SHARON CRESS: Good morning, and welcome to this first business session of the new week. Elder Philip S. Follett, general vice president of the General Conference, will be chairing our session; Harold Baptiste, the secretary of the North American Division, will be the secretary for the session; Walter Carson, from the Office of General Counsel, will be the parliamentarian; and the recording secretary is Carol Rasmussen. Ruth Wittwer, from the Euro-Africa Division, will be giving our invocation, and then Bert Beach and John Graz, from the Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department, will be introducing Ambassador Bien Tejano. Hezekiel Mafu, from the Eastern Africa Division, will be giving our benediction.

RUTH WITTWER: [Prayed in German.]

JOHN GRAZ: Brothers and sisters, distinguished guests, dear friends, we have the privilege of welcoming His Excellency Bien Tejano, ambassador from the Philippine Islands to Papua New Guinea. Ambassador Tejano is an ordained Seventh-day Adventist pastor. How can a Seventh-day Adventist pastor become an ambassador? I asked him this question, and he answered, “Work for the poorest of the poor, and you meet the top leaders.” Before becoming ambassador, Pastor Tejano worked with prisoners in the Philippines who have addictions. His ministry attracted the interest of the prison authorities of his country. Last week Ambassador Tejano received a high award from the president of the Philippines for rescuing 440 Philippine citizens in the Solomon Islands.

BIEN TEJANO: Thank you very much. I would like to thank the General Conference for inviting me here. I am so blessed to witness this session. Unfortunately, I have to cut short my attendance here. A few weeks ago I received instructions from my president to go back immediately to the Solomon Islands and continue the rescue missions. In our conversation I told him about the meetings that are going on right here. He asked me to convey to you his heartfelt greetings to all the Seventh-day Adventists in the whole world. I shall be going back tomorrow. I would like to request your prayers. I shall also meet our church members in that island and continue to encourage them to hold on, because we are almost home. Thank you very much.

JOHN GRAZ: Pastor Tejano, we thank you so much for what you have just said and for what you are doing. We wish you could have had the time to tell us about all you are doing in the Solomon Islands for the cause of Christ and the protection of humanity, but we are delighted that you are lifting up Christ, your nation, and your church. We have a little gift that will remind you of this meeting.

BIEN TEJANO: Thank you very much.

PHILIP S. FOLLETT: I would like to call to order our business session for this Sunday morning. I hope you brought your agenda booklets with you. I would like our secretary to lead us into the first item, please.

HAROLD W. BAPTISTE: Brother Chairman, this agenda item has to do with the Health and Temperance Department name change. The recommendation reads as follows: “Recommended, To change the name of the Health and Temperance Department to the Health Ministries Department.” Brother Chairman, I move the recommendation. [The motion was seconded.]

NEAL C. WILSON: Brother Chairman, I think a little further explanation ought to be given to this assembly of leaders on this particular item. It is almost like pulling down the flag. Seventh-day Adventists have been known worldwide for their strong emphasis on temperance. The word “temperance” is not an easy word to translate into some other languages. In fact, in the world we live in today, “temperance” may not be a highly accepted word. My concern is that we do not ever become ashamed to speak about the matter of temperance, including alcohol, tobacco, and drug dependency. In fact, temperance is needed more in the world today than it has ever been needed. And let me tell you, it is needed in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. My concern is, Brother Chairman, that we are not lowering the flag, diluting the emphasis that we are going to be giving. Many health experts today never think about temperance as we think about it, and they may feel that we have just now melted into the atmosphere of the world, which is a little more acceptable. I would simply like to have some statement made to this group that in spite of the change of the name there will be no deemphasis—in fact, it may increase our emphasis. I understand the background of it, but many will sort of feel that we have lost one of those great characteristics that identified us worldwide these many years. That is my appeal, Brother Chairman.

