Third Business Meeting
58th General Conference Session, July 1, 2005, 2:00 p.m.

LINDA MEI LIN KOH: Welcome back to the afternoon session of our business meetings. The chairman of this business meeting will be Mike Ryan, general vice president of the General Conference. The secretary of this business meeting will be Agustin Galicia, associate secretary of the General Conference. Our benediction this afternoon will be given by Dolores Richardson from the North American Division. [Linda Mei Lin Koh led out in the opening prayer.]

DAVID and MONIQUE GRIFFITHS: [Rendered the musical selection "Worthy Is My Savior."]

MICHAEL L. RYAN: I believe that we have a partial report from the Nominating Committee, and so at this time I'd like to turn the time over to Elder Jere Patzer.

JERE PATZER: [Following preliminary remarks, Elder Patzer called on Dr. Delbert Baker, secretary of the Nominating Committee, to bring a partial report of the committee.]

DELBERT BAKER: Mr. Chairman, the Nominating Committee is recommending the name of Dr. Jan Paulsen for the presidency of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. [This recommendation was moved and seconded, and voted in the affirmative. Elder and Mrs. Paulsen were invited to the platform, and Elder Paulsen addressed the delegates.]

JAN PAULSEN: Brothers and sisters, it is a privilege to serve the Lord and the church in the leadership role that you have asked me to fill. It is an honor, and I want to express appreciation for the trust that you have placed in me. I will do my very best to serve the Lord and His church, His people, as I best know how. The Lord is present by His Spirit. I believe that He has guided this congregation, this gathering. If I did not believe that, the responsibility that one assumes is too great to carry. I need to know that the Holy Spirit will be a constant companion and a support, and I believe He will. I also want to express appreciation to the many of you who have, on so many occasions, expressed your support to both Kari and me.

The love and support that you give mean a lot. The many assurances of your prayers mean a lot for us. Kari is a partner, and her support is critical in the work that we are going to do together. So thank you all very, very much. May the Lord bless you as I also ask Him to bless us, and thank you for continuing to remember us in your prayers.

MICHAEL L. RYAN: I think we are ready to take up our business again here this afternoon. [A motion to resume the morning's tabled business was made, seconded, and voted.]

We will now turn the time back over to Elder Lemon to complete the Treasury report.

ROBERT E. LEMON: Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. At this point, Mr. Chairman, I think it would be good if we had the auditor bring the opinion on the audited financial statement.

[Elder Lemon then introduced James E. Nyquist, of Maner, Costerisan, and Ellis, Certified Public Accountants, who presented the independent auditors' report.]

We had a motion on the floor to accept the Treasury report, so before making a motion to accept the audited financial statement, you may wish to deal with that.

MICHAEL L. RYAN: I believe that motion has also been seconded, so we will take time and entertain any discussion there might be on the Treasury report. Any questions on that? [The treasurer responded to several questions about the report.]

DOUG HARDT: I live and work in Georgia and Armenia and Azerbaijan. When I look at the Global Mission Offering, it is alarming to me how little it is. Do you have any suggestions as to how we could increase the Global Mission offerings? We are in the 10/40 window, and this is the main fund that we have for reaching that 10/40 window. I also know that the countries right next to us are Iran and Turkey, and really, we have no work going on there, and we really need funds for those countries and for our whole section of the world.

ROBERT E. LEMON: I would like to ask the chairman to answer that question.

MICHAEL L. RYAN: There is a large number of people who would wish that we could spend a lot more resources on that area. However, there is a policy that we approved at a Spring Meeting several years ago that required conferences, unions, and divisions to match the money that was sent out from the General Conference. And I believe I would not be too far off by saying that if you would count those moneys as they have been applied to frontline mission work, that figure would actually be tripled. And maybe it is not enough money in and of itself, but it is a little bit more. I think you've raised a good point, and I know that it is probably under study. I hope that has helped you a little bit.

[A motion to cease discussion and to vote on the Treasury report was moved, seconded, and voted.]

ROBERT E. LEMON: Mr. Chairman, I would move acceptance of the audited financial statement along with the auditors' certificate. [The motion was seconded and voted.]

MICHAEL L. RYAN: I'd like to ask you to turn in your agenda to the Resolution on the Holy Bible. I'll have our secretary read that for us.

AGUSTIN GALICIA: [Read Resolution on the Holy Bible. The motion to adopt the Resolution on the Holy Bible was moved and seconded, and opportunity for discussion was given. A motion to amend the document by adding the word "Sacred" before all occurrences of the word "Scriptures" was made and seconded. A vote on the amendment did not carry. The original motion to approve the Resolution on the Holy Bible was voted.]

MICHAEL L. RYAN: We would like to go to number 206 on the agenda. This is a Resolution on the Spirit of Prophecy, and again I would ask our secretary to read it.

AGUSTIN GALICIA: [Read Resolution on the Spirit of Prophecy. A motion to accept the recommendation was made and seconded. It was then tabled to permit a partial report of the Nominating Committee.]

JERE PATZER: We are pleased to be able to bring to you a recommendation from the Nominating Committee, and that will, we hope, conclude the executive parts of our administrative team of the General Conference.

DELBERT BAKER: Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the Nominating Committee we are delighted to give two reports this afternoon, which will complete the executive officers. First, the Nominating Committee recommends the name of Matthew A. Bediako to serve as secretary of the General Conference for the next term of office. [Moved, seconded, and voted.]

Mr. Chairman, the Nominating Committee recommends the name of Robert E. Lemon to serve as treasurer of the General Conference for the next term of office. [Moved, seconded, and voted.]

JERE PATZER: We are going to ask our president to come and make an additional few comments.

JAN PAULSEN: I want to express my appreciation for the choices that you have made. Pastor Bediako has served with distinction for the past five years and will continue to do so. He is a man of vast international experience. He knows the church well, and the church is the burden of his heart. I am just so delighted, Matthew, that you can continue to be part of this team.

MATTHEW A. BEDIAKO: Thank you, Mr. President. First, I want to thank God for His leading during past these five years, and I want to tell you this afternoon that I appreciate your prayers. Through e-mails I know that around the world somebody is praying for me every day. It is a privilege for us, my wife and I, to serve you at the world headquarters. Pray for us.

JAN PAULSEN: Bob Lemon is one of the finest ministers of finance that we have. He is a minister. He has the heart of a minister, and he thinks and feels as a minister for his church. He is one of the finest financial professionals that we have. We have worked together for a number of years now, and I have come to know him as a man of distinction leading a very fine Treasury team.

ROBERT E. LEMON: It is a humbling experience to be asked to be part of your great team of leadership around the world. When I was asked in 2002 to be the treasurer I read a quote from Ellen White that said: "There is no limit to the usefulness of one who, setting self aside, makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit." Sherry and I desire that there be no limit to our usefulness and that the Holy Spirit may work through each one of us. We solicit an interest in your prayers.

MICHAEL L. RYAN: It has been brought to my attention that our time for this meeting is gone. It would be appropriate to entertain a motion to adjourn this meeting. [The meeting was adjourned.]

JERE PATZER: Mr. Chairman, I apologize to you on this Friday afternoon, but because of the dynamics of what has to come in place, so that the nominating process can continue on schedule, all the division presidents are to meet with their caucuses immediately after this meeting. You may want to wish to set another time, but we are asking that by Sunday morning, at 8:00 a.m., we have at least the name of the president from each of the divisions presented to the Nominating Committee.

