The Voice of H.M.S. Richards Adventist Media Center at the Crossroads Must Polygamists Divorce?

A Quarterly Journal of the Association of Adventists Fonuns Volmne 13, Nmnber I -

! t

.. RESHAPING THE NORTH AMERICAN . DIVISION

The Case for a North American Division . Current Opinion at the General Conference Confer~nce Mergers in Mid-America SPECTRUM

Margaret Mcfarland Editor Editorial Board Consulting Editors Attorney " Roy Branson Roy Branson Earl W. Amuudson Washington. D.C. Ethics. Kennedy Institute President LaVouue Neff " Georgetown U~versity Atlantic Union Conference Publishing Associate Editor Molleuru. Couperus Eric Anderson Downers Grove. Illinois Physician History Rouald Numbers Charles Scriven Angwin. California Pacific Union College History of Medicine Gene Daffern Ro),Beuton University of Wisconsin Senior Editor Physician Mathematics GaryP_uon Washington. D.C. Columbia Union College President Tom Dybdahl BoDDie Dwyer Geri Fuller Georgia-Cumberland Conference Journalism Public Relations Edward E. Robinson Loma Linda. California Washington. D.C; Attorney News Editor Tom Dybdahl Raymond Cottrell Chicago. Illinois Bonnie Dwyer Editor Theology Gerhard Svrcek-Seller Allentown, Pennsylvania Loma Linda. California Psychiatrist Alvin L. Kwiram Lawrence Geraty Vienna, Austria Manuscript Editor Chemistry Old Testament Carolyn Stevens University of Washington SDA Theological Seminary English Gene Daffern Gary Land Fritz Guy Wana Walla College History Theology Helen Ward Thompoon Book Review Andrews University SDA Theological Seminary Administration ReDDie Schoepfliu F.E.J. Harder Walla Walla College Editors History Educational Administration L. E. Tlider Peggy Corbett University of Wisconsin College Place. W!'Shington Education Charles Scriven Jorgen Heurikaon Marienhoehe Gymnasium Rennie Schoepflin Theology Artist West Germany Walla Walla College Boston. Massachusetts Louis Venden Ottilie Stafford Edward Lagenbeal Pastor English Anthropology Loma Linda University Church A dantic Union College Berrien Springs, Michigan Association of Adventist Forums Executive Directors Systems Manager Columbia Don McNeU E. Theodore Agard Committee Of International Relations 'Computer Programmer Radiation Physicist Molleurus Couperus President Spen~i:rville. Maryland Kettering Medical Center Physician Kettering, Ohio GleuuE. Cae Angwin, California State's Attorney Regional Northern Pacific West Hartford. Connecticut Of Membership Johu Brunt Rouald D. Cople Representatives Theology V ice President Business Lyndrey A. Niles Silver Spring. Maryland Adantic Walla Walla Colle~ Communications Richard B. Lewis. Jr. College Place, Was "ngton Howard University, Washington, D.C. Advertising Southern Executive Secretary Staff Boston, Massachusetts T. Grace Emori Ciaire Hasten Secretary Central Nursing Attorney Vinette Anderson Darrell J. Huenergardt A danta. Georgia Washington, D.C. Takoma Park, Maryland Attorney Southern Pacific Kimball. Nebraska Treasurer Legal Consultant Mike Scofield Richard C. Osborn Bradley Litchfield Central Pacific Business Principal Attorney Guy D. Cochran Monterey Park, California Takoma Academy Washington, D.C. Dental Surgeon Takoma Park. Maryland Palo Alto, California

SPECTRUM is a journal established to encourage Editorial Correspondence: SPECTRUM is published - Seventh-day Adventist participation in the discussion of quarterly by the Association of Adventist Forums. Direct contemporary issues from a Christian viewpoint, to look all editorial correspondence to SPECTRUM, Box 5330, without prejudice at all sides of a subject, to evaluate the Takoma Park, Maryland 20912. Manuscripts should be merits of diverse v:iews, and to foster Christian intel­ typewritten, double spaced and in matters of style and lectual and cultural growth. Although effort is made to documentation, conform to A Manual ofStyle (University ensure accurate scholarship and discriminating judgment, of Chicago Press). Submit the original and two copies, the statements of fact are the responsibility of contrib­ along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Responses utors, and the views individual authors express are not from readers may be shortened before publication. necessarily those of the editorial staff as a whole or as Subscription Information: In order to receive SPEC­ individuals. TRUM, send a membership fee ($15 per 4 issues, except The Association of Adventist Forums is a nonsubsi­ $18 in Canada and in other foreign countries; $2 less for dized, nonprofit organization for which gifts are deduc­ students) to Association of Adventist Forums, Box 5330, tible in the report of income for purposes of taxation. The Takoma Park, Maryland 20912. Single copies may be publishing of SPECTRUM depends on subscriptions, gifts purchased for $4. Pay by check made out to the from individuals and the voluntary efforts of the Association of Adventist Forums. For address changes, contributors and the staff. . send old address label along with the new address.

@ 1982. All rights reserved. Litho USA In This Issue Volume Thirteen, Number 1, Published September 1982 SPECIAL SECTION: Reshaping the North American Division The Case for an Independent North American Division Ray Cottrell 2 An Independent North American Division: Current General Conference Opinions Geri Ann Fuller 15 Merging Unions and Conferences: The Example of Mid-America Jiggs Gallagher 21 ARTICLES Soul-searching at the Adventist Media Center: A Multi-Million Dollar Debate Bonnie Dwyer 26 The Voice ofB.M.S. Richards John Robertson 36 Must Polygamists Divorce? Russell Staples 44 POETRY Full Moon Cloudy Night Slivered Shards John Hamer 54 REVIEWS 55 RESPONSES 59 UPDATE Adventist Women's Association, One Adventist Health System for USA? Where are Evangelicals Headed? -Compiled by General Conference Headquarters For Sale Bonnie Dwyer 61

About This Issue

he future of the Ad­ theologians and its pre-eminent authority on T ventist denomination the anthropology of Africa, introduces you depends on its vision, not its structure. We to perhaps the most poignant pastoral prob­ remain committed to publishing construc­ lem currently facing Adventists in Africa. tive glimpses of what Adventism might be. Three articles in this issue report on But structure does impair or improve lives, institutions. Particularly the article by Geri stifling originality and effectiveness or help­ Fuller on the North American Division and ing to achieve potential. This issue examines Bonnie Dwyer on the Adventist Media one possible innovation in denominational Center, were based on interviews with organization about which there are pas­ scores of denominational officials. The au­ sionately held and conflicting views. What­ thors may have wanted even mote infor­ ever your opinions, we think the authors of mation than they obtained, or wished more these essays will leave you better informed. individuals had spoken for attribution, but You will also learn from this issue facts they report an impressive willingness of you had never known before about H.M.S. Adventist denominational leaders to discuss Richards, probably the most widely admired sensitive topics. The Adventist Media Cen­ man in Adventism. Also, Russell Staples, ter was especially candid. one of the denomination's best-informed -The Editors The Case for an Independent North American Division

Raymond F. Cottrell

he time has come for participation by the North American church T a bona fide, truly in a genuine North American Division is independent North American Division, responsible for its painfully slow growth- operating on democratic principles, and 3.3 percent per year in North America, linked to a genuinely international General compared with a 5.8 percent average in the Conference. The General Conference overseas divisions.! should establish the same relationship to With all due respect for the laudable North America that it maintains with all intentions of those who formulated, and other segments of the world church. The those who perpetuate, the current relation­ term North American Division is mis­ ship of the General Conference to North leading; North America is not a true America, it has worked to the serious division. The present relationship of North disadvantage of the North American church America to the General Conference is and hindered its mission to the people of unique-and objectionable. It affords the North America. church in North America little voice in its One bar to an independent North Amer­ own affairs, and thereby impedes fulfillment ican Division has been concern that North of the church's mission to the people of America might use its financial resources to North America. It must be changed. pursue its own priorities and undermine the Under the special General Conference unity of the world church. But true unity arrangement now existing for North Amer­ around the world can be more real and ica, the General Conference has focused its enduring when the General Conference efforts on the world field and not allowed recognizes and respects the need and right of North America to explore its own ways of the church in different parts of the world­ pursuing the church's mission in its part of including North America-to do things the world. Full division status in the other differently. The world mission of the church world divisions is unquestionably an impor­ should not be hindered by demanding world­ tant factor contributing to the phenomenal wide uniformity. Rigid uniformity is self­ growth of the church outside North Amer­ defeating, whereas flexibility and adapt­ ica. In no small measure, the lack of ability enable a church to take maximum advantage of opportunities that vary from Raymond Cottrell, former associate editor of the one part of the world to another. No part of Adventist Review and SDA Bible Commentary, lives in the world, even North America, should be California. inhibited from adapting policies, methods, Volume 13, Number 1 3 and procedures appropriate to its cultural The first significant step toward a divi­ millieu. sion of General Conference administrative In this essay, I will first narrate how the authority took place at the close of the 1888 division structure developed, then recount General Conference session in Minneapolis.8 how a genuine North American Division Local conferences in the United States and equivalent to other divisions has not Canada were grouped into four supervisory emerged, and, finally, set forth reasons why " districts" of the General Conference; the a truly independent North American Divi­ following year, the number was increased to sion must come into existence. six. 9 In 1893, Australia and Europe became the seventh and eighth districts.10 The Development of Divisions Australian "Union Conference," organized n order to understand in 1894,11 later became the model for similar I how the North Ameri­ administrative entities in North America can Division is different in important re­ and elsewhere. In 1897, the General Con­ spects from the ten independent world ference established North America, Europe, divisions, it is necessary to review the and Australia as three supervisory "sec­ different structures divisions have had, tions" of the General Conference, with a which, in turn, requires briefly going back mission board to supervise the rest of the to the origins of the General Conference. world field. The General Conference Com­ This historical recounting will show that mittee was increased to 13 members.12 divisions today are less independent of the Major reorganization of the General General Conference than they sometimes Conference, however, took place in 1901. 13 were. When we come to examine speci­ Rapid growth overseas had made it impos­ fically what is called the North American sible for a small group of men in Battle Division, we will see that it does not even Creek, with little direct knowledge of the have the degree of self-government that has circumstances and needs of the church been conceded to the other divisions. outside of North America, to administer the The first church administrative structure work around the world. It was time for a above that of the local congregation came division of responsibility and authority. For into being when the congregations of Mich­ 13 years the church had been experimenting igan united to form the Michigan Con­ with various types of regional entities­ ference in 18612. At the time the General "districts," "sections," "unions"-to ad­ Conference was organized two years later, minister as integral units of the world in 1863, the church had approximately 3,500 church the work in their respective areas. members, all in North America, and the The 1901 General Conference session General Conference Committee consisted chose, as a general policy, to form "unions" of three members.3 As the Adventist composed of several conferences each, with message found its way to other continents­ the unions directly responsible to the Gen­ to Europe in 1874, to Australia and South eral Conference Committee. The General America in 1885, to Africa in 1887, and to Conference in session assigned respon­ Asia in 18844-these areas, also, were sibility for the details of the work in each administered by the General Conference union to General Conference Committee Committee from Battle Creek, Michigan.5 members "located where the work is to be This pattern continued until the reorgani­ done. "14 The General Conference Com­ zation of the General Conference in 1901. mittee was enlarged from 13 to 25 members, By then there were 78,188 Seventh-day and vice-presidents were elected to super­ Adventists in 55 countries around the vise the work in Europe and North America. world,6 in 57 local conferences and 41 The structural reorganization, accom­ missions. 7 plished in 1901, played an important role in 4 SPECTRUM, the phenomenal growth of the church "executive board" (instead of an "exec­ around the world over tire next two or three utive committee") to transact business. decades. Reasons for abolishing the division struc­ At the 1912 Autumn Council, the Euro­ ture, established only five years earlier, pean delegates proposed dividing the world were set forth in the preamble to the church into division conferences. The plan recornrnenda tion presented by the ad hoc was approved, and at a special council early committee on organization, and in com­ in 1913, the Europeans were authorized to ments by the delegates. They are important organize a "European Division Confer­ to an understanding of the special General ence. "15 At the General Conference session Conference-North American Division re­ in May, the 12 North American union lationship that developed later. The pre­ conference presidents requested, and were amble states: authorized, to meet and organize a "North In order that the unity of our work may American Division of the General Con­ be maintained: that economy of admin­ ference" as a "full official organization." istration may best be preserved; that the With North America administering its own largest possible amount of funds may be affairs, it was explained, the General made available for the prosecution of our Conference headquarters staff would be work in all parts of the field; that all "free to give their attention to the great believers everywhere may be constant fields composing the world. "16 Other divi­ contributors of their means to the regions sions, recognized as such in 1913, were the beyond; that the General Conference may Far Eastern and South American DivisionsY have direct control and management of its The essential difference between the 1913 bases of supplies, both of men and of divisions and those of 1922 and today was means; that we may meet, and as far as that each 1913 division organized itself, possible overcome the unfortunate inter­ elected its own officers, and was thus, in a national constitutions thrust upon large sense, independent of the General Con­ sections of our constituency by this world ference. war, we would Recommend, 1. That the organizations known as Division conferences be dis- n part, because contmue. d... 19 I World War I made When a further explanation of the it impossible for the new European Division reasons for abolishing the division admin­ to function, and, in part, because some istrative structure, established only five church leaders began to fear that the new years earlier, was requested, I. H. Evans divisions posed a potential threat to the explained that the chief purpose was "to unity of the church, the 1918 General preserve the unity of the work" and to avoid Conference session abolished the division the possibility that one of the divisions might conferences as genuine administrative units, "break away from the general body." The making the division officers, departmental second "primary purpose" was that the staffs, and even their unions, directly General Conference might "have direct responsible to the General Conference control" of North America as its primary rather than to the respective division com­ source of funds and personnel for con­ mittees.1S The General Conference vice­ ducting the world mission of the church.20 presidents were still to have general super­ E. T. Russell cited the fear that" a strong vision of the work in their respective man, with a strong personality," in one of divisions, and members of the General the divisions might" convert people to him­ Conference Committee resident in each self' and that the General Conference division territory were to constitute an would be "powerless" to do anything about Volume 13, Number 1 5 it-as the reason why the General Con­ "sections" as administrative units, with ference should take back the "elective jurisdiction over their internal affairs, sub­ power" from the divisions. 21 When General ject to General Conference policy. The Conference president A. G. Daniells put the word "sections "-used from 1897 to 1913 to recommendation to a standing vote at the express the idea that the areas so designated 1918 General Conference, all but two of the were supervisory segments of the General delegates voted to discontinue the divisions Conference and not independent entities­ as truly independent jurisdictions.22 identified the divisions as integral units of Although the divisions remained in name, the General Conference. The ambiguous the General Conference withdrew from term "division sections" implied sufficient them the right to elect their own officers authority for each division to function and considerably reduced their adminis­ effectively within its own territory, but trative authority. In effect the power limited that authority and defined it as structure reverted to what it had been five subject to that of the General Conference. years before, with the General Conference According to these by-laws, each vice­ dealing directly with the unions. president of the General Conference for a particular division is to be at the same time "president" of his division.24 A full comple­ "By 1922, the inadequacy of the ment of officers and departmental secre­ 1918 arrangement had become taries form the nucleus of its "executive committee," which functions in effect as a evident. It overloaded the subcommi ttee of the General Conference General Conference with for that division.25 Each vice-president! administrative decisions that president is to be chairman of his division could be better made in the committee and administer the division field. " under its jurisdiction.26 The 1922 restructuring of the world divisions applied to all of them, except By 1922, the inadequacy of the 1918 North America, for which the General arrangement had become evident. It over­ Conference retained the relationship of loaded the General Conference headquar­ 1918. With minor modifications, the 1922 ters staff with administrative decisions that General Conference-Division relationship could be better made in tHe field. Ac­ remains in effect today, 60 years later. cordingly, the 1922 General Conference session returned administrative jurisdiction to the divisions, but retained the 1918 Internationalization of the principle that the General Conference General Conference would elect the division officers and depart­ mental personnel, whose primary respon­ y this time the Sev­ sibility would thus be to the General B. enth-day Adventists Conference, rather than to their respective had been a world church for many years. divisions. During 1922, the number of overseas mem­ As defined by the General Conference bers surpassed that in North America, and Bylaws adopted in 1922,23 the General today constitutes 83 percent of the total, a Conference conducts its worldwide work in ratio of more than four to one.27 The Sev~ "division sections," with the union con­ enth-day Adventist concept of world mis­ ferences and missions in each division sion and the church's worldwide presence responsible to the division executive com­ will eventually require full international­ mittee. The word "division" identified the ization of both the General Conference and 6 SPECTRUM the General Conference Committee, in­ evident at the 1975 General Conference cluding its headquarters staff. This means session in Vienna. It was the first such the participation of non-North Americans, convocation held outside of North America; as well as Americans, in the decision­ German, as well as English, was recognized making processes and in the staffing of as an official language of the session; and General Conference headquarters. This more non-North Americans than before section considers the significance of this participated in policy-making, including the internationalization. A later section will crucial deliberations of the nominating deal with its effect on the church in North committee. America.28 For the first time in the history of the The principal purpose of the fundamental church, the overseas divisions controlled the reorganization of the Seventh-day Advent­ election of a General Conference president. ist church in 1901 was to decentralize, and The nominating committee reelected a man thus, in a sense, internationalize, decision­ whose administrative experience, prior to making and administration. But interna­ his first becoming president in 1966, had been tional influence on church policy and almost exclusively outside of North Amer­ administration first became impressively ica. Also, for the first time, five of seven

A Short Primer on Adventist

he administrative structure of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is as follows: T congregations in a local region form the constituency of a "conference, "a group of local conferences form a "union conference," and a number of union conferences covering a large geographical area form a "division"; the divisions, now 11 in number, constitute the General Conference.

General Conference tructurally speaking, the General Conference is the world church. It is through Selected and appointed representatives meeting in plenary session that the world church determines what it wants to be and do. In these sessions, which occur every five years, the church also selects the members of its highest administrative body, the General Conference Executive Committee, generally referred to as the General Conference Commi ttee, formulates policy, amends its consti tu tion and bylaws, decides matters of church doctrine, and considers other business appropriate to its jurisdiction. General Conference Committee

he General Conference Committee through its subcommittees and boards administers T the affairs of the world church; the term of office for each member is from one plenary session of the General Conference to the next. At present, the General Conference Committee consists of: (1) a headquarters staff of99 who conduct the routine business of the world church, (2) the 172 members of the 11 division administrative staffs (each of which, in effect, constitutes an executive subcommittee of the General Conference Committee for its designated part of the world), (3) 79 presidents of union conferences and missions, (4) 30 ranking administrators of specified church institutions and organizations, and (5) 46 miscellaneous members, such as laymen and past General Conference presidents. Since some persons may be found in several categories, the most accurate total number of members of the General Conference Committee is 380. The union conference and mission presidents and the administrators of church institutions and organizations are elected by their respective constituencies. All other members of the General Conference Committee are elected at a plenary session of the General Conference. In common parlance, the General Conference Committee headquarters staff is usually referred to as "the General Conference," or simply "the GC," though, strictly speaking, the headquarters segment of the General Conference Committee is the administrative agent of the committee, and is not the General Conference. Volume 13, Number 1 7

general vice-presidents of the General Con­ people who have moved up through the ference for the divisions were non-North various channels of the work in the divi­ Americans.29 Several additional non-North sions, prior to being invited to serve on the American members were added to the General Conference staff' in Washington, General Conference headquarters staff. D.C. Since the 1975 General Conference ses­ Such internationalization of personnel sion, the proportion of non-North American and administration is essential to the unity of members on the General Conference Com­ the church around the world. A t the same mittee continues to increase.3D More than time, a measure of diversity is implicit in half of the 380 members of the General internationalization. True unity in the Conference Committee now reside over­ church around the world will consist .in seas. The 1980 General Conference session faithfulness to basic principles, while recog­ implemented a recommendation "to more nizing the necessity of diversity of admin­ fully internationalize the activities of the istrative structure, methods of operation, church, "31 by making certain "that the and adaptations to different cultural en­ internationalization of the General Con­ vironments. ference [headquarters] staffbe largely from

Church Structure

The General Conference Committee convenes in a plenary session each October known as the Annual Council (formerly Autumn Council), giving special attention to the world budget for the following fiscal year; it meets also in an annual Spring Meeting. Available members of the committee meet every Thursday morning to transact routine business.

W orId Divisions ach of the world divisions has an officer and departmental staff, elected at a plenary E session of the General Conference, who are, by virtue of their election, also ex officio members of the General Conference Committee. The president, secretary, and treasurer, with their assistants, constitute the administrative staff of the division. The departmental staff consists of departmental directors, elected at a plenary session of the General Conference, and assistants appointed by the division committee. In their respective divisions (except in North America) they constitute the nucleus of the division "executive committee." That committee includes, in addition to division officers, presidents of unions within the division and other persons the division committee may appoint. If they conform to the General Conference Constitution, Bylaws, and Working Policy, actions taken by the division executive commi ttee are final. Union conferences wi thin the division are responsible to the division committee, according to the General Conference Constitution. Each person elected a vice-president of the General Conference for a particular division is, ex ojficio, its president. In this role, he is chairman of the division committee and has charge of the division under its direction.