ALLAN R. HANDYSIDES: I am very appreciative of the words that we heard from Elder Neal Wilson. I think the history of the Health and Temperance Department is one of which we can all be proud, especially when we think of the work that has been done throughout the world in the name of temperance. I think we can be very proud of that history. Sometimes words do change in meaning. There is a very prominent Adventist family who changed their name because of the change in meanings given to their name. The work of the Adventist Health Ministry Department is to minister to the whole person, and we cannot minister to the whole person, especially in the presence of the enormous deluge of substance abuse that we see. The very fabric of society is being torn apart by alcoholism and drug dependency. I would like to see our department give redoubled effort to work against the abusive substances that are so prevalent in society. Friends, we need to establish national branches of the International Commission for the Prevention of Alcoholism, so that we can generate enthusiasm in the churches. My plea is that the nations here represented take upon themselves the burden of working together with us so we can make Health and Temperance our focus. I am pleased that we have the word “ministry” in our name change. It is unfortunate that the world is using and has usurped the use of the word “temperance.” To the world it does not mean what it means to us. We mean “abstinence,” and I pray that that message is taught to our young people in ever-strengthening tones. I would give you the pledge that those of us who are promoting health want to see ourselves as ministers to the needs of the world and to the church.

KATHLEEN KUNTARAF: I just want to assure Elder Wilson that even if the name is changed from Health and Temperance Department to Health Ministries Depart-ment, we will continue to work together with other departments in promoting temperance work around the world.

THOMAS S. NESLUND: Many of us have been involved in health and temperance work for a long time. Nearly 30 years of my life have been spent in this type of activity. Since the merger of the Health and Temperance Department at the General Conference it has been a cumbersome effort to make the two united and work together. There have been strides made, obviously. But I think by this name change we have finally found a home for temperance. At least now we have something not as an add-on but as a part of a ministry that is a part of the church. The world—specifically, the alcohol industry—has stolen a march on us in terms of the moderation concept. As I travel worldwide for the ICPA as their executive director I find that the word “abstinence” works much better than the word “temperance.” And from that I can talk about self-control, which is really one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

So, Mr. Chairman, I strongly recommend that we find a home for this component. It has been wandering around like a child without a place to settle. I move the action before us.

PHILIP S. FOLLETT: Thank you. There is a motion and second, and the action is on the floor. The chair recognizes Dr. Albert Whiting, a former health and temperance director.

ALBERT WHITING: I fully support this action. I’d like to give a little background to it. We had a meeting several years ago of all division health and temperance directors, and all except one voted in favor of this change, realizing that it was needed because the word “temperance” is translated all over the world as “moderation.” This church does not accept moderation when it comes to drugs and alcohol. The word “ministry” implies organization. It implies service and is very appropriate. I plead for you to support this recommendation.

PHILIP S. FOLLETT: Thank you very much, Dr. Whiting. I believe I see no one else standing to speak, and so we will place the issue on the floor. [The motion was moved, seconded, and voted.] Harold Baptiste, would you introduce the next item?

HAROLD W. BAPTISTE: The next item, Brother Chairman, is a resolution on the gift of prophecy. Do you want me to read the entire document, Brother Chairman?

PHILIP S. FOLLETT: Would you like the document read? It may be well to do so.

HAROLD W. BAPTISTE: [Read the resolution.] Brother Chairman, I move the recommendation.

PHILIP S. FOLLETT: Thank you. Is there a second? I hear a second. [Motion was made and seconded.]

JURRIEN DEN HOLLANDER: Brother Chairman, I have a question that I would very much like to have clarified. Is there any similar resolution coming before us dealing with the Bible? Could you please clarify this for me?

[The chair consulted with Harold Baptiste.]

PHILIP S. FOLLETT: I believe the answer is no.

JURRIEN DEN HOLLANDER: I am just asking advice from you concerning a motion that deals with the Bible in a similar manner.

PHILIP S. FOLLETT: I would imagine that this body, after discussing this particular motion, could refer to the Plans Committee a recommendation that such a motion be prepared. We couldn’t write it on the floor very well, but we have set up a Plans Committee to which we may refer recommendations for preparing new resolutions.

VIOLETO F. BOCALA: I am very happy, Mr. Chairman, that we have this recommendation on hand. I think we need to give more emphasis to the Spirit of Prophecy. Our people sometimes forget that the church is guided by the writings of the Spirit of Prophecy, without which I think we will likely fragment. In the Southern Asia-Pacific Division we have just taken an action that for the next five years we will promote Sprit of Prophecy reading just as we do Bible reading, promoting a different book of the Conflict of the Ages Series each year.

