference ExecutiveCommittee from laity including young adults.

ARTICLE IXOFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIESSec. 1. The officers of the General Conference shall be a

president, vice presidents, a secretary, an undersecretary,associate secretaries, a treasurer, an undertreasurer, and asso-ciate treasurers. It is the duty of these officers, in consultationwith one another, to carry forward the work according toplans and programs voted by the General Conference in ses-sion and according to plans and policies agreed upon by the

General Conference Executive Committee.Sec. 2. Executive Officers: The president, secretary, and

treasurer are the executive officers, and shall carry forwardthe work in consultation with one another. Sec. 3. President: The president is the first officer of the

General Conference and shall report to the GeneralConference Executive Committee in consultation with thesecretary and the treasurer. He or his designee shall preside atthe sessions of the General Conference, act as chair of theGeneral Conference Executive Committee, serve in the gener-al interests of the General Conference as the GeneralConference Executive Committee shall determine, and per-form such other duties as usually pertain to such office. TheGeneral Conference president shall be an ordained ministerof experience.Sec. 4. Vice Presidents: Each vice president shall assist the

president in the general administrative work of the GeneralConference or preside over a division territory.Sec. 5. Secretary, undersecretary, and associate secre-

taries: The secretary, in the performance of the executiveresponsibilities, shall report to the General ConferenceExecutive Committee after consultation with the president.The secretary shall be responsible for keeping the minutes ofthe proceedings of the General Conference Sessions andmeetings of the General Conference Executive Committee, formaintaining correspondence with church organizations, andfor the performance of such other duties as usually pertain tosuch office. The undersecretary and associate secretaries shallassist the secretary in this work.Sec. 6. Treasurer, undertreasurer, and associate treasurers:

The treasurer, in the performance of the executive responsibil-ities, shall report to the General Conference ExecutiveCommittee after consultation with the president. The treasurershall be responsible for providing financial leadership to theGeneral Conference which will include, but not be limited to,receiving, safeguarding, and disbursing all funds in harmonywith the actions of the General Conference ExecutiveCommittee, for providing financial information to the presi-dent and to the General Conference Executive Committee,and for the performance of such other duties as usually per-tain to such office. The undertreasurer and associate treasurersshall assist the treasurer in this work.

ARTICLE XTERM OF OFFICESec. 1. All officers of the General Conference and those

whose election is provided for in Article VI, Sec 1. shall holdoffice from the time they are elected and, except for resigna-tion or other termination, shall serve until their reelection, oruntil their replacement is elected. A person who is notreelected during a session does not thereby lose delegate sta-tus at the session. Unless other arrangements are made inconsultation with administration, such individuals will beexpected to fulfill during the session itself any session-relatedresponsibilities which have been assigned to them. In situa-tions where official responsibilities cannot be immediatelytransferred to a newly elected individual, the officer whoseterm has expired may be requested by the newly elected offi-cer, and approved by the General Conference AdministrativeCommittee, to carry limited responsibilities, for a definedperiod of time until transition arrangements have been com-pleted. Their term of office, unless government requirementsdictate otherwise, is not subject to division retirement poli-cies, which may determine specific ages for mandatoryretirements.Sec. 2. Members of the General Conference Executive

Committee provided for in Article VIII, Sec. 1. a. 2) shall servefor the period of time they hold the office that entitled them tomembership on the General Conference ExecutiveCommittee.Sec. 3. Members of the General Conference Executive

Committee provided for in Article VIII, Sec. 1. b. shall serve,except for resignation or other termination, from the time oftheir selection until their replacements are selected by a divi-sion executive committee.Sec. 4. Those persons who, by virtue of holding elected

position, have been members of the General ConferenceExecutive Committee at the beginning of the current sessionbut who have not been reelected shall be entitled to voiceand vote at any General Conference Executive Committeeconvened during the session.Sec. 5. All those who are appointed to serve the General


ARTICLE ITERRITORIAL ADMINISTRATIONSec. 1. The General Conference of Seventh-day

Adventists, hereinafter referred to as the General Conference,normally shall conduct its worldwide work through its divi-sions, each division to operate within a specified territory inharmony with General Conference policies.Sec. 2. The duly organized divisions are: East-Central