North American Division

he North American Division officers and staff are elected at a plenary session of the T General Conference: a vice-president of the General Conference who serves as the ranking North American Division administra tor, a secretary and his Associate, a treasurer and his assistant, and three field secretaries. There are nine departmental directors and four associates. The full staff thus consists of nine officers and 13 departmental directors and associates assigned to North America, plus five appointees. Each staff member of the North American Division is concurrently a staff member of the General Conference in the same capacity, elected to the General Conference headquarters staff specifically to administer the North American Division for the General Conference. 8 SPECTRUM

North America's birth to the General Conference and nur­ 'Special Relationship' tured it, and that North America is the homeland of the General Conference and t the same 1922 Gen­ the Advent movement. As explained in the A eral Conference ses­ General Conference Working Policy, this unique sion that established the present role and relationship is due to the fact that the authority of the divisions, North America division administration is centered at the was given the different relationship with the world headquarters, and it is this that General Conference that it still has; a "makes advisable some modifications of the relationship referred to variously in con­ usual mode of division organization and temporary parlance as "unique," "pecu­ operation. "34 Originally, the General Con­ liar," "special," or "historic. "32 The ference was designed to serve and ad­ essential feature of this unique relationship minister the church in North America,35 but is the fact that the General Conference w hen the General Conference fell heir to Committee administers the North Ameri­ the concept of world mission, its primary can Division, whereas the other divisions function gradually became that of co­ administer their own affairs through their ordinating the fulfillment of this mission. division executive committees. The General Conference has given sev­ eral reasons for withdrawing administrative t is important to re­ jurisdiction from the divisions in 1918, and I view the principal for retaining it over North America since differences between the North American 1922: (1) To effect "efficiency" and "econ­ Division and other divisions. Except for his omy" of administration, including capital election as vice-president of the General investment and operating cost; (2) to foster Conference for North America (like the maximum giving to the world mission of the other division vice-presidents of the General church; (3) to give the General Conference Conference for their respective divisions), "direct control and management of its bases the vice-president for North America func­ of supplies, both of men and of means," tions, in his relationship to the president of (especially North America), for conducting the General Conference and to the General its world mission; (4) to keep "the elective Conference Committee, more like one of power [the election of division officers and the general vice-presidents than a president staff] . . . in the hands of the General of one of the divisions. The General Conference Conference." (5) to preserve the unity of the Working Policy provides that he "shall carry church around the world and to avoid the the chief responsibility of leadership in the dange r of schism.33 administration of the work in the division, in It is important to note that none of the counsel with the General Conference presi- reasons the General Conference has given den. t "36 for initiating and continuing the special Instead of working under the direction of General Conference-North American Divi­ a division executive committee, like the sion relationship suggest any way in which other vice-presidents of the General Con­ the North American Division or the church ference for their respective divisions, he in North America would benefit from the works under the direction of the General relationship. The stated advantages were all Conference Executive Committe, of which advantageous to General Conference. the General Conference president is chair­ The "special," or "unique" relationship man, and the North American vice-president between the General Conference and the is responsible to it and to himY Instead of North American Division is rooted in the being designated president of the North fact that the church in North America gave American Division, like the other vice- Volume 13, Number 1 9

presidents in their respective divisions, he well. 40 N ADCA meets in plenary session remains vice-president of the General Con­ only at a plenary session of the General ference for North America. Conference, at an Annual Council, or Technically, the North American Divi­ (possibly) at a Spring Meeting of the sion has no president: the General Con­ General Conference Committee.41 ference Constitution provides for no such office, and no one is elected to that office. However, the administrative relationship of "None of the reasons the the vice-president for North America to the General Conference gave president of the General Conference is such for. . . continuing the as to make the latter, de facto and ex officio, also president of the North American special. .. relationship benefit Division-in which capacity the president the church in North America." of the General Conference does, as a matter of fact, function. The appropriate and justifiable internationalization of the Gen­ Routinely, NADCA meets in the General eral Conference means a person with Conference headquarters chapel immedi­ minimal experience in North America could ately following the weekly Thursday morn­ be elected president of the General Con­ ing meeting of the General Conference ference and automatically function as presi­ Committee. With the vice-president of the dent of the North American Division. General Conference Committee for North The General Conference Committee America taking the chair, the General serves as the executive committee for the Conference Committee members remain North American Division, but it has estab­ and function ex officio as members of lished a permanent sub-committee known as N ADCA. Those present and voting are the North American Division Committee identical for both committees, and only on Administration (NADCA), to which it headquarters members of the General has delegated responsibility for the routine Conference committee are usually present administration of the North American at these routine meetings. Since the North Division.38 The General Conference Working American union conference presidents are Policy provides that "actions of this com­ not present, actions taken at these meetings mittee shall be considered final, subject to are adopted for North America solely by general limitations imposed by the General individuals elected by the General Con­ Conference Bylaws on division commit­ ference, not by any of the jurisdictions tees. "39 NADCA membership is limited to within North America. Minutes of both persons who are already members of the the General Conference Committee and General Conference Committee, by virtue NADCA are circulated together to the same of which fact they serve on NADCA ex recipients. officio. The officers and departmental staff The 21 General Conference headquarters elected to serve a normal world division are, personnel who are members of the North by virtue of election to their division posts, American Division administrative-depart­ also ex officio members of the General mental staff are, of course, members of Conference Committee by that election. NADCA, but every other member of the However, the priorities are reversed in General Conference Committee, including North America. The officers and staff of the the 238 members who reside overseas and North American Division are all elected to administer their respective divisions, are also the General Conference, and also ex officio eligible to participate and vote when pres­ serve the North American Division.42 Too ent, as are all of the union presidents as often, as presently constituted, NADCA is 10 SPECTRUM the General Conference administering the Conference session the opportunity to affairs of the North American Division to recommend personnel who might be elected meet General Conference requirements for to the General Conference headquarters serving the world field, not primarily to staff to serve the North American Division, meet the needs of the church in North rather then leave to the headquarters staff America. Finally, the North American the assignment of such personnel from Division has no headquarters of its own.43 among persons already elected to the staff, Structurally and functionally, North Amer­ as in the past. ica is not a division in the sense that the other The 1979 Annual Council report on the world divisions are. It is unique. North American Division leaves the reader to guess about the thinking behind the purported disadvantages the General Con­ Progress Toward An ference saw in according North America Independent Division full division status. By capital expenditure, it doubtless referred to a headquarters plant, ver the years since which would require several million dollars. O 1922, discussion of Any difference between the cost of oper­ the anomalous status of the North American ating the North American Division in its Division at the General Conference head­ own headquarters or at the General quarters has always foundered over the Conference headquarters would be nomi­ specter of losing financial control of North nal: personnel and office space would be America. Recently the General Conference essentially the same. Of course a North formally explored the possibility of restor­ American Division with the same status as ing North American Division to full division other divisions would reduce the efficiency status, but again dismissed the idea. The 1978 of the General Conference control of the Annual Council, anticipating the 1980 session North American Division, but it would of the General Conference, requested that significantly increase the efficiency by the General Conference headquarters staff which a divisional administrative and "thoroughly explore the advisability of departmental staff would take an interest in, restructuring the relationship between the and provide for, the needs of the church in North American Division and the General North America. Conference, including the creation of a separate division organization structured along the same lines as the present world "The General Conference divisions. "44 continues its complete control. In response, the General Conference presented the 1979 Annual Council with a The North American Division report that cited four "disadvantages" of is still a division in name only, giving the North American full division not In. Iact.r " status: (1) the "capital expenditure" re­ quired, (2) the "cost of operation," (3) "lessened efficiency," and (4 ) "reduced Accepting the report, the 1979 Annual awareness of and reduced interest in the Council voted to retain the "peculiar and needs of both North America and the world special" General Conference-North Amer­ divisions. "45 No advantages were men­ ican Division relationship and authorized tioned. The report recommended the desir­ the North American Division caucus at the ability of retaining the "unique relation­ 1980 General Conference session to recom­ ship," but proposed giving the North mend eligible personnel for election to the American Division delegation at a General General Conference headquarters staff Volume 13, Number 1 11

specifically to serve North America. De­ with more than average income, to channel partmental personnel thus selected were to their contributions, and in some instances have a "line relationship" to the North their tithe, to projects of their own choice, American Division administration and a rather than to those designated by the Gen­ "staff relationship" to their respective eral Conference.52 Instead of increased General Conference departments.46 In line giving, the special General Conference­ wi th this recommendation, the 1980 General North American Division relationship Conference provided a full complement of seems, if anything, to have diminished it. nine officers, including the vice-president of It was also argued in 1918 and 1922 that the General Conference for North America direct General Conference control of the and 12 departmental directors and assis­ North American Division, by enabling the tants.47 Upon the reading of the full General General Conference to deal directly with Conference/North American Division staff the union conferences of North America, thus elected, W. J. Hackett commented: would facilitate recruitment of personnel "The North American Division is making for overseas service.53 However, the Gen­ progress ".48 Actually the change in 1980 was eral Conference processes calls to overseas procedural rather than substantive and was service through NADCA-rather than di­ designed to preserve, rather than alter, the rectly with the union conferences as then old, 1922 relationship between the General proposed-and there is no evidence that the Conference and North America. Struc­ process would be more difficult or other­ turally, the General Conference continues wise impaired ifNADCA were replaced by its complete control. The North American a bona fide North American Division Division is still a division only in name, not executive committee, as in the other world in fact. divisions. 54 In 1922, most of the personnel recruited for mission service came from North America, whereas today other divi­ Evaluation of the Special sions (with bona fide division status and Relationship executive committees) provide an increas­ ingly large number.55 The noteworthy way ome of the factors in which these overseas divisions are Soriginally cited to contributing personnel for mission service, justify such direct control of the North likewise, further discredits the notion that American Division have proven illusory. division status and structure inhibit recruit­ General Conference control of North ment for mission service. America was supposed to increase giving to Disunity was cited as the General Con­ missions. 49 In fact, while other elements are ference's "primary reason" for resuming doubtless involved, under the special rela­ direct control of all divisions in 1918. The tionship the North American ratio of same reason was given in 1922 when the mission offerings to the tithe has steadily General Conference, while retaining ad­ decreased from 67 percent in 1922 to 10 ministrative authority to the other divisions, percent in 1980.50 In contrast, six overseas retained direct control of North America.56 divisions (with full division status) have But if this was not necessary with respect to increased their giving, proportionate to the other divisions, why should it be with North America, by 57 percent, and several respect to North America? have become largely, if not altogether, self­ Just as the other divisions have been sustaining. 51 permitted to develop their own approaches Increasing deterioration of confidence in to missions, North America must be allowed the General Conference has led many to find its own ways to increase its rate of members in North America, especially some growth. It must develop its own ways to 12 SPECTRUM communicate with the contemporary North process or in the formulation of church American mind. People in North America policy above the local conference level. The do not think as they did 80 years ago. General Conference administers the North Therefore, evangelistic approaches ad­ American Division on an authoritarian, dressed to the 11 percent of the population paternalistic basis. In the full import of the who are Bible-believing Protestants leave term, the structure and operation of the th.e other 89 percent of North Americans Seventh-day Adventist church government virtually untouched. True unity in the above the local conference level qualifies it church will be advanced by North America as a hierarchy.58 discovering its own distinctive responses Knowledgeable North American Sev­ appropriate to its social, cultural, and enth-day Adventists believe that they have a religious environment. legitimate concern in matters directly affecting them; a concern altogether con­ sistent and compatible with loyalty to the "It is time for the church in church and its leaders. They believe that North America to have its church members should have a meaningful own... headquarters, voice in the election of church leaders and setting of policy at all levels, including that president, executive committee, of the division. Otherwise affirmation of the and budget." rubric, "the priesthood of all believers," takes on a hollow ring. This concern is especially strong among members with Nothing that has been said in this section advanced education and/ or professional or about the special General Conference­ technical training, whose expertise in vari­ North American Division relationship in ous areas could be of significant value to the any way depreciates the able ministry of the church. Imperfect though all human struc­ vice-president of the General Conference tures and processes are, democracy, in its for North America and his staff, individ­ best expression, seems-to the modern ually or collectively. They are able to be Christian-to reflect the principles of the commended for yeoman service under dif­ gospel more faithfully than that of any other ficult circumstances, sometimes beyond the available option. I t is time for the church in call of duty. The problem is inherent in the North America to have its own division system, not in those who administer it. administration with its own headquarters, president, executive committee, and budget. Full Division Status: A Concept Further important adaptations to the Whose Time has Come needs of the North American church could also be considered: separation of adminis­ eeply rooted in the trative andjudicial functions, institution of a D social consciousness system of checks and balances, and provision of the people of North America is the for initiative, referendum, and recall pro­ conviction that government should be "of cedures. the people, by the people, and for the Concurrently, the time has also come for people, "57 that those who govern should do the General Conference to become a truly so with the consent and continuing approval international organization. By dissociating of the governed. itself from any special relationship to North Yet the church in North America has America, and with headquarters in a neutral substantially less voice in the administration country such as Switzerland, the General of its affairs as a division than any other Conference would become a truly inter­ world division, and no voice in the electoral national organization. In many lands today, Volume 13, Number 1 13

Seventh-day Adventists are thought of, even would then operate directly under the by church members, as an American church: North American Division. This would bring and, in some parts of the world, it certainly the local congregations and conferences of is not an advantage to be identified as an North America closer together in a more American. concerted and effective endeavor to fulfill Full division status for .North America their mission to the people of North could facilitate other needed changes. For America. Merging the union conference example, more serious study could be structure into an independent North Amer­ devoted to consideration of dispensing with ican Division would provide the necessary the union conference administrative struc­ capital for establishing and operating the ture. Unions served a useful purpose at a division, and would release a very con­ time when communication and transpor­ siderable budget for more effective and tation were relatively primitive by today's productive use. standards, and when administrators with A bona fide, independent North Amer­ experience were relatively few. Today, the ican Division, organized and operating ac­ union conferences are an expensive luxury. cording to democratic principles, and loy­ Some of their functions could be absorbed ally linked to a truly international General into the new North American Division and Conference, is a concept whose time has others into the local conferences which come.

NOTES AND REFERENCES

1. Comparing membership for all of the divisions 12. Ibid., Sec. 111.5. at the close of 1980 with the close of1979, based on 13. See Crisler, pp. 157-176; "Organization," statistics in the Statistical Report-1980, p. 20. Sec. IV.2. 2. "Organization, Development of, in SDA 14. A. G. Daniells, "A Statement of Facts Con­ Church," Sec. II.3, SDA Encyclopedia. cerning Our Present Situation-No.8," Review and 3. The General Conference Committee was en­ Herald, March 29, 1906, pp. 6-7. larged to five members in 1883, to seven in 1886, and 15. "Organization," Sec. V.l; General Conference to 13 in 1897. Ibid., Sec. IIA-5; III.1,5. Clarence Bulletin, May 27, 1913, p. 145. Creager Crisler, Organization (Takoma Park: Re­ 16. Crisler, pp. 158 ff; General Conference Bulletin, view and Herald, 1938), pp. 103-110. May 27, 1913, p. 145. 4. SDA Encyclopedia articles on the church in the 17. Crisler, p. 184; General Conference Bulletin, May respective geographical areas give these dates for 27, 1913, p. 145. the first acceptance of the Advent Message by 18. General Conference Bulletin, April 3, 1918, pp. indigenous residents of each area, and not neces­ 39-40. sarily the formal opening of work by the church. 19. Ibid., p. 39. 5. Battle Creek became headquarters of the 20. Ibid., p. 40. church when James and Ellen White moved there 21. Ibid. from Rochester, New York, in 1855, and remained 22. Ibid. the headquarters until the move to Washington, 23. General Conference Constitution and By­ D.C., in 1903. laws, Article I; General Conference Bulletin, May 25, 6. "SDA Church," SDA Encyclopedia. 1922, p. 245. 7. Statistical Report-1905, p. 8. 24. General Conference Constitution and By­ 8. "Organization," Sec. III.1, SDA Encyclopedia; laws, Article IlIA; "SDA Church," SDA Encyclo­ Crisler, pp. 135-155. In 1882 the European con­ pedia. ferences and missions formed what they called the 25. Ibid. European Conference, later the European Council 26. General Conference Bulletin, May 25, 1922, p. of SDA Missions. There were other tentative steps 245. prior to 1901. 27. See Statistical Report-1922, p. 10; Statistical 9. "Organization," Sec. 111.1. Report-1980, p. 20. 10. "Organization," Sec. III.2. (or Ibid., Sec. 28. See subdivision, Evaluation of the Special 111.2. ) Relationship, this article. 11. Ibid., Sec. I1I.4. 29. SDA Yearbook, 1976, p. 15. 14 SPECTRUM

30. The 238 members of the ten overseas divisions 43. "North American Division," SDA Encyclo- and their 72 union conference and mission presi­ pedia. dents, a total of 310, gr 63 percent of the 490 44. "1978 Annual Council," p. 20. members. 45. "1979 Annual Council," p. 17. 31. "Annual Council of the General Conference 46. Ibid. p. 18. Committee, General Actions," October 10-18, 47. Adventist Review, May 1, 1980, p. 23 (615). 1978, p. 20; October 9-17, 1979, p. 18. 48. Ibid. 32. Ibid. 49. General Conference Bulletin, April 3, 1918, pp. 33. Ibid., 1979, p. 17; General Conference Bulletin, 39-40. April 3, 1918, p. 39. 50. Latest available figures, from Statistical Re­ 34. General Conference Working Policy, rev. 1980, ss port-1980, p. 33. C 50. 51. Statistical Report-1922, pp. 2, 5, 33; SDA 35. "Organization," Sec. 11.4. Yearbook, 1982, p. 4. 36. General Conference Working Policy, rev. 1980, ss 52. Firm figures are not yet available for the C 50 05. amount involved in the collapse of Donald Daven­ 37. General Conference Constitution and By­ port's investment empire. One recent estimate gives laws, Article III.3; General Conference Bulletin, May a total of approximately $55 million, of which $35 25, 1922, p. 245. million were church funds and $20 million those of 38. "General Conference Executive Commit­ individual investors. The former were funds donated tee," SDA Encyclopedia. or in trust from members, and the latter, personal 39. General Conference Working Policy, rev. 1980, ss funds of members who trusted the judgement of C 50 05. church leaders who had invested their own or 40. Ibid. church funds with him, sometimes at a higher rate of 41. Ibid., ss C 5045. interest than given church members generally. 42. North American Division staff members at 53. General Conference Bulletin, April 3, 1918, pp. General Conference headquarters are elected to the 39-40. General Conference headquarters staff and serve 54. North American Division Committee minutes North America by virtue of that election; overseas on Administration are replete with such items. division staff members are elected to serve their 55. Precise comparative figures are not available. respective divisions and are members of the General 56. General Conference Bulletin, April 3, 1918, pp. Conference Committee by virtue of that fact. The 39-40. North American union conference presidents are 57. United States Constitution. elected by their respective union constituencies to 58. Hierarchy: "A form of government adminis­ serve their unions; their service on the General tered by an authoritarian group," "an authoritarian Conference Committee and the North American body of religious officials organized by rank and Division Committee on Administration is ex officio. jurisdiction," esp., "control exercized by a priest­ The fact that every member of NADCA serves ex hood." Webster's Third New Internat;onal Dictionary. officio in that capacity means that the North Ameri­ Literally, "having the character of priestly rule and can has no one on its division committee who was authority. " specifically elected to represent the church in North America on the division level. An Independent North American Division: Current Opinion at the General Conference

by Geri Ann Fuller

his Fall, for the first could say in August that "more has been T time, North Amer­ accomplished towards a North American ican delegates to the General Conference Division in the last six months than during Annual Council will have their own sep­ the previous two years." arate session. They will meet in Washing­ But many General Conference officials tion, D.C., following the Annual Council in do not yet agree on whether such a North the Philippines. At the request of certain American Division would more fairly union presidents in North America, one item represent the membership in North Amer­ on the agenda of this North American ican, or the world field; allocate human and Division Council will be the development of financial resources more justly and effec­ an independent North American Division. tively; and contribute to denominational Also, for the first time, the General strength and unity. Some think that North Conference is planning to provide North America should never have the same American representatives within each Gen­ structural separation that the world divi­ eral Conference department with their own sions have. Others predict a true North 1983 operating budgets, separate from American Division must-and will-be general departmental budgets. These and organized at the next General Conference other events during recent months have session in New Orleans, in 1985. This suggested movement towards a genuine ambivalence at the highest levels of the North American Division. Les Pitton, General Conference is reflected in the director of North American Youth Minis­ written response of Neal Wilson, president tries and an associate director of the General of the General Conference, to a question Conference Department of Youth Ministry, about his view of the likelihood that a separate North American Division will be formed. "No separation is taking place and Geri Ann Fuller, a graduate of Columbia Union College, received a master of arts degree in there is no action authorizing anything like journalism from American University. She lives in this. We're pulling together; we're one uni t. Washington, D. C. We are trying to give greater latitude to the 16 SPECTRUM