KENNETH H. WOOD: Kenneth Wood, chairman of the E. G. White Estate board. Mr. Chairman, believe it or not, my first General Conference session was in 1927. I wasn’t voting at that time, but I understood from the very beginning that this church had its origins in Bible study. That has never been under question. I see this recommendation here as recognizing the uniqueness of Seventh-day Adventism, which has been built on the Bible. I feel that this resolution is very important because we have seen in recent times that the devil is making unusual efforts to undermine confidence in what the Lord says to us in these latter times. Ten years ago I began working with computers, and today when I turn my computer on and access the Internet I am appalled at the Web sites that are attacking this church and the Spirit of Prophecy. Now, as this recommendation comes to us, the real question is not whether we agree with what it says, but rather if we vote it what we will do about it. I find that many recommendations get lost at the General Conference. I wonder whether we will do everything we can to support all divisions in their efforts and give them the tools to make the Spirit of Prophecy more effective.

MELVIN LOPEZ: I am from the Southern Asia-Pacific Division. I would like to urge the number for recommendation to all church administrators, including those in education and health-care institutions, to give careful heed to the wise counsel given to Seventh-day Adventists through the writings of Ellen G White concerning the health message.

JUAN CARLOS VIERA: This particular item is referring to such institutions as colleges, universities, hospitals, and clinics. We are urging them to heed the counsel from Ellen White. I think the church as a whole knows quite well the counsels from Ellen White, but we are concerned in this particular item that our institutions follow the counsel from the inspired pen.

PHILIP S. FOLLETT: Thank you, and I believe that as this resolution was being prepared it was requested that it be broken into two parts—the first a statement of our convictions, and the second that we include ways to make these writings more available in practical steps. The intention of the action is that it be followed up and not, as Elder Wood said, lost in a pile of shuffled papers. I believe, brother, that your own division is taking some steps toward this, and the counsel of this body is that each division find ways of accomplishing this in their own field.

BERT HALOVIAK: I am not proposing an amendment, Brother Chairman, but I would suggest that while the “Gift of Prophecy” or the “Spirit of Prophecy” has been used quite a bit, that we perhaps add “Through Ellen White,” because we do have the gift of prophecy through the Scriptures. We are not talking about the Scriptures at this point, but at least it would clarify the assumption that we seem to be making that the gift of prophecy always pertain to Ellen White.

PHILIP S. FOLLETT: Maybe you need to make a motion so we can consider it.

BERT HALOVIAK: I feel strongly enough on it, Brother Chairman, that I would suggest amending the title to “Resolution on the Gift of Prophecy Through the Ministry of Ellen White.” [The motion was made, seconded, and voted.]

JOHN R. JOSIAH: Mr. Chairman, I started to register my support of this resolution with the hope that it will bring to an end, or almost to an end, what I consider to be the use of Ellen White as an ecclesiastical football, as it were. Over the years we have been wrestling with how Ellen White ought to be perceived in the church. She spoke of her writings as the lesser light leading us to the greater light. Some of us perhaps cannot properly appreciate the difference she puts there.

My concern is that something be done from the level of the General Conference so that this resolution will not spawn a problem with academia. Others will still be free to propound the idea that Ellen White is not a theologian and that therefore the Bible and the Bible only must be emphasized. That is my concern.

KIT WATTS: I speak in favor of the motion. And I also want to thank the Ellen G. White Estate for the steps that have been taken to make Ellen White more accessible to young people, particularly those who speak English, and to make the devotional book this year with inclusive language so that it is not just the young men of the church who feel called of God, but young women as well. I encourage the White Estate to continue this effort and make a difference. We’re to the point where the language of 150 years ago in English is not sufficient for young people today.

GILBERT CANGY: I speak in support of the resolution; however, I wonder whether it will be useful. As I look in my field and realize that there is a certain degree of confusion regarding the position of the writings of Ellen White, I wonder, in terms of helping the process here, whether we could add something to the effect of an educational process whereby this could be clarified. The nature of the writings of Ellen White versus the Scripture. And maybe something to the effect of contextualizing the counsels of Ellen White. I think that would strengthen the resolution here.