Africa Division, Euro-Africa Division, Euro-Asia Division,Inter-American Division, North American Division, NorthernAsia-Pacific Division, South American Division, South PacificDivision, Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division, SouthernAsia Division, Southern Asia-Pacific Division, Trans-EuropeanDivision, and West-Central Africa Division. The boundaries ofthese divisions shall be subject to adjustment at AnnualCouncils of the General Conference Executive Committee.Sec. 3. If a territorial adjustment is made at an Annual

Council, it shall be made only provided each division andother territory affected is represented at the council by atleast one of its officers, or in the case of an unorganizedterritory, by a senior church leader from that territory. Anexception to the requirement of such representation shallbe made in a condition of emergency. In such a case, theGeneral Conference Executive Committee shall make what-ever adjustments are necessary for the conduct of the workin the territories affected.Sec. 4. Administrations of all organizations and institu-

tions within a divisions territory shall be responsible to theirrespective executive committees/boards and operate in har-mony with division and General Conference ExecutiveCommittee actions and policies. General Conference institu-tions and fields without divisional affiliation shall operate inharmony with the General Conference Executive Committeeand its policies.

ARTICLE IISESSION COMMITTEESSec. 1. At each regular Session of the General Conference,

such committees as may be found necessary, including thefollowing, shall be elected for the duration of the Session toconsider items of business that may be referred to them and tobring their reports and recommendations to the Session:a. Session Church Manual Committeeb. Session Constitution and Bylaws Committeec. Session Nominating Committeed. Session Steering CommitteeSec. 2. Church Manual Committee: The chair of the

Church Manual Committee shall be an officer of the General

Conference.Sec. 3. Constitution and Bylaws Committee: The chair of

the Constitution and Bylaws Committee shall be an officer ofthe General Conference.Sec. 4. Nominating Committee: a. The membership of the

Nominating Committee shall consist of the following:1) Each division and each attached union shall be entitled

to select for membership on the Nominating Committee tenpercent of its delegation to the session, after excluding anydelegates at large employed by the General Conference or itsinstitutions.2) Delegates at large who are excluded under 1) above

shall be entitled to representation on the NominatingCommittee equal to eight percent of their total number.b. The members of the Nominating Committee shall be

chosen as follows: 1) Each division delegation and each delegation from a

union attached to the General Conference shall act as a unitin selecting members to which it is entitled. Excluded fromthis process shall be any delegates at large currentlyemployed by the General Conference or its institutions.2) The delegates at large currently employed by the

General Conference or its institutions shall act as a unit inselecting members to which they are entitled.3) The election of the above representatives on the

Nominating Committee shall be by the method of voting con-sidered by each delegation to be most convenient and effi-cient, taking into consideration the size of the delegation andother circumstances.c. Each group (named in Sec. 4. b. 1) and 2) above) shall

select its representatives on the Nominating Committee torepresent, as far as possible, the various geographical areas,organizational segments, and types of activity of the territory.d. Those chosen as members of the Nominating Committee

must be duly accredited delegates in attendance at theGeneral Conference Session.e. Delegates holding elected positions under the provisions

of Article VI, Sec. 1. of the Constitution shall not be membersof the Nominating Committee.f. No delegate shall nominate more than one person for

election to the Nominating Committee.g. The Nominating Committee shall elect its own chair and

secretary under the temporary chair of the president of theGeneral Conference whose term is expiring.h. The Nominating Committee shall limit its nominations to

those positions for which budgetary provision has been made.

Conference as provided for in Article VII, or who are appoint-ed by the General Conference Executive Committee duringthe quinquennium, shall serve from the time they take uptheir duties and, except for resignation or other termination,shall continue until their reelection/reappointment or theelection/appointment of their replacement at the first AnnualCouncil following the next regular session or until the posi-tion is terminated by action of the General ConferenceExecutive Committee.Sec. 6. Service as outlined in Sec. 1. to Sec. 5. above may

be terminated as provided for in General Conference Bylaws,Article XIII, Sec. 1.

ARTICLE XICORPORATIONSSec. 1. The establishment of corporations to serve the

General Conference shall be authorized by the GeneralConference Executive Committee.Sec. 2. The General Conference Corporation of Seventh-

day Adventists is a legal entity formed to serve the GeneralConference in carrying out its purposes.Sec. 3. At each regular General Conference Session, the

delegates shall elect the directors of the General ConferenceCorporation.