North American Division on an operational In a General Conference organizational level. This is my position." chart, the relationship of the departmental How North American affairs could best director to his department chairmen, is be administered has been debated ever since represented by a dotted line and his the division concept was first introduced to accountability to the General Conference the General Conference in 1912. (see else­ vice-president for North America with a where in this issue of SPECTRUM "The solid line. The same document also provided Case for an Independent North American for the vice-president of the General Division," by Ray Cottrell). But when]. G. Conference for North America calling and Smoot, president of Andrews University, presiding at meetings of those representa­ reporting the actions of the nominating tives assigned to North America from committee, read off the names of the 21 men among the General Conference treasury, who would be elected by the 1980 General secretariat and other departments. Every Conference session to serve as North Wednesday, its 21-or-so members gather American representatives in General Con­ from 10:30 a.m. to Noon in the General ference departments, many thought a sig­ Conference Central Building. Since the nificant step had been taken towards 1980 General Conference session, this group the possibility of a distinct North Ameri­ has increasingly established its identity as can Division. At the same 1980 session, the North American Division staff. By the General Conference By-laws were now, most General Conference departments amended, allowing North American repre­ have accepted the North American Division sentatives on the nominating committee to staff as a reality, with the Education and recommend the officers and departmental Youth Departments regarding it most directors assigned to their division. favorably, and the Communications, Public Each of the newly elected departmental Affairs, and Sabbath School Departments representatives for North America was remaining somewhat less than enthusiastic. given staff responsibility within the General Tom Ashlock, the associate director of Conference department to which he was the General Conference Sabbath School assigned, but also a dire~t line responsibility Department assigned to North America, for to the General Conference vice-president one, thinks the North American Division for North America. According to the staff is a reality and has already made a General Conference document, "General difference. "Meeting with other North Conference-North American Division American departmental people gives me a Relationship": more holistic view of the work and makes The North American Departmental me more useful to the individual, local representative should work closely with churches, because we are not divided in our the General Conference departmental approach to them. Ashlock cites, as an director, sharing freely with him all plans example, the new Cornerstone Connections and programs. . . (he) should consider Sabbath School quarterly series for youth. himself an integral part of the staff, at­ The North American representatives of the tending all meetings, seeking to reflect Sabbath School, Youth, and Educational the world view and manifesting an un­ Departments cooperated in designing a sectioned interest in the general work. He complete program of creative posters, will at the same time keep the staff in­ activity sheets, audio cassette tapes, and a formed as to plans and policies for North teacher-leader packet to be distributed to America and seek their counsel on the local churches, in addition to a new same ... will work closely with the di­ contemporary Sabbath School quarterly for rector and staff in responding to requests youth. from the North American field. Other developments since the 1980 Gen- Volume 13, Number 1 17 eral Conference session, besides the emer­ revolve around a few central issues. The gence of a North American Division staff, first is representation. As of 1980, only 17 have contributed to the sense that a North percent of the denomination's membership American Division may actually emerge. In lived in North America-600,000 members February 1981, the General Conference out of a world-wide membership of Executive Committee, on the recommenda­ 3,500,000. Overseas divisions are increas­ tion of Charles Bradford, vice-president for ingly insistent on General Conference North America, approved the creation of a leadership reflecting the shifting trends in 48-member Faith, Action, Advance Com­ denominational membership. mittee, to meet as often as necessary to suggest new approaches for revival and evangelism in North America. The com­ "As the General Conference mittee was also empowered to review and evaluate the performance of conferences leadership becomes increasingly and unions in implementing such programs. internationalized, the church in Because the committee has a broadly North America will come to be defined scope, and because its members dominated by General include not only North American Division staff, but some union officers, pastors, and Conference officers, unfamiliar lay persons, it has increasingly served as a with North American way for the North American Division problems. " officers and staff to influence key leaders regarding direction of the church in North America. In January 1982, for the first time "There is a feeling that the world is not ever, the North American Division staff met fully represented at the General Conference with North American union officers and level," according to Bekele Heye, a citizen departmental directors to exchange ideas on of Ethiopia and the president of the Afro­ a coordinated approach to the North Mideast Division. "The church has been American church ministries, personal min­ making progress in recent years in develop­ istries, Sabbath School, youth, health and ing national leadership, yet with close to temperance programs. 1,000,000 members in the African continent, it has no indigenous representation at the General Conference." He thinks men from owever, no one overseas should serve in all key areas. H should be misled. In­ "North America has an obligation to make creasing evidence for a distinct North the Seventh-day Adventist movement suc­ American identity at the General Confer­ ceed as a world movement and to train the ence does not mean that a separate budget world work force. " An officer of a for North America is now voted by a North European division noted that at Annual American Division. In fact, the North Councils, where General Conference bud­ American staff at the General Conference gets are voted, North American union and only recently convinced the General Con­ conference leaders have disproportionately ference to give them the right to determine large voting power because they can attend their own operating budgets in 1983, three the annual councils that are almost always years after their appointment at the Dallas convened in the United States, whereas very General Conference session. few union presidents and no conference Comments by General Conference lead­ presidents from outside North America can ers about creating an independent North afford to attend. American Division, with its own budget, North American leaders acknowledge the 18 SPECTRUM force of the representation argument, and Southern Asia. The officer of a European believe that as the General Conference Division who objected to North American leadership becomes increasingly interna­ votes counting disproportionately at Annual tionalized, reflecting trends in membership, Councils still did not want a separate North the church in North America will come to American Division, because of the possibil­ be dominated by General Conference of­ ity that North America would reduce its ficers, unfamiliar with North American contributions to the world budget. He and problems. Unless, of course, the direction of others also cite the expenses of establishing a North America is separated from the new bureaucracy as a potential drain from General Conference through the establish­ appropriations for overseas and North ment of a North American Division. American projects. In addition to representation, money has been an issue fundamental to debates about a hose who favor a North American Division. With a division, T North American Di­ North America could simultaneously stop vision attack the question of finances head worrying about losing influence at the on. They point out that while North Amer­ General Conference and increase its free­ ica contributes 67 percent of the world dom and ability to address North American budget, its programs and institutions in problems. One General Conference officer North America also absorb 53.3 percent of in the Education Department, favoring a the General Conference budget. They stress North American Division, gave as an that five of the ten world divisions are self­ example the possibility of more quickly supporting, or nearly so, and that is without addressing the urgent task of evaluating the the one percent of their tithe that they send number and location of Adventist colleges in to the General Conference. The five divi­ North America. sions needing assistance include three in A standard justification for maintaining Africa and two in Asia. disproportionate representation of North Owen Troy of the Communications De­ America at the General Conference has partment, raises a separate point concerning been the continued high percentage of money. He thinks separating the North General Conference income that comes American Division would financially from North America. More than 20 percent strengthen the world church. "I was over­ of the tithe collected in North America goes seas in Africa and the West Indies, " he said. to the General Conference. In addition, "I've seen the difference in the mission field North American members contribute to when members understood that they were Ingathering, Investment, Sabbath School, responsible for their own finances. When and mission offerings, much of which goes the first African black conference was to the world church. As a result, in 1982, formed from a mission, and members $103 million, or 67 percent of the General elected their own officers, the whole Conference budget, will have come from character of the field changed. Ghana had North America. approximately to,OOO members when I was A General Conference officer in the there in 1966. Now they've spawned two Treasury Department, who is an American, separate missions, with a combined mem­ but served overseas, expressed deep concern bership of more than 8,000, and what's left that if North America had its own division, of the conference has nearly 29,000 mem­ and therefore the liberty to reduce its bers. That's growth through African leader­ appropriations to the General Conference, ship when the missions themselves contrib­ areas of the world field heavily dependent uted. " on General Conference appropriations As for the charge that a North American would suffer-places such as Africa and Division bureaucracy would increase costs, Volume 13, Number 1 19 several General Conference officials, in­ example, individuals from outside North cluding one vice-president, pointed out that America who come to the General Confer­ the recent designation of an associate ence are able to receive vital training that director of each department who is respon­ they can take with them when they return to sible for all activities having to do with enhanced leadership positions in their home­ North America has revealed that, in some lands. General Conference departments, the Others in Washington, including some North American representative was han­ from overseas, point out that, especially in dling 70 percent of the work. The rest of the departments preoccupied with North staff had to busy themselves with 30-40 American affairs, directors and associate percent of the remaining tasks. In other directors from overseas waste valuable time words, some General Conference depart­ having to adjust to American culture, value ments are overstaffed. Presumably, creating systems, and methods of problem-solving. a North American Division could save the They think departmental directors would expense of their salaries. better serve the denomination by working in Furthermore, the discussion of a North their home divisions, rather than accepting American Division has led to a review of the General Conference titles in departments role of the union conferences in North spending 60-70 percent of their time on America. Both the Pacific and North Pacific North American issues. Unions have officially created committees carefully examining whether such large staffs are needed at the union level. There is s an independent serious discussion that a North American I North American Di­ Division might make it possible to reduce vision likely to come into existence in the the number of unions, or even eliminate foreseeable future? It is very hard to predict. them completely. Annual savings in opera­ General Conference vice-presidents for ting by elimination of the unions could easily North America have traditionally supported run into millions of dollars (see article on the formation of a more clearly defined Mid-American Union by Jiggs Gallagher, in North American Division. At least one this issue of SPECTRUM). person a few years ago declined the job of vice-president for North America because he could not receive assurances that its "There is serious discussion organizational structure would become that a North American Division more distinct from the General Conference. might make it possible to But the present vice-president for North reduce the number of unions, America, Charles Bradford, cautions that he would prefer to see the church move slowly or even eliminate them towards any action on the North American completely. " Division. "We need to assess it and evaluate it and ask how it's wearing-give it some Finally, apart from representation and fine-tuning and adjustments," he says. finances, there are genuine differences at the "We're just wobbly on our legs like a just­ General Conference concerning the effect born colt. We can't very well raise a big cry on the unity and cohesion of the denomina­ about more autonomy until we've done our tion as a whole if North America were a best to succeed with the arrangement we've separate division. One director of a General had since 1980. I would like what we're Conference department emphasized that already doing to be fully accepted and to "North American involvement has made a have a consensus on the matter by all contribution to the Adventist genius." For General Conference personnel." 20 SPECTRUM

Interestingly, one indication that despite church from creation of a North American the caution of some, a North American Division, he thinks there are very important Division may actually come into being, is reasons why substantial progress in North the support for a genuinely independent America is imperative for the well-being of division expressed by some leaders who the entire denomination. "North America have served much of their professional lives functions as a center of influence for the overseas. The North American Division world church which helps to maintain a staff includes former missionaries who are cohesiveness in the church structure. The now fully committed to creation of a North genius of the Adventist movement has been American Division. that unity in spite of cultural diversity." He Even more intriguing are views of a vice­ notes that the Adventist church in North president of the General Conference, who America has not grown at a rate anywhere until his election two years ago at the Dallas near that in other parts of the world. He is General Conference session, was the presi­ convinced that "if the influence of North dent of the large South American Division. America continues to decrease, whether Enoch Oliveira was born, raised, and served through lack of growth, or theological, or his entire ministry in South America. He other problems which have beset it, the end shares the insistence of overseas leaders that result will be a lack of cohesiveness and the selection of General Conference officers unity for the whole world church. " There­ should reflect the increased metnbership of fore, he is willing to entertain organiza­ Adventism outside North America. He tional diversity in the form of a genuine agrees with those who want the world field North American Division, if that will bring to benefit from North American financial substantive unity. "I don't know if separate resources. He most emphatically sees North division status for North America would be America as the historic and continuing the solution, but something must be done to source for organizational cohesion within a help North America grow more in harmony world-wide denomination. But he does not with its amazing potential." now see the creation of a North American Some cannot resist speculating about Division as necessarily opposed to accom­ details of headquarters locations if a North plishing those goals. American Division were actually to come While leadership of the General Confer­ into existence. Some conjecture that one ence should reflect the diversity of the result would be relocation of the General world membership, he thinks General Conference headquarters outside of the Conference departments do not need to be United States. Switzerland has been men­ large. "Each division has leaders with their tioned as a politically neutral location which own specialization, aware of the needs of would also foster a more international their area. They don't need General Confer­ image of the world church than does the ence departments filled with specialists." United States. But Jean Zurcher, secretary Financially, the world fields, with some of the Euro-African Division, points out clear exceptions, are becoming less depen­ that the positive contact the General dent on North American gifts. "Most Conference now enjoys with American divisions are not that concerned about the political authorities could not exist in loss of support from the General Conference Europe. Although reduced travel costs in the future," he says. Besides, Adventists might favor a central U.S. Location such as in North America would continue to give to Denver for a North American Division missions, whether or not they were in a headquarters, many don't really expect North American Division, he believes. either the General Conference or the North At the same time that Oliveira sees no American Division to move farther from the major organizational harms to the world Washington, D.C., area than perhaps nearby Volume 13, Number 1 21

Columbia, Maryland. Others point out that American Division perhaps occupymg its even if the North American Division were own wmg. to be totally separated from the General But such conjectures are premature. As of Conference, there is no reason why both now, a consensus has not yet emerged that is organizations couldn't continue to operate strong enough to ensure the organization of out of the same building, with the North a North American Division.

Merging Unions and Conferences: The Example of Mid-America

by Jiggs Gallagher

f a Seventh-day Ad­ injected into church accounts from the sale I ventist church ad­ of the vacated five offices and two acad­ ministrator was seeking advice on confer­ emIes. ence mergers, he would have to look to the A decreasing tithe dollar and the increas­ Midwest. In the last three years, two unions ingly apparent inefficient organizational and eight of their local conferences have structure prompted the consolidations. The consolidated. The Northern Union (then the national economic slowdown of the late smallest, with 15,000 members), and the 1970s inevitably decreased the flow of tithe Central Union (then the eighth largest with dollars and led conference administrators in 37,000 members), combined in May 1980 the Midwest to consider the advantages of to form the new 55,000-member Mid­ merger. The Midwest, with its small American Union, making it one of North population and large territories, could not America's middle-sized unions. At present, disregard diminishing funds and glaring all the local conferences in the new union, organizational inefficiencies. For example, except for two, have merged. As a result of two of the conferences involved in the these mergers, the church is saving nearly $1 mergers-W yoming Conference with 2 ,020 million annually. In addition, money was members, and the South Dakota Confer­ ence, with 1,931 members-each had a constituency smaller than the members of Jiggs Gallagher, Director of College Relations, Union College, Lincoln, Nebraska, received a the College View Church in Lincoln, master of arts degree from the Columbia School Nebraska. It was obvious that maintaining a of Journalism. complete support staff for such small 22 SPECTRUM constituencies was bad administration. and all the laymen on the merger com­ (Now the smallest conference in the Mid­ mittee, recommended which conferences America Union, Dakota Conference, has should be merged. With one exception, the just over 5,000 members and the largest, choices for consolidation, submitted to the Rocky Mountain Conference has 15,000 merger committee before it adjourned, members.) proved to be the mergers that subsequently After years of informal discussion, the took place. (Minnesota ended up remaining crucial actions to merge the two unions a separate conference.) came rapidly. The executive committees of Finally, the merger committee designated the two unions, meeting two days apart in itself the governing body for the merged 1980-the Central Union on May 26, 1980 union, until the constituency for the new and the Northern Union on May 28-voted union convened. For nine months the Mid­ to merge. Three weeks later, the constit­ America Union had the largest union uencies of each of the unions-meeting committee in the history of North America. separately, but only one day apart (the Northern Union on July 14 and the Central Union on July 15)-also voted in favor of a "The unwritten rule that merger. This vote in 1980 by the two union emerged was that one of the constituencies was the crucial action creat­ merging conferences would get ing the Mid-America Union Conference. to keep its academy and the The constituencies also voted to establish a special, large merger committee. They other the location of the new also select their representatives to the conference's headquarters." committee. The merger committee was empowered to take whatever action was April 12-16, 1981 the constituents of the necessary to formulate a new constitution new union formally met, adopted the new and by-laws for the new union, to select its constitution and by-laws, and re-elected officers, and to give study to consolidating Reile as president. During the nine months conferences within the new union. from the convening of the merger commit­ Just two days later, July 17, the merger tee to the first Mid-America Union con­ committee, with 78 members, gathered for stituency meeting, five officials had retired one day in Lincoln, Nebraska. All the or received calls elsewhere and were not members of both union committees were replaced ( three officials had originally joined by twice as many laymen. Charles served in the Northern Union and two in the Bradford, vice-president of the General Central Union). Conference for North America, presided. E.L. Marley, president of the Northern s soon as the merger Union, announced his intention to retire. Acommi ttee had se­ That cleared the way for Ellsworth Reile, lected Reile as president of the combined president of the Central Union, to be elected union, he began implementing the merger of the president of the new Mid-American conferences. Within two weeks, the Iowa Union. The rest of the officers of the union and Missouri constituencies had approved of were then selected. a merger. The last merger of conferences­ In addition, two subcommittees were the Dakotas-took place only nine months formed. One produced a constitution and later, in April, 1981. It happened to be the by-laws for the new union, and submitted same month that the Mid-America Union them at its first constituency meeting. The constituents met to ratify the new union's other subcommittee, comprising all the constitution. conference presidents within the new union Reile followed a similar pattern in all the Volume 13, Number 1 23 merger discussions. First, he visited each of constituency gathered separately and voted the conference committees and received on the proposed merger. Finally, the their approval, in principle, to merge. constituency of the new conference met to Then-in what Reile thinks is the key to the approve a new constitution and bylaws, and whole process-he held four to six open to elect new officers. Sometimes, debates meetings (usually on consecutive days) in over names could not be settled at the initial different parts of a conference. In addition meeting of the constituency. to Reile, union treasurers and local confer­ Reile found that emotions rose highest ence officers (except for those rare confer­ during discussions over which academy ence officers who refused) made a one-hour would be saved and where the headquarters presentation, explaining the structural and of the new conference would be located. financial details of the proposed merger. The unwritten rule that emerged was that Graphs and maps were handed out. After the one of the merging conferences would get to presentation, the meeting was opened for keep its academy and the other the location questions and answers, and usually extended of the new conference's headquarters. for another two hours. At the conclusion, a The first negotiations involved the Iowa straw ballot was taken and the results and Missouri Conferences, pitting healthy announced. Except in South Dakota, the Sunnydale Academy in Missouri against the votes were overwhelmingly in favor of a less-than-robust Oak Park Academy in merger. Votes in favor of merger varied Iowa. In the end, Iowa lost Oak Park from a low 50-60 percent to strong ap­ Academy, but saved its conference office in proval. Des Moines. Missouri sold its suburban The next step was obtaining the confer­ conference office near Kansas City, but its ence committees' approval to convene the Sunnydale Academy became the boarding relevant conference constituencies. Each academy for the new conference. Proceeds

Mid-America Union Conference

North Dakota

Dakota Adventist Minnesota c::::J Northern Union • Jan?estown c::::J Central Union ------Dakota * Union Headquarters "* Former Union Headquarters • Pit'm' _ Corlferences South Dakota - _ _ Former Conferences • Conference Offices o Former Conference Offices • Academies o Closed Academies 24 SPECTRUM from the sales of properties went into headquarters. In addition to Colorado conference operating funds. The Iowa retaining the location of the headquarters Conference, in the old Northern Union for the new conference, all three Colorado Conference, and the Missouri Conference, academies continue to operate: Mile High in the old Central Union Conference, finally academy, a day school in Denver; Campion reorganized as the Iowa-Missouri Confer­ Academy, a boarding school near Loveland ence in late July 1980. (which served the Wyoming constituency as Kansas and Nebraska became the second well); and a ten-grade school in Grand set oflocal conferences to consolidate. Here Junction. Colorado also supplied its presi­ the pieces at stake could not be easily dent William Hatch, for the presidency of rearranged or sacrificed. The Nebraska the new conference. The Wyoming pres­ Conference operated Platte Valley Acad­ ident, Ben Liebolt, became president of the emy, a boarding school in Shelton, and North Dakota Conference, and later was College View Academy, a day school in elected president when the new Dakota Lincoln. Kansas had a boarding school, Conference was formed. Enterprise Academy, situated in northern­ Finally, the two Dakota conferences also central Kansas. Both of the conferences' combined. Because South Dakota had closed boarding academies were sound financially; its academy some years earlier, both the Nebraska's College View Academy enroll­ North Dakota Conference and the South ment for 1980-81 was less than 80, however. Dakota Conference had a natural concern in Protracted negotiations left each of the Dakota Adventist Academy's deteriorating academies in operation, though College financial situation. A common interest in the V iew Academy continues to face severe academy spurred the merger of the two economic difficulties. The office of the new small conferences into the Dakota Confer­ conference was situated in the headquarters ence in April 1981. Since the academy was in of the former Kansas Conference in Topeka. North Dakota, the new conference's head­ Joel Tompkins, Kansas Conference presi­ quarters, according to the rules generally dent, was elected president of the new followed, were situated in Pierre, South conference, and Howard Voss, Nebraska Dakota. Conference president, joined the new Mid­ Dakota Adventist Academy had had America Union as personal ministries di­ financial difficulties, extending back to the rector. Even the name of the new confer­ 1970's, that had rocked the church all the ence was vigorously debated. When the new way to the General Conference. The school conference officially came into existence in was an ambitious project; all buildings on November 1980, it was the Kansas­ the campus were linked with indoor walk­ Nebraska Conference. While the name ways to provide protection against the harsh favored the more southern state, it did have North Dakota winters. Ambition was historical credibility; Kansas-Nebraska was overcome by reality, however, when the the name of the congressional act that academy's multi-million dollar mortgage opened the region to settlement in 1854 and strained the resources of the North Dakota played a key role in the slavery debate Conference. Subsequently, several North prior to the Civil War. Dakota Conference administrators moved Wyoming and Colorado got into the to other positions. spirit, forming the Rocky Mountain Con­ The Minnesota Conference and the ference in February 1981. The disparity Central States Regional Conference are the between the sparse Adventist membership only entities in the new Mid-America in Wyoming and the larger membership in Union's territory that have not participated Colorado favored making Denver the in a merger during the last three years, Volume 13, Number 1 25 although there was some discussion of (Merger negotiations between the Atlantic combining the Minnesota Conference with Union Conference and the Colubmia Union the Dakota Conference. Conference broke down in 1978 when neither organizations was willing to give up eile points out that a college in its territory.) Rthe new Mid­ In fact, according to Reile, "the greatest American Union has as few conferences­ single beneficiary of the merger is Union six-as did the old Central Union Confer­ College. The creation of the Mid-America ence. As a result of the local conference and Union Conference consolidated efforts to union conference mergers, nine adminis­ support a quality educational institution in trators have moved into the pastorate, and the Midwest." the present ratio of one administrator to 27 Most observers have been impressed by pastors is considerably lower than before the the spirit of cooperation that marked the merger. three-year period. Reile notes that Advent­ A total of 47 salaries were eliminated, ists who view the Midwest as conservative either by retirement, or by attrition. The and resistant to change are mistaken. "I Mid-America Union Conference staff con­ can't imagine a smoother transition over tains only one more member than the old potentially rough waters than we have Northern and Central Union staffs com­ experienced here," he says. While Reile bined. These savings in salaries represent refuses to say whether the experience in about 75 percent of the nearly $1 million in Mid-America should be a model for other projected annual savings (see boxed table areas of North America, he says that, for details). Because the Northern Union "Considering the financial realities of the Conference had no college in its territory, 1980' s, there is no question that the church in there was, fortunately, no need for a our area is in a much better position to serve difficult decision on closing a college. as a result of the mergers."

