or the first time in the church's history a General Conference session is specifically addressing the challenges facing our biblical mandate to evangelize the world. In the unique forum each afternoon church leaders present specific issues that impact the church and its evangelism mission, and then open the floor for delegates to share ideas about the issues raised.
The first meeting, held on Sunday, July 3, focused on how the Adventist Church can better support the spirituality of its members. Mark Finley, newly elected vice president for world evangelism, presented some statistics of spiritual markers for the worldwide membership.
According to Finley, a 1992 worldwide survey conducted by the Institute of Church Ministry found that only 51 percent of members have daily devotions or personal worship time, and only 57 percent attend worship on a weekly basis.
"The question is," Finley said, "if our people do not have a strong devotional life themselves, how can they share anything with others?"
Citing the same survey, Finley said that only 37 percent of Adventists worldwide are regularly involved in witnessing, and only 34 percent give to missions on a routine basis.
Finley then asked the delegates to address three specific questions in their responses:
1. Can spiritual revival happen naturally?
2. Can we cooperate with the Holy Spirit to bring about revival and renewal?
3. What can the General Conference, divisions, union conferences, conferences, and local churches do to reverse the trend of people not having a consistent devotional life?
Lay delegate Ann-May Wollan, from the Trans-European Division, reminded the gathering that 57 percent of Adventist children are ultimately leaving the church. According to Wollan, the church must take another look at the emphasis being placed on Sabbath school and training our children to be active, vibrant members.
Another lay delegate, Simon Merart Serrant from the Inter-American Division, asserted that spirituality is suffering and revival is lacking because many church members have lost confidence in leaders at every level of administration. "There needs to be perfect transparency in leadership," Serrant said. "Ministers and leaders need to be people of faith and transparency as well as servants to the people."
Several delegates took the microphone to affirm Serrant's statement.
Exchanges in the daily session have been frank, open, and spirited. Five one-hour meetings are being held throughout the week, addressing the church's role in society, curbing apostasies, the church's relationship to cities, and the church and
secularism.