ARTICLE XIIBYLAWSAt any regular or special session of the General

Conference, the delegates may enact, amend, or repealBylaws by a two-thirds majority vote of the delegates presentand voting. Such actions may embrace any provision notinconsistent with the Constitution.

ARTICLE XIIIDISSOLUTIONIn the event of the dissolution of the General Conference,

any funds or assets remaining after all claims have been satis-fied shall be transferred to a Seventh-day Adventist tax-exemptreligious entity recommended by the General ConferenceExecutive Committee. The dissolution process shall be in har-mony with the requirements of all applicable federal and statelaws.

ARTICLE XIVAMENDMENTSThis Constitution or its Bylaws may be amended by a two-

thirds majority vote of the delegates present and voting at anysession provided that, if it is proposed to amend theConstitution at a special session of the General Conference,notice of such purpose shall be given in the call for that spe-cial session.

11BYLAWS

BYLAWSof the

General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

i. In order to expedite the work of the NominatingCommittee, the representatives from each division shall beallowed a reasonable amount of time to meet and considerthe personnel needs of their respective divisions and to makerecommendations to the full Nominating Committee.Decisions of these groups shall not be binding on theNominating Committee as a whole, but shall be submitted asrecommendations which will be considered. Sec. 5. Steering Committee: The Steering Committee shall

be chaired by the General Conference President or hisdesignee. Membership of the Steering Committee shall berecommended to the Session by the General ConferenceExecutive Committee. The Steering Committee shall meet asnecessary to:a. Manage and monitor progress of the Session and its pro-

grams,b. Determine and amend, if necessary, the sequencing of

the Sessions business agenda,c. Serve as the referral point for any new business item not

related to the approved Session agenda or any business itemthat the Session wishes to refer for further study, other thanitems that rightfully pertain to standing Session committees,d. Report to the Session, as needed, regarding the process-

ing of proposals that have been referred for its consideration.

ARTICLE IIIGENERAL CONFERENCE VICEPRESIDENTS AND DIVISION VICE PRESIDENTS

Sec. 1. General vice presidents of the General Conferenceshall be elected to assist the president with the general admin-istrative work of the General Conference. In addition a vicepresident shall be elected to serve as president of each divi-sion of the General Conference.Sec. 2. A general vice president of the General

Conference shall, in the absence of or at the discretion of thepresident, chair meetings of the General ConferenceExecutive Committee.Sec. 3. The role of the general vice presidents of the

General Conference, in relationship to the divisions, is as fol-lows:a. To serve as liaisons between the General Conference

president and the divisions.b. To serve as administrative resource counselors.c. To strengthen the bond of the world Church.Sec. 4. The vice presidents of the General Conference

elected for the divisions shall serve as chairs of the divisionexecutive committees operating in their respective territories;shall have oversight of the work in those territories under thedirection of the division executive committees; and shall bedesignated within their respective division territories as presi-dents of the divisions over which they preside.Sec. 5. Vice presidents of the divisions may be appointed

by the division executive committees, as necessary, to assistthe division presidents in their administrative responsibilities.

ARTICLE IVGENERAL CONFERENCE UNDERSECRETARY AND ASSOCIATE SECRETARIESSec. 1. An undersecretary and associate secretaries shall

be elected to share with the secretary the responsibilities ofthe office. They shall perform such duties connected with theGeneral Conference Secretariat as may be assigned to themby the secretary or by the General Conference ExecutiveCommittee.Sec. 2. The secretary of the North American Division, by

virtue of election to that responsibility, shall also be an associ-ate secretary of the General Conference.Sec. 3. The role of the General Conference undersecretary

and associate secretaries, in relationship to the divisions,includes the following:a. To serve as liaisons with division secretaries as assigned

by the General Conference secretary.b. To facilitate the processing of calls for interdivision

employees.c. To recruit interdivision employees to fill the needs of the

divisions.d. To assist the divisions with personnel and policy matters

ARTICLE VGENERAL CONFERENCE UNDERTREASURER AND ASSOCIATE TREASURERSSec. 1. An undertreasurer and associate treasurers shall be

elected to share with the treasurer the work of the office. Theyshall perform such duties connected with the General

