BY JONATHAN GALLAGHER

o be preoccupied is usually viewed as something negative. It suggests that you are concerned with one idea to the exclusion of others, that you have a one-track mind. But in the area of the Seventh-day Adventist mission, it is more than acceptable to be preoccupied. On the contrary, it is essential.

That's the message General Conference president Jan Paulsen gave to world leaders at the GC Executive Committee's Spring Meeting 2001 on April 18.

"It is inconceivable that the Seventh-day Adventist Church could wake up one morning and not be preoccupied with our mission," Paulsen declared. "We are 'defaulted' to act and react that way. That is the way we are. Were there ever to come a day when we would no longer be that way, we will cease to be useful to God. But our commitment is sharp and clear, even as we face the very difficult mission challenge of the 10-40 Window. We will prioritize mission."

Jan Paulsen

"Preoccupied with our mission." Though not chosen as the theme, this phrase captures the emphasis of the agenda and the essence of the meetings. For the church must deliberately and emphatically concentrate on its God-given commission. In addition, the church must also recognize its position in society, and the importance on speaking out on vital issues. "There was a time when we were a small and modest-sized community which, apart from our occasional evangelistic 'excursions' into the secular world, thought largely of our internal situations as a church, and we talked to ourselves," said Paulsen. That is changing rapidly. The extent to which we are a voice to the public on a variety of issues is in direct proportion to our visibility, our size, and our public interest in the secular society."

More and more the church is recognizing its role to address issues as part of its mission agenda, choosing to make official statements to the media and at important conventions, making an Adventist voice heard. Paulsen said his international visits provide a significant opportunity to speak on current and local matters of concern. "One of the first questions I am asked by the press or other media is, 'What do you have to say to the public here?' The public rightfully expects us to be concerned about the issues of its world, of everyday life."

He concluded by announcing the development of a new program that will directly aid mission and lay involvement. "We are frequently being challenged by mission-driven lay-people for us to allow room for them to become partners in ministry and in mission. And they remind us of the many statements from the pen of inspiration where the Lord's servant tells us to 'press together,' that to finish the work laity and ministry must work together--and that we will not finish it until we do.

"So we will bring to you a proposal to motivate, train, and equip laity around the world--one million of them--to partner with us all in mission. We will make this the Quinquennium of Laity in Mission; it will be known as 'GO ONE MILLION.' We will plan our resources to make this possible. We will give it high priority. We are here as a mission community. When all is said and done, that is what needs to be accomplished."

Strategic Plan
Appropriately, this emphasis on preoccupation with our mission was followed by the reading of the church's mission statement, shortly followed by the unveiling of a first for the GC Executive Committee: a Strategic Plan.

Vice president Gerry Karst introduced the concept. "There is an evident need for planning. Previously we have planned, particularly with reference to financial matters, but now we are more focused on Strategic Planning. The plan before you," Karst said, "is couched in terms that are generally applicable to the entire world field, and ready for the adaptation by divisions. Using such a plan, we can help ensure that everybody is moving in the same direction, giving attention to the same issues."

General field secretary Mike Ryan, also appointed as director for strategic planning, added that such plans are not new and that many divisions already operate using a strategic plan. "There is a will and a commitment to rally round this," he said. "It's exciting what can be done--what must be done--to meet the tremendous challenge before us. By 2010 it is likely that we will have 26 to 27 million members, with increasing needs for pastoral staffing, institutions, and training. In this context of our mission, with a distinct message of hope to this world, I hope we can rally round and adopt this plan."

Commenting on the proposed plan, president Jan Paulsen said, "It is not so broad that it becomes diffuse, nor so narrow that it becomes restrictive. It is specific, yet is not intended to state all the things the church should be doing. It emphasizes the three core values we are recommending as the center of what we are doing: growth, unity, and the quality of church life."

2010 GC Session to Go to Atlanta
Three cities presented bids as possible venues for the 59th General Conference Session to be held in 2010: Indianapolis, Toronto, and Atlanta.

Committee members voted April 18 to accept the recommendation of the investigating team that Atlanta, a city not previously visited, be chosen as the next venue.