Recurring Annual Savings through Mergers (Based on operating expenses for the 1980-81 fiscal year. Income from Sale of Property not included)

Salaries 24 Departmental Salaries & Allowances $489,600 23 Secretarial Salaries 276,000 $765,600 Expenses Utilities @ $12,000 60,000 Rent @ 7,500 37,500 Main tenance/] ani tor/ Grounds @ 5,500 27,500 125,000 Travel 24 Budgets - Per Year @ $ 7,200 $172,800 Less Travel Increases Due to Large Territory 86,400 86,400 Total Savings Per Year $977,000 Soul-Searching at the Adventist Media Center: A Multimillion Dollar Debate

By Bonnie Dwyer

inancial difficul ties The special General Conference Media Fat the V oice of Center Study Commission, created this Prophecy dictate the firing of the King's spring under the chairmanship of William Heralds Quartet. Programming and finan­ Murrell, under-treasurer of the General cial woes at Faith for Today elicit at least Conference, reports first to the General temporary calls for its closing. A costly idle Conference officers and then to the Media studio nearly bankrupts Adventist Media Center Board. One of its first requirements Productions. News from the Adventist was that each program at the Media Center Media Center, encompassing these and undergo a fundamental self-examination of other programs, has been dramatic. Over its goals and purposes. The painful transition the last two years, total operating losses some of the best-known Adventist institu­ from the Adventist Media Center has come tions in the United States find themselves to $5 million; losses in 1981 rose over those in undergoing raises such basic issues as the 1980, to $2,591,330. autonomy of Adventist institutions, cen­ The Media Center-established in 1971 tralization of denominational authority, and when the General Conference brought into definitions of Adventist mission. one organization institutions that for de­ Some within the previously independent cades had been separate and independent­ components think the key to the present is going through more than an economic financial troubles can be traced back a crisis. As the creative talents like H.M.S. decade-to the creation of the Media Cen­ Richards and William A. Fagal exercise less ter. While the Voice of Prophecy, Faith for direction over the programs which their Today, It Is Written, and Breath of Life vision created, General Conference com­ raise funds donated to their programs, none missions and committees are increasingly of these programs controls the rate of defining the content and direction of Ad­ expenditures incurred by central adminis­ ventist mission in the media. tration, nor by the film production studio that stands idle much of the time. Decisions about not only expenditures, but program­ ming, that were previously made by each Bonnie Dwyer, news editor of SPECTRUM, gradu­ ated from Lorna Linda University and is completing component, are increasingly dependent on a graduate degree in journalism from California approval of the General Conference in State University at Fullerton. Washington. The problem is that new Volume 13, Number 1 27 studios, overarching administrative struc­ balance its budget. It took a special com­ tures, and General Conference committees mittee, formed by the Media Center Board, do not in themselves capture loyal listeners to solve the crisis, when the Voice of or generous viewers. Meanwhile, the bills Prophecy's 1981 deficit amounted to about mount. $245,000. Record breaking income in De­ And do they mount. In 1981, according to cember had prevented it from being twice the unaudited financial statement of the that much. Adventist Media Center, operating ex­ H.M.S. Richards, Jr., director of the penses for the center and all its components V oice of Prophecy radio program, said he came to $19.25 million. Program compo­ hoped the committee would come up with nents' costs for public relations and devel­ some money to bail the organization out, but opment that maintain donations-rose he didn't really expect that to happen. higher than the $2.25 million spent by the Instead, the committee eliminated 34 sala­ components on program production. ries-over one quarter of the staff. Other Most income for the Media Center comes expenses had been drastically reduced in­ from donations, solicited by the various house. programs. But appropriations have had to According to Treasurer Lance Liebelt, make up for the recent large deficits. The some of the cuts eliminated entire depart­ General Conference and other entities gave ments: music, evangelistic association, and the Media Center about $2.5 million in 1981, the record company. The Bible School a 35-percent increase over 1980, and 13 per­ budget was sliced by $100,000. Of the dozens cent of the media center's total income. of courses previously produced at no charge, only three courses will now be offered free. The development office terminated their V oice of Prophecy contract with a professional consultant which was costing $3,000 a month. Another story, accompanied decision cut the number of direct-mail A by a smiling photo­ appeals during the year from 20 to 12. Liebelt graph in the June 14, 1982, Pacific Union acknowledges this change may be costly, Recorder, tried to put the best face on the because traditional direct mail philosophy firing of the quartet. It announced: "King's maintains that a lot of mail makes a lot of Heralds Begin Independent Ministry". money. But so far, the Voice of Prophecy Baritone Jack Veazey told the Recorder, on has not suffered from this cutback. Dona­ behalf of the Heralds Ministries, as the tions in February, the month following the quartet now calls itself, that "the primary announcement of budgetary problems, to­ interest of our group is evangelism. We've taled $343,000-a 63-percent increase over wanted for years to experiment with a 1981 's February figure of $201 ,000. "We're concert ministry which would, through all paring expenses every way we can," word and song, bring people to faith inJesus Liebelt says. "March ended very well-we Christ. We've never explored our full po­ managed to make a $6,000 profit. tential in this area, but because of the The total 1982 Voice of Prophecy budget recession, a way has unexpectedly opened now stands at $7.4 million, which is $450,000 up for us to implement new ways of bringing less than what was spent in 1981, but is still people to the cross." the largest of any of the center's compo­ The Voice of Prophecy shocked the Ad­ nents. ventist community when it announced that Liebelt wants to use any extra money on the King's Heralds quartet and its accom­ radio time. Currently, the Voice of Proph­ panist would be dropped January 1982. At ecy's budget splits into thirds: one-third that time, the organization seemed unable to pays for station time, one-third for salaries, 28 SPECTRUM and one-third for the actual program pro­ Richards,Jr., has other innovations in mind, duction and ancillary departments such as such as offering computer Bible games. He the Bible School. With the cost of station would also like to have about 50-55 busi­ time up 25-35 percent this year, reaching nessmen help sponsor the present daily radio Liebelt's goal of one-half of the budget for broadcast. There would be a short an­ station time will require more record-break­ nouncement telling what they do, so they ing months. could count it as advertising expense. Such Fundraising also affects programming. an arrangement would help relieve the "To generate income, you talk to people pressure to request money over the air. In who agree with you," says John Robertson, the past, the Voice of Prophecy did not ask the Voice of Prophecy researcher and pro­ listeners for money until they requested ducer. "Programming to nonreligious material from the Bible School. Lately, groups requires having funds from an out­ they've been asking for financial support on side source. We're not kidding ourselves the daily broadcast. about who listens to us. When we consider The Voice of Prophecy's track record for going to a new city now, we go in and say, successfully generating and producing new 'What's the best Christian station?'-and ideas is good. Fordyce Detamore helped the put the program on that." He does not see organization launch its first Bible school in the situation changing, either, even though 1942. Expansion from a weekly to a daily the daily broadcast will feature a new broadcast came in 1971. In 1973, a series of format in 1983. 30- and 60-second spot announcements was The new daily broadcast will continue to released to radio stations for use in public use religious music and will be aimed at service time. By 1980, the Voice of Pro ph­ religious people, but it will probably be ecy estimated it had received donated radio given a new name. It will shift toward a time worth $22.5 million for these "com­ magazine style, with more voices, including mercials" geared to the unchurched. Today, individuals recounting their real life experi­ radio programs affiliated with the Voice of ences. Gone will be the short lecture. In its Prophecy broadcast in 50 languages. place will be a two-year series which will Now that the Voice of Prophecy seems to start in Genesis and end in Revelation. be getting its financial house in order, "We're taking the themes from the Bible suggestions for the organization from the books and discussing each one for a week of General Conference Study Committee have five programs. For instance, Lamentations focused on the need to test the new format provides the setting for looking at contem­ thoroughly before airing it in 1983. porary people, like the Polish, at odds with foreign authorities. For the week in Genesis, Faith for Today we talk about creativity. For those pro­ grams, we're using children to talk about n May of this year, personal creativity." I the Media Center It took Robertson three months to de­ Board considered totally shutting down velop the new program. First he studied the Faith for Today, because programming di­ audience, figured out what he thought they lemmas were compounding economic prob­ wanted to hear and designed the format lems. Last year, Faith for Today produced a from there. He wrote a document on the 90-minute feature movie. Its 1982 budget listeners and his suggestion for program­ projected spending $750,000 for a children's ming, which was accepted by the in-house television series and newspaper. Finally, in board. He is already busy writing and July, Director Dan Matthews made two preparing the new two-year cycle. pilots of a talk show format, which he Besides the new daily program, H.M.S. hosted. On July 25, Matthews showed the Volume 13, Number 1 29 pilots to the General Conference officers in family whose children are born with cystic Washington, and reported that their re­ fibrosis. action was decidedly positive. Evidently, Recounting the life of the film would discussion of closing Faith for Today has make another interesting story. Pre-pro­ subsided._ duction work started and stopped at least four times. There were major creative disagreements over the project. New char­ "Faith for Today's production acters were added to the story to please a budget. . . simply cannot potential syndicator, but several attempts to market the still uncompleted film have sustain a weekly dramatic series fallen through. in an industry where even 30- And problems extended past the pro­ second commercials can cost duction department. One anticipated bene­ $100,000. " fit of the film was the possibility of soliciting foundation donations in conjunction with the cystic fibrosis organization. Faith for When William and Virginia Fagal Today hoped to take in $100,000 that way, launched their live dramatic series in 1950, but it never happened. television technology was in its infancy. The In a final attempt to salvage the project, program evolved along with the industry. another rewriting of the script has been Filming naturally replaced the live pro­ done, this time by an outside consultant. An duction. A hospital format became the basis independent company has expressed interest for the dramatic settings. An award cabinet in distributing the new production through a in the Faith for Today building lobby holds a theatre chain. Obviously, such an arrange­ collection of plaques and statues, won in ment would allow Faith for Today to recoup film competitions when Faith for Today was the money it invested in the project. But no producing the Westbrook Hospital Series. But contract has yet been signed. the last episode cost approximately $100,000 After its venture with a feature-length in 1979. So, although the old films still film in 1981, Faith for Today announced in circulate, no new episodes are being pro­ early 1982 that a children's television pro­ duced. Faith for Today's production budget, gram ranked as its first priority. Alternately which has declined from $1.2 million to ca 11 e d "K-d'1 s C ourt,""p at hfi In d ers,""0 ur $685,000 within the last year, simply cannot T urn,""E art h watc h" , "c rusa der C ast1" e , sustain a weekly dramatic series in an and "Hopscotch House", ideas about the industry where even 30-second commercials program circulated through the staff for can cost $100,000. several months. Adventure, animation, Faith for Today has received special health-even science fiction-were dis­ General Conference consideration in the cussed. "None of them rang enough bells, past, because of the expense dramatic pro­ though, " Matthews said in March. ductions incur. Offerings and church funds Two publications, Body Wise and Project make up 41 percent of the budget, which in Orion are already existing parts of Faith for 1982 will be $3.4 million. Today's ministry to children. They are pub­ In 1981, Faith for Today spent its pro­ lished by Concerned Communications, an duction budget on The Third Cry, a 90- independent Adventist advertising agency. minute movie made for television featuring Faith for Today's 1982 budget includes Richard Hatch, Laurie Walters and Mel $240,000 for Body Wise, a children's news­ Ferrer. According to writer Don Daven­ paper on health. That compares with port, it tells a classic story of the resilience of $500,000 which has been set aside for 13 the human spirit, by chronicling the life of a episodes of the children's television pro- 30 SPECTRUM gram. Project Orion, a series of space oriented ing out the program content, because for­ Bible games produced several years ago, is mer Faith for Today employee Gary Haynes the second publication mailed upon requests owns Sunrise Media Productions. And from viewers and donors. should the program not prove to be a "The constituency needs to understand commercial success, Haynes has an under­ we are going ahead with a children's printed standing with Matthews that Faith for To­ ministry right now, but the television pro­ day will take him back on the staff. gram has to be just right," says Director Matthews. "We have set a Fall deadline for production." Faith for Today has signed a hile the Faith for nine-month contract with Sunrise Media W Today staff strug­ Productions to develop two pilot programs gled with their children's program, the and market them. It was agreed that Faith General Conference Study Commission for Today's name would not appear on the struggled with what to do with Faith for program, which would be sold commer­ Today. Some members of the Commission cially. But Faith for Today would retain felt the church did not need a dramatic control over two advertising spots in the program or a children's show, and they program, during which it can market special argued that the Gospel only commissioned services for young people such as career Christ's followers to preach the Gospel. counseling or other church projects. Mat­ They felt a preaching television program thews justifies reliance on commercial syn­ totally met the church's needs. Others ar­ dication as a way to gain access to a larger gued that since only religious people watch a audience than can be reached through typ­ preaching program, if the Gospel Commis­ ical religious programming time. Additional sion was to extend to secular man, a variety funding will also be generated by selling the of formats was needed. product this way. During the Commission's stay in Thou­ Matthews admits that commercial mar­ sand Oaks, the Media Center Board of keting could bring the organization into Trustees met in May. The Commission conflicts, because it would mean Faith for decided to tell the Board about one of its Today would probably have to take its name recommendations, before taking the report off the program. Traditionally Adventists to the General Conference. A motion was measure programming by the amount of made to phase out Faith for Today. denominational doctrine conveyed. In his speech defending his organization, "we 've even gone so J:rar as to say, 'Let Dan Matthews asked the Board whether other people do the basic Christian message. they had considered the severance pay cost We'll emphasize our unique beliefs,'" Mat­ of such an action. He reminded them of the thew says. "I have some concerns about donation and offering dollars they would that. Jesus answered questions people were forfeit. He reiterated Faith's plans for the asking; He reached them where they were. future. After some discussion the Board He did not ask them to come to where He members voted to table the motion. was. I'm willing to take the posture that we But rather than simply "sitting on the should make meaningful statements even if table" until the next meeting, the item went we don't get credit. There's an old saying, to Washington and was considered by the 'you can do an awful lot of good if you don't General Conference officers the following care who gets the credit. ' I think about that a week. Matthews made a detour in his lot. I think the Holy Spirit could still campmeeting travel schedule. For three magnify what we do, even if it didn't have days, he lobbied in Washington. Since he our name on It.. " was not invited to the offi~ers' meeting, he Matthews is not worried about contract- sent a message to the group recognizing Volume 13, Number 1 31 their right and responsibility to make deci­ there were questions on the course Faith was sions on all matters of church media out­ taking, the Study Committee's suggestions reach. His one request was that any decision gave us the opportunity to discuss the be thoroughly explained in writing and that matter. " Faith for Today be provided with time to It also raised questions about totally make a response. focusing on a children's program. Faith for Today decided it also needed something to reach the adult population. So, in July, "The Adventist grapevine Andrews University professor Roy Nadan quickly spread the story of helped Matthews develop a new program, Faith for Today's tenuous "Day One." Two pilots were quickly made of the talk show program, with a live studio position. In Thousand Oaks, audience asking questions of the guests. Dan calls began coming in from Matthews acted as host. On July 25, Mat­ across th e country. " thews showed the pilots of the new program to the General Conference officers and received a favorable response. A reliable source says that, when the Matthews believes that the denomination Study Commission reported to the General will continue to support Faith for Today as a Conference officers, it suggested an alter­ program pursuing its original objective of native to closing Faith for Today: The reaching out to secular man-this time with General Conference could begin cutting a variety program for young people and the back the church's appropriations by 25 interview show for adults. percent every six months, until Faith for Today was phased out in two years. Ac­ Adventist Media Productions cording to this suggestion, the money which would have gone to Faith for Today would , , Idon't think the be put in a trust fund for new media projects, church can keep this administered by the Center administration. operation running;" "Everything is video As of August 1982, neither the option of these days, and we have no video;" "I see termination nor a two-year phase-out had very little option but to go to the leadership been adopted. and ask what is to be done. " "What will the The Adventist grapevine quickly spread leadership learn that we do not already the story of Faith for Today's tenous posi­ know?" "We owe it to them to take a look tion. In Thousand Oaks, calls began coming at us." in from across the country asking if the "That's what the discussion went like at organization was still functioning. A notice the last Adventist Media Production Board was quickly drafted for the Adventist Review meeting," said V. Bailey Gillespie in Feb­ stating that Faith for Today was still in ruary. A Lorna Linda University professor operation, that the General Conference was of religion who serves on the Adventist studying the organization, and that a report Media Productions Board, Gillespie con­ would be made by the end of the year. cluded, "We made a very creative decision. Despite the serious threat to his organi­ We decided not to declare bankruptcy and zation's existence, Dan Matthews strolled to suggest a revision in the accounting into his Faith for Today office June 1, procedures." Board members had before exuding confidence. "I'm glad that this them a report that showed a loss of over whole thing's happened," Matthews said. $150,000 for 1981, an improvement over the "We're now in the best possible position $180,000 of 1980, but still a continuing with the General Conference. Whereas disaster for the company. 32 SPECTRUM

