eneral Conference president Jan Paulsen made an impassioned affirmation for the vital need for unity in the Adventist Church. Speaking of a document distributed to members of the General Conference Executive Committee that examined the subject in depth, Paulsen commented that "this paper on church unity is not a program or an action plan, rather a statement on values. Unity is one of the three core values…"

Michael Ryan read from the statement entitled "Church Unity," identifying its significant aspects. "The unity of our global Seventh-day Adventist community is not something that can be left to take care of itself. Unattended, it inevitably fragments," it begins.

The document identifies six main issues: doctrinal, organizational, leadership loyalty, communication, leadership training, and mission.

In its conclusion, the comment is made: "The church must provide a governance structure that is not obsessed by a control mentality. Failure to do so will be detrimental to trust… In the light of the foregoing, the church must keep high on its agenda: defining and communicating the profile of Adventist leadership, enhancing both trust and accountability, and commissioning research that will inform the church concerning the issues impacting unity."

In discussion, many spoke favorably about the document and its purpose. South Pacific Division secretary Barry Oliver said it was "a thoughtful document," and that "unity is a precious but tenuous gift to the church." He also suggested that the paper could be "considerably enhanced if shared in the context of why unity in the church was so precious."

Columbia Union president Harold Lee applauded the concepts presented, saying they were "critical issues both current and future." Unity is much needed, he said, "in areas such as authority, organizational structure, identity, leadership, and the church's core values." He wondered whether there is "not more needed than the assurance that the leadership here is going to move it. When I present this to my boards, I will be asked the question, 'So what? Another document?' Somehow we have to get this down to ground zero-the operative word is action. What do we do? How do we coordinate?"

Newly appointed GC Chaplaincy Ministries director-elect Martin Feldbush commented that "unity is not achieved by directly pursuing it-we receive it as a gift from God and as we fulfill the mission." Appreciating the document, he suggested the important question for those present was "what kind of leaders are we?"

Wrapping up discussion, Paulsen observed that like any other paper, "there can never be a final statement. But unity does not take care of itself, and unattended, it fragments. We have to be deliberate in promoting unity. This is a statement of value, not as a document, but for the essence and life contained in these pages. It is to be given prominence among our leaders. The question is, 'How do we translate this into what we do? How do we achieve it?' This is very, very important-to carry with you a statement focused on the value of unity, to use in your own work, your ministries and boards."

It is expected that this "value statement" will be used by divisions, unions, conferences and at the local church level.