Factors influencing the choice involved costs, facilities, accessibility, and hotel locations. The GC Session is one of the world's largest conventions and as a result can only be hosted by a small number of cities, reported session coordinator Linda de Leon and GC treasurer Robert Rawson.

The Georgia Dome in Atlanta can seat 76,000 and is "more than adequate for our needs," said Rawson. The Phase IV Convention Center will host other aspects of the session and includes 420,000 square feet of exhibit space.

A complete report on the General Conference Executive Committee's Spring Meeting, including pictures and more reports, will be available by May 3. For more Spring Meeting coverage, click here.

Jonathan Gallagher is associate director of the General Conference Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department.

Religious Freedom Leaders Condemn
Violations in Turkmenistan
Delegates attending an International Religious Liberty Association conference in Bermuda passed a resolution March 16 condemning religious freedom violations, focusing in particular on the situation in the central Asian country of Turkmenistan.

The resolution criticizes the Republic of Turkmenistan for "banning the holding of religious services both in churches and in private homes," and says that the government has "demolished religious buildings" and "destroyed religious materials possessed by many of these religious associations."

The resolution says that "adherents of religious congregations attending religious meetings have been arrested, interrogated, and forced to sign documents agreeing never to meet again with fellow believers," and that "religious leaders have been arrested for conducting religious services, incarcerated, and threatened with long imprisonment and even death for carrying out their religious duties."

IRLA delegates state that they "condemn all such actions by any country... and call upon all such offending states... to take all appropriate measures to ensure that everyone has the freedom to meet and manifest their religious beliefs free from governmental restriction or intimidation."

They conclude by stating their regret that Turkmenistan has engaged in religious freedom violations and urges the government to "bring the conduct of the state into accord with its international commitments and its human rights obligations."

The Turkmen government has become notorious for its  repressive campaign against religious minorities, including Protestant Christian churches, Hare Krishnas, and Jews. Under Turkmen law, only Sunni Muslims and the Russian Orthodox Church are able to register as recognized religions.  

An Adventist Church in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan's capital, was ordered bulldozed by the Turkmen government in November 1999. Individuals holding private religious meetings in their homes have

suffered harassment from local government officials and have been threatened with the confiscation of their apartments. Pavel Fedotov, an Adventist pastor, was arrested October 21 while holding worship

services at an apartment and was detained for three days for participating in "illegal religious meetings."

The IRLA conference in Bermuda met March 14 to 16 and was attended by 120 delegates, including religious freedom experts from Russia, Spain, France, Korea, Ivory Coast, Britain, and the United States.

Founded by the Adventist Church in 1893, IRLA is a  non-denominational organization dedicated to promoting religious freedom.–-Adventist News Network

ADRA Kenya Offices Target of Armed Burglary
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) office in Nairobi, Kenya, was broken into around 3 a.m. local time Wednesday, April 4.

Armed gunmen ambushed and tied up the watchman and severely injured the dog that was guarding the office. After cutting security bars on a window to gain access to the building, thieves broke into locked doors and drawers to search for valuables. Stolen items included computers, a safe, and assorted office records. Police are investigating the break-in and are searching for the stolen equipment.

Projects in the field are not directly affected by the burglary. Administrative offices reopened April 5 with some disruption of functions as clean-up continues. Extra security measures are being taken.

ADRA registered in Kenya in 1985. Since that time, the agency has implemented a number of development and relief projects, including integrated agricultural programs, AIDS awareness, education, emergency food, and physical rehabilitation services.

14-Day Prayer and Fast Targets
Jamaica’s Crime and Violence
More than 1,400 women gathered at a Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville, Jamaica, on March 4 for a special worship service to launch a 14-day prayer and fast, reports Iris Henry, West Indies Union Women’s Ministries director.

The special prayer and fast was aimed at combating growing crime and violence within Jamaica, particularly violence against women. “The high level of crime, violence, and other evils has been eating away the fabric of our Jamaican society,” Henry said. “There has been a loss of respect for human lives, our most valuable asset.”

Among special guests for the program was Horace Williams, the mayor of Mandeville. After the ceremony, the prayer and fast continued with special events throughout the island’s 14 parishes and closed with a service at the Kencot Adventist Church in Kingston.