Adventist Media Productions produces ductions' production areas and to finance films, slide shows, commercials, and tapes the purchase of needed video equipment for any of the church's organizations. Gen­ (currently the Adventist Media Productions eral Conference departments will spend only owns 16 mm camera equipment). Then close to $200,000 there this year. But Ad­ Adventist Media Productions could offer the ventist Media Productions also holds respon­ production facilities to the components and sibility for the Media Center's studio, and other church organizations free, instead of studio hasn't broken even since Faith for renting them out. Users would only be Today stopped production of the West­ charged for supplies. That would solve a lot brook Hospital series. Consequently, the of problems. After all, we're here to work board meeting seemed grim. for the church. When you start talking about commercialization, then our purpose· for being here gets muddy." "'The teleseminar could be a The Study Committee's recommendation very cost effective evangelistic to the General Conference is to put an tool,' Krogstad says. 'About immediate freeze on the purchase ofequip­ ment by Adventist Media Productions 7,000 people attended the 1981 and to terminate it as a separate component. prod uctlon.. '" The committee suggested quality consid­ erations be made paramount, so the center's administration should take over the oper­ To solve the problem, the Media Center's ation. administration formed a studio usage com­ mittee comprised of the television compo­ It Is Written nent managers and treasurers, some Ad­ ventists Media Productions staff, plus Media he library-like set Center President Robert R. Frame and T sprawls across the Robert L. Rawson, vice-president for fi­ Media Center sound stage at odd angles to nance. simulate rooms. There is a short staircase, a At the first meeting, we decided to split large globe, several windows overlooking the losses for the studio at the end of the year the stage scrim, and a wingback chair in according to a formula based on General front of a bookcase. All stand idly waiting Conference appropriations," says Jack for George Vandeman, speaker for I t Is Davis, Adventist Media Productions di­ Written, to wander through, lecturing on rector of research and development. That the Bible while the tape rolls. It Is Written should help the ending balance statement for produces 30-36 programs here each year, the production component. more than any of the other components. The suggestion is also often made that the After almost 25 years on television, Van­ Adventist Media Productions should rent deman shows no sign of slowing down, in the studio out for commercial use. "Discus­ spite of the fact that he is now on susten­ sion about renting the studio out to other tation. The General Conference Study production companies always bogs down Committee primarily praised It Is Written over what regulations would need to be for success, particularly in the past five imposed. Would we be willing to have years. McDonald's or Coca Cola, Jordache or Special weekend fundraising campaigns George Burns working here?" asks Davis. have helped to escalate income. Board "My suggestion for next year is to have member Shirley Burton calls Partnerships the General Conference make a direct ap­ Unlimited the smartest thing Vandeman has propriation to the Adventist Media Pro- ever done. It Is Written invites a select Volume 13, Number 1 33 group of people to a weekend retreat each deavor to attract 75,000 people. Following Fall. Religious programs fill the Sabbath the same ratio of baptisms per attendees as hours. Entertainment on Saturday night has 1981, the 1983 seminar would yeild 7,500 included such celebrities as Lowell Thomas baptisms at a cost to the church 0[$250 each. and Maria Von Trapp. Finally, It Is Written "We stand ready to conduct another requests the financial support of the people. teleseminar if the church wants one," Krog­ As a result the program's annual donations stad says. "But we have to have the cooper­ now double the amount generated by Faith ation of the church." for Today. "It Is Written is neither a complete In 1982, It Is Written will operate on a ministry nor an electronic church," accord­ budget of approximately $5 million, with ing to publicity materials prepared for station time consuming 40 percent of that conference administrators. "It is a seed­ amount. "We're the most self-supporting of sowing, interest-generating agency work­ the components," says Manager Arnt E. ing hand-in-hand with the local conference, Krogstad. "Our General Conference ap­ the local pastor, and interested lay workers propriation supplies about four percent of to discover and introduce to the church the budget and half of that goes to the those who are seeking a closer walk with the Canadian It Is Written for their quota of Lord." programs which must be produced in Canada. So the General Conference funds B rea th of Life only about two percent of the It Is Written budget. We don't have an annual offering, t is Friday night in either. However, the local conferences do I downtown Los An­ pick up 25 percent of the actual air time." geles. At the corner of Grand and Wash­ Dependence on the local conference is ington. A venues, people are gathering for also heavy for the 20-30 all-day Bible two events. At the Olympic Auditorium seminar programs which It Is Written pro­ they are lining up to see a wrestling match. duces each year. In March 1981, It Is Catercorner across the parking lot, they are W ri tten tried a teleseminar, originating starting to arrive for a Breath of Life from Los Angeles, beamed via satellite across evangelistic crusade where gracious lady the country. Given a broad base of support ushers, snappy in their black and white capes over which to spread the high cost of the and white gloves, greet people with "Happy satellite, the teleseminar could be a very cost Sabbath. " effective evangelistic tool, Krogstad says. Backstage, Walter Arties, the manager About 7,000 people attended the 1981 pro­ and producer of Breath of Life, talks about duction. the difficulty of doing evangelism in Los A General Conference report estimates Angeles. "People are so secularly oriented," that 700 people were baptised from that he says. "It's really different from our series. It cost the church $40 per attendee previous experiences in the West Indies and (the conferences picked up $12.50 of that, It other places. But the commission hasn't I sW ri tten $27.50), and the a ttendees paid changed. We still have to go to all the $25 each, so the total cost per person was world. Nobody ever said the message would approximately $65. The cost to the church be popular, but it still has to be told. We per baptism ran $400. have to do our work." Krogstad says It Is Written planned on Part of Arties' work this evening includes larger numbers attending and had antici­ trying to help the electrician with the heater pated the total cost would be only $40 per for the baptismal tank standing behind the person. I t Is Written would like to try the curtains on the auditorium's large stage. The teleseminar again in 1983, when it would en- right outlets just don't appear to be avail- 34 SPECTRUM able. Meanwhile, pianist Shelton Kilby tells Media Center literature claims 2,700 bap­ one of the baptismal candidates just what he tisms have resulted from the Breath of Life needs to bring and where he should be for telecast since 1974, and several churches the ceremony the next day, the closing owe their beginning to the broadcast. Sug­ program in a month of nightly meetings. gestions from the General Conference Study At 7:30 p.m. a line of preachers passes the Commission include putting a "trailer," cross which stands at one end of the stage as featuring a local pastor on the end of each the program begins. There is music, prayer, program, and trying to find public service questions and answers, a dramatic reading time for the broadcast. and preaching-an old fashioned kind of presentation, punctuated with "Amens" from the audience. C.D. Brooks, the speaker for the Breath Media Center Administration of Life, carries the people through the sermon with questions. "Are you listening?" obert R. Frame he says after explaining a passage of Scrip­ Rcomes to the outer ture. "Can I hear amen to that?" His strong office of the president's suite and officially voice soars, then whispers; the emotion is welcomes his visitor to the Adventist Media there, but controlled, always controlled. Center. Inside, opposite his desk, 14 chairs Arties hops between the electronic con­ line the walls, seemingly waiting for a sole at the edge of the stage and the sidelines, committee meeting to begin. Those are directing the electrician, answering ques­ bypassed as he points to the easy chairs in tions, finally strolling onto the stage to sing. front of the huge corner windows, a pleasant His mellow voice fills the auditorium, and place to talk about his responsibilities. He the audience responds with applause. sees himself as an administrator, not a creative person. He leaves the creative business up to the staff, an attitude which "To make up the Media generates respect from the staff, who Center's $2.5 million. . . generally praise his performance. deficit for 1981, the Media His goals for the center involve helping Center's administration has had with church programs such as the 1,000 Days of Reaping currently being planned. "We to ask the General Conference took an action asking the General Con­ for more money." ference how they want us to be involved," he says. The month-long Los Angeles crusade cost "We're an evangelistic organization. between $30,000 and $40,000, or $333 per There is such a lot of trash available in the baptism. That cost does not include the media today. We need to offset that mate­ manpower from the Southern California rial and introduce people to Christ through Conference, whose personnel handled ad­ the use of electronic media." vertising, personal visitations, and Bible Frame's comment points to two bypro­ studies. One conference official said the ducts of media work which end up costing as crusade was not the smoothest production. much as programming. The evangelistic But there was over 120 baptisms. And the element has led the components into other baptism record helps justify the television activites such as Bible schools and evange­ broadcast for the select black audience. listic crusades. Organizationally, the cen­ Today, Breath of Life prides itself on ter's existence has added a new dimension to being a General Conference entity. The the old programs. There are some cen­ program operates on a budget of about tralized services such as mailing, computers, $500,000, and employ four persons fulltime. printing, and accounting. But there is also a Volume 13, Number 1 35

new layer of management, because the announced its budget crunch, gifts poured center's components all still maintain their into the Voice of Prophecy, while It Is own boards, treasurers, managers, and pub­ Written and Faith for Today recorded their lic relations staffs. The Media Center ad­ lowest donation figures for the year. ministration, overarching all, has an annual Financial problems force long thoughts budget of approximately $300,000. about financial priorities. To make up the And which aspect of these organizations Media Center's $2.5 million total operating is the most important? Media programming? deficit for 1981, the Media Center's admini­ Evangelism? Institutional cohesiveness? Can stration has had to ask the General Con­ the church meets its needs for an outreach ference for more money. Looking to the program and meet the needs of secular man future, the Media Center must cut back or at the same time? eliminate programs, increase revenues from Harry Hartsock, president of the Voice of greater commercial use of the Media Center Prophecy Lay Advisory Committee, says, to facilities, particularly the film studio, or ask fulfill the Gospel Commission, the church the denomination for continued heavy ap­ needs to consider what tools are at its propriations. The decisions that must be disposal. "Radio and television are all part made have to do with good management, of it. What role can the Media Center play? but they extend to choices about how Well, you're only as good as the talent you Adventism appropriately expresses itself in have. The Richards, the Fagals, the Van­ the media. Whether the General Confer­ demans have made an enormous contri­ ence's consolidation of programs into a bution. It's the individuals that reach peo­ single media center contributed to financial ple-not the institutions. Anyone who difficulties, the present economic realities thinks an institution can reach people is and dependence of the Media Center on sadly mistaken." But what does the organi­ denominational appropriations means that, zation do when it loses star talents, such as in the future, the General Conference will the Fagals who retired this year? What be even more directly involved in deciding effect do losses at one component have on what kind of Adventist programs appear on the others? When the Voice of Prophecy radio or television. Articles The Voice of H.M.S. Richards

by John Robertson

e has just returned The Wesley connection is especially im­ H. from Oregon and is portant to Richards, because John Wesley is preparing for a trip to northern California his "favorite character outside the Bible." the next weekend. His calendar is full of He believes Wesley's combination of educa­ appointments for funerals, weddings, wor­ tion and humility serves as a model for his ship services, pastors' meetings, college own life. "He knew Latin, Greek, Hebrew, assemblies, luncheons, a broadcaster's con­ German, French, and Italian," says Rich­ vention, and even a youth congress in ards, "and he always showed deference to Bermuda, demanding more than 100 public others, even his opponents." speaking appointments in 23 states. and six From his earliest moments, H.M.S. Rich­ foreign countries this year. In addition to ards knew what it meant to travel and this rigorous schedule, this 88-year old preach. His parents put him in a pillow-lined preacher prepares 52 sermons a year for an box and took him on their evangelistic tours. international weekly radio program. From his baby box on the back row of the tents, he would point to the charts depicting the wild beasts of Daniel and Revelation and arold Marshall Syl­ holler, '''Moo! Cow!" More than once his H vester Richards was mother had to banish him from the meeting. born in 1894 to a family of preachers. His As soon as he was old enough, Richards' father was a Seventh-day Adventist evan­ parents left him with his grandparents, the gelist and conference president. His English Sylvesters. Since his parents were gone grandfather was converted to Christianity much of the time, his grandparents became a by Salvation Army founder General Wil­ second set of parents. He quickly adapted a liam Booth and later toured the United neighbor girl's names for his grandparents: States as a circuit preacher and companion Two Pops and Two Moms. of John Wesley.1 These substitute parents settled down in a rough cabin on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains about 30 miles from Love­ land, Colorado. The only way to get to the John Robertson, producer for the Voice of Prophecy, received a master of divinity degree from Andrews cabin was by horse and wagon. Richards University and holds a doctor of ministry degree spent many summers at the cabin picking from Fuller Theological Seminary. raspberries from sunup to sundown. Late in Volume 13, Number 1 37

the fall, he woufd help his grandparents bury love, her kindness and sweetness, and her the vines for the winter so that they wouldn't interest in me have influenced me beyond freeze. H.M.S. Richards' grandparents were measure. "3 a major influence in his development. Two But the strongest early influence on H.M. Pops-Jasper Newton Sylvester-told sto­ S. Richards came from his own father, ries of the gold rush days. Very much the H.M.]. Richards, despite the frequent and frontiersman, he was an excellent shot with extended absences. One of Richards ' earliest a rifle and also astonished the young Rich­ memories is his father's offer to pay him a ards by pulling out his own infected teeth silver dollar if he could read the Bible with a pair of pliers. through. The offer, made even before he had One of Richards' most treasured memo­ started school was taken up; Two Pops had ries is the last night he spent with his Two taught him to read. Pops: "The night my grandfather died I was alone with him. He was a very strong man, and, in spite of everything I could do, he got out of bed, went over the the sideboard, and "Older students ... taunted, got his Bible. 'Now Harold,' he said, 'you're going to be a minister.' Turning to the 'Now preach us a sermon you second chapter of First Corinthians, he read Advent!' Richards did. He told the entire chapter to me, emphasizing the them Christ was coming soon last part, 'for spiritual things are spiritually and that they would be sorry discerned.' Then he said, 'If you're going to for behaving so badly." be a minister, you've got to be a spiritual man. No man has the right to be a minister if he isn't spiritual.' Then he died in my arms. "2 Richards recalls seeing his father studying The influence of his grandmother was just in the corner of a bedroom, surrounded by as significant. During his early years, while dry-goods boxes disguised as bookcases. As his parents were out preaching for weeks at Richards got older, his father would discuss a time, she was his mother. A witty woman, the art of preaching with him. He still full of grim humor, she continued to influ­ remembers his father's words: "Now son, ence Richards even after he graduated from use three or four strong texts on your point. Campion Academy in 1914. Between the Drive these texts clear through your hearer's ages of18 and 20, Richards held evangelistic minds by your arguments and clinch them on meetings and saw no need to go to college. the other side. Don't use all the texts you But Two Moms insisted, even selling her know. Save some in reserve to use in family home to help finance the venture. answering any questions which might come When Richards went to Washington Mis­ after you have finished your sermon. Also sionary College (now Columbia Union Col­ draw the attention of the audience more to lege), she went along and even continued as what the Bible says than to what you say."4 a live-in mother on his first preaching His father also encouraged him to tell assignment in Ottawa, Canada. A few years stories in the pulpit. "My father was the later he married Mable Eastman. greatest storyteller I ever knew. He knew Richards' mother shaped his life through Aesop's Fables by heart and had many books her remarkably gentle, patient personality. of illustrations which he also committed to "Her great influence in my life has been to memory. In preaching he used few stories shame me in my proneness to irritability. except Bible stories, but, in his contact with Her sweetness and lovableness are what I all kinds of people, he continually used think Christ wants Christians to have. Her stories to illustrate religious ideas."5 38 SPECTRUM

any of Richards' val­ were holding tent meetings outside Love­ Mues were tested early land, Colorado, and Richards and his when he discovered that his family belonged brother attended the meetings to help in­ to a small religious group that was often crease the attendance figures. One Saturday ridiculed. He still remembers hearing peo­ afternoon Springer held a meeting for all the ple yell insults and abuse outside the tent young people and invited them to commit during his father's evangelistic meetings. At their lives to Jesus Christ. The meeting had school, older students would laugh at his all the trappings of an early Adventist faith. One time they hoisted him up on a evangelistic meeting-the smell of canvas fence and taunted, "Now preach us a and sawdust, the appeal to come forward, sermon, you Advent;" Richards did. He told the song "That Gate Ajar for Me." Richards them Christ was coming soon and that they accepted the invitation and later was would be sorry for behaving so badly. baptized in a lake near Loveland, the same It might seem that a sensitive boy who lake in which he had learned to fish and experienced so much ridicule would with­ swim. He remembers, "I could see Long's draw and spend the rest of his life in retreat. Peak, my favorite mountain. I remember But Richards credits a single incident with promising the Lord that I would be faith­ preventing that from happening. One day ful to Him as long as that mountain stood."6 some older boys were tormenting him on his Ellen White was partly responsible for way home from school, and Richards was Richards' decision to become a minister. In almost hit by one of the boys, who was Boulder in 1909, on her way back from swinging his books around at the end of a Washington, D.C., to St. Helena after leather strap. Though Richards' parents had attending her last General Conference ses­ taught him never to fight back, for some sion, Ellen White stopped at the Chatauqua reason, he took a swipe at the tormenter and campground for a preaching service. Young knocked him down. The incident not only Harold was part of the "platform boys" saved him from additional trouble at the crew, helping to set up chairs. hands of the boys, but it also gave Richards a During White's sermon, Richards sat on new sense of confidence. Even though he the edge of the platform. "She was just a belonged to an unpopular religion, he could regular old grandmother when she stand up for himself. preached," he recalls, "kind and c1ear­ As a young man, Richards was deeply voiced. But when she prayed, the entire moved by the lives of two people he re­ mood changed. People in the audience were spected greatly-Theodore Roosevelt and weeping. It was during that prayer that I Ellen White. For understandable reasons, decided to be a minister, not a lawyer. I had Roosevelt had been his boyhood hero. "He been attracted to law because there were was my idol because he was a phys~cal several attorneys in my heritage."7 weakling in early life. But he became a Both Richards' characteristic sensitivity strong man." If Teddy had made a success of and his willingness to stand up for what he his life, even though he was pushed around believed, showed up in his ministry. During as a boy, then so could Harold. Roosevelt one of his earliest evangelistic meetings, had made a deep impression on young held at a dance hall on a lake near Pike's Harold when he made a visit to Denver. The Peak, one of his potential converts commit­ Rough Rider strode out of the Brown Palace ted suicide. Richards had a hard time for­ Hotel dressed "like a President ought to giving himself for not being able to help her, dress," complete with silk hat and gloves. brooding over it for months. Richards decided to be baptized during The fighting spirit was also evident. the summer before his thirteenth birthday. Richards was asked to conduct evangelistic His father and an associate, L.A. Springer, meetings in Millerton, Pennsylvania, near Volume 13, Number 1 39 the New York line. The only building in the preacher accused Richards of saying that town large enough for an audience was the there was a mistake in the Bible. Unable to Odd Fellows Hall. But the building was let such a charge go unchallenged, Richards owned by the local mortician, who refused shouted from the back of the church, to rent the building, announcing his strong "That's a lie!" Afte.r a few moments of dislike of preachers. Richards went to visit stunned silence, the meeting finished in the man one day, and discovered that the great confusion. That was the last night he mortician was reading the sports section of was bothered by the preacher during his stay the newspaper. A fight between Jess Wil­ in Alhambra. lard and Jack Johnson was soon to take place. It is worth noting that Richards himself Richards commented on the upcoming bout, sometimes resorted to theatrics. On occa­ and the mortician instantly challenged him sion, he would bring a stack of his to a fight. If Richards won, he would get the opponent's books into the pulpit with him, hall for the meetings. Ifhe lost, there would read from them one by one, and ceremo­ be no meetings. niously drop them on the floor. Then he would hold up his Bible and read an ap­ propriate text. More than once he had a "Richards, who learned some Hollywood stuntman dressed as an ape walk boxing... many years earlier, into his meetings. Richards would use this "missing link" to introduce his discussion reluctantly agreed. After seven of the flaws in the theory of evolution. rounds, the mortician was The early feeling that he was part of a unable to get up. Richards got minority has never left Richards. Prior to the hall and baptized 26 World War I, he was preaching about peopI e ... " Armageddon when many Protestants were preaching peace. In the 1920's he was preaching conservative values when bobbed Richards, who learned some boxing from hair, flappers, alcohol, and the expanding an older student at Campion Academy many movie industry dominated the rest of years earlier, reluctantly agreed. After society. While many other members of the seven rounds, the mortician was unable to clergy were preaching about social ills­ get up. Richards got the hall and baptized child labor and war-Richards made per­ 26 people at the conclusion of the meetings. sonal invitations to accept salvation inJesus Another example of Richards' willing­ Christ. ness to fight took place in Alhambra, Cali­ fornia, in 1929. Richards again found opposition to his church; this time from a or all the theatrics Protestant minister who was fond of Fhe used, it has always publicly discrediting the Seventh-day Ad­ been important to H.M.S. Richards that his ventist Church. The minister even took out faith be reasoned. He remembers finding a a full-page newspaper advertisement in box of books in his father's barn one day. which he condemned the Adventist "her­ The collection included Thomas Paine's The esy," invited Richards to engage in an open Age of Reason, complete with his father's debate, and promised to "expose" Richards notes in the margin: "Beware" and "This is at his next meeting. Richards, not preaching dangerous." He also found a copy of John that night, went to hear himself ridiculed. Harvey Kellogg's The Living Temple, with The church was filled to capacity, so similar denouncements in the margin.s Richards took his place standing at the back Richards was fascinated with the book, and with many others.- He listened politely until decided that he must continue to read the 40 SPECTRUM works of people who disagreed with him. February through December, he reads the He honed his reading skills at the local Bible through two or three more times. In public library on his way home from school addition, he reads the New Testament every day. He avidly read The New Republic, through every month. the old Literary Digest, and H.L. Mencken's Part of the reading before breakfast may American Mercury. As a high school student, include commentaries, especially the older he was well acquainted with writers like ones by Adam Clarke, John Calvin, and Robert La Follette, Eugene V. Debs, and Matthew Henry. He appreciates the schol­ others of the "progressive era." He credits arly, conservative, loyal attitude these men the Debating Society at Campion Academy, bring to the Bible. He also likes more recent the only regular Saturday night social theologians like F.F. Bruce, Helmut Thie­ activity, with giving him the tools to reason lieke, and C.S. Lewis. These men appeal to through such works. him because their books are clear and well­ Richards is convinced that his wide read­ reasoned-characteristics that he thinks are ing has greatly strengthened his faith by also important in sermons: "My notes are forcing him to think through his beliefs. built according to the way the mind works," Perhaps this explains his commitment to his he explains. "One thing is true; therefore, library on which he has spent thousands of another is true. Just simple argument, very hours and dollars. The 21' x 27' room is clear. People are persuaded by clear expla­ overwhelmed by more than 8,000 books nation. Clarity is supreme with me. " (another 2,000 are in the house and garage). His reading still ranges into many areas. A small desk sits under a window in one On one typical day, he read Newsweek and corner of the room. A sign on the door in the u.s. News completely through, finished a opposite corner announces the room's func­ biography of Beethoven ("It was tough tion: "Necessatorium." going; I'm not a musician"), studied a section of Matthew Henry's commentary, and read a new commentary ofJeremiah by "Richards had people Charles Swindoll. Six to eight hours of paraphrase the Apostle Paul's reading and browsing a day is not unusual. words about the devil being the He subscribes to more than 60 journals, and the list offers more clues to his wide­ 'prince of the power of the air,' ranging interests. He reads several news giving that as a reason why he journals from different political perspec­ should not preach over the tives, including some published in Europe ra d10.· " and the Middle East. He loves archeology (Biblical A rchaeologist, A rchaeology, Biblical Archaeology Review, Bible and Spade), and His habit is to be in the library at five or science (Science News, Science and Scripture). six 0 'clock every morning and read for two He keeps up with developments in the or three hours before breakfast. Much of media, literature ("The New York Times that time is spent with the Bible. Book Reviews are the best") and religion. Richards has frequently stated his belief He subscribes to nearly every Adventist that reading the Bible from cover to cover is church periodical published and gets several the best way to understand it. He follows his devotional and sermon-related journals as own advice. Every January, he reads the well. Bible straight through in about 75 hours "to Richards reserves afternoons for writing get an airplane view." He reads nothing else letters, and lighter reading. Biographies fill until he finishes-no newspapers, maga­ a significant portion of the library, although zines, or books of any kind. Then from more than 90 percent of the library is Volume 13, Number 1 41 religious. He feels his collection is weak in one of these buildings for $1,000, after reference works. "Also, I'd love to have a paying $10,000 for it a few weeks earlier. set of the great classics in English literature, The decision bewildered and angered Rich­ just for the pleasure of reading them," he ards: "At least it could have become a says. His habit of reading through large church." Again, his loyalty to the church works may soon get him into Blackstone's prevented him from reacting in a public four-volume set, Commentaries on the Laws of way. England. Remember, if I wasn't a preacher, When he first decided to venture into I'd be a lawyer," he says again. He wishes radio broadcasting, he received strong more preachers would read law. "It would opposition from many people in the church, help them think straight." including many officials. "When I was He feels rather well educated in the trying to start things, level-headed men said, history of philosophy and is grateful for the 'You want to go on radio? They advertise knowledge. "I feel it's given me some liquor and tobacco on the radio. I don't perspective for many of the scientific think you're doing right.'" But to such arguments I read today," he says. Plato and "counsel of the brethren," Richards quickly Aristotle are not strangers to him. In fact, he responded, "If I had a chance to preach in believes Plato "was very near God" and Rome and the Pope was in the audience, I'd "almost found him by searching." jump at it. I'd love to go to the Vatican and None of his reading diminishes his faith. give a series of morning devotionals." He has no doubts about his faith, or the Richards even had people paraphrase the doctrines of the Adventist church. "I was Apostle Paul's words about the devil being fully inoculated as a boy. I've never been the "Prince of the Power of the Air," giving plagued by doubts. I'm always reading with that as a reason why he should not preach a view to strengthening my faith, not to over the radio. In fact, several conferences weakening it. " officially banned his radio broadcast in their territory. Most of the early opposition is unwavering faith melted in the face of Richards' obvious H has also helped him success with the medium. However, the over some rough spots in his ministry. One V oice of Prophecy has remained an inde­ painful experience occurred when he was pendent organization within Adventism in pulled by his conference superiors from an certain respects. From the early beginnings ongoing series of evangelistic meetings in of his radio ministry in the 1930s, Richards' Lodi, California, in the 1930s. The meetings salary has come entirely from contributions were going well, but they weren't finished to his radio program. To this day, Richards when he was suddenly sent to another town. and the entire Voice of Prophecy staff, "What men would never think of doing as including ordained ministers, are not paid individuals," he says, reflecting on the with tithe money. incident, "they'll sometimes do as commit­ In his long ministry, Richards has faced tees." Richards believes in obeying author­ some difficult situations and his response has ity, so he went. "I can put up with a lot, as always been the same. "More than once I've long as I get to preach," he explains. climbed a mountain at the back of my home On another occasion, a California confer­ and cried like Elijah." But then he continues ence sold one of Richards , "tabernacles" for quickly, "I've found one thing. The average less than it was worth. Those tabernacles leader of our people is a good man. He has to were built with 1" x 12" pine boards and to be a strong-headed man. It's been hard to seated more than 1 ,000 people. The floor see why some of them didn't see certain was made of tarpaper over dirt, covered by things. But I'm sure I don't see some things sawdust and burlap. The conference sold that I ought to see. There were some things 42 SPECTRUM done to me that were unjust. And that's Glendale, while he preached in Lodi, bound to happen. But we just learn to get California, for 100 consecutive nights. His along with it." longest crusade was held in Fresno, Califor­ A more recent illustration of this attitude nia, where he preached seven nights a week is found in the move of the Voice of for nine months. For 50 years of summers, Prophecy to Thousand Oaks, California, in after his radio program began, Richards May 1978. The staff left an adequate, debt­ would tour the campmeeting circuit, often free, two-building complex in Glendale, spending as much as six weeks away from California to move 45 miles away into more home. Frequent trips to the Middle East and expensive buildings in a community where elsewhere took even more time away from the cost of living was significantly higher. the family. When asked to comment about the move, he Richards recognized the problem and decided to tell a story. "Lincoln was asked tried to overcome it. His son Kenneth recalls once to write an endorsement for a book a several occasions when the family (includ­ poor man was trying to sell. He agreed, and ing Dad) went camping together. He also wrote the words, 'Whoever wants a book remembers boxing lessons, long walks, and like this, well, this is just the kind of book countless discussions. But the overall picture they should have." Richards chuckled for a is of a less than full time father and husband. moment, then made his point with sadness, His son H.M.S. Richards, Jr., was born not anger. "I thought we were doing pretty while Richards was preaching in Alhambra, well where we were. Now it costs more. California. His youngest son Jan was born We have burdens we didn't have before." while Richards was conducting meetings in Even so, Richards cooperated when the time Phoenix, Arizona, just as Richards himself came to move and now makes the 90-mile was born when his father was off preaching. round-trip to the studio for recording sessions. Yet, Richards is sensitive to fault­ finding. Early in the 1930s, a woman who s a preacher and an claimed to be a prophet showed him a book A evangelist, Richards cri tical of the church's leaders. He dismissed has advice for pastors and church leaders. the book solely on the basis of its extreme "The best evangelism for this church is an criticism. "When you write a whole book evangelistically minded pastor with his just condemning people," he explained, church behind him. A few men can do "then that's the work of the devil."9 evangelism full time, but not many." The local pastor "should get on the radio as soon as he can" for two or three minutes a ichards' work has day to introduce himself and his church to Rcreated problems for the community. The program should be him, most noticeably, in his own family. His devotional in nature. Richards would like to daughter Virginia says, "I saw his love for see the Voice of Prophecy offer radio everyone manifested in ways that were training to interested pastors. "I'd like to see sometimes a detriment to our family."l1 His a coordinated advance in this church like wife has spent literally thousands of nights at we've never had yet. Suppose we could take home alone. His son, H.M.S. Richards, Jr., time on every radio and television station in says, "My father never even changed a light a city that had time available. Then let's bulb at home; my mother's the one who send our papers free to every person in the raised us. "10 Much of the time, Richards' city willing to receive them for a year. Then wife functioned as the sole parent in the people would know we're here. If we have a family. man who can draw a big crowd, then let's He'd leave his family at home for many use him. But let's not waste money by weeks at a time. He once left them in spending $50-60,000 to get 25 to 50 people. " Volume 13, Number 1 43

