BY MICKEY NICKLESS, CORRESPONDENT FOR ADVENTIST REVIEW, COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR OF MICHIGAN CONFERENCE

fter a spirited discussion that bridged two days, the General Conference session delegates voted on July 4 to add "Growing in Christ" as a new belief statement to the church's 27 fundamental beliefs. This was the first time in 25 years that a new statement of fundamental belief had been considered.

The proposal came to the session as a result of requests from world divisions to add a statement addressing the nature of personal spiritual life and freedom from demonic powers. In July 2003 world church president Jan Paulsen responded by appointing a three-member committee, composed of Biblical Research Institute director Angel Manuel Rodríguez, Adventist Review senior editor William G. Johnsson, and Global Mission director Michael Ryan, to deal with the issue. They concluded that a new statement was needed.

After the initial draft was written, extensive discussions were held with church leaders and theologians. A revised draft was presented to Spring Council in April 2004 and to the General Conference Executive Committee on June 28, 2005, for final approval before being added to this session's agenda.

The committee report states that the purposed new statement has two main purposes: "First it explicitly addresses Christian growth in order to exclude spiritualism and eastern mysticism as spiritual exercises that are incompatible with the Christian gospel. Second, it proclaims freedom through Christ from the fear of demonic powers in order to demonstrate that seeking help from them is incompatible with our growth in Jesus."

Several delegates pointed out that even though "Growing in Christ" is expressed as a new fundamental belief, the importance of prayer and Bible study and the belief that power over demonic powers has been assured through Jesus have always been understood by the Adventist Church to be vital elements of faith.

Delegates Vote Fundamental
Belief Protocol

BY MICKEY NICKLESS, CORRESPONDENT FOR ADVENTIST REVIEW, COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR OF MICHIGAN CONFERENCE

elegates to the 58th General Conference voted on July 3 to adopt a protocol for all revisions or additions to the fundamental beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Referring to the preamble of the church's official Statement of Fundamental Beliefs during his introduction of the protocol statement to the delegates, Biblical Research Institute director Angel Rodríguez said that the "nature of our fundamental beliefs is not a creed but is a list of beliefs that hold us together. This implies that truth is dynamic. It indicates that revisions and additions could be added in the future."

The newly voted protocol provides directives for making changes to the church's fundamental beliefs. The protocol statement mandates that guiding principles to any change must involve the well-being of the world church and its mission, be biblically based, and informed by the writings of Ellen G. White.

Speaking to the issue, lay delegate Alex Rajakumal Ponniah said, "This protocol statement is vital for our church because it shows our church is willing to change-to change for the better-and grow."

The actual protocol lists seven steps.

1. The General Conference facilitates the process of discussion.

2. Spring Meeting/Annual Council approves a preliminary draft for divisions, which should ensure that the proposed statement of belief is also discussed at union, conference/mission, and local church levels.

3. Input is solicited from university theology/religion departments and seminaries.

4. The draft document is discussed at Biblical Research Institute Committee.

5. The draft document is published in Adventist Review, Ministry magazine, and on the Internet.

6. The General Conference ad hoc committee prepares a final draft for Annual Council.

7. The statement is presented to General Conference session delegates--the only body that can approve additions or revisions to the church's fundamental beliefs.

Any suggested change must be presented to the General Conference at least two years before the next General Conference session to allow time for all levels of the world church to be involved in the process.