MICHAEL L. RYAN, Chair
AGUSTIN GALICIA, Secretary
BILL BOTHE, ATHAL W. TOLHURST, FRED THOMAS, and CLAUDE SABOT, Proceedings Editors

Session Actions
58th General Conference Session, July 1, 2005, 2:00 p.m.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT #1
VOTED, To approve the following partial report of the Nominating Committee:

General Conference
President: Jan Paulsen

TREASURER'S REPORT
VOTED, To take from the table the Treasurer's Report.

TREASURER'S REPORT
VOTED, To accept the report of the General Conference Treasurer, Robert E Lemon.

AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENT
VOTED, To approve the audited financial statement for the General Conference for the years 2000 to 2004, as presented by General Conference Treasurer, Robert E Lemon, and Undertreasurer, Steven G Rose, and as approved by independent auditor, James E Nyquist of Maner, Costerisan & Ellis, Certified Public Accountants.

RESOLUTION ON THE HOLY BIBLE
(Resolution on the Holy Scriptures)

VOTED, To approve the Resolution on the Holy Bible, which reads as follows:

Resolution on the Holy Bible
As delegates to the 2005 General Conference Session in St Louis, Missouri, we reaffirm the centrality of the Scriptures in the message and life of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. In them the beauty, love, and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ are revealed and offered to us as a gift of salvation through faith in His atoning sacrifice. Through them God reveals Himself to us, conveying an authentic expression of His character, a true conception of the nature of reality, a reliable record of His acts, a revelation of His purpose, and an expression of His loving will for us. The Scriptures constitute our supreme rule of faith and practice and the standard by which all teaching and experience is to be tested. Their divine origin invests them with an authority and a message that is relevant to and transcends all cultures and can satisfy our deepest needs.

Given the unique nature and importance of the Scriptures and the manifold benefits their systematic study brings to the Church, we the delegates of the General Conference in Session appeal to all Seventh-day Adventist believers around the world to make intentional provision in their daily routine for regular, prayerful reading of the Scriptures. Moreover, because biblical truths are for the benefit of all, especially those who will come to Christ, we urge every believer to actively seek ways to share the message of the Scriptures with others in order to prepare the world for the soon coming of our Lord.

RESOLUTION ON THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY
VOTED, To table the document Resolution on the Spirit of Prophecy.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT #2
VOTED, To approve the following partial report of the Nominating Committee:

General Conference
Secretary: Matthew A Bediako
Treasurer: Robert E Lemon

Adjourned

MICHAEL L RYAN, Chairman
AGUSTIN GALICIA, Secretary
LARRY R EVANS, Actions Editor
ROWENA J MOORE, Recording Secretary

Fourth Business Meeting
58th General Conference Session, July 3, 2005, 9:30 a.m.

C. GARLAND DULAN: [Welcomed delegates to the fourth business meeting of the session. He introdued Armando Miranda as chairman and Roscoe Howard III as secretary of the business meeting.]

[Special music was presented by the McGhee family, and the opening prayer was by Tseng Chain Nan.]

ARMANDO MIRANDA: Good morning, brothers and sisters. We are ready to continue the business of the Lord. And now in regard to the seating of additional delegates, the standing committee has a recommendation, and I invite Dr. Eugene Hsu to make the introduction and motion.

EUGENE HSU: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The standing committee would like to recommend that Charles Bradford be voted as a delegate at large to the General Conference session. [Motion was moved, seconded, and voted.]

ARMANDO MIRANDA: As you recall, Friday afternoon we concluded the business session with the discussion of the document entitled Resolution on the Spirit of Prophecy. The motion was tabled, and now we are ready to take it up again. Dr. Gerhard Pfandl will help us to understand the purpose of this resolution.

GERHARD PFANDL: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. A word as to why this resolution is on the floor. First, the Resolution on the Spirit of Prophecy is a reaffirmation of a fundamental belief that occurs at every General Conference session, as those who have attended several General Conference sessions will remember. Second, it is an expression of the gratitude of the world church to God for the wonderful gift that He has given this church. Third, the statement also seeks to encourage church members, and particularly our younger people and new church members, to get better acquainted with the writings of Ellen White. Now a word as to how this statement can, or should be, used. First, we live in changing times, and some feel that we should let Ellen White be part of our history rather than our present and future. Others have raised questions concerning the inspiration and relevance of the writings of Ellen White. Thus, wherever the writings and the ministry of Ellen White are, the statement under consideration can be used to show that the world church still considers her writings to be relevant for the church today. Second, the statement can be used to motivate leaders to develop programs that will increase the awareness of the writings of Ellen White and of her ministry in the church today.

ARMANDO MIRANDA: Thank you very much, Dr. Pfandl. [Resolution was adopted.] As you know, an item on the agenda calls for us to discuss and vote on an addition to our Statement of Fundamental Beliefs. However, before we deal with that, we need to discuss a proposed protocol statement on additions or revisions to the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs. I would like to ask Dr. Angel Rodríguez to present this item.

ANGEL RODRÍGUEZ: I would like to invite Michael Ryan and William Johnsson to join us on the platform, since we constituted an ad hoc committee to work on the protocol that we are bringing to your attention this morning.

The Statement of Fundamental Beliefs is probably the most important document that we possess as a church-apart from the Bible, of course. The nature of that document and of its function is described in the preamble to the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs. That is an extremely important preamble. The nature of the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs that we have is to be defined, not in terms of a creed, but in terms of the belief that the world church holds together. Also, the preamble opens the way for revisions, thereby implying that truth is dynamic, that it grows as well as our understanding of it grows. If it is proper to make additions and changes, then the question is How do we do that? This question is what the proposal seeks to answer.

The procedure that we are bringing to you presupposes two things: 1. The Statement of Fundamental Beliefs belongs to the world church. 2. The world church should be involved in the revisions and additions to the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs.

This procedure, if accepted today, will be used in the future to evaluate and make additions or revisions.

WILLIAM G. JOHNSSON: Suggested changes should reach the General Conference not later than two years before the General Conference session. After the suggestions reach the General Conference, it shall appoint an ad hoc committee to coordinate the process.
1. The General Conference will coordinate and facilitate the process.
2. A preliminary draft approved by the Spring Meeting or Annual Council will be sent to the divisions for reactions and comments.
3. Theology and religion departments and seminaries will become involved in the process.
4. The suggestions will be discussed at the Biblical Research Institute Committee and other pertinent committees.
5. A draft will be published in the Adventist Review and Ministry, and will be placed on the Internet for comments and reactions from church members.
6. The General Conference ad hoc committee will receive all the suggestions from the world field and prepare the final draft to be submitted to the Annual Council before it is placed on the agenda at the General Conference session.
7. Only the General Conference in session can approve additions or revisions to the fundamental beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Mr. Chairman, I move this recommendation. [The motion was seconded.]

MICHAEL R. NGWARU: My concern is that the phrase "to involve the world church as much as possible in the process" may allow that we may still edit and revise without the world, unless that statement means something that I don't understand.

ANGEL RODRÍGUEZ: The intention was not to set limits but to deal with reality. If we say that every church member should be involved, it may not be practical. We have small churches in places that are very difficult to reach. The statement, as it is, does not exclude reaching them, but deals with the reality that in some cases it may not be possible to get to members in distant places. But the intention is to do all we can to reach them.

SAMUEL KORANTENG-PIPIM: I welcome this statement because I believe that it actually sets forth a procedure that enables maximum participation of all. My question has to do with the opening sentence. We have spoken of adding to and revising; what about deletions? Over the years the number of our fundamental beliefs sometimes has been reduced. Is deletion included within the bracket of revising?

