Silver Spring, Maryland, United States …. [Mark A. Kellner/ANN]
Seventh-day Adventist Church leaders are gathered for spring leadership meetings that begin April 14, and an extensive agenda awaits.
Among issues to be discussed are those surrounding the phase-in of the new Employee Remuneration Policy. Under previous actions, Adventist Church leadership is reducing the amount of tithe money received from the North American Division for the world budget, which in turn places a heavier responsibility upon other parts of the world. At issue is the question of “blocked currencies,” funds held in nations that do not allow a large amount of funds to be transferred out of their country.
Also due for discussion are strategic planning issues confronting the church in the 2005 to 2010 period: issues of growth, unity and quality of life; issues affecting church unity, such as the rapid growth of the church in many global cultures; and a discussion of increasing emphasis on mission offerings.
“The church is growing so rapidly, it’s also important to keep up with that growth,” explained Larry R. Evans, undersecretary of the world church. “We need to keep new leaders trained, and to incorporate new church members into the Adventist experience.”
Also to be requested from delegates is authorization for the church’s Administrative Committee, or ADCOM, to establish a study commission on the apportionment of tithe monies. Once its terms of reference are approved, the study commission is expected to address administrative and technical questions on such apportionment.
Various departmental reports and discussion of issues in planning for the 2005 world church session are also anticipated.
Speakers at the two-day session include: Pastor Jan Paulsen, world church president; Matthew A. Bediako, world church secretary; Robert E. Lemon, world church treasurer; and Eugene Hsu and Michael L. Ryan, general vice presidents of the church. Delegates are attending from every church region, and Adventist News Network will provide daily reports at http://news.adventist.org.
Copyright © 2004 by Adventist News Network.
