nnual Council delegates today received the report of the organizing committee of the International Faith and Science Conferences held under General Conference sponsorship since the summer of 2002. Two international conferences in Ogden, Utah (2002), and Denver, Colorado (2004), were augmented by regional meetings in seven of the church's 13 world divisions during 2003.

The report strongly reaffirms the church's historic position on a literal six-day creation and underscores the importance of this doctrine to the system of Seventh-day Adventist beliefs. It also calls for continuing a respectful dialogue between the church's theologians, scientists, and administrators on this and other topics.

In a two-and-a-half-hour floor session, more than two dozen delegates rose to comment on the report or to suggest language for inclusion in a responding document that will be voted on by Thursday. Almost all expressed their appreciation for the organizing committee's report, and recommended that the Council address any perceived ambiguity in the church's Fundamental Belief #6 through a consensus statement. A four-person committee composed of persons who authored the initial report was drafted to prepare a statement.

General vice president Gerry Karst highlighted the importance of the discussion for teachers, students, and parents involved in Adventist higher education. "Parents who sacrifice to provide an Adventist education for their children have a right to expect it in all areas of the curriculum," he reminded delegates. "While there must be adequate exposure to the insights of science, Adventist students have the right to hear about the Adventist belief in creation from a teacher who believes it by conviction."

Read Faith & Science Part 2.

Personnel Changes
General Conference president Jan Paulsen announced that Ben Maxson, General Conference Stewardship director, and his wife, Mary, North American Division Women's Ministries director, are moving to Paradise, California, where Ben will serve as senior pastor of a team of five pastors at the Paradise Adventist Church. Mary will continue as director of NAD Women's Ministries but will be headquartered in California. Ben officially transitioned to his new position October 1.

Elder Paulsen also announced the soon retirement of General Conference Women's Ministries director Ardis Stenbakken, who will be moving to Colorado with her husband, recently retired Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries director Richard Stenbakken, sometime near the end of the year. Ardis was elected GC Women's Ministries director in 1997.

2004 Baptisms Pass One Million Mark
General Conference Secretary Matthew Bediako reported that 1,006,492 people have been baptized and joined the Adventist Church so far this year as a result of church-growth initiatives Go One Million, Sow 1 Billion, and Year of Evangelism. The one-million milestone has been reached only once before in Adventist church history. This brings world membership to a total of 13,663,497. On average, 2,756 people are being baptized each day.

NAD membership has also crossed the one million mark, joining five other divisions with million-plus memberships: Inter-America, South America, East-Central Africa, Southern Africa-Indian Ocean, and Southern Asia Pacific.

The church's average baptism retention rate is 70 percent.

KidsView-Not Just For Kids
KidsView is the newest offspring of the Adventist Review. It is The Adventist Review for kids-and those who always will be kids at heart. The 4-page, brightly colored KidsView appears once a month in the center section of the AnchorPoints edition and attracts readers of all ages with its fun facts, nature nuggets, puzzles, and stories. For two consecutive years, it has received the Acorn Award "Best in Class" from the Associated Church Press for its creativity and appeal to children ages 8-12. To receive KidsView for one year inside the AnchorPoints edition of the Adventist Review, call 1-800-456-3991.