ANGEL RODRÍGUEZ: Yes. We intentionally excluded the word "deletion" particularly because it could be very easily misunderstood by people, church members, or even workers who are not here with us. It could imply that we are trying to find ways to eliminate some of our fundamental beliefs. When you revise, there are deletions. Usually you replace one phrase with another and delete the former phrasing, so that type of deletion is foreseen in changes in the future. But since the word "deletion" could be misunderstood, we thought it prudent and wise to stay away from it at this moment.

ALEX R. PONNIAH: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Allow me to take this opportunity to thank the committee that has put forward this wonderful protocol statement. It shows the dynamism of our church, the growth and development of our church. And I give my support to this protocol statement, which is good for our church.

FLAVIA R. KABAHENDA: I would like to commend the committee that looked into the issue of involving the whole church in the planning business. However, I do not see in the procedures provision for feedback to the people who make the initial recommendations for additions or revisions.

WILLIAM G. JOHNSSON: It's a very clear intent of the document that every recommendation that comes in from the world field be very carefully studied.

CHIEMELA FKONNE: My comment is on the need for a timeline for feedback. After the information has been sent to the divisions, and after it has been published in the Adventist Review and Ministry, there doesn't seem to be any timeline given for the receipt of feedback.

ANGEL RODRÍGUEZ: The procedure is not perhaps as specific as some might wish it would be. Any suggestion that reaches the divisions should reach the General Conference at least two years before a General Conference session, and that will allow time to listen to the suggestions.

KATHRYN SHAW: Since you use the word "imperative," it might be interesting to discuss the possibility of our being able to make some suggestions, since this body is in session now.

ANGEL RODRÍGUEZ: We believe that the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs is an extremely serious document and that before we move to make changes, a careful analysis should be in place. Delegates here make suggestions, but we have to protect the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs. It does not belong to the delegates, to the leaders, or to the theologians. It belongs to the world church, and any suggestion for changes coming from anywhere in the world will need time to go to the world church, because it belongs to them.

ROBERT JIMENEZ: I have a point of inquiry as to whether or not the concerns of the delegates during this session can be considered because of this protocol statement.

ANGEL RODRÍGUEZ: The question is complex, because it has to do with agendas and how it is set up. If you have a suggestion, you can begin the process in your local field. It will take some time until it gets to the General Conference, and from there, if accepted, it will come to the floor. We don't want to open up the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs for discussion at a General Conference session unless there is a particular item agenda related to it.

THOMAS OCHOOGE: Mr. Chairman, number 4 in the document states that a proposal would be discussed by the Biblical Research Institute Committee and other pertinent committees. Can these committees be specified?

ANGEL RODRÍGUEZ: Well, let me give you an example: the Church Manual Committee. They may want to look at it and have suggestions. It may be that the General Conference may want to set up a large ad hoc committee and bring a group of theologians and administrators from different parts of the world to look at the statement. So we don't want to limit the evaluation of the proposal to only one committee; we want to leave it open so that the church at all levels can set up systems through which careful evaluation is given to this statement. If we begin to make a list, things become a little more complex, because people will wonder why some were not included. We specifically mentioned the Biblical Research Institute Committee because of the influence of the work of the Biblical Research Institute on the church around the world. [Questions were raised concerning the role to be played at different levels of the church.]

The matter should be carefully discussed at each administrative level. We are talking about mission fields, conferences, unions, and divisions. In the evaluation of the suggested change the governing body at each level will establish an appropriate process for evaluation, seeking wide input. They may decide on the various ways they disseminate the suggestion. Let's not make things difficult for the local missions, conferences, unions, and divisions. Leave them some freedom to decide on the details of the process at the local level.

MICHAEL L. RYAN: I think we are having difficulty really understanding the process. At any level where a proposal is initiated, we want to follow a process that brings input from everybody that we can possibly ask. Because we have found that as we have had opportunity to look at the various comments that have come in, the document is always made richer and more complete by getting the opinions of different people. So by virtue of the fact that every level has to deal with it we are making the assumption that even at the church level they will be involved as much as possible.

ARMANDO MIRANDA: Thank you very much. Brothers and sisters, we'll resume consideration of this item at our next business session this afternoon. I want to invite John Graz to come to the microphone. He has something special to share with us.

JOHN GRAZ: Mr. Chairman, dear brothers and sisters, I would like to read an official message sent to our president, Dr. Jan Paulsen, from Festus G. Mogae, the president of the Republic of Botswana. And I read:

"Dear Dr. Jan Paulsen: I have been informed that the Seventh-day Adventist Church will be holding their General Conference session in St. Louis, Missouri. I believe that about 50,000 individuals from your worldwide membership of more than 12 million will be attending the meetings. Among them will be a delegation as well as visitors from our country, Botswana, where you recently established a new countrywide church organization.

"The Seventh-day Adventist Church has served the people of Botswana for the past 83 years. They have established churches throughout our country. Your hospital and a nursing college at Kanye have served our nation well. Your interest in the people of the world is proved by the many institutions you are running. The more than 166 hospitals, almost 400 clinics, more than 130 retirement centers, and close to 30 orphanages under your direction in countries all over the world confirm that you are caring people. The more than 10 million annual outpatients visiting these health-care facilities prove your dedication to helping mankind.

"We are glad that Seventh-day Adventists have started to enter the field of education in Botswana. We are aware of the church's contribution in other countries in Africa and wish that Botswana could benefit more. We also appreciate the humanitarian work that is being done through ADRA and wish that Botswana could also benefit more.

"May you have a blessed, challenging, and exciting General Conference meeting. Please remember us in your prayers."

Brothers and sisters, I would like also to acknowledge the presence among us of the Honorable Benjamin Foster Bieva, third vice president of the National Assembly and vice president of the National Defense Commission and Internal Order of the Republic of Angola. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

ARMANDO MIRANDA: Thank you, Dr. Graz. The time being late, we will adjourn until this afternoon. Thank you very much.

IAN SLEEMAN: [Benediction.]

ARMANDO MIRANDA, Chair
ROSCOE HOWARD III, Secretary
BILL BOTHE, ATHAL TOLHURST,
FRED THOMAS, and CLAUDE SABOT, Proceedings Editors

Profiling Adventist Leadership
Sunday, July 3, 2005

HAROLD W. BAPTISTE: Welcome to the first special session of the presentations profiling Adventist leadership.

[Dr. Andrea Luxton introduced, as the first presenter, Dr. Jan Paulsen, who spoke on the subject "Character and Personality of Adventist Leadership." This paper was distributed to delegates in a pamphlet entitled Profiling Adventist Leadership.]

Thank you very much, Elder Paulsen. We will now turn to the other phase of our meeting here this morning: fielding questions and observations from the floor. First of all, there are two written questions that we would like Dr. Andrea Luxton to present at this time. And then we will look to those who wish to comment on Dr. Paulsen's presentation so that we can broaden the effectiveness of this very excellent paper presented by our president.

ANDREA LUXTON: My first question, Elder Paulsen, relates to the issue of failure. When we look at the Bible, we see that just about every Bible character we meet there fails at some time. How do you feel we should respond both as individuals and also as a church to the failures of leaders?

JAN PAULSEN: We really don't need to go quite that far back. We can look at ourselves, and there are mistakes aplenty to go around. What I think is important is that one has a certain sense of whether an individual has so enormously compromised himself or herself that he or she cannot continue in the leadership role. However, there are mistakes in judgment, in decisions, mistakes sometimes in the way we relate to each other. But let us not be so brutally hard on one another that we do not allow room for recovery from these mistakes. There are men and women in leadership positions in our church who have made mistakes. They should be given an opportunity also to grow and develop. And with the Holy Spirit's presence and guidance a mistake can result in growth. But we should differentiate between categories of mistakes.

