BY BETTINA KRAUSE, special assistant to the General Conference president

hat would happen if every church member took the power of prayer seriously, and spent time every day studying the Bible? What would it be like to belong to a local congregation where outreach, and interaction with the community, has become its top priority?

The Council on Evangelism and Witness (CEW), the world church's evangelism think-tank, took a turn away from its usual format to consider these questions during its April 14 and 15 meeting at the General Conference headquarters. The nearly 50 representatives from each of the 13 divisions were challenged to look to their own spiritual health, and recommit themselves to discipleship and personal witness. Each presentation and discussion emphasized the need for "revival and reformation"-both personal and corporate.

In talking about the need for revival, it is important not to overlook the fact that "there are already many reasons for rejoicing in our church," said Michael Ryan, director of Global Mission and a presenter at the meetings. He spoke about lay people who are committed to witness in their everyday lives; Global Mission pioneers-trained lay volunteers-who are working on the frontlines of mission in the10/40 window.

"The Holy Spirit is working powerfully through people who are faithful ambassadors of His love," said Ryan. "There are people who know what sacrifice is. There are people who are placing themselves on the line, even though they're not in the limelight."

"But do we also have reasons for concern?" he asked. "Yes." Ryan cited results from the 2001 World Survey conducted by Andrews University professor. Roger Dudley. The results of this study, released last year, show that less than half of church members around the world are involved in daily Bible study and prayer; fewer than 40 percent are involved in witnessing or training for witnessing; and fewer than 30 percent are involved in activities that allow them to interact with their community. Ryan called these "indicators of a need for revival and reformation" within the church as a whole.

It's time to stop just talking about theory, or examining the problem from various angles, he said. "We need to spend time talking about what can be done."

The timing of this focus on revival and reformation was deliberate, according to Ted N.C. Wilson, a General Conference vice-president and co-chair of the Council. It was designed to provide a "platform" leading into the Year World Evangelism 2004-a year in which every church member and every church around the world will be encouraged to take part in some form of outreach or evangelistic program. Wilson said 2004 will be a year in which "we focus, in a deliberate way, on the real mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church-to lift Christ up in all His glory."

Randy Maxwell, founder of If My People Pray Ministries and author of several books on prayer, led Council members in a season of prayer at the start of each session. Christ is central to revival, said Maxwell. "Revival begins with [church] leadership falling in love with Him all over again." The final afternoon of the council was uplinked live via satellite from the General Conference auditorium by Adventist Television Network. The three-hour program, broadcast worldwide in nine languages, introduced pastors and laypeople to plans for the Year of World Evangelism 2004.

Witness and outreach are not optional extras for Adventist believers, said world church president Pastor Jan Paulsen during the broadcast. "Our mandate is clear," he said. "Jesus Christ has commanded you, He has commanded me, to engage ourselves in mission." In all the outreach plans and initiatives pursued by the church, said Paulsen, the key ingredient is "the involvement of everyone who believes."

This concept-of laity and ministry united in outreach-was echoed in each of the short interviews with presidents of the 13 world divisions. In several of these interviews the presidents were joined by lay representatives such as Kim Busl, president of Outpost Centers International (OCI) and Denzil McNeilus, president of Adventist Laymen's Services and Industries (ASI), each speaking about how lay organizations can work together with the church to maximize resources, and increase impact.

A panel discussion during the broadcast explored how Sow 1 Billion, a plan to distribute 1000 million Bible study invitations around the world, and Go Three Million, a plan to train and equip 3 million lay people for outreach, are also aimed at changing the "mission paradigm" of the church. Each initiative, which will continue throughout the Year of World Evangelism, relies not just on the work of "evangelism experts," but on the participation of all church members.

Mark Finley, speaker for It Is Written broadcasts, said the Year of World Evangelism 2004 "has the potential to unify the Seventh-day Adventist Church around mission." "What if all 175,000 denominational employees around the world were involved in some form of evangelism during 2004?" he asked. "What if we conducted 150,000 evangelistic meetings around the world during this Year of World Evangelism?"

Alejandro Bullon, ministerial secretary of the South American Division, was one of several other evangelists who also spoke during the broadcast. He warned that without this strong commitment to mission, the church is in danger of becoming "just a religious club."

The Council on Evangelism and Witness, which meets twice a year, was established in 2000 and charged with exploring new and creative ways for the church to engage in outreach. Urban evangelism, lay training, new technology, "reaching unchurched people," and the challenges of the 10/40 window, are among the topics already tackled by this international group of church leaders and lay representatives.