JAMES NXUMALO: I am for the resolution, but in addition I want to say that the idea that we should be doing something about the critics of Ellen G. White is a very important issue. I have learned that this issue touches young people. I am talking here about my family, for example. My son told me that his wife had expressed the view that critics of Ellen G. White on the Internet tend to pose a threat, especially to young people of the church. And my view is that we perhaps need to make a deliberate attempt to counter these critics.

JOHN M. FOWLER: Mr. Chairman, I rise to support the motion. We have gathered here at a very crucial time in the history of our church, and we have already celebrated in many ways the remarkable growth the church has registered worldwide. And we all give thanks to the Lord for leading the church to this point. However, as we seem to grow in many areas, I also sense an increasing lethargy, an indifference when it comes to the counsels given by the Spirit of Prophecy. In fact, it has become fashionable in some circles, particularly in some aca-demic circles, to consider the use of Ellen G. White’s writings as intellectually embarrassing. This is a very sad situation. If we are to preserve the unity of this church, the worldwide thrust of its mission, and the vision that God has given to our pioneers to take the gospel to the entire world and hasten the coming of the Lord, we need to have an increasing focus on the use of the counsels of the Spirit of Prophecy both in our individual lives and in the community life of our church, so that every church hears the same trumpet sound. It is true, and we must not forget, that we stand rooted in the Word of God; but it is also true that the lesser light is no less important. And so I support, and I trust that this body will overwhelmingly vote, this motion.

JAMES ZACKRISON: I rise to support the motion, Mr. Chairman, and to take this opportunity to assure the representatives of the world church that in the development of the Sabbath school curriculum materials in every age group and the Sabbath school program in general, they can rest assured that we are dedicated followers of the writings of the Spirit of Prophecy and that while they may not find statements from Ellen White on every page, the material developed to be studied in our churches around the world reflect what the Seventh-day Adventist Church believes regarding the Spirit of Prophecy. So when you study your Sabbath school lesson on Sabbath morning, please rest assured that it has been carefully worked through and studied in the light of what we understand in the Spirit of Prophecy.

MANIRA ALEJANDRA FERNANDEZ NAZAR: I want to support what is being said on the floor and the importance of the Spirit of Prophecy for this church. I would like to move that as we take this important point into account, we can also include the importance of reading the Bible. As a Sabbath school director, I recognize that my members are not really reading the Bible as they should. I suggest to this conference that we include a clause in which emphasis will be placed on Bible reading.

PHILIP S. FOLLETT: Thank you very much. After this action has been voted, we have invited one of the brothers to place a motion on the floor to move toward what you are suggesting.

MANUEL TORNILLA, JR.: I am in favor of the resolution, with the inclusion that we emphasize that primarily the Bible will be the basis of our faith. However, I hope that the General Conference or the Ellen G. White Estate will address this matter after we have taken action on the motion. My concern is with the information on the Internet that downgrades or attacks the writings of Mrs. White. One evening when I was in my study, my oldest son was surfing his computer, and in a few minutes he brought me a document attacking point by point the teachings or writings of Mrs. White. I scanned the document. After I scanned it I kept it, so that it would not get into the wrong hands. So my concern is that after we have taken the resolution, what can the White Estate do to address such Internet attacks on the writings of Mrs. White?

ENOCH DARE: I fully support the recommendation. For those of us who live in parts of the world in which we have lost our educational institutions, one can only support the present recommendation, because our young people have lost the privilege of access to the books of Ellen G. White in their studies. And I as a youth leader and an educationist from my division feel very concerned about how we can really encourage our young people to get involved in understanding the principles in the writings of Ellen White.

JOSHUA OYINLOYE: I am here to plead with our leaders to make these books cheaper. In Nigeria, as a result of the Global Mission program thousands of people are brought into the church daily. And they don’t know our stand regarding the Spirit of Prophecy. Cheaper books would help us in implementing this resolution.

CARMEN SCHULZ: I would like to ask if a similar resolution already exists.