ANDREA LUXTON: Thank you. The second area I'd ask you to look at is that of leadership development, particularly in a church system in which so many leaders are elected. How do we prepare people-particularly young people, individuals who've not traditionally been in leadership-for leadership positions?

JAN PAULSEN: Thank you very much, Andrea. Andrea has raised a point that I think is really, really critical for the church. The skill of leadership isn't something that comes to you overnight. You have to learn; you have to be exposed to having to make decisions. Some of you have heard me speak on the issue of youth. There is no biblical requirement that you have to be 40 or 50 before you can become a local elder. Why can that not happen when you are 20 or 25? So I beg of you, make room for the youth to come in and to grow.

HAROLD W. BAPTISTE: Thank you, Elder Paulsen, for your splendid presentation. And now we turn to you, the audience, to have input in this vital exercise.

JACK KROGSTAD: I would just like to point out that even in the secular world today, we study Jesus Christ as a great model of leadership. My question is this: Is there a danger that as a church we define our leadership style more narrowly than the model that Jesus and, in fact, the gospel itself exemplified?

JAN PAULSEN: I think the danger is there. I accept that. I think we have to look at these things very, very openly and establish a culture in our church that manifests an openness of communication. I think that we can therefore approach any issue of leadership from a position of strength and not be afraid to open up and be engaged in dialogue and at the same time have a reasonable openness so that people can communicate

HAROLD W. BAPTISTE: Thank you. We go to Jonathan Kuntaraf.

JONATHAN KUNTARAF: I would like to comment, Elder Paulsen, on this excellent paper. I fully agree on the content, which is excellent. Especially as I look at what is quoted from Proverbs, which says that in the wisdom of many there is safety.

JAN PAULSEN: Thank you very much. I think that consultation and consensus are invaluable. It has to happen in the church. There are some decisions that the church has to make that have to do with the use of finances, resources-administrative decisions.

NEVILLE HARCOMBE: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Elder Paulsen, I appreciate the subject that you brought to us. In many circles the word "change" is used in a negative sense; however, I think that you have clearly identified the areas where we do not change.

SAINTIL BRICE: First of all, I would like to congratulate the president for his paper and his overall presentation on this important issue for the church. Talking about the characteristics of leaders, you didn't mention competence. I think nowadays people are not willing to follow incompetent leaders. To be a leader now, we need to be competent. And we need to be willing to learn on a continual basis, to learn from the Word of God. A leader is someone who is willing to learn also from his followers, and is someone who is close to his followers. He is not someone who is far from his followers.

HAROLD W. BAPTISTE: We go next to Garland Dulan.

C. GARLAND DULAN: What are your ideas with regard to the large number of individuals who are coming into the church and how we may integrate them into the church in such a way that they become known well enough to be considered for leadership positions?

I'm also speaking of individuals who may be going to colleges and universities not of our own, but who are church members. I'm wondering what your thoughts are in terms of how to integrate that group into future leadership opportunities in the church.

JAN PAULSEN: Church leadership needs to be very sensitive to this issue of developing leadership. It's not going to happen unless those who are currently engaged in elected leadership positions of the church see this as part of their assignment.

There is no magical way that this will happen. But I have to place this burden, this role, on elected leadership at all possible levels of the church.

YEW CHONG WONG: My point is that values are often caught and not taught, and I wonder what the church can do in trying, as it trains for succession and leadership, to pass on these values. Do we have a system of internships and mentorship so that people can move through the different stages of leadership and pick values as they go along?

JAN PAULSEN: You've raised it as a question, but really you've made some important comments. Leadership at every level of the church must see to it that that happens. I think that it is also very important that leaders are accessible to the people. That people can get in touch with you and that you listen to them.

ALEX R. PONNIAH: I think this paper should be made available to all leaders in our local churches.

We also need to have effective training modules and materials to develop lay leaders who will take on the responsibility of the various departments in the church. I would also like to mention that today we have a model that is slowly but surely emerging. It is the model of servant leadership, and I think that that concept should be included in the document.

JAN PAULSEN: I need to make just a brief response to this. In one part in my paper you will find that I made the point that an elective leader is not the lord of the church, but the servant, the servant of the Lord and the servant of the church. I would briefly comment on your earlier point. Two things are important in the development of young leadership in the church. First, trust them. If they are constantly feeling that they are being viewed with suspicion and that somebody is sitting there constantly nervous, you are not going to get the best out of them. Second, allow them to make mistakes and to recover from these mistakes.

CORRADO COZZI: I appreciate very much your statement that the youth are the owners of the church and the leaders of its future. But when I consider how many youth are here as delegates-only 33-it is difficult for me to understand.

HAROLD W. BAPTISTE: Thank you for your observations.

OHENE KWAKU ABBU-BONSA: Thank you very much. May I take this opportunity to thank Elder Paulsen for this splendid speech. It is my humble prayer that his presentation will be listened to at all levels and that leaders may learn from it. Thank you.

DANIEL DUFFIS: I'm from the Inter-American Division, where treasurers are being trained to be professional treasurers. Secretaries are being trained. But presidents do not have the opportunity of getting proper training to be presidents. What is the church doing to help presidents to be better presidents?

JAN PAULSEN: That's a difficult question. I have to be honest with you-I don't know. I've received no formal training. I think it is experience, exposure to leadership responsibilities. I think it's something that has to grow and develop. In addition to that, I do think the church needs to run leadership seminars. But so much of leadership is tied up in one's personality and the choices one makes for oneself.

FLAVIA R. KABAHENDA: I want to comment specifically on the role and the leadership of women in the church. I would like this house to realize that the representation of women at all levels is very low.

I recognize that when women assume a leadership role it often affects the home. In spite of this, I would like to hear specific suggestions from Elder Paulsen concerning training and budgets for women's leadership roles so that we may attract and encourage them.

JAN PAULSEN: The points you have made, sister, are very valid. We are vastly underrepresented at levels, including this body here. We are aware of that, and we've not done well at electing women into positions of leadership. It's an issue that even the Nominating Committee right now is working with, and we will have to see what comes out of that.

HAROLD W. BAPTISTE: Thank you very much. Thanks for your spirited participation and a round of applause for Elder Paulsen. The time for our schedule having been passed, this meeting now stands adjourned until the next session at 2:00 p.m. Let us stand for the benediction.

CORINNE EGASSE-HAUCHECORNE: [Benediction.]

HAROLD W. BAPTISTE, Chair
BILL BOTHE, ATHAL TOLHURST,
FRED THOMAS, and CLAUDE SABOT, Proceedings Editors

Session Actions
58th General Conference Session, July 3, 2005, 9:30 a.m.

GENERAL CONFERENCE SESSION 2005-SEATING OF ADDITIONAL DELEGATE
VOTED, To approve Charles E Bradford as a delegate at large from the General Conference.

RESOLUTION ON THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY
VOTED, To take from the table the document Resolution on the Spirit of Prophecy.

RESOLUTION ON THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY
VOTED, To approve the Resolution on the Spirit of Prophecy, which reads as follows:

Resolution on the Spirit of Prophecy

As delegates to the 2005 General Conference Session in St Louis, Missouri, we acknowledge that the Seventh-day Adventist Church has been richly blessed by the Lord through the gift of prophecy manifested in the ministry and writings of Ellen G White. Through it the Lord guided the development of the Church from a small number of members to a worldwide movement entrusted with the proclamation of a message of salvation in Christ and the hope of His soon return in glory. Her ministry has directly contributed to the preservation of the unity of the Church and has sustained it in difficult times. Her writings continue to be a most positive influence in the life of the Church, providing for it comfort, guidance, instruction, correction, and theological stimulus. Their study will constantly lead the Church back to the Bible as the very foundation of faith and practice.