Conference Treasury as may be assigned to them by the trea-surer or by the General Conference Executive Committee.They may be authorized by the General ConferenceAdministrative Committee to sign checks under the instructionof the treasurer.Sec. 2. The treasurer of the North American Division, by

virtue of election to that responsibility, shall also be an associ-ate treasurer of the General Conference. Sec. 3. The role of the General Conference undertreasurer

and associate treasurers, in relationship with the divisions,includes the following:a. To provide financial counsel, information, and analysis.b. To assist in conducting financial surveys as requested.c. To respond to special requests submitted by the division

treasurers.d. To invest the assets of the divisions as requested by the

divisions.e. To assist in international banking arrangements.

ARTICLE VIDIVISION SECRETARIESSec. 1. A secretary shall be elected for each division to be

designated division secretary.Sec. 2. Each division secretary shall work according to

plans and programs voted by the General Conference in ses-sion and according to plans and policies agreed upon by thedivision executive committee. The secretary shall serve asvice-chair of the executive committee, and shall report to theexecutive committee after consultation with the president. Itshall be the duty of the secretary to keep the minutes of thedivision executive committee meetings, to collect informationand make such reports as may be required, and to do suchother work as usually pertains to this office.Sec. 3. Division executive committees may appoint asso-

ciate and assistant secretaries as may be required to carry onthe work.

ARTICLE VIIDIVISION TREASURERSSec. 1. A treasurer shall be elected for each division to be

designated division treasurer.Sec. 2. Each division treasurer shall work according to

plans and programs voted by the General Conference in ses-sion and according to plans and policies agreed upon by thedivision executive committee and shall report to the executivecommittee after consultation with the president. The treasurershall be responsible for providing financial leadership to thedivision which will include, but shall not be limited to, receiv-ing, safeguarding, and disbursing all funds in harmony withthe actions of the division executive committee, for remittingall required funds to the General Conference in harmony withGeneral Conference policy, and for providing financial infor-mation to the president and to the executive committee. Thetreasurer shall also be responsible for furnishing copies of thefinancial statements to the General Conference officers.Sec. 3. Division executive committees may appoint an

undertreasurer, associate treasurers, and assistant treasurers asmay be required to carry on the work.

ARTICLE VIIIAUDITING SERVICE AND AUDITSSec. 1. At each regular General Conference Session, the

General Conference shall elect a director of the GeneralConference Auditing Service, whose duties shall be to:a. Administer the conduct of audits that the General

Conference Auditing Service performs for organizations of theChurch throughout the world.b. Monitor the overall audit program throughout the

denomination.c. Recommend to the General Conference Administrative

Committee or division executive committee standards and/orguidelines for use by divisions in the endorsement of externalauditors that may be engaged within the division territory, andd. Report to the General Conference Executive Committee,

through the General Conference Auditing Service Board, onthe overall audit program in the Church and the trends/issuesthat appear in the global picture of financial and policyadministration.Associate directors shall also be elected at each regular

General Conference Session. The director and associate direc-tors shall be recommended by the General ConferenceAuditing Service Board to the Session Nominating Committeeafter consultation with the administrations of the respectivedivisions.


References to service directors and associate service direc-tors elsewhere in these Bylaws shall not apply to the directorand associate directors of the General Conference AuditingService, except as provided for in Article XIII, Sec. 1.c.Sec. 2. a. At each regular General Conference Session, the

General Conference shall elect a General ConferenceAuditing Service Board which shall be constituted as follows:General Conference president, a General Conference vicepresident as subsequently assigned by the president, GeneralConference secretary, General Conference treasurer, directorof the General Conference Auditing Service, and one memberfrom each division who is not employed denominationally,chosen from among qualified Seventh-day Adventist auditorsand/or other knowledgeable professionals in related fields.The chair of the Board shall be a layperson selected by theBoard from among its members. The vice chair shall be thevice president of the General Conference who serves as amember of the Board. The secretary of the Board shall be thedirector of the General Conference Auditing Service.b. A quorum of the General Conference Auditing Service

Board shall be 50 percent plus one, the majority of whomshall be nondenominationally employed members.Sec. 3. The General Conference Auditing Service, ever

sensitive to the country-specific regulations governing theaudits of denominational entities in a particular country,serves as the denominations preferred provider of auditingservices for world divisions; unions; conferences; missions;affiliated services, organizations, and institutions of theGeneral Conference and every other administrative level;Adventist Development and Relief Agency country andregional administrations and projects (not audited by externalauditors); and special funds. Exceptions to the above globalrequirements shall be by specific action of the GeneralConference Executive Committee.