PHILIP S. FOLLETT: Yes, for the past 100 years actions have been taken at General Conference sessions regarding this; however, the wording this time is a little different.

CARMEN SCHULZ: I do not support the motion as it is presented to us, because I come from a country in which I have been educated to fear God as presented to us by Martin Luther—a view of God that is built on freedom of thought. I am against this kind of pressure that I feel put on me by this resolution and put on churches in my country. I am not against the Spirit of Prophecy, but I am not sure that Ellen G. White herself would have wanted this kind of pressure.

PHILIP S. FOLLETT: All right; we appreciate your comments. We have a speaker at microphone 1. I believe you have a question of privilege; is that what you wish?

ROBERT J. KLOOSTERHUIS: Yes, I have the impression that almost everyone has heard quite a wide variety of observations, and we are ready to vote. Therefore, Brother Chairman, I would like to move the previous question.

PHILIP S. FOLLETT: This motion requires a two thirds favorable vote. The motion now is to stop debate. [Motion was seconded and voted.] We now take the vote on the original motion that was read earlier by our secretary. [Motion was voted.] Thank you very much. We had promised an earlier speaker a chance to bring a motion from the floor. Please present your motion now.

JURRIEN DEN HOLLANDER: I would like to make a similar motion concerning the Bible. The reason for this motion is that we as Adventists intend to be very biblical. We support our existence from the Bible. We hold very purely Jesus Christ as proclaimed in the Bible. We even have a prophet that in every way says that she is the lesser light pointing toward the greater light, which is the Bible. The Bible is the core of our existence as Adventists. Therefore, I would like to move that the same resolution that has just been moved be stated about the Bible. [It was moved and seconded.]

PHILIP S. FOLLETT: As I explained earlier, our instructions on the opening night were that those items that come to the floor that have not been prepared and written and studied in advance be referred to the Plans Committee. If you will allow us to adjust the motion in that way, we will invite you to prepare a proposal and bring it to the Plans Committee. [It was voted.]

[A summary explanation of item 207 as voted by the 1995 General Conference session was provided.]

ATHAL H. TOLHURST: Item 208 is an amendment that suggests that there be elected at a future General Conference session an auditing board composed of 17 members instead of 15, approximately two thirds of whom must be nondenominationally employed in professions that were listed five years ago and who represent the world field. This recommendation provides for the chairman of the board to be the General Conference president. It also provides, Brother Chairman, that one of the responsibilities of the General Conference Auditing Service board would be to recommend to the General Conference, each regular session Nominating Committee, the name of an individual to serve as director of the General Conference Auditing Service. It also recommends that a quorum for the General Conference Auditing Service board be 11 members.

The second recommendation that is associated with that is to approve a General Conference Auditing Service board, with terms of reference and membership. You have before you the terms of reference, which I shall not choose to read at this point, Brother Chairman.

Then on line 16 of page 46, you have the suggested membership—that the General Conference president be chair; a General Conference vice president be vice chair; the director of the General Conference Auditing Service be secretary. The members include the General Conference secretary, the General Conference treasurer, and qualified Seventh-day Adventist auditors or other knowledgeable professionals in related fields who are not in denominational employment—one in each world division. That is a total of 12.

And the terms of reference recommend that the associate directors of the Auditing Service be recommended to the Nominating Committee of the General Conference session by the divisions. Since that has not been done in time for this session, the final recommendation was to request the 2000 Annual Council to have this session recommend or request the 2000 Annual Council of the General Conference Committee to elect members of the General Conference Auditing Service board other than ex officio—in other words, to elect the 12 that will be recommended from the division. [It was moved and seconded.]

BRIAN BULL: My concern is that in going from 15 to 17 you end up with a number for which two thirds can be either five or six. Also, I think it is unwise to have the General Conference president as the chair of the Auditing Service board. As a consequence I would move to refer this back to the Constitution and Bylaws Committee for further consideration. [The motion was seconded.]

KENNETH J. MITTLEIDER: I want to say that we have always declared the Auditing Service as independent of the church. The way this is recommended reads here I question that it would be an independent audit. Therefore, I am much in favor that this be referred back.