As delegates, we affirm the important role the writings of Ellen G White still play in nurturing the Adventist movement and in preserving the unity of the world Church. Consequently, we call upon Seventh-day Adventists throughout the world to prayerfully study her writings, in order to understand more fully God's purpose for His remnant people. We call upon church leaders at all administrative levels to plan and facilitate the promotion and study of the writings of the Spirit of Prophecy in their respective fields. We call upon our youth to acquaint themselves with the wealth of divine counsel found in these writings because it will greatly enrich their lives as they serve the Lord and fellow human beings.

PROTOCOL STATEMENT ON ADDITIONS OR REVISIONS TO THE STATEMENT OF FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS
This item was discussed at length, and discussion will continue in the afternoon business session.

Adjourned

Armando Miranda, Chairman
Roscoe J Howard III, Secretary
Larry R Evans, Actions Editor
Rowena J Moore, Recording Secretary

Fifth Business Meeting
58th General Conference Session, July 3, 2005, 2:00 p.m.

EDWARD CHAMBUGONG: [Offered opening prayer.]

BROTHERS OF NASHVILLE: [Sang "Trust and Obey."]

GERRY D. KARST: I welcome you to the afternoon session, and for the first hour we are going to do something of a different nature called "Challenges to Mission." In this first session Mark Finley and some others are going to outline for you some of the challenges the church faces in its mission program around the world, particularly those that we anticipate during the next quinquennium, and following that presentation we are going to provide an opportunity for you, as delegates, to become engaged in the discussion.

A careful record will be taken of all the comments that are made. They will become a part of a publication, along with the presentations, that will go back to each division and form a launching pad for initiatives in this coming quinquennium.

So we look forward to this afternoon and each afternoon. Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday-five hours devoted to this subject. So at this time I will invite Mark Finley to come to the podium and launch our discussion.

MARK FINLEY: Thank you, Elder Karst. As we discuss this particular section for today we recognize that the church is going rapidly around the world, and we have at this fifty-eighth session of the General Conference had reports on the triumph of mission. We have had reports on what God is doing to bring tens of thousands of people into the Seventh-day Adventist Church, but an analysis enables us to recognize that we are facing some incredible challenges.

There will be five presentations, and here are the five topics:
1. The Church and Spiritual Life. Today we will talk about the church and spiritual life and address the quality of spiritual life in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
2. The Church and the Cities-the challenge of the cities.
3. The Church and Apostasy-not only the large numbers that are being baptized but how we can reduce the number leaving the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
4. The Church and Society-we will talk about the church making an impact on society through local congregations.
5. The Church and Secularism.

Today we begin with a question as we face the topic "The Church and Spiritual Life." The question we face is this: "Is the Seventh-day Adventist Church the dynamic spiritual community that God desires? Are the majority of Seventh-day Adventists enjoying a meaningful prayer life and a devotional life? Now, the answer to that question becomes vital in the mission of the church. That may lead us to another question: What are the indicators of spirituality in the life of the believer?

In the early 1990s the Strategic Planning Committee at the General Conference commissioned the Institute of Church Growth at Andrews University, with Roger Dudley, to do a massive survey that would enable us to know the state of the Adventist Church and what the challenges for the future were.

Nearly 10,000 surveys were sent out to pastors, administrators, and laypeople internationally around the world. Youth were involved in the survey; both men and women were involved in the survey; and 3,643 responses came in. Now, one might debate the findings of the survey, and one might debate the exact percentages, but the point is not that these percentages have to be exact, but that they are certainly indicators. What were some of these survey findings that challenge the church today?

First, only 51 percent of our members have any form of daily devotions and family worship. Approximately half the Seventh-day Adventist Church does not have a prayer life or devotional life, according to their own acknowledgment on the survey. Second, we discovered that only 57 percent of the baptized membership of the Seventh-day Adventist Church worldwide attends corporate worship each week. Third, we observed that only 37 percent of the membership participates in any kind of witnessing activity at all. And last, only 34 percent of our members contribute to any mission projects. So these indicators-daily devotions, weekly worship, witnessing, and mission-go to the core of church spirituality.

This is a challenge, in spite of all of our growth, in spite of all of our progress. There is a deep fundamental challenge that the church faces, and that is the renewal and revival of membership in the area of mission.

The psalmist questions in Psalm 85:6, 7: "Will thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? Shew us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation."

Ellen White also makes earnest appeals in the area of revival. The prophet to the remnant says that revival of true godliness is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs-that there is no need greater than revival. The people, she says, must be taught not to be satisfied with a form of godliness, without the Spirit and the power. She further says that there is nothing that Satan fears so much as that the people of God shall clear the way by removing every hindrance so that the Lord can pour out His Spirit upon a languishing church and impenitent congregation (see Selected Messages, book 1, pp. 121-124). Could it be that God is calling the church to a deeper spirituality?

How do you define spiritual revival? It is a real wakening of the dormant energies of the soul. It is a revitalization of spiritual life. It is a revival of prayer, Bible study, and witness. It is a recommitment to knowing God as our single greatest priority.

Richard Foster, writing in Celebration of Discipline, says that "superficiality is the curse of our age. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem. The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people."

A. W. Tozer, in The Divine Conquest, says, "May not the inadequacy of much of spiritual experience be traced back to our habit of skipping through the corners of the kingdom like children through a marketplace, chatting about everything, but pausing to learn the true value of nothing?" (p. 22). Are we like these children in our spiritual experience? Can we move a world for God when 50 percent of our church membership does not have a meaningful spiritual life?

Paul says that he has a determined purpose to know Christ as the passion of his life and that he wants to become more intimately acquainted with Him. He wants to understand the wonders of His person more clearly (see Phil. 3:10).

This leads us to the following questions:

Does spiritual renewal happen spontaneously? Is revival the moving of the Spirit independent of human action? Is there anything the church can do to create an environment in which revival occurs? Are there some practical ways that administrators, pastors, and laity can cooperate with the Holy Spirit in initiating spiritual renewal in the life of local congregations, educational institutions, health-care facilities, and conference, union, and division officers?

The greatest challenge facing the Adventist Church today is the challenge of revival. How can we make it happen?

PATRICIA GUSTIN: I am excited today as I realize that on the first day we are looking at the challenges of mission that face us in the next five years-we are starting with the focus on the spiritual. We cannot give, we cannot share, what we do not have. Mission is not so much about what we do as it is about who we are, and unless we personally have a relationship with Jesus, we have nothing to share.

When the early disciples had been sent out on their missionary trip, they were excited that they had lots of baptisms, they had seen miracles. Jesus listened to them, and then He said not to rejoice at that, but to rejoice that their names were written in heaven (see Luke 10:20). Who I am, my being, is what must drive what I do in mission.

MICHAEL L. RYAN: I believe that Jesus is coming again very soon. We all believe that-that is why we are here. But I think that this is probably one of the first General Conference sessions during which we've taken time to talk not just about the progress but also about some of the challenges we are facing.

So I hope that the conversation that now comes from the floor can generate ideas, can be a sharing time that will become part of a planning conversation that takes place at various levels after the General Conference session has come to an end.

And so I hope that the Holy Spirit is here right now and that it is filling our hearts and giving us words that we might say in a practical sense what can be done.

MARK FINLEY: Mr. Chairman, we invite you to come and lead us into discussion. We suggest that the discussion focus not on the problem-we've articulated that-but on the solution to the problem, and you may want to suggest a time limit on speakers so that as many as possible can speak.

