hen Adventist administrators and pastors from around globe gather for this years Spring Meeting, April 15-17, they will face the contentious issue of church employee remuneration. In considering the report of the Employee Remuneration and Allowance Review Committee and the proposed new "Philosophy of Remuneration" addition to the General Conference Working Policy, the committee will face many questions on both philosophy and practice.
"This is arguably the most significant action in years that affects our church employees," comments Athal Tolhurst, GC undersecretary. "It certainly is the major item on our agenda in terms of its potential impact in such areas as policy, budgetary funding and current employment practice."
Because many different variations to the denominational wage scale have arisen it has become necessary to urgently address this issue, according to church administrators. The Review Committee was set up to seek answers to the increasingly disparate wage scales being introduced in the church's organizations and institutions.
The draft policy document cites both Biblical texts and Ellen White quotes to provide a spiritual basis for the church's philosophy of remuneration. However, there is already debate on some of the concepts cited. For example, in one Ellen White quote wages are to be "sufficient to support themselves and their families" and yet also workers are "justly entitled to ample remuneration." In another quote the wage scale is to be "sacrificial." Much is in the interpretation of "balance," says one administrator.
While the policy is intended to apply to all church organizations, healthcare institutions deemed "Commercial Business Organizations" are exempted. "In the case where most of the organization's funds come from non-church sources and where they do not receive denominational appropriations, such organizations will be able to establish their own remuneration plans, approved by the organization's full board. Division executive committees will approve such plans for their respective organizations, and the GC will do the same for GC institutions," comments Tolhurst.
Another policy proposal to be considered expands, within certain limitations, the difference between wages received by local pastors and administrators.
The other major item involves Africa--in two agenda items. One concerns the still racially divided church organizations in South Africa. The Annual Council resolution of 1991 to unify all conferences and union organizations (thus eliminating the white/colored/black distinctions) by 1993 still is incomplete.
The second agenda item on Africa is the proposal to establish a third African division in the south of the continent. The plan is to remove Angola and Mozambique from the Euro-Africa Division and create a new division together with South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Madagascar, and the Indian Ocean Islands. The proposal will also mean that the current African-Indian Ocean Division and the Eastern African Divisions will be realigned.
"These realignments will make a positive impact on the work in Africa," comments GC Secretary Matthew Bediako. "Finally South Africa will be part of a division, and both Angola and Mozambique will be integrated with their geographical neighbors. We see this as another important step in the progress and development of spreading the gospel message on the African continent."
Other agenda items include:
- Treasurer's Report and Financial Statement
- World Conference of Youth Evangelism in Bangkok, Thailand
- An Adventist Statement on Peace
- Faith-based International HIV/AIDS Conference
- Nominating Committee Report
- Crisis Management Presentation
- Update on Go One Million
- Adventist Television Network
- Change of Procedure for GC Session Nominating Committee
- Departmental Reports
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Jonathan Gallagher is the UN Liaison director of the General Conference.
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