The ideal, says Richards, would be for a A third concern is the current Adventist local church to combine a heavy use of the discussion about righteousness by faith. He media with a two-by-two approach at the wonders why it has been forgotten that the doors of the community. "Let's be open church held a series of "righteousness by about it," he insists. "Hello, I'm a Seventh­ faith schools for preachers" in 1892. Rich­ day Adventist. I'd like to tell you about my ards' own father, from the Iowa Confer­ beliefs." This would be much better than ence, attended the seminar at the Battle "inviting people from all over the place" Creek Tabernacle. The teachers were Uriah to a big meeting. Smith, W.W. Prescott, A.T. Jones, E.J. Waggoner, and Ellen White. They used no textbook but the Bible. Jones taught "Did Mrs. White borrow too Romans and Waggoner taught Galatians. much? It's so much bigger than Richards remembers his father describing that. . . We have too much in the meetings as deeply spiritual and schol­ common to be arguing over arly. "They left knowing the books of Romans and Galatians like the backs of their some of these details." hands," he observes. Debates in the church do not particularly When speaking about his concerns for the worry him. "All these discussions about future of the church, Richards mentions Ellen White have not changed me a bit. three items. He wishes that less denomina­ "H ere 'hs t e troubl e, " he contmues. . tional construction was being financed: "It "None of the questions about Mrs. White looks too much like we're planning to stay can be answered simply with a yes or no. for the duration." Another concern is You have to see the whole picture. Too "sloppiness" in Adventist preaching. He's many people see only one small corner of the like to see more attention given to historical question, like 'Did Mrs. White borrow too accuracy by preachers. "The references to much?' It's so much bigger than that. What history that we think support our prophetic did she say? Why did she say it? That's what understanding should be critically evalu­ we ought to be discussing. We have too ated. Let's use the best sources for the much in common to be arguing over some of linking of history with prophecy." these details."

NOTES AND REFERENCES

1. Several sources provided many of the names, 'Voice of Prophecy' Broadcast of the Seventh-day dates, places, and events mentioned in this article: Adventist Church," p. 49. Forward in Faith, by Roy F. Cottrell (Pacific Press 3. Ibid., p. 53. Publishing Association, 1945); The Miracle of the 4. Ibid., p. 51. Microphone, by Bill Oliphant (Southern Publishing 5. Ibid., p. 52. Association, 1966); The Story of the Voice of Prophecy, 6. Ibid., p. 8. and The Voice of Prophecy, (undated booklets 7. One of the attorneys related to Richards was published by the Voice of Prophecy); H.M.S. John Forrest Curry, California Secretary of State Richards: Man Alive! by Virginia Cason (Freedom from 1899 to 1911. House, 1974); "A Rhetorical Analysis of the 8. John Harvey Kellogg performed surgery on Speaking of H.M.S. Richards in Connection with the mother, grandmother, and aunt of H.M.S. the 'Voice of Prophecy' Broadcast of the Seventh­ Richards, who remembers the doctor well. One of day Adventist Church," a doctoral thesis by Wilber Kellogg's "operating nurses" was the mother of Alexander (Michigan State University, 1962); and A Mabel Richards. Voice in the Air, (Voice of Prophecy booklet, 1980) 9. Cason, Man Alive!, n.p. and Hello America! (Voice of Prophecy booklet, 10. H.M.S. Richards, Jr., has made this comment 1962), both by Robert E. Edwards. many times as an illustration. of his father's devotion 2. Alexander, "Rhetorical Analysis of the Speak­ to his work. ing of H.M.S. Richards in Connection with the Must Polygamists Divorce?

by Russell Staples

olygamy is probably form of marriage, but is never compatible Pthe most complex with Christianity. What is not well known issue with which Adventism has had to deal is that the Adventist church has not always in its missionary enterprise. Historically, the held to this position. actions and judgments of the church have The Adventist church has always insisted not always been consistent, or evenly that monogamy is the Christian form of tempered with love andjustice. To study the marriage. But for 11 years (1930-1941) the requirements the church makes of converts official policy of the denomination, adopted who have already entered polygamous at Autumn Council, allowed that "persons marriages, a General Conference com­ found living in a state of polygamy at the mittee met during the 1981 Annual Council. time the gospel light comes to them, and Hopefully, the deliberations will continue. who have entered into plural marriage There is obviously no easy solution, but it before knowing it to be a custom con­ would seem to be possible to support the demned by the Word of God, may upon case for a limited accommodation of a less recommendation of responsible field com­ than ideal form of marriage within the mittees be admitted to baptism and the church under certain circumstances. ordinances of the church, and may be The present policy has been followed for recognized as probationary members. "1 The over 40 years. A man living in a state of principal limitation on such probationary polygamy who wishes to join the church is members was that they could not hold required to change his status by putting church office. away all but one of his wives. Alternatively, the wives may be baptized, but not the Characteristics of Polygamy husband. The policy assumes that in some times and places polygamy may be a legal he Adventist church T is confronted with the fact that polygamy is a worldwide Russell Staples is chairman of the department of phenomenon and is not passing into obliv­ world mission, SDA Theological Seminary, An­ ion. Indeed, over 70 percent of the societies drews University, and former president of Selusi College, Africa. He received his doctorate, a joint in the world practice polygamy. Islamic law degree in anthropology and theology, from Prince­ approves of polygamy, and it therefore ton Theological Seminary. continues to be practiced in many of the Volume 13, Number 1 45

numerous Muslim countries of the world. In contemporary society polygamy is African societies, more than those in any taking on new, repugnant forms. Although other part of the globe, accept polygamy as the transition from a subsistence, agri­ the ideal form of marriage.2 Polygamy, cultural economy to a cash economy often then, remains a serious problem, not only for deters many from polygamy, the wealthy church leaders, but for the young women of and powerful have increased means to buy these cultures, who have no power to and support a number of wives. In the prevent their own initially monogamous traditional household an additional wife was marriage from ending up in polygamy and usually appreciated by the other wives who fear and resent that possibility. because she helped not only with household The root motivation for polygamy is a maintenance, but with the heavy tasks of passionate longing for, children. In con­ food production and preparation. However, temporary Western societies, the purpose of in the city, styles of life and housing often marriage has come to be primarily the lead to the first wife resenting the intrusion fostering of a relationship of love and of a second wife and end in the first wife's mutual support between a man and woman; walking out. Traditionally, some forms of but, in societies that approve of polygamy, polygamy functioned to stabilize marriage; the principal purpose of marriage is the but, among contemporary urban elites, procreation and socialization of children. polygamy is a major cause of marital Influential males are committed to having breakdown. the largest number of descendants possible. In fact, every lineage, every family, every person feels compelled to procreate and Response of Missionaries produce heirs. Traditionally, there have been other hen Adventists en­ reasons for polygamy. One of the most W tered the mission obvious is the desire of parents to have field, they were confronted with at least six offspring who will support them during possible ways for the church to deal with their old age. Another reason, 'in societies polygamous families desiring membership. where there is an excess of women over The options fell into two main categories. men, is to avoid the social anomaly of an Theologically and historically, the key unmarried woman. A third reason, in question was whether the Christian church subsistence agricultural societies, is eco­ would separate members of polygamous nomic. Wives and children provide labor to families or keep them together: make agricultural holdings productive. I. The family is separated. Polygamy takes on many shapes and sizes. A. The husband is required to retain In some patrilineal societies with institu­ the first wife. tionalized systems of bridewealth, it is B. The husband is allowed to choose extremely stable. The marriage bond may one of the wives. not be regarded as terminated by death, and II. The family is kept together. there may be no institutionalized means of A. None of the spouses may be divorce. On the other hand, in some baptized, but church attendance is matrilineal societies there is an inbuilt encouraged. instability. Almost every marriage goes B. All the spouses may be baptized, through a cycle of beginning and ending. but not advanced to church office. These fundamental differences mean that C. All the wives may be baptized, missionaries working in different societies but not the husband. have had widely differing experiences D. Only the first wife may be

dealing with polygamous converts. baptized. I 46 SPECTRUM

Most commonly in the early days, polygamous families. Not only were the Adventist missionaries separated polyg­ various mission boards confronted with amous families, requiring that the husband different social contexts and forms of choose one of his wives and divorce the polygamy; they also interpreted polygamy others (Option I-B). In societies where differently. Some considered9 polygamous polygamous marriages are inherently un­ union as essentially marriage and con­ stable, this policy seems to have worked sequently regarded separation as divorce; reasonably well, except for differences of others regarded polygamous marriage as a opinion as to which wife was to be retained form of socially institutionalized adultery. (a difference that remains unsettled today). Neither did they all agree on the dictates of In societies in which polygamous marriages Scripture. were extremely stable, missionaries en­ countered stubborn resistance to separation. Teaching of Scripture In fact, in some societies which had no institutionalized form of divorce, the tribe ecourse to Scripture simply refused to countenance the sep­ Rdid not easily settle aration arranged by the missionaries. Mis­ the issues. True, it was generally agreed that sionaries, unnerved by implacable resistance the Genesis record (1 :27; 2:21-24) of an and terribly torn by the horrendous social original monogamy was to be regarded as consequences that followed upon the rend­ indicative of the divine will. Also, Old ing apart of families-separation of mothers Testament stories often distinguish between from their children and the consignment of a a principal and lesser wives, indicating that wife to a life of prostitution-were forced monogamy was recognized by the Hebrews to the conclusion that, under some circum­ as the ideal form of marriage. It is also stances, it was best to keep the families possible to point out that the history of together. Usually this meant baptizing all polygamy in the Old Testament is far from the wives and weeping with the husband beautiful. It is a stark portrayal of envy and who was barred from fully entering the life jealousy among wives, of love and hatred of the church and receiving the Lord's that is passed on from mothers to their Supper (Option II-C). Some of the more children and perpetuated in rifts and blood­ enterprising Adventist missionaries simply shed in the family, of husbands who are torn baptized the entire family (Option II-B). in their commitments, of fathers who fail to control the internecine strife in their own families, and of men who lose the will to "Some considered a polyg-· discipline themselves and ultimately become amous union as marriage the slaves of passion. The missionaries and. . . regarded separation as conceded that the pageant is occasionally relieved by vignettes oflove and beauty, but divorce; others regarded could persuasively insist that the Old Testa­ polygamous marriage as a form ment record of polygamy, as a whole, of socially institutionalized reveals a dark story that is a powerful adultery. " argument in favor of monogamy. However, the Old Testament never expressly forbids polygamy. In fact, the Differences In Adventist practice re­ striking description in Genesis of marriage flected confusion within the nineteenth­ states that" a man leaves his father and his century missionary movement, when for the mother and cleaves to his wife, and they first time in the history of Christianity, large become one flesh" (Gen. 2:24, RSV) and is numbers of converts came from already not, in itself, incompatible with polygamy. Volume 13, Number 1 47