GERRY D. KARST: Thank you, Elder Finley. We now want to engage you in dialogue. We thought it might be well to set a limit of three minutes per speaker so that more individuals can participate.

So let's have a motion, because we have a timer here that will help keep us on track.

ARNOLD TRUJILLO: I move that we limit our discussion to three minutes per person. [Motion was seconded and voted.]

DOUGLAS HUENERGARDT: Several things in some of the reports distressed me. For example, the number of Adventists who are leaving the church.

The issue is: are we spending sufficient time in preparation of people seeking baptism so that it actually takes some time and seasoning, so that they begin to understand that this is the beginning rather than the culmination point?

GERRY D. KARST: OK, thank you very much. That is a good point. Elder Ryan, you may want to respond briefly to that.

MICHAEL L. RYAN: Just very briefly; you have raised an excellent point, and we have to recognize that this is a real problem.

JONATHAN KUNTARAF: I personally believe that one of the solutions to this problem is the implementation of Sabbath school action units. We know that there are so many people who do not come to church anymore because of the lack of fellowship. Action units can help in reclaiming missing members.

KENNETH CORKUM: Mr. Chairman, I think the issue you have raised-taking responsibility for our own spirituality-is a significant one. There's a biblical principle that if we put God first, with the time remaining He will help us finish the tasks we need to accomplish.

GERRY D. KARST: Thank you, Elder Corkum. There is always time for that which we make a priority in our lives.

ANNE-MAY WOLLAN: Mr. Chairman, when we have a vision for mission, do we also have a mission for our own children? They are most receptive toward religious beliefs between the ages of 5 and 13. I see very little in our planning for evangelism among our own children. We are losing about 58 percent of our children. I hope that as a church we can really have a vision for a mission among our children.

GERRY D. KARST: Elder Finley, I believe you want to make a comment.

MARK FINLEY: I've been listening carefully to the comments, and every comment has been pertinent and heartfelt, discussing a variety of issues. I want to take us back to the question, though. The answers have been wonderful answers, but the question still remains: What can the Seventh-day Adventist Church do structurally to make a major impact in the spiritual life of the believer? Are there things that a division could do to initiate and foster spiritual revival? Are there things that a union could do? Are there things that a conference could do? For example, could a local conference recommend to every church that at the top of the board meeting agenda the spirituality of the church be first? Could a local conference or a union initiate a program of prayer ministry? What can be done on this one issue of enhancing the spiritual life of the believer? We would very much like to hear some responses that we can get into our minutes, very concrete recommendations.

GERRY D. KARST: Thank you, Elder Finley, for focusing our discussion.

M. SERRANT SIMON: I will get right to the point. Our people have lost confidence in the leadership of the church from top to bottom. And I think that what we need to do is bring back this kind of confidence among the membership. When people see our leaders as men of prayer, women of faith, people who are straightforward and honest, then the church will be revived. No institution can rise higher than its leaders.

GERRY D. KARST: Thank you very much. Careful notes of all your comments are being taken, and these will be included.

MARTIN W. FELDBUSH: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In the past few months the elected directors and associate directors of the General Conference departments have been in conversation. We believe that a curricular approach to discipleship is a way not only of beginning to address personal spirituality, but also of equipping local churches to be welcoming communities for new members. And in the coming months we think that you are going to hear more from the General Conference departments about discipleship.

GLENN TOWNEND: It would appear that we have as a church failed each other. And according to the Bible, that kind of failure is sin. And the only way that we deal with sin is through repentance and confession. As I read the Old Testament prophets, the leaders of the prophets called for the leaders of Israel to call the people to corporate prayer and confession. And I think that would be possible for the whole church.

LARRY HARRIS: Ellen White tells us, in The Adventist Home, that the well-being of society and the well-being of the church is dependent upon home influences. So we need to start early. Our success starts at home, so we need to put more emphasis on effective parenting, training our children so that when they come of age they will know who God is.

When I was a child, Mom said that if I did something wrong, God was watching me, so they didn't have to see it. Those principles need to be instilled earlier, and if they are, then as children get older they will support the church.

RICHARD ELOFER: I would like first of all to thank the church for this very important matter. The spiritual life of our members is crucial today if we want to finish the work. I would like to suggest that we have deep reflection on worship, because the three angels' messages are about worship.

We have to strengthen the worship style in church. If we want to see members with strong spiritual lives, we have to focus on worship. Thank you.

KATHLEEN BEYREIS: I am speaking as a mother, a working mother. My understanding is that our question is how to encourage individual worship. I would like to suggest that we encourage our working mothers to take at least a small amount of time for a short devotional and prayer, and then as they see the results they will want to increase that time.

CYNTHIA TUTSCH: Another specific suggestion to increase spirituality in our churches is to involve youth in the actual evangelistic outreach of our churches.

We need to provide both tools and skills to young people to be involved in evangelism. The youth themselves could be a catalyst to increase the spirituality of our church worldwide. So my suggestion is that as we involve the youth, as we make overt, concerted efforts to provide them leadership opportunities and evangelism, their enthusiasm-their joy in being agencies that lead others to Jesus Christ-will be contagious.

GILBERTO C. ARAJUO: I am from the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division. We take one day off to pray together. We leave the office, we meet together during a day, and we pray together. Second, all of our workers are conducting a work of revival meetings and also two or three weeks for evangelism campaigns.

GERRY D. KARST: OK, thank you very much. We're going to take three more individuals. And I will indicate who those are at microphones 2 and 6. There's Chiemela Ikonne, Jean Emmanuel Nlo Nlo, and Donna Richards. We will finish with Donna Richards. To the rest of you, I apologize-our time has run out. But we do want your suggestions. Please write them down and turn them in to the team behind me on the platform.

CHIEMELA IKONNE: Mr. Chairman, my comment is in respect to the area I'm coming from. Our pastors are having many churches, and they can't handle it.

JEAN EMMANUEL NLO NLO: Mr. Chairman, I have just two points. The first is love. Any worship, any meeting, without love is meaningless. Second, we need to produce Spirit of Prophecy books in greater numbers.

DONNA RICHARDS: In answer to Elder Finley's request for spirituality to be improved in our churches, I am quite sure that all of us know that Scripture says that if we will humble ourselves and pray, it will make a difference in our land and in our churches. Also, Scripture says that some things do not change except by prayer and fasting. Unfortunately we talk more than we pray.

GERRY D. KARST: Thank you very much. This has been a good discussion. We are going to give the last word to Pastor Finley, who would like to conclude this portion with us.

MARK FINLEY: Thank you so much for your meaningful discussion. I have been sitting taking notes. And maybe I will leave the discussion today with a question: If we surveyed this audience, would 50 percent of us have had a meaningful prayer life and devotional life this morning? If the answer is no, let's change it tomorrow morning.

GERRY D. KARST: Thank you, Elder Finley. You will want to come back each afternoon this week at 2:00 when we will continue with the church and society, the challenge of apostasy, the challenge of the cities, and secularism. But in harmony with Donna's closing comments about spending more time in prayer, I thought it would be appropriate at this time if Elder Ryan would lead us into a prayer of dedication so that it will be not just another corporate exercise but something personal that will move us on.

MICHAEL L. RYAN: [Closing prayer.]

GERRY D. KARST, Chair
THEODORE T. JONES, Secretary
BILL BOTHE, ATHAL TOLHURST, FRED THOMAS, and CLAUDE SABOT, Proceedings Editors

GERRY D. KARST: We turn now to our regular agenda. On page 91 in your backup material we have the Protocol Statement on Additions or Revisions to the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs. We have discussed this item in detail, but it seems that there are others who wish to speak. We would invite you now to come to the microphone, be prepared to speak to it, and if your comment has already been repeated by somebody else, please allow others to speak.

