ession delegates today overwhelmingly endorsed a document that positively responds to the International Faith and Science Conference report they received on Monday. A four-person drafting committee brought a 300-word statement of affirmations and recommendations to the floor, where it was discussed for more than an hour before being voted.

Requests from the Monday session that language be included to express the church's historic belief found expression in the document's affirmation of a "literal, recent, six-day Creation." Responding to questions about perceived ambiguities in the church's Fundamental Belief #6, the document specifies that "the seven days of the Creation account were literal 24-hour days forming a week identical in time to what we now experience as a week." The global nature of the Genesis flood was also underscored.

The responding statement called for the widest possible dissemination of the International Faith and Science Conference (IFSC) report and today's response in all the major languages used by members. It also called upon governing boards and educators at Adventist institutions to continue upholding and advocating the church's position on creation. Special concern was urged to educate Adventist youth attending non-Adventist schools about the issues related to the church's belief.

A move by some delegates to launch a process of reworking the language of Fundamental Belief #6 was also debated at length, but turned down by a large majority of the delegates.

The full texts of the IFSC report, today's responding document, and Fundamental Belief #6 are available.

Annual Council 2007 to Be Held in ESD
For the first time in Adventist Church history the Euro-Asia Division will host the church's Annual Council. In 2007, session delegates will travel to Kiev, Ukraine, to discuss church business and worship with the approximately 6,000 Adventists who live in that city.

Joseph Gurubatham Leaves HSI
Home Study International president Joseph Gurubatham has accepted the presidency of Health Management, Inc., an ASI-member organization located in Washington, D.C. Health Management specializes in healthcare careers training and education as well as home health services. Gurubatham has been president of Home Study International for 15 years. He will begin his new responsibilities on November 15.

GC Institute of World Missions Director Retires
Patricia Gustin, who has served as director of the GC Institute of World Missions at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, for eight years, will be retiring January 1, 2005. She plans to move to Walla Walla, Washington, to live near her daughter, son-in-law, and two grandchildren.

Executive Committee Adopts Philosophy of Music
After first tabling a recommendation to approve a philosophy of music that incorporates principles and applications of music for corporate and personal worship experiences, delegates again considered the statement at a late Tuesday session.

Following a lengthy discussion, it was voted to approve a revised document that includes the preamble and the biblical principles of music identified by the drafting committee.

"I would hope that any guidelines on music that our church adopts not become the instrument by which we measure spirituality," said Jan Paulsen. "I see it as a teaching instrument." Paulsen added that the philosophy of music statement presents guidelines and not policies.

More Than Just NAD
The Adventist Review is published in four different editions every month-the North American Division (NAD) edition, which goes free to almost every Adventist home in North America and covers themes of interest to church members in North America; World, which features news and mission stories of global interest; Cutting Edge focuses on current issues; and AnchorPoints features Spirit of Prophecy and Adventist heritage pieces. Until October 31, 2004, you can receive all four editions for US$7 off the regular price. Call today: 1-800-456-3991.