ARTICLE IXGENERAL AND DIVISIONFIELD SECRETARIES

Sec. 1. The term general field secretary shall be used todesignate general field leaders elected to assist the officers incarrying the field responsibilities of the General Conference.Sec. 2. The general field secretaries shall work under the

direction of the General Conference Executive Committeeand the president, and be assigned either to field service or tospecial projects or responsibilities that are approved by theGeneral Conference Executive Committee.Sec. 3. The term division field secretary shall be used to

designate field leaders appointed by divisions. They may beappointed as necessary to serve in the divisions under thedirection of the president and their respective division execu-tive committees.

ARTICLE XDEPARTMENTS AND ASSOCIATIONSDIRECTORS/SECRETARIES, ASSOCIATES, AND ASSISTANTSSec. 1. Departmental and association directors/secretaries

and associate directors/secretaries shall be elected by theGeneral Conference Session and assistants shall be appointedas determined by the General Conference ExecutiveCommittee to serve the world Church through the MinisterialAssociation and the following departments: AdventistChaplaincy Ministries, Childrens Ministries, Communication,Education, Family Ministries, Health Ministries, Public Affairsand Religious Liberty, Publishing Ministries, Sabbath Schooland Personal Ministries, Stewardship Ministries, PlannedGiving and Trust Services, Womens Ministries, and YouthMinistries.Should changes to the departmental structure of the

General Conference be deemed necessary, such changes maybe approved and implemented by action of the GeneralConference Executive Committee in Annual Council and con-tinued, subject to ratification at the next General ConferenceSession. When additions or changes to department or associa-tion structures are implemented at times other than in con-nection with a General Conference Session, the GeneralConference Executive Committee at an Annual Council shallalso address the staffing needs involved until the next GeneralConference Session.Sec. 2. The departmental, association, agency, and service

directors/secretaries shall work under the direction of thepresident and the General Conference Executive Committee.Departmental, association, agency, and service personnelshall function in an advisory capacity to the field.

Sec. 3. The term associate director/secretary shall beused to designate those persons who may be elected to asso-ciate with the director/secretary of any General Conferencedepartment, association, agency, or service in carrying theresponsibilities of the office. Such persons, who shall workunder the direction of their respective departmental, associa-tion, agency, or service directors/secretaries, shall have therequisite experience, background, and expertise to facilitatetheir work in carrying out the functions assigned to them notonly at the General Conference headquarters but alsothroughout the world field. Certain specialized activities maybe largely accomplished without extensive field activity.Sec. 4. The term assistant director/secretary shall be

used to designate those persons who are appointed as deter-mined by the General Conference Executive Committee toassist the director/secretary and associates in any department,association, agency, or service in carrying out the work of theGeneral Conference, usually in one or more special proce-dures or functions. Such persons, who shall work under thedirection of their respective departmental, association,agency, or service directors/ secretaries, shall fulfill these spe-cial assignments largely in the office and serve to expedite thework of the departmental, association, agency, or service staff.Field appointments for assistants shall be of a very limitednature.Sec. 5. Departmental and association directors/secretaries,

associates, and assistants shall assist the executive officers ofthe General Conference in their leadership and nurture of theChurch, by promoting the plans and programs of the Churchas approved by the Executive Committee, and by facilitatingthe involvement of the membership in the mission of theChurch. This will be accomplished through the production ofresources and through promotion, consultation, coordination,and leadership development. Departmental plans and pro-grams shall be developed and coordinated by the depart-ments under the direction of an administrative officer, beprocessed through administration, and receive ExecutiveCommittee approval, whenever deemed advisable, beforeimplementation and promotion in the field.