[After several speakers were given opportunity to share their concerns, a motion to close discussion was moved, seconded, and voted.]

We have before us now the Protocol Statement, and we will vote on that document. [The document was approved.] We can now go to the item Growing in Christ-Addition to the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs.

I think it needs to be pointed out here that what is contained in this is not new to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It's new only in the sense that it has not been included in our Statement of Fundamental Beliefs. But this is something we have always believed and held as a church. I am asking Dr. Rodríguez to lead us into the discussion.

ANGEL RODRÍGUEZ: You have in your hands a document eight pages long called "Proposal for a New Fundamental Belief." Mr. Chairman, we would like to read this document, hopefully with PowerPoint presentation, and at the end we'll read the statement itself, which is on a separate page, and from there the chair will decide how to handle the item.

Mr. Chairman, I would like now for the delegates, together with me, to read the statement, the new proposed edition to the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs. So if you pull out the paper with the statement, let's read together Growing in Christ. [The statement was read.]

Mr. Chairman, I would like to move that this statement be added to the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. [The motion was seconded.]

GERRY D. KARST: We now come to the discussion on the statement itself, and I would like to propose to the delegation the same time limit of three minutes that was in place during the previous hour.

RICHARD ELOFER: I would like to thank you for this addition to the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs. That is very necessary. But we have to remember that when a fundamental belief is voted and accepted, it is printed everywhere.

And we have to remember that there are more than 1 billion people on the earth for whom the cross is not a very good word. And I don't know why we want to absurdly start the statement by saying, "By His cross Jesus triumphed . . ." Why can't we simply say, "By His death on the cross," or "By His sacrifice on the cross"? We will not offend so many people in the world.

GERRY D. KARST: Thank you, Pastor Elofer. I'm wondering if there is a response.

ANGEL RODRÍGUEZ: Thank you for the comment. We're dealing here with a theological statement, and the significance and meaning of the statement has to be determined by the context in which it is made.

This is not addressing a sociological issue; this is addressing a basic biblical truth, and that biblical truth should be clearly affirmed by us. In the Christian world Adventists have been kind of shy in confessing the saving power of the cross of Christ. And this statement is emphasizing that dimension. The statement itself, the way it reads, should not be offensive to anybody. It doesn't address their concerns raised by the speaker. Even though I do sympathize much with his comments.

WILLIAM G. JOHNSSON: Mr. Chairman, the statement is almost an exact statement of Colossians 2:14, 15. This is exactly what the text says-that by His cross Jesus triumphed over the demonic forces.

Now, at the time of the New Testament the cross was offensive to many. Paul tells us that in 1 Corinthians 1. And in today's world the cross is still offensive, but it seems to me that we must stand by what the Scriptures say-that by His cross Jesus triumphed-even though it may offend some people.

MICHAEL URBATZKA: I have two short remarks and then one question. First of all, for me the title of this twenty-eighth belief does not match with the content, and also the wording in the whole belief does not satisfy me. And second, I believe that we as a church are going in the wrong direction by adding an extra point; in a few years we will add another point, and so on. I think we have too many beliefs already; therefore, I am voting against this point.

My question is: What happens to the church member baptized in accordance with the 27 beliefs who does not accept the twenty-eighth? And also the pastors-do we have to disfellowship them? What do we do with them?

MICHAEL L. RYAN: I would like to emphasize that in the preamble we indicated that this is not new theology! Seventh-day Adventists have believed for many years what we've written here. I have had opportunity to visit hundreds and hundreds of new congregations that had been established in places where we have never before entered. And as I go there I find that the vast majority of the people live their daily lives in fear of evil spirits. The first question that our frontline workers who are there presenting the gospel and the three angels' messages are asked by the population is "What is your God going to do about the evil spirits that control my life?" I have heard some answers that I am not comfortable with. And in those answers they make accommodation that we cannot offend the evil spirits. And there are some other comments that we would struggle to endorse with our theology. Day by day we are establishing more and more new congregations. And the explanation that's given on this question is defining the church. In a few more years I'm afraid that we may go to some areas and be very surprised at what our theology has become on this point.

GERRY D. KARST: Thank you for your comment.

CHRISTIAN FREI: When I first heard about this new fundamental belief, I really got excited. However, as I studied the contents some questions and concerns came to my mind. My concerns are related to what I perceive as an unbalanced and incomplete view of what hinders and fosters spiritual growth. Regarding the hindrances to spiritual growth, I feel that the external hindrances, Satan and evil powers, are stressed very much; while the inward hindrances to spiritual growth are neglected. I am sorry to say that as it reads now, I'm not going to be able to support this fundamental belief.

GERRY D. KARST: Thank you for your comments. We have a response, please.

ANGEL RODRÍGUEZ: This is not a perfect expression of an essential biblical teaching. Words are not enough. We need to remember that other statements in your fundamental beliefs deal with some of the issues being raised. Therefore, we must see this proposal in the light of the other fundamental beliefs.

FRANK SAM BARDEN CHIRWA: I understand that this is to be the twenty-eighth fundamental belief for the church. My first concern is the broadness of the belief itself. I understand that this proposal has been prompted by the fears of occult-ism, ancestral spirits, and mysticism, which I think could have been tackled on their own rather than in a broad statement of growing in Christ.

My second concern is that the new standards and belief statements have been made at the higher level of the church and that those statements are being taken to the grassroots level, where, because of different understandings, cultural perspectives, and educational backgrounds, confusion will be created.

GEORGE ATIGA: I would like to think that I grow in Christ not because of what I do, but because of what He has done for me. Lines 16 and 17 say that "Jesus' victory gives us victory over the evil forces that still seek to control us, as we walk with Him in peace, joy, and assurance of His love." Do we infer here that we share in the victory of Jesus Christ if we walk with Him in peace, joy, and assurance? This is something that is contrary to what we have heard the other day about the righteousness of Jesus Christ being the only thing that can give us victory over sin.

WILLIAM G. JOHNSSON: Mr. Chairman, the statement is meant to say exactly what our brother just said. No wording is perfect, but it does not say "if we walk," but "as we walk." And you'll notice that the next sentence begins with "now." In other words, this is the state of being in Christ, and as with the Spirit dwelling within us, so we are united in His victory. It is meant to make the very point that our brother is making.

PAUL PETERSEN: Our division is concerned about two major issues: 1. We have large sections in the South Pacific Division where the question of evil spirit is of great importance and significance. 2. The South Pacific Division's biblical research committee has voted that in at least two areas the statement is theologically wrong. It is not, in our view, an expression of a consensus of believers.

LILY KIDENDA: I would like to speak in support of adding this belief to our fundamental beliefs.

JOHN FOWLER: Mr. Chairman, I stand to support the statement. This statement is nothing new. This summarizes what the Seventh-day Adventist Church stands for and what is expected of every believer.

ONAOLAPO AJIBADE: I see need for this statement, and I believe it is coming at a right time. As I understand it, while we are in Christ Jesus we overcome evil forces. No longer do we live in darkness, in fear of evil powers.

GERRY D. KARST: Thank you very much. Our next speaker represents a group of people in the war-torn country of Iraq-a group for whom many of us have been praying. He comes from the city of Baghdad. And I'm wondering if you'd like to give a round of applause in appreciation for our people in that country. [Applause.]

BASIM FARGO: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, brethren and sisters. Sometimes the devil comes to a person through dreams. What is the role of dreams?