ISRAEL LEITO: I stand to speak against the motion to refer, because I believe we should debate this here and finish with it. If I understand the former speakers correctly, the premise on which they base the referral is that this board of the General Conference Auditing Service will be reporting to the persons whom they audit, and that’s wrong. The General Conference Auditing Service does not audit the General Conference. This is a good recommendation, and we should stick with it, and I am against referring it back to the committee.

PHILIP S. FOLLETT: Thank you, Elder Leito. I think the earlier discussion indicated that “two thirds” is not as clear as might be, and even on that one issue it would have to be referred back, but there are other issues you want to talk about, and if you choose to refer, those who have concerns will be able to meet with the Constitution and Bylaws Committee.

ERIC KORFF: Just a point of clarification, Brother Chairman. Is it only the composition of the board that is being referred back, or this entire section?

PHILIP S. FOLLETT: The entire document is being referred back.

ERIC KORFF: Including the election or the appointment of the associates?

PHILIP S. FOLLETT: The entire document. Thank you. Our parliamentarian notes that when we refer a document, we must refer the entire document, and anyone who has concerns about any issue in the document is welcome to meet with the Constitution and Bylaws Committee. The other alternative is to vote down the motion to refer and then discuss it further here, but a motion to refer must be voted on before we continue discussing the main body of the motion. [The motion to refer was voted.]

HAROLD W. BAPTISTE: Brother Chairman, I think we go to the Church Manual agenda now.

LOWELL COOPER: Brother Chairman, if you would allow an introductory statement about the Church Manual items, then we can proceed with the individual items after that. The Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual is one of the instruments that we have used in the church to express our worldwide oneness. It is for that reason that every General Conference session has items on the agenda concerning the Church Manual. We have a long list of them at this time. Many of the items are recommendations for amendments that clarify terminology or help make the meaning of a passage a little clearer or perhaps reorganize the order of the presentation of material. The only place, the only time, we can make changes to a Church Manual is at a General Conference session, and so we have all kinds of changes coming before this body during this week. I suppose that we need to view the Church Manual something like a baptismal robe. It is made to fit everybody, and therefore, in any one particular situation it may not seem to fit very comfortably, but it is one of the instruments by which we affirm and express our worldwide oneness. We do want to point out that all of the items that come here for deliberation by the session have come by way of Annual Council recommendation. We have, Brother Chairman, organized these items basically in a sequential pattern, as they might appear if one were reading the Church Manual. This is not particularly the order in which we would like to deal with them, since some of the items on the first page relate to substantive issues that we will deal with later on in the agenda.

[A series of actions that were editorial changes followed. Their content can be found in the minutes.]

MARIO VELOSO: We now have a recommendation to add a new chapter in the Church Manual entitled “Church Manual Authority.” This defines the authority that we have all accepted in the past but that was not written in the manual.

HAROLD W. BAPTISTE: This new chapter reads as follows: “The content of the Church Manual, based on biblical principles, is the expression of the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s understanding of Christian life and church governance and discipline. It expresses the authority of a duly assembled General Conference session. ‘God has ordained that the representatives of His church from all parts of the earth, when assembled in a General Conference, shall have authority.’—Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 261. This covenanted authority of the Church Manual makes its content binding for every local church/company and every level of its organization throughout the world.” I move it, Brother Chairman.

PHILIP S. FOLLETT: Is there a second? There is a motion and a second. I will wait a moment to see if anyone comes to the microphone.

LESLIE POLLARD: Brother Chairman, just in terms of clarification. What happens when a church does not honor the fact that we are now codifying the official authority of the Church Manual? What is the consequence, then, for departure from this action?

PHILIP S. FOLLETT: Elder Cooper, would you like to address that? I don’t know that it is addressed in the manual.

LOWELL COOPER: Brother Chairman, the issue of the discipline of a church becomes a matter for the constituency to which it belongs. I think that is perhaps the shortest answer we can give you.

PHILIP S. FOLLETT: That certainly is true, and the manual does describe how a conference can exercise authority within the sisterhood of churches that form that conference. The authority comes from the conference to that individual church. Does that answer your question?