Indeed, polygamy appears early in Old marriage that may be extrapolated from this Testament history. The Old Testament saying of Jesus. But this passage deals with supports the institution of the levirate,3 and the person who is already within the no stigma is attached to leviratic marriage. household of faith. It is not directly appli­ Ruth, after all, is blessed in memory of cable to the essential missionary problem of Tamar, and both of them are listed in the how to deal with the man who has genealogical table of Jesus (Matt. 1:3, 6). contracted a plural marriage prior to Polygamy is inevitable in any society in becoming a Christian. That this passage which the levirate is a binding obligation. implies a very high standard of monogamy is All denominations had to recognize that clear, but it would seem to be insufficient of there is no direct statement in the New itself, given other Scriptural evidence and Testament either recognizing or prohibiting the lack of any specific interdict against polygamy. The most obvious occasion for polygamy, to establish the necessity of an Jesus to say something about polygamy was absolutist monogamy. in connection with the question regarding Protestants in favor of a responsible and the woman who had seven husbands (six of considered policy of admitting families who them by the levirate) (Matt. 22: 23-33; Mark are converted to the church while in the 12:18-27; Luke 20:27-28). But He did not state of polygamy, cite the "Pauline privi­ make use of this occasion to protect lege" (I Cor. 7:12-20). Paul, after quoting marriage from the leviratic custom that was the command of the Lord (7:10), invokes his a major cause of polygamy. apostolic authority to mitigate that rule and However, Christian attitudes toward orders that marriage may be dissolved, not polygamy do not depend solely on explicit only on grounds of adultery, but also references to the practice in Scripture. because the conversion of one of the Positions on polygamy reflect the churches' partners may result in so much tension that general views of marriage and divorce. The the marriage cannot be endured. He advises Catholic Church has traditionally justified the believing spouse to try to hold the its practice of separating polygamous fam­ marriage together; but if this fails, then the ilies on the grounds tha t such unions are spouse ". . . is not under bondage in such adulterous and not true marriages-in fact, cases: . . . God hath called us to peace" the principle of absolute monogamy re­ (7:15). Those missionaries opposed to an quires that they be separated. Protestants absolutist position also referred to Jesus' have been more inclined to regard polygamy handling of the case of the woman taken in as marriage-inferior and problematic, but adultery Qohn 8:3-11). They believed that it nevertheless marriage-and the separation was very significant that while the Jews held of such marriages as divorce. Each, of that adultery made divorce obligatory, course, points to Scripture to justify its Jesus' pronouncement "Neither do I con­ position. demn thee" (8:11) indicates that He believed Catholics cite Mark 10:11 to buttress their adultery could be forgiven. insistence on absolute monogamy. If a man who divorces his wife and marries another Debates among Adventists commits adultery, then logically the mar­ riage of a man to an additional wife is e have already noted likewise to be regarded as adultery. Cer­ W the differences in the tainly this passage indicates how much way Adventist missionaries dealt with po­ Christ raised the standards of the Christian lygamists. Some insisted on the "putting marriage above the standards acceptable in away of all wives but one"; others tried to Old Testament times, and it is imperative keep families together and were willing to that the church maintain the standard of baptize all the wives, but not the husband; 48 SPECTRUM others, arguing that the Gospel had to deal this circumstance who had lived together with people in the state in which it found for years and raised a family had accepted them, baptized entire polygamous families. the Adventist message and wished to be­ These differences reflected the experience come members of the church. The predic­ ~f the missionaries in dealing with different ament of the church was that they could not forms of polygamy, as well as differing be married, because (at least) one of the interpretations of Scripture. The General spouses was already married and could not Conference administration organized a obtain a divorce. Any kind of marriage "Missionary Round Table Conference" in service to regularize the union would create 1913 in an attempt to achieve unanimity of an illegal case of bigamy. The session ruled interpretation and practice. Evidently the that worthy families in this circumstance effort was not successful. In January 1926, could be admitted to church membership the African Divison printed an edition of its without the benefit of either divorce or "Plans and general policies" that permitted remarnage. converts to remain in polygamous mar­ Thus the session sanctioned liasions that riages. Missionaries in parts of that division were not legal marriages, while at the same had encountered patrilineal peoples with time denying membership to men who were stable forms of polygamy who strongly legally married and living in faithfulness to resisted the separation offamilies. The heart their wives. Here, in striking juxtaposition of the African Division policy reflects that within the same minutes, is a resounding practical reality: triumph of grace over law, in the one case, . . . it is agreed that natives living and the withholding of grace, in the other. in the state of polygamy at the time the Subsequent to the 1926 General Con­ gospel light comes to them, . . . may be ference, the African Division appears to admitted to baptism and the ordinances have appealed the case and was successful in of the church, but can never hold of­ getting a committee appointed to give study fice ....4 to "Polygamy among Primitive Tribes." Later the same year, and quite likely as a This committee met and submitted a mem­ response to the action of the African orandum to the General Conference Com­ Division, the General Conference convened mittee, in effect, recommending a return to another "Missionary Round Table Con­ the African Division policies. In a dramatic ference." At the conference the various reversal of the action taken by the General parties supported their views vigorously Conference in session four years earlier, the without reaching a consensus. But shortly 1930 Fall Council adopted a policy that thereafter, the General Conference in ses­ permitted the baptism of polygamous fa­ sion resoundingly countermanded the policy milies under certain circumstances.7 There adopted by the African Division. I twas must have been many with earnest con­ voted to recommend: "That in no case victions and a sense of urgency about the should a man living in polygamy be admitted matter for a Fall Council meeting to into the fellowship of the church."5 overrule a policy adopted at a General A difficult marriage problem encoun­ Conference session. It is of interest that W. tered in some of the countries of Latin H. Branson, who had been president of the America was brought to the attention of the African Division since its inception in 1920, same General Conference session. In the had just been appointed a vice-president of absence of divorce laws6, it was the pre­ the General Conference and was one of the vailing practice for persons having con­ chairmen of the 1930 Fall Council session. tracted an unhappy marriage to simply leave Some of the divisions resisted the new their legal spouse and strike up a de facto, policy; both the Northern and the Central but illegal, "marriage." Many couples in European Divisions retained the more re- Volume 13, Number 1 49 strictive 1926 General Conference policy in reversals in the dealings of the church with their manuals and followed it in practice. polygamy and the irieffectiveness of the Within a year ofW. H. Branson's appoint­ church in maintaining a united standard, the ment as president of the mission section of minutes end with the strong admonition the Central European Division in 1938, that ". . . that the above policy supercedes all division adopted the more liberal 1930 previous policies on polygamy." This policy, policy. However, the implementation of the without substantial modification, remains policy in Tanganyika (a central European today the official standard of the church. mission bordering on Kenya, a mission field under the jurisdiction of the Northern European Division) provoked a storm of Principles To Consider protest from Northern Europe to the General Conference. This incident was he practice of bap­ probably one of the factors that set a train of T tizing all the wives, events in motion that led to the demise of the but not the husband has, in effect, become a 1930 policy. way of avoiding the real issue at stake. It bypasses the policy without providing a solution. This is not a satisfactory course of "Here, in striking juxtaposition action, because it leaves the husband in a within the same minutes, is a state of exclusion from the community of resounding triumph of grace faith. Perhaps some persons in our individ­ ualistic Western societies could endure this over law, in the one case, and painful isolation and retain their faith and the withholding of grace, in the commitment to the church, but this is almost other. " an impossibility for persons in communal societies. This is a good time to return to basic issues A subcommittee of the Home and Foreign and consider the matter from the beginning. Officers was appointed to give further study The first step requires that the church to the polygamy problem and make sug­ clearly spell out the four possible judge­ gestions that would lead to a united world­ ments that it could make regarding polyg­ wide standard. In 1941 the General Con­ amy. These are arranged as follows in ference in session adopted a policy which descending order of gravity: 1). Polygamy is diametrically opposed the 1930 policy. It an institutionalized form of adultery which requires "that a man living in a state of is always and under all circumstances polygamy ... shall be required to change objectively sinful. 2). Polygamy is a legal but his status by putting away all his wives save inferior form of marriage which is not one, .... "8 It did, however, permit the compatible with Christianity under any wives of a polygamist to become baptized circumstances. 3). Polygamy is a form of church members under certain circum­ marriage which falls short of, and even stances. In general it is this latter provision opposes, the Christian ideal; but under rare which has become the operating policy of and extenuating circumstances it can be the church for the last 41 years. The wives temporarily accommodated within the are baptized, but not the husband; and, not church. 4). Polygamy is an acceptable form uncommonly, the provisions spelled out in of marriage, and the most helpful attitude the minutes governing the circumstances which can be assumed is that it is more under which the wives may be baptized are suitable to some social situations than is overlooked. In what appears to be self­ monogamy. conscious sensitivity to both the dramatic The second step requires that the prin- 50 SPECTRUM

ciples with which the church makes its to withdraw on account of conversion. In judgment of polygamy be equally clearly addition, the social consequences of divorce spelled out. It would seem that the following may be so appalling that even Adventist principles for guiding the practice of the missionaries have decided that, under some Adventist church can be adequately de­ circumstances, the temporary accommo­ fended. The first is a social/legal distinction dation of polygamy is a lesser evil than which cannot be ignored; the second and divorce. third are biblical/theological principles: A). But perhaps the immediate social dif­ Socially approved polygamous marriages, ficulties and consequences are not as contracted in good faith, should be recog­ weighty as the consideration that it is the nized as legal marriages. The implication is church that has taught many societies the that to "put away" a wife is a euphemism possibility of divorce. Anthropologists ask for divorce. B). Marriage is in principle whether the church, having once regu­ monogamous, but not in an absolutist sense. larized the process of divorce, will be able to C). Marriage is intrinsically a bond for life, stop it when it has finished dealing with but the principle of indissolubility cannot be polygamy. To separate a polygamous family maintained in an absolutist sense. The third in the name of Christianity-when Jesus step requires the application of these prin­ sternly condemned divorce and when, as we ciples to the four possible judgments spelled have noted, there is no explicit command out above. against polygamy in the Scriptures-would The first judgment, once fairly commonly seem to constitute an unbalanced emphasis made by the churches, can no longer be on one aspect of the Christian understanding sustained. The legality of traditional forms of marriage. of polygamy is now generaly recognized, The third judgment-that polygamy, un­ and a legally recognized marriage may not der rare and extenuating circumstances, can be stigmatized as adultery. be temporarily accommodated within the The second view is based upon an church-is in harmony with the principles absolutist view of monogamy which it does enumerated above. But the acceptance of not seem possible to maintain on Scriptural this understanding does not immediately evidence, as we have cursorily shown. solve all problems. What it does do is to While absolutist views have influenced open the way for the church to face the mission thought and practice more than is legal, ethical, theological, and practical generally recognized, both humanity and difficulties involved and make responsible the Gospel are best served when a strict and decisions best suited to particular circum­ compassionate, but not absolutist, position is stances. This is the truest judgment that the taken regarding monogamy. Like the Sab­ church can make of polygamy. bath, marriage was made for humankind and The fourth view is a purely relativist not humankind for marriage (cf. Mark 2:27). stance which is unacceptable to those who One of the major difficulties with the accept that God has laid down certain norms absolutist position is that its implementation and ideals for human life. Neither is it in requires the church to insist upon divorce; harmony with principles Band C above. and, as the churches discovered early on, it The official position of the Adventist may not be legally and/or socially possible church, as defined in the 1941 policy, is for a husband to divorce, on the grounds that theoretically the closest to judgment two he has become a Christian, perfectly honor­ above, except that it is not entirely clear, in able wives who wish to remain married to terms of the policy, whether polygamy is him. More than one society has ruled that regarded as marriage. The practice of the husband has incurred social and legal baptizing all the wives, however, establishes responsibilities from which he is not entitled the point practically, for if polygamy is not Volume 13, Number 1 51 marriage, then the wives would be living in those men and their families who accept the adultery and would not be eligible for Gospel while living in a polygamous state baptism. and yearn for baptism and the blessings of The practice of baptizing all the wives church fellowship. It is appropriate for the moves the policy closer to the third view­ church to maintain a staunch, but not point in practice than it is in theory. The absolutist position, regarding monogamy. argument invariably resorted to in justi­ This stance should not preclude the tempo­ fication of this practice is that each of the rary accommodation of polygamy within wives has only one husband. Where wives the church under carefully defined cir­ are victims of arranged marriages and have cumstances. no choice in the matter, the logic of the case is sound. But the argument loses much of its force in the case of a woman who chooses to "The logic of this practice marry into an already polygamous union, suggests that the church has for what is so different between the case of a come to accept, at least, one man and that of a woman who of their own volition contract a polygamous marriage? side of the polygamous The logic of this practice suggests that the marriage as something it can church has come to accept, at least, one side IIve" wIt" h "" of polygamous marriage as something it can live with. But if the church, in some places, embarks Proposals for the Future upon the practice of cautiously and respon­ sibly admitting some polygamous families to he situation the membership, it will need to zealously T church now faces safeguard its witness to monogamy. It appears to be more complex than it has ever certainly must maintain a rigorous standard been. In many traditional societies the old of monogamy for those who are already social structures and institutions remain Christians. relatively unchanged, and so also the old In taking a non-absolutist position, the problems in dealing with polygamous con­ church must also take upon itself serious verts. But new and less attractive forms of responsibilities at two levels. The first polygamy have emerged among urban relates to the church and its community. The elites, and such marriages may call for overall attitude and social environment of different solutions. Another factor is that the local church must be evaluated before the Adventist churches overseas have solidi­ the inclusion of a polygamous family. For fied their traditions of dealing with polyg­ instance, it may be more appropriate to amists over the years and are not likely to baptize polygamous families in rural tribal change easily-least of all will they be likely conversions than among some city elites. to accept decisions made by others for them. And the church will need to decide whether Yet a fourth significant factor must be taken the form of polygamy involved is adequately into consideration: Many educated young stable. The legal status of both polygamy people-especially women-have come to and divorce may also have a bearing on the reject polygamy and the status of structured situation. At a different level, the church inferiority it assigns to wives. Adventist needs to know whether the relationship young people are generally progressive and between the spouses is true and that they can would feel let down if the church were to be comfortably brought into the fellowship endorse an anachronistic, polygamous past. of the community of faith. And the church And yet something needs to be done for needs to take upon itself the responsibility of 52 SPECTRUM

guiding the family in the weighty decisions forms. Just as the Jewish people departed that it will need to make. The church should widely from the quintessential form and act, believing it is doing what is best under beauty of God's original intention, so have the circumstances. many other societies. The form of marriage Marriage, Jesus said, is "from the begin­ in the Palestine of Jesus' time was less than ning" (Mark 10:6), and the divine ideal for perfect. It did not preclude three unhappy marriage laid down at creation retains its possibilities-the levirate, easy divorce, and unchanging validity. Jesus clearly taught polygamy. Jesus sternly condemned its that marriage, in principle, is a covenant for abuses, yet he accepted this order of things life. J?ivorce was easily permissible under as marriage and at Cana of Galilee blessed the provisions of the Mosaic law; therefore, the wedding with a miracle. So, also, the Jesus went behind Moses to the order of Ad~tist church in this age may have to creation to establish the meaning and temporarily cope with less than ideal forms sanctity of the marriage relationship. of marriage, while steadfastly and compas­ But marriage is also a human institution sionately pointing to a better way. and, as such, has come to exist in many

NOTES AND REFERENCES

1. The 1930 Resolu tion on Polygamous Marriages ventists (African Division): Plans and general in Heathen Lands, "Actions of the Autumn Council policies adopted with reference to its work" of the General Conference Committee," Vol. XIV, (Kenilworth, Cape: Sentinel Publishing Company, Book 1, Fifty-Ninth Meeting, Nov. 3, 1930. The text January, 1926). The full text is reproduced in is reproduced in appendix C. appendix A. 2. In 75 percent of African societies more than 20 5. General Conference Committee Minutes, Vol. XIII, percent of families are polygamous. And for all sub­ Book 1, 6th Meeting, June 13, 1926, p. 44. The text Saharan countries the mean number ofwives per 100 is reproduced in appendix B. married males is 150. (Remi Clignet, Many Wives, 6. Roman Catholic canon law has never sanc­ Many Powers [Evanston: Northwestern University tioned divorce in the sense of a dissolution of the Press, 1970], p. 17.) marriage bond. The problem, in Catholic thinking, 3. From the Latin word levir, meaning brother-in­ regarding the marriage-divorce-remarriage cycle is law. The marriage contract, sealed by the payment with divorce, whereas in Protestant thinking it is in of bridewealth, is not regarded as terminated by the connection with remarriage. death of the husband. It is the duty of the brother of 7. The text is reproduced in appendix C. the deceased husband to marry his widow and to 8. "General Conference Policy, as voted June 4, raise up children to the deceased. 1941." The text is reproduced in appendix D. 4. "General Conference of Seventh-day Ad-

APPENDIX A knowing it to be a custom condemned by the Word of God, be accepted as members of the Probationers' Class, The 1926 African Division Policy "General Con­ after having spent sufficient time in the Hearers' Class to ference of Seventh-day Adventists (African Division): give evidence of conversion. These persons may be Plans and general policies adopted with reference to its admitted to baptism and the ordinances of the church, but work," pp. 8, 9. can never hold office or become active in church work, or POLYGAMY. become members in full membership, unless or until Whereas, the Message finds certain natives in Central circumstances should change as to leave them with only and Southern Africa living in a state of polygamy, and one companion. tribal customs in many parts subject a cast-off wife to a This action merely contemplates the recognition of a lifelong shame and disgrace, even to the point of condition which cannot be changed without resulting in becoming common property, her children also becoming great injustice to innocent persons, and is not to be disgraced thereby, it is agreed that natives living in the construed as endorsing polygamy in any way; and anyone state of polygamy at the time the gospel light comes to entering into a plural marriage relation after receiving a them, who have entered into plural marriages before knowledge of the Truth should be regarded as living in Volume 13, Number 1 53 adultery, and dealt with by the church accordingly. A RESOL VED, that in such sections, persons found living man who has apostatised from the Truth, and who during in a state of polygamy at the time the gospel light comes to the state of his apostasy, has taken a plurality of wives, them, and who have entered into plural marriage before may not be received again unless he puts away the wives knowing it to be a custom condemned by the Word of taken during his apostasy. Before polygamous converts God, may upon recommendation of responsible field are baptized by anyone, counsel should be had with the committees be admitted to baptism and the ordinances of superintendent of the field. the church, and may be recognized as probationary APPENDIX B members. They shall not, however be admitted to full The 1926 Resolutions on Polygamy and Marriage membership unless or until circumstances shall change so Relationships General Conference Committee Minutes, Vol. as to leave them with only one companion. XIII, Book 1, 6th Meeting, June 13, 1926 This action merely contemplates the recognition of a WE RECOMMEND, 1. That great care be used in the condition which in some places cannot be changed examination of peoples in heathen lands for entrance into without resulting in great injustice to innocent persons the church, and as this examination relates to this practise, and is not to be construed as endorsing polygamy in any we would advise the following: way. Anyone entering into a plural marriage relation (a) That in no case should a man living in polygamy be after receiving a knowledge of the truth should be admitted into the fellowship of the church. regarded as living in adultery, and dealt with by the (b) That preceding his entrance into the church a church accordingly. A man who has apostatized from the sufficient time of probation be given him to test out his truth, and who during the time he is in apostasy, enters sincerity in separating himself from this practice. into plural marriage may not be received again into any WE RECOMMEND, 2. That where parties are living church relationship until he puts away the wives taken together as husband and wife, that they be not baptized during his apostasy and in every way brings forth fruits nor received into church fellowship until they have been meet for repentance. legally married; however ,- In countries where separation of families can be Inasmuch as we find many parties whose matrimonial arranged without injustice being done to innocent parties alliances became badly tangled before they accepted the only one wife should be retained, but we recognize the truth, and as the laws of some of our countries are such right of the man to choose the one to be retained. that it is impossible for them to become legally married; APPENDIX D and as some of these desire to obey the truth when it General Conference Policy, as voted June 4, 1941 comes to them, to be baptized and unite with the church; WE RECOMMEND, 1. That a man found living in a and in many cases, after careful investigation, we cannot state of polygamy when the gospel reaches him, shall upon advise them to separate and thus break up their home and conversion be required to change his status by putting present relationship, for this would only make conditions away all his wives save one, before he shall be considered worse, and knowing that the gospel truth does not come eligible for baptism and church membership. to people to make their conditions worse, but better, and 2. That men thus putting away their wives shall be that God receives a sinner where he is found and saves him expected to make proper provision for their future when he repents and turns to Him: therefore,- support, and that of their children, just as far 'as it is within WE RECOMMEND, 3. That in countries where the their power to do so. laws are such as to make impossible legal marriage of WE RECOMMEND, 3. That in all such cases the certain persons whose matrimonial alliances have become church co-operate with the former husband in making badly tangled on account of these laws; and when such such provision for these wives and children as will provide persons have given real evidence that they are truly for their care and protect them from disgrace and undue converted and are in harmony with the truth and desire to suffering, unite with us, all such cases shall be presented to the 4. That we recognize the right of a wife who has been conference or mission committee of the field in which put away by a polygamous husband to marry again. they reside; and if, after careful investigation, this 5. That wives of a polygamist, who have entered into committee is clear in the case, then the parties may be marriage in their heathen state, and who upon accepting recommended to church fellowship; with the under­ Christianity are still not permitted to leave their husbands standing, however, that if the time ever comes when such because of tribal custom, may upon approval of the local persons can be legally married, they do so, and that until and union committees become baptized members of the so married, they be not eligible to hold any office in the church. However should a woman who is a member of the church which requires ordination. church enter into marriage as a secondary wife, she shall APPENDIX C be disfellowshipped and shall not be readmitted to the The 1930 Resolution on Polygamous Marriages in church unless or until she separates from her polygamous Heathen Lands" Actions of the Autumn Council of the husband. General Conference Committee," Vol. XIV, Book 1, 6. That it is understood that the above policy 59th Meeting, Nov. 3, 1930 supercedes all previous policies on polygamy. Poetry

Full Moon: Cloudy Night

The landscape changes at night. Fixed points shift, quaver-disappear in shadow To reemerge indistinctly to a sidelong glance Not too long held. Hands in front of faces blur. Features (a hair, a freckle, a knuckle bent in some past pain) Focus only as they come close. So we wait for the horizon's moondog bubble to burst And show us, the magician sky triumphantly turning a card, The Full Moon. That high clear clean white light comes, fades Murked thick over; a white stone seen dimly through Dark Water. God's unkept promise, the universe's major disappointment. Patterns visible are the roiling undersides of clouds. They break to leave us staring, momentarily blinded, At the white face and not the light it casts. The shadows shift but remain expectant, dense. Sit down, fear the shadows, await an unforgiving dawn. Slivered Shards

This shapeless bag full of slivered shards, I've spent months with, with pincers and a glass Poring, eyes burning and tearing, trying To find the seams where the pieces went apart. A relic from some dead time, I t was used to carry wine or oil To some painted god who looked bored. A jug, then, and common, Later, a 'Vase'-stuff of exhibits in sealed glass cases. Now nothing. I've kept the ancient bits, (The pieces change each time I dump them out) Numbering the numberless piece by piece, Rearranging them as if to bring that world alive. Here, on your bed, I'll leave it, The brown sack carrying all I own of the past. Some of the shards might work through the fabric To chafe and scratch you as you sleep. In the morning brush them away. Hide the bag, perhaps when I'm not looking, And when I, slightly panicked, return for it I will only find you, And wonder for a moment what it was that's gone.