ARTICLE XIDIVISION DEPARTMENTSDIRECTORS/SECRETARIES,

ASSOCIATES, AND ASSISTANTSDivisions shall appoint departmental, association, agency,

and service directors/secretaries who shall serve under thedirection of their respective division presidents and executivecommittees. They shall also appoint associate and assistantdirectors/secretaries as may be needed to serve in specialcapacities under the direction of their respective directors/secretaries.These appointments shall normally be made at the time of

the regular General Conference Session, but in no event laterthan December 31 in the year of the regular GeneralConference Session.

ARTICLE XIIDIRECTOR OF ARCHIVESAND STATISTICS

At the first Annual Council of the General ConferenceExecutive Committee following a regular session, the GeneralConference shall appoint a director of Archives and Statisticswhose duties shall be to administer the General ConferenceArchives and to compile and report the statistics of the worldwork, and who shall serve under the direction of the GeneralConference secretary and the General Conference ExecutiveCommittee.

ARTICLE XIIIGENERAL CONFERENCEEXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Sec. 1. a. During the intervals between Sessions of theGeneral Conference, the General Conference ExecutiveCommittee is delegated the authority to act on behalf of theGeneral Conference in Session. The membership of theGeneral Conference Executive Committee includes represen-tatives of all the divisions of the world field and the presidentsof all unions and therefore speaks for the world Church.Major items affecting the world Church are considered at theAnnual Council meetings of the General ConferenceExecutive Committee, when all the members of theCommittee are invited to be present. The authority, therefore,of the General Conference Executive Committee is the author-ity of the world Church.

13BYLAWS

b. The General Conference Executive Committee shall alsohave power to grant or withdraw credentials or licenses, toappoint committees, such as an administrative committee,with their terms of reference, to review, change, and createworking policies, to approve strategic plans and programs forthe world Church, to employ personnel that may be neces-sary to execute its work effectively, and to take all necessaryactions not otherwise reserved for the General Conference inSession to assure the continuous effective operation of theworld Church to fulfill its mission.c. The General Conference Executive Committee shall

have power to elect or remove, for cause, officers, directors,and associate directors of departments/ associations/servicesand committee members, and to fill for the current term anyvacancies that may occur in its offices, boards, committees, oragents due to death, resignation, or other reasons. The phrasefor cause, when used in connection with removal from anelected or appointed position, shall include but not be limitedto 1) incompetence; 2) persistent failure to cooperate withduly constituted authority in substantive matters and with rel-evant employment and denominational policies; 3) actionswhich may be the subject of discipline under the ChurchManual; or 4) failure to maintain regular standing as a mem-ber of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.d. The General Conference Executive Committee shall

have power to effect the retirement, before the expiration ofthe term for which they have been elected, of persons electedunder Article VI, Sec. 1. of the Constitution who may developa health condition that prevents them from properly discharg-ing their duties.e. The removal from office by the General Conference

Executive Committee of any person elected under Article VI,Sec. 1. of the Constitution or its withdrawal of credentials orlicenses shall be by a two-thirds vote of the members presentand voting at any regular meeting.f. The Executive Committee shall have the power to

remove, for cause, members from the Executive Committee orany committee for which it is responsible by a two-thirdsmajority vote of the members present and voting at any dulycalled meeting.Sec. 2. a. A meeting of the General Conference Executive

Committee, known as the Annual Council, shall be heldannually for the purpose of considering budget requests andmaking appropriations, for the transaction of other business,and the adoption of policies that may be necessary in theoperation of the worldwide work.b. A meeting of the General Conference Executive

Committee, known as the Spring Meeting, shall be held annu-ally for the purpose of receiving the audited financial reportsof the General Conference and for transacting regularExecutive Committee business as provided for in the GeneralConference Working Policy relating to Spring Meetings.Sec. 3. A majority of the full membership of the General

Conference Executive Committee, including the president ora general vice president, is empowered to transact denomina-tional business of any nature at any time and place. All meet-ings require notice to members as per Sec. 8. below.Sec. 4. Any fifteen members of the General Conference

Executive Committee, including an officer of the GeneralConference, shall constitute a quorum of the ExecutiveCommittee for the disposition of routine items, and shall beempowered to transact business that is in harmony with thegeneral plans outlined by the Executive Committee. A quo-rum of forty members is required for the disposition of non-routine items such as major financial decisions, the dismissalof elected and appointed employees, and the election of pres-idents of divisions and of general vice presidents

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