LESLIE POLLARD: I suppose it begins to. Obviously we do not have anything that specifies what happens when a departure occurs. It also illustrates the seriousness of the action we are considering.

PHILIP S. FOLLETT: I believe there is a provision that if a church is not in harmony with the denomination, the conference in session has the authority to disband that church.

DAN JACKSON: As I have read through the material presented by the Church Manual Committee to this session there is one thing that concerns me increasingly as I read the information. While I am in favor of the majority of the information presented in this document, the use of terms that make the manual’s content binding upon every local congregation, etc., concerns me. This church has always stood in opposition to the idea of congregationalism. I believe that in making the contents of the Church Manual binding on every congregation we may inadvertently be promoting congregationalism. While I am not in favor of congregationalism, I believe we need to acknowledge that local congregations, guided by the Holy Spirit, have the ability to make decisions and in various ways differ. So even though voting against the motion is like voting against apple pie and ice cream, I have to say that I am in opposition to the motion on the basis that it does not reflect the ability of the local congregation to exercise discretion. Thank you.

ANDRE VAN RENSBURG: I am in favor of the intent of this motion. But I believe that there is something that we need to clarify. When we speak about authority, we must be very careful what we actually put into place.

GERHARD PFANDL: I am from the Biblical Research Institute. Brother Chairman, the first line reads “the content of the Church Manual, based on biblical principles.” There is not a single text in this whole paragraph. I believe it will be helpful to have an introductory paragraph or first paragraph outlining the biblical principles of church authority. And then the line in question would read “the content of the Church Manual, based on these biblical principles, is the expression of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.” Second, on line 19 the last sentence begins “this covenanted authority of the Church Manual.” Most members will have only a hazy understanding of what covenanted authority means, and certainly the world field will have difficulty translating this into the various languages unless we clearly spell out what we mean by covenanted authority.

LEX NELSON: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am from the South Pacific Division. I’d like to speak against this motion. I have a problem with us now voting on a binding motion that does not allow some level of flexibility if we also accept some of those future motions to be voted in the next few days. So, Mr. Chairman, I wonder how we should handle this, whether we should defeat this motion and leave it more open, or in some way allow this to proceed and allow a little more flexibility in how we handle some of the more detailed issues to be debated in the next few days.

PHILIP S. FOLLETT: At the moment I would have to say this motion does need to be defeated. Thank you so much. Elder Cooper, did you want to comment about the detailed items?

LOWELL COOPER: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Included in this set of agenda items will be a proposal concerning the reformatting of certain chapters of the Church Manual, particularly those chapters that deal with the most precise detail of local church procedure. It is the intent of the recommendation concerning reformatting that there be a little room for flexibility in a number of the local church procedures. And I’m not sure that this is the time that we should debate, Mr. Chairman, but it does perhaps address the comments raised by the previous speaker about the ability of a local church to be faithful to the Church Manual and at the same time have some degree of room to address its particular size or membership configuration. We think that the proposal that will be coming to us does provide for that.

WOLFGANG MEYER: My understanding is that the biblical principles are binding for us, and not the wording of the Church Manual. If all regulations are to be binding, we would have many difficulties. We live in different systems of law in this world. If the Church Manual wording were to be made binding, we could not abide by certain German laws. Therefore I am against this recommendation.

RICK REMMERS: I certainly stand in the support of this proposal, and I’m concerned that even were it to pass here on this floor, a number of the concerns that are expressed would leave us with a Church Manual that would create frustration in a number of congregations. I would move that we refer this recommendation back to the Church Manual Committee to give consideration to the biblical principles that were mentioned earlier, as well as making the content binding to every local congregation. I would move that we refer this back.

PHILIP S. FOLLETT: All right, that is a motion for referral to the Church Manual Committee. Is there a second? It’s been seconded. The debate now should be on referral, not on the content. Our brother here has spoken on the motion; do you want to speak on referral?

ONAOLAPO AJIBADE: I feel that we should debate it right here. Now, it has rightly been said that one of the instruments of unity in our church is the Church Manual, and if the provisions of the Church Manual are not binding on churches in the world, then that spells disunity. The only way we can have unity is to continue to have a Church Manual with provisions that are binding on all congregations all over the world. Thank you.