GERRY KARST: We're really not discussing the "Proposal for a New Fundamental Belief." It was simply information and background. We're discussing the actual belief.

BASIM FARGO: Oh, I see. I'm sorry. Thank you.

DUNCAN O. MUMBO: The title of this belief is confusing to me.

GERRY D. KARST: Thank you for your observation. This has come up numerous times. And we've had an explanation, but perhaps we need to address it one more time.

WILLIAM G. JOHNSSON: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We have wrestled with the title. We have looked at many, many suggestions. Some of them involving or including the words "Victory in Christ," longer titles, even two-part titles. If you look at our other fundamental beliefs, their titles are quite short. We've tried to keep this consistent with the other beliefs. And having gone back and forth and looked at many suggestions, we are open to a better title if someone can come up with it. It seemed to us overall that growing in Christ is the best because growing in Christ is based on Christ's victory first of all.

GERRY D. KARST: Thank you for the explanation.

DONNA RICHARDS: I'm in very strong support of the new fundamental belief for several reasons, but I am sadly amused that we want as Americans to relegate evil and demonic forces to countries other than our own. Recently our church brought in a Baptist preacher to speak to our young people and parents about the evils of hip-hop music and what was behind it. And it was disclosed that spells are cast on some of these songs that will addict our young people to pornography and other sexual aberrations.

GERRY D. KARST: Thank you very much. We are going to pause here. We now have a report from the Nominating Committee, and if there is time after they have given their report, we will continue with those who were in line. We have them here on our screen. At this time I am going to ask the chairman of the Nominating Committee to address us, and also because of the nature of the report that's coming I will turn the chair over to Dr. Paulsen.

JERE PATZER: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We've had an energized day, a good day, a positive day. We have a full report that's coming through despite the fact that we broke for the good leadership section this morning. We are pleased to tell you that we have some good things to report to you. This is a historic day in some ways. There have been some strong opinions expressed in one way or another, and yet the spirit of unity that God can bring is still residing and presiding there in our committee room. So on this important aspect of our Nominating Committee report I know that we have your full attention. I'll ask Dr. Delbert Baker, who is our secretary for the Nominating Committee, to bring us the names.

DELBERT BAKER: [The secretary of the Nominating Committee presented the recommendations of the Nominating Committee for general vice presidents of the General Conference, which included three new vice presidents, one of whom, Ella Simmons, is the first woman to be elected as a vice president of the General Conference. Ella Simmons was introduced and gave her reaction as follows:]

ELLA SIMMONS: Good afternoon, brothers and sisters in Christ. As many have so aptly observed this afternoon, this is truly a historic moment for our church. I am really proud to be a Seventh-day Adventist this afternoon. I believe I hear bells tolling in the courts of heaven announcing a transition in Christ for God's church today. I am very mindful of the fact, however, that those bells toll not for Ella Simmons, but for this church, for you. I simply pray, and ask you to pray for me, that I will never be caught up in the moment, that I will never be caught up in the position, that I will never see self or seek for self, but will be used as a humble vessel for Christ and Christ alone. Thank you for your trust. [Applause.]

[In addition to the general vice presidents, Dr. Baker presented recommendations from the Nominating Committee for the presidents of the 13 divisions. This list included one new president. These recommendations were approved by vote of the delegates. The details can be found in the actions of the session.]

[Jan Paulsen, in tribute to retiring general vice president Harold W. Baptiste, spoke of his long life of service to the church and his outstanding contributions to the mission of the church.]

HILDBURG HOPF: [Benediction.]
GERRY D. KARST, Chair
JAN PAULSEN, Chair
THEODORE T. JONES, Secretary
BILL BOTHE, ATHAL TOLHURST, FRED THOMAS, and CLAUDE SABOT, Proceedings Editors

Session Actions
58th General Conference Session, July 3, 2005, 2:00 p.m.

PROTOCOL STATEMENT ON ADDITIONS OR REVISIONS TO THE STATEMENT OF FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS
VOTED, To approve a Protocol Statement on Additions or Revisions to the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs, which reads as follows:

In adding to and/or revising the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs it is imperative to involve the world church as much as possible in the process. Any suggestion should be based on a serious concern for the well-being of the world church and its message and mission, be biblically based, and informed by the writings of Ellen G White. Considering the importance and necessity of involving the world church in the process of additions and/or revisions to the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs, any suggestion for possible changes should reach the office of the President of the General Conference not later than two (2) years before a General Conference Session.

If the perceived need for additions and/or revisions to the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs is initiated by the world field, the matter should be carefully discussed at each administrative level. In the evaluation of the suggested change the governing body at each level shall establish an appropriate process for evaluation, seeking wide input. The process at each level shall result in the governing body either recommending the proposed change to the next level of administration, or abandoning any further consideration of it. In this way the recommendation for changes in the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs arrive at the General Conference. Once the suggestions reach the General Conference, or if the suggestions originated at the General Conference, it shall appoint an ad hoc committee to coordinate the process and facilitate the dialogue.

The following procedure shall be used by the General Conference in seeking the consensus of the world church in favor of or against the proposed change:
1. The General Conference will coordinate and facilitate the process of discussion through Presidential and the members of the ad hoc committee.
2. A preliminary draft approved by the Spring Meeting or Annual Council will be sent to the Divisions for reactions and comments. It should be discussed at the Union and Conference/Mission levels and printed in the local church papers.
3. Involve Theology/Religion Departments and Seminaries.
4. Discuss it at the Biblical Research Institute Committee and other pertinent committees.
5. Publish a draft in the Adventist Review, the Ministry, and place it on the Internet for comments and reactions from church members.
6. The GC ad hoc committee will receive all the suggestions from the world field and prepare the final draft to be submitted to the Annual Council for further discussion before it is placed on the agenda of the General Conference Session.
7. Only the General Conference in session can approve additions or revisions to the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT #3
VOTED, To approve the following partial report of the Nominating Committee:

General Conference
General Vice Presidents:
Lowell C Cooper
Mark A Finley
King-Yi Eugene Hsu
Gerry D Karst
Armando Miranda
Pardon Kandanga Mwansa
Michael L Ryan
Ella S Simmons
Ted N C Wilson

Vice Presidents Assigned to Divisions:
Luka T Daniel, West-Central Africa Division
Laurie J Evans, South Pacific Division
Ulrich W Frikart, Euro-Africa Division
Alberto C Gulfan Jr, Southern Asia-Pacific Division
Jairyong Lee, Northern Asia-Pacific Division
Israel Leito, Inter-American Division
Geoffrey G Mbwana, East-Central Africa Division
Ruy H Nagel, South American Division
Paul S Ratsara, Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division
Don C Schneider, North American Division
Artur A Stele, Euro-Asia Division
D Ronald Watts, Southern Asia Division
Bertil A Wiklander, Trans-European Division

GROWING IN CHRIST-ADDITION TO THE STATEMENT OF FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS
This item was discussed at length, and discussion will continue in the morning business session.

Adjourned

GERRY D KARST, Chairman
THEODORE T JONES, Secretary
LARRY R EVANS, Actions Editor
JANET C UPSON, Recording Secretary

Nominating Committee Report-4

VOTED, To approve the following partial report of the Nominating Committee:

General Conference
Undersecretary:

Larry R Evans

Associate Secretaries:
Douglas Clayville
Augustin Galicia
Vernon B Parmenter
Claude Sabot

Undertreasurer:
Steven G Rose

Associate Treasurers:
Jose R Lizardo
Roy E Ryan
Daisy Jane F Orion
George O Egwakhe