Opening Comments to Spring Meetings 2002

BY JAN PAULSEN

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1. The choice we have made in selecting the three strategic values, first articulated at the Session in Toronto but communicated by various ways and means repeatedly since then, was a very deliberate and considered choice. Collectively they express the ethos and self-awareness of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. We could not at any time adequately capture who we are or why we are as an end-time church without speaking about
   • growth -- as evangelism, as public witness, as maturing personal growth as individuals into a rich life of discipleship.

   • Unity as one family around the world, bonded through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, constantly communicating with one another, constantly sharing, and in that process learning to defer to one another for the good of the One Body of Christ--ever conscious of the fact that ONE we are, and that we shall protect; and we could not creatively go forward without due attention to the

   • Quality of Life which contains and expresses the heart of Adventism. That quality is visible to the public in what we say is important, and in how we behave. It is spread across the whole range of our every-day life decisions; and the public will observe this quality. But this quality of life is also a critical inward factor in our personal lives. It has to do with being sure of belonging to the Lord; finding the rest and assurance of forgiveness, and finding contentment on the journey we are on. With respect to the injunction: "Rest in the Lord; wait patiently for Him" some of our people wish that they were stronger and had come further.

   These three contain the genius of Seventh-day Adventism. The choices we made were deliberate. How deliberate are we in incorporating them into the planning and activities of our church? How deliberate are we in laying them out before our people when we preach the Word?

   Whilst Growth and Unity have a certain self-explanatory ring to them, I could wish that much more attention be given to exploring the depth of the content of what we describe as "Quality of Life" for we are profoundly talking about what it means to be a Seventh-day Adventist. These are not slogans; they are not frivolously chosen side-issues. They are the heart of the matter as we bond together on this pilgrimage.

   At 2002 Annual Council several hours will be occupied as we explore where we are going with these values. Our Strategic Planning director together with some colleagues will be preparing the material for us.

2. General Conference Leadership office.

3. Presentations by the departments.

4. Setting and timing of Annual Councils from 2003 on.

   The intent to keep planning meetings and the executive sessions at and surrounding meetings such as these be focused on and driven by the mission given to us.

5. With an eye to this coming weekend, we have many partners in mission. That is the way it should be, for we are all "church". But we must work in harmony; maintain order, and defer to the collective wisdom of the larger church--all in the interest of the unity of the church, the mission that God has given to us, and the best use of our resources It is in part to strengthen these elements that the weekend is being planned. Many who are not part of this committee will be coming in for the weekend; many of them will represent supporting ministries. I would hope that most of you have made plans to be with us during the weekend.

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Jan Paulsen is the president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.