PHILIP S. FOLLETT: I understand that you are not in favor of referring the motion.

JOHN M. FOWLER: Mr. Chairman, I speak in favor of referring this motion back to the Church Manual Committee. While the intent of this resolution is understandable and is good, there are certain phrases and words that are being referred that have meanings and implications that will make discipline and church organization and implementation of those principles difficult.

HAROLD PETERS: Mr. Chairman, I believe that it would be appropriate to refer this back for an examination of some of the wording.

PHILIP S. FOLLETT: All those in favor of referral, please raise your voting cards. [Motion to refer was voted.] We will ask Elder Cooper to tell when and where and how you can meet with his committee. And we certainly encourage you to come before that committee and express your concerns there so that they have the benefit of your statements. [The next two items, 408 and 409, concerned minor changes in the Church Manual and were moved, seconded, and voted.] Let us now look at agenda item 410, entitled “Membership on a Spiritual Basis.”

HAROLD W. BAPTISTE: I read the suggested change as follows: “While there is no stated minimum age for baptism, it is recommended that children who express a desire to be baptized should be recognized and encouraged by including them in Bible study classes which may lead to baptism, when appropriate.” I move it, Brother Chairman.

PHILIP S. FOLLETT: Is there a second? Moved and seconded. That certainly sounds reasonable.

SAMUEL KORANTENG-PIPIM: Mr. Chairman, can you clarify why there is a need to include this section for the baptism of children who so desire? There is a clear statement on the procedure for those who desire baptism. They need to be instructed before baptism. This proposal, it seems to me, would open the door for those who for whatever reason would like to baptize children. I need some clarification before we can vote on this issue.

MELVIN LOPEZ: The practice of baptism of children would require attendance in Bible study classes. Sometimes small children are baptized because they are children of ministers, or are born of Adventist parents. Now with this provision that they should be included in study classes, it will be compulsory to have a certificate even for children of ministers or who were born Adventist.

VIRGINIA SMITH: It frequently happens that in evangelistic meetings or other settings, when a minister calls for those who would like to give their life to Jesus and be baptized, we have little children who may be as young as 5 or 6 who are listening. They say “Yes, I love Jesus; I want to give my life to Him” and they come forward to request baptism. There has been a tendency for us to pat them on the head and say “You come back later; you are too young now.” We have discouraged many people by not recognizing that they are old enough to understand what is happening. They are making a personal commitment to Jesus. And so the recommendation here is that we not turn them away, but that we have Bible classes that they can attend on a regular basis, so that they feel that the church is approving and supporting them. And then in every part of the world, whatever is an acceptable age for baptism can then be applied in their case. In the meantime they are studying toward that fulfillment, and then when an appropriate age has been reached, they can be baptized.

PHILIP S. FOLLETT: Thank you. I believe that the intent is that they should study and prepare and not be overlooked.

VIRGINIA SMITH: I think that currently our baptismal classes generally run for maybe three months. What we are recommending here is that we need ongoing opportunities for children to be learning God’s Word. We are not asking for a certificate. We want the children to grow in their spiritual experience and at the same time feel good that the church is affirming them in their desire for baptism. We are not suggesting baptizing them earlier or younger than the local authorities believe that they should be baptized. So we are not talking just about three months, but an ongoing Bible class that happens more or less once a week through the years. Children can come and go in that class until they reach the appropriate age for baptism.

COLLIN LYONS: I understand pretty clearly what we are trying to do. I would just like to point out one danger that I am seeing in the word “minimum.” If there is no stated minimum age, the proposal could result in children being baptized at the age of 2 or 3.

[There was considerable discussion regarding the word “minimum” that resulted in an amendment by Calvin Rock that was approved. The original motion as amended was voted and is found in the minutes.]

PHILIP S. FOLLETT: A motion to adjourn would be in order so we can go to lunch. [The motion was made, seconded, and voted.]

HEZEKIEL MAFU: [Benediction.]

PHILIP S. FOLLETT, Chair

HAROLD W. BAPTISTE, Secretary

BILL BOTHE, LARRY R. COLBURN, and FRED G. THOMAS, Proceedings Editors