by John Hamer Reviews

authority a contradiction to the Protestant Evangelical Essentials And principle of sola Scriptura (pp. 119, 121). Adventist Distinctives Analyzing the Adventist ethic, Brins­ mead sees its strength in a strong orientation Robert D. Brinsmead. Judged by the Gospel: A Review to the Old Testament, with its belief that of Adventism. 383 pp. Fallbrook, Calif.: Verdict Pub­ lications, 1980. $6. 95 (paper). God is a God of law and righteousness (p. 236). Its weakness, however, is its failure to review by Richard Rice go beyond the ethic of the Old Testament to that of the New. Consequently, the ethic of obert Brinsmead's Adventism is a guilt-producing ethic, preoc­ Rlatest book examines cupied with fulfilling various "blueprints" the various aspects of Adventist faith and for human behavior, rather than an ethnic life that he finds incompatible with the characterized by celebration and freedom gospel. It proclaims the end of "traditional arising from confidence in divine forgive­ Adventism" on the ground that none of its ness. unique doctrines has biblical support (pp. In the fifth section of the book, Brinsmead 310-311); and it calls for a "new evangel­ observes that the traditional Adventist ical Adventism" committed to the suprem­ concept of the church bears striking resem­ acy of the gospel, the authority of the Bible, blances to the Roman Catholic view; the and the priesthood of all believers (p. 316). two churches have a hierarchical and Brinsmead begins his critique by analyz­ authoritarian structure, are committed to ing the uniquely Adventist doctrines of the insitutions, and have an exaggerated sense of heavenly sanctuary and the investigative their own historical importance. judgment. He concludes that they reflect a Despite these extensive criticisms, as the misguided penchant for literalistic pro­ book's final section makes clear, Brins­ phetic interpretation and do not have the mead's assessment of traditional Advent­ support of careful, consistent biblical exege­ ism is not one of unqualified condemnation. sis. Moreover, he maintains, they are Rather, he sees it as analogous to the position basically contrary to the New Testament of Judaism vis-a-vis Christianity. It has emphasis on the eschatological character of many commendable features, but, as a Christ's work. whole, it falls short of a full appreciation of Next, Brinsmead criticizes the status the gospel. According to Brinsmead's Adventism traditionally accords Ellen G. favorite model, traditional Adventism ex­ White. He describes the popular views of hibits all the identifying features of an her inerrancy, her literary independence, apocalyptic sect (p. 346). These features call and her uniqueness as "legends" that are no into question Adventism's (or the sect's) longer credible to thinking Christians. permanent viability, but not its temporary And he finds in the traditional view of her significance. For, at crucial moments in history, apocalypticism has given rise to religiously profound developments. Chris­ tianity sprang from the matrix of Jewish Richard Rice, associate professor of theology in the Division of Religion on the La Sierra Campus of apocalypticism. And medieval apocalyptic­ Lorna Linda University, is the author of The Openness ism preceded the Protestant Reformation. of God. Similarly, Brinsmead asserts, the apocalyp- 56 SPECTRUM

tic character of traditional Adventism may place the traditional version he rejects. One presage a dramatic evangelical development thing seems clear: the Adventism he advo­ within Christianity as a whole (p. 357). But cates would be radically discontinuous with it can achieve this end only by moving the past. There must be new doctrinal beyond its traditional concerns to a full emphases, or a different, more congrega­ commitment to the gospel. As a whole, then, tional church structure will emerge. But it is the book is a call to Seventh-day Adventists doubtful that there would be anything that is to turn from apocalyptic infancy to evangel­ specifically Adventist about it. Is Brins­ ical maturity (cf. p. 358). mead, therefore, calling for a transforma­ Given its basic purpose, Brinsmead's tion of Adventism, or simply its demise? discussion gives rise to two major questions. This brings us to the most basic question One concerns the object of his evaluation. arising from this work-the relation be­ Just what is the "Adventism" that he tween evangelical essentials and Adventist scrutinizes in this book? Is it the belief of the distinctives. Brinsmead's strategy is to set pioneers of100 years ago, the outlook of the these categories in opposition to each other average church member today, the views of and to eliminate the latter. He is surely right contemporary Adventist theologians, or to notice a tension between the gospel and some combination of these? One is not quite various points in Adventist thought and sure. But there is reason to believe that experience, and Adventist scholars are Adventism is far more complex than the currently attending to many of the doctrinal "traditional Adventism" of which Brins­ questions he raises. But his solution to the mead speaks. Indeed, many Adventists have problem is not the only one available. found the gospel in the very doctrinal The recent emphasis on evangelical matrix that he roundly criticizes. essentials is a positive development within Besides a lack of clarity on this point, one Adventism. It is important to seek an inter­ also finds some glaring omissions in what is relation between "the gospel" and other apparently intended as a general review of aspects of Christian faith as Adventists Adventism. One would expect that an conceive it. But this need not lead to a loss of analysis of Adventism in light of the gospel such distinctive concerns as the Sabbath and would take a hard look at what Adventists thel'resent work of Christ. There is no say about it. But Brinsmead virtually compelling reason to regard such beliefs as ignores the various attempts of Adventists to inherently inimical to true evangelicalism. understand the doctrine of righteousness by Ironically, Brinsmead's critique of Ad­ faith, even when some of the most influen­ ventist distinctives comes precisely at a time tial figures in the church in recent years have when many evangelicals are seeking ways to consistently emphasized its importance.1 enrich their understanding of Christianity. Brinsmead's analysis of Adventism also Several recent conferences and publications fails to do justice to the two essential contain appeals by evangelicals for such doctrines on which the denomination's things as a richer liturgy and more attention name is based-The Sabbath and the Second to the spirituallife.3 In this climate, we may Coming. he may feel that the Sabbath is find non-Adventist evangelicals newly re­ appropriately subsumed under" ethics," and ceptive to the experiential significance of the Second Coming under "the nineteenth the Sabbath that we have come to appreci­ century prophetic schema," but this fails to ate more deeply. It would be tragic to lose appreciate the positive impact of these sight of the unique resources of Adventism doctrines on our understanding and exper- in the attempt to bring it into closer ience of the gospel.2 . harmony with evangelical principles. One also has to wonder about the "new Brinsmead's thesis is that traditional Adventism" Brinsmead envisions will re- Adventism can fulfill its promise only if it Volume 13, Number 1 57 ceases to be distinctly Adventist. The times mitment to evangelical essentials, nor al­ do not call for a reductionistic evangelical lows its distinctive concerns to obscure the Adventism, but an Adventism which neither essentials of the gospel. discards Adventist distinctives in its com-

NOTES AND REFERENCES

1. Brinsmead may feel that Geoffrey J. Paston has in a recent issue of his periodical, Verdict, Vol. 4, adequately discussed this question in The Shaking of No.4, June 1981. Adventism (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1977). 3. Donald G. Bloesch, Essentials of Evangelical If so, it would be helpful to have him say so. Theology, Vols. 1 and 2 (New York: Harper & Row, 2. Brinsmead does deal with "sabbatarianism" Publishers, 1978-79).

as human organizations which need man­ Management Principles agement; for them, therefore, management principles are profoundly relevant. His For Churches review of a management literature is Wilfred M. Hillock. Involved: An Introduction to Church sufficiently thorough that Involved could be Participation and Management. 155 pp., bib!. Nashville: useful reading even for scholars of business. Southern Publishing Association, 1977. $7.95 (paper) Hillock opposes top-down management, exclusive decision-making, vague goals, review by George W. Colvin coerciveness, pretended unity, group ad­ ministration, pastoral dominance, and the ccasionally, among making of policies into rules-in short, O the ordinarily steri­ many of the characteristics of church lized products of Seventh-day Adventist operations. Hillock proposes to sweep away church presses, one may find a work that all of this rubbish-and shows it to be as un­ somehow retains some vigor. Not surpris­ Christlike as it is ineffective. In its place he ingly, such bits ofleaven in the dough are the calls for church management that encour­ Adventist publications most likely to appeal ages participation by the lay member. The to a wider audience than the Adventist full effect of this revolution cannot be church. Involved: An Introduction to Church briefly conveyed, but some comments from Participation and Management, written by Involved suggest its extent: "Never should Wilfred M. Hillock for Southern Publishing we base success in the church on conform­ Association's noted Anvil Series, is just such ance to the personal bent of a leader or inner a yeasty work. Indeed, Involved's fermenting group." (p. 21) "A member's interest in his effect on thought has moved at least two church program has a direct proportion to local conferences to ban it from their his control of his destiny." (p. 27) "One of Adventist Book Centers. the fundamental principles we must learn is Instead of treating churches as theological that conflict is essential, healthy, and enterprises, Hillock, a professor at the useful." (p. 117) School of Health at Lorna Linda University Since most members can function effec­ and a managemen t scholar, regards churches tively only on the local level, Hillock's elevation of the individual lay member to a paramount position leads inevitably to George W. Colvin, Jr., received a bachelor of arts congregationalism (although Hillock does from Lorna Linda University and a master of arts from California State University, Los Angeles. He is not directly avow it). Wherever his ap­ a doctoral candidate in government at Claremont proach is actually applied, this element Graduate School, Claremont, California. could produce challenging results-both for 58 SPECTRUM laity accustomed to letting administrators of the book's thesis; for from the author's manage their church, and for church perspective, salvation is inclusive of every­ administrators accustomed to seigneurial thing God has done, is doing, and will do to preroga tives. reclaim the human race. On the one hand, he Though Hillock's .own experience has gently chides those who limit salvation to been entirely within the Adventist church the legal implications ofJesus's death, but on system, Involved has general application the other hand, he questions those who because its positions are based on universal emphasize the "born again experience" at human characteristics. Both for this breadth the expense of the objective aspect of God's of view and for its liberating effect, even in redemptive work. LaRondelle advocates a theory alone, Involved is a noble work. more comprehensive approach that views salvation as "a faith experience that re­ deems our past, fills the present with joy, and looks forward with hope to the glorious future" (p. 6). A More Comprehensive Christ Our Salvation was written, the View of Salvation author says, for two types of people: those who are unclear on the essentials of the Hans K. LaRondelle. Christ Our Salvation: What God Does gospel and those who desire guidelines for For Us and in Us. 96 pp. Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1980. $5.95 meditations on the gospel. Thus, the book is (paper) something of a hybrid and for that reason may prove frustrating to its readers. By review by Brad Brookins freely using, but not carefully defining, theological terms such as "election" and or the past few "justification," LaRondelle may fail to clear Fyears Seventh-day up the misconceptions of readers who have Adventists have been debating the meaning, not been exposed to the language of method, and implications of the doctrine of theology. In contrast to the difficulty such salvation. In Christ Our Salvation] Hans readers may have, those acquainted with the LaRondelle makes a contribution to the language probably will not find much in this dialogue by openly discussing the question book to challenge their thinking. One can while wisely avoiding polemics. The book is only hope that such readers will agree with an ambitious attempt to discuss the topics of J.R. Spangler, Ministry editor, who gener­ divine election, reconciliation, justification, ously notes in his forward that "some of the sanctification, and glorification-and their concepts may not be new, but it is vital to relationships-all in 96 pages. review them" (p. 3). But the breadth of LaRondelle's ap­ Although the book breaks little new proach, while it may appear overly ground, it does present the thinking of a ambitious for so few pages, is an expression respected teacher and theologian on a topic central to our faith as Christians and brings a Brad Brookins, a pastor in northern Wisconsin, refreshing balance to a discussion that has holds a master of divinity degree from Andrews tended for too long to divide Seventh-day University. Adventists. Volume 13, Number 1 59

Responses

The Seventh-day Adventist college campus allows Spectrum Promotes little room for greyness on this matter. It can be debated that "being gay" and practising gayness" is similar to Adventist Tritunphalism being sinful by nature and practising sin. Church society excuses the former, but surely not the latter. o the Editors: Man has al­ Perhaps the article points up the need for gay awareness and approach on the Seventh-day Adventist college T ways delighted in design­ ing his own god. While SPECTRUM has sometimes asked campus. I do not believe that gays are locked in-I believe embarrassing questions, its central thrust has been to it may yet be possible to separate "being gay" (nature) promote and cater to Adventist triumphalism and desire from behaving gay (actions). The orientation is in­ for uniqueness. I am sure the editorial policy of sufficient excuse for the act, although some will argue that insanity arises from an insane nature, thus absolving SPECTRUM is to seek truth wherever it may be found. the individual. The Seventh-day Adventist administrator However, this dedication to trust seems to be limited will very likely follow the most practical and expedient within the confines ofcertain strictures. These are: (1) the basic rightness of Adventist theology, (2) Adventist policy whenever gayness surfaces on his campus for an triumphalism, and (3) the inspiration of Ellen White (in attitude of greyness will be interpreted as "softness" and some modified form). will bring a swift retort from the Seventh-day Adventist The rich young ruler trusted wealth and position to community. give him favor with God. Christ recommended that he Perhaps someone would like to do an article about abandon all of this and find salvation. Adventists will "Gays on SDA College Campuses." never rejoice in their salvation until they consider their Sylvan Lashley life-style and imagined uniqueness as dung. They must Dean of Students W est Indies College confess that they know nothing for certain except that Christ is Lord and that even this awareness comes only as a revelation of the Spirit. The impoverishment of the Adventist system that has become evident in recent years o the Editors: A few weeks in the areas of theology, economics, and prophetic ago you published ten testi­ authority, can all be traced to the ongoing effort to devise T one's own god and prescribe his activities. monies of SDA persons that find themselves in homo­ sexuality. I felt very touched by their stories and the Adventists should confront the reality that by and large struggles with which they are dealing. they are theologically illiterate, their posture of unique­ I was baptized at the age of 14. I went to an SDA ness is absurd, and that their special doctrines are merely heresies that obscure the Gospel. college majoring in theology, and was pastor of the student association. I was also a student missionary for a R. B. Maddox year and later worked as a student chaplain in a major Napa, California SDA hospital. But I never entered the ministry. I had doubts about my call because of feelings of sexual attraction to men. I would sometimes go into a depression More Comments on lasting for days, even weeks. It was at those times that I just didn't see how I could claim to be a child of God, let SDA's & Homosexuality alone a minister of His word. When, in my early twenties, I had my first real sexual o the Editors: Your article encounter with a man, my faith began to decline. I T "Growing up Gay Advent­ stopped going to church. I stopped associating with my ist (Vol. 12, No. 13), proved to be credibly stated, as Christian friends. My life got deeper and deeper into the illustrated by the use of primary sources-the gays spoke "gay" lifestyle-bars, baths and discos. to us. I did look for a way out of my homosexual problem. While the orientation of gays is not to be denied, it I've lived in a Buddist zendo to learn freedom from Zen seems plausible that the orientation need not be excused meditation, traveled to Nevada to seek guidance from a for gay manifestations. Adventist gays, practicing or Shoshone Indian shaman named Rolling Thunder, looked nonpracticing, face the possibility of censure and ostra­ into faith healing, toyed with some occult practices, and, cism upon identification. A key issue them seems to be of course, tried the more popular route of psychiatrist (3 "homosexual as against practising homosexual." of them) and psychologist (4 of them). They all left a lot to 60 SPECTRUM

be desired. And if prayer alone could remove homo­ time England was the world's greatest sea power and sexuality then I would have been healed many years ago as obtained the declaration .that zero meridian passed I have spent many nights in prayer, pleading with God to through Greenwich, England. The congress also decided take my burden away. I even went the way of trying to that the international date line would generally follow the accept my homosexuality, telling myself that it was really 180th meridian. The date line could have been established all right to be homosexual. I found, after a few years, that anywhere down the Atlantic Ocean, or between the place I was only deluding myself. I knew in my heart it was not you live and the next town. right. When the eastern half of the earth is light from Ten months ago my life changed for the better. I came Greenwich to the 180th meridian, at that instant during a to Reading, Pennsylvania hoping to find a solution to my 24-hour period, and at that instant only, the whole earth is homosexual problem at a place called Quest. Since that at one day (say Saturday). As the earth turns the 180th day I have found at Quest the real meaning of the grace of meridian into the darkness, the portion of the earth God. I have seen an actual shift in my sexual orientation. between where the sun is now set and the 180th meridian To me Quest has meant total freedom from the power of is Sunday. The rest of the earth is still Saturday. In other lust and temptation. To some of us at Quest who had words, the 180th meridian carries Sunday around the almost given up entirely it means life itself-a new life in globe driving Saturday into the sunset, until the whole Christ. earth is Sunday at the instant the 180th meridian is again at I would personally invite anyone who feels trapped by sunset. Except for that instant, there is always one day homosexuality to come to Quest for one day to evaluate difference on either side of the date line. Problems arise the program for themselves. I don't think anyone can for Sabbath keepers, with the sun high in the sky over the come away from such a place, after hearing the stories of Pacific, it can be Saturday on the Samoa Islands and victory in the individual lives, and not see how God is Sunday on the nearby Fiji Islands. working. Because I am now returning to the faith I once At the first day of creation, when light first shone on held so dear, I hope at some point to rejoin the Seventh­ one-half of the globe, God created a date line. However, day Adventist church as a member in good standing. we do not know its location. It could be argued that Christ Dan Roberts kept the proper day when he was on earth. Unfortunately, Reading, Pennsylvania that does not help us once we leave the limited locale in which He lived. God's date line may have been a few degrees east or west of that area, or anywhere else around the earth. If God's date line were between Israel and what is now the United States, we are keeping the wrong day for Sabbath in the United States. The Sabbath and the Some questions arise. Is a flat earth assumed in the Bible since a flat earth would mean the sun rotated around it International Date Line eliminating any dateline problem? Was the Sabbath logical only for the Jews inhabitating a limited portion of o the Editors: Discussions the earth? Was the date line providentially located? T. of the Sabbath by Robert Amazingly, this position was taken by Uriah Smith in Brinsmead and Desmond in recent issues of SPECTRUM 1889 (Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, October 1, p. 61) have been enlightening, but they failed to address an and by R. L. Odom in 1946 who stated it should be in the important problem; the international date line. Seventh­ Pacific because Noah's descendants, spreading eastward day Adventists have ususally said that the Seventh-day and westward from Ararat met there (The Lord's Day on a Sabbath that they keep within a weekly cycle is the very Round World: Southern Publishing Association, 1946). day upon which God rested at the conclusion of creation. Finally, to what extent does our obligation to keep the Actually, the day we call Sabbath is dependent upon an seventh-day Sabbath imply faith in a man-made, 180th arbitrary, man-made date line. meridian date line? Few Adventists have a clear understanding of the Harry V. Wiant, Jr. function and necessity of the date line. In 1884 an Professor of Forestry internationl congress decided for time-keeping purposes West Virginia University to divide the earth from pole to pole by meridians. A t that Morgantown, West Virginia Update

Farland, attorney with O'Melveney & The Association Meyers law offices in Washington, D.C.; Of Adventist Women Pastor, Jan Daffern, associate pastor at Sligo Church; Liaison with General Conference, Dolores Maupin, member of the General new organization of Conference committee and professor of A Adventist women has business management at the University of come into existence. The Association of the District of Columbia; Coordinator of Adventist Women officially organized on Special Events, Beverly Habada, city plan­ June 13, 1982 at the Sligo Church in ner, Seat Pleasant, Maryland. Eight regional Washington, D.C. The meeting was con­ directors comprise the rest of the Board: vened by Josephine Benton, chairman of the Atlantic Region, Ottilie Stafford, chairman Forum Committee on Women, established of the Department of English, Atlantic in November, 1981, by the Association of Union College; Lake Region, Thesba Johns­ Adventist Forums Board. ton, professor of education, Andrews Uni­ The purposes of the new association, versity; Pacific Northwest Region, Helen which is seeking tax-exempt status, is to Evans Thompson, executive director of encourage communication and support Alumni Affairs, Walla Walla College; among Adventist women, including ac­ Pacific Region, Pat Horning, editor-writer quainting the church community with the at Concerned Communications, and Jan potential and achievements of Adventist Hackleman, executive and clinical director women, assisting Adventist women in of Inland County Family Learning Center; achieving their goals, and helping them to Southwestern Region, Judy FoIl Miles, increase their professional options within professor of office administration at South­ the Adventist church. western Adventist College; Columbia Re­ The newsletter, The Adventist Woman, gion, Shirley Zork, professor of nursing at founded several years ago, is the official Columbia Union College; Mid-America voice of the organization. This newsletter is Region, Vickie Danielson, private business currently undergoing editorial publication in Colorado; Southern Region, Melinda and format changes. A new editor will be Howes, vice-president of public relations, installed January 18, 1983. The newsletter Florida Hospital. which so far has appeared only inter­ mittently, will be published on a regular basis after January. Women from as far away as Colorado, One Adventist Health Michigan, and Massachusetts gathered in June to elect a Board of Directors for the Care System for USA? new association. Named president was Betty Howard, dean of women at Columbia dventist Health Sys­ Union College. Other newly appointed A tems/United States is members of the Board of Directors include: a corporation that will soon be incorporated Secretary-Legal Counsel, Margaret Mc- to oversee and coordinate the existing four 62 SPECTRUM

Adventist health care corporations. The trying to reform the theology of Seventh­ chairman of the corporation's board will be day Adventists. No more; their splintering the General Conference vice-president for has become obvious. Since the spring of North America. The 23 of so members will 1982, criticism has been directed at not only include administrators from all four Adven­ the official church, but at other evangelical tist health systems, elected denominational Adventists as well. In fact, vigorous re­ officials, and lay persons from every union jection of the term Evangelical Adventism is in North America. part of the debate about the viability of The North American Division Com­ maintaining membership within the Sev­ mittee on Administration (NADCA) voted enth-day Adventist church. an enabling action inJuly, allowing work to On the one hand, Desmond Ford, Smuts begin on drawing up the constitution and van Rooyen, and their associates at the Good bylaws for the new corporation. It will News Unlimited Foundation, continue to replace the existing North American Health declare themselves Seventh-day Adventists Services Board. The new corporation is not and retain their membership. Indeed, during now replacing the existing four Adventist July, the General Conference invited Des­ health care corporations, although there is mond Ford and his wife to Washington, conjecture that its formation provides the D.C., for several days of discussions. Evi­ vehicle for eventually absorbing the four dently, some had urged that the General corporations into one. They will be selected Conference recommend that Ford's ordi­ by a constituency of some 100 people. na tion be rescinded, and even that his Slightly more than one-half of both the membership be ended. But no such recom­ constituency and the Board of Adventist mendation was adopted by the General Health Systems/United States will be health Conference in July. care corporation executives. On the other hand, just two months Action by NADCA followed its receiv­ earlier, both Robert Brinsmead and the ing a recommendation from the 65 persons editors of Evangelica, were urging Ford and attending the "North American Health others with similar views to take the Systems Consultation," meeting in Colum­ initiative in abandoning membership in the bia, Maryland, June 21-23. Convened by the Seventh-day Adventist church. In May, General Conference, and chaired by Charles Brinsmead published a six-page broadside Bradford, vice-president for North Amer­ entitled, "To My Adventist Friends." It ica, half of the 65 persons attending were begins by reproducing a letter from General Conference officials. The other half Brinsmead to Ford written in August 19, were executives of Adventist health care 1980, just after denominational leaders had corporations. In addition to the creation of met with Ford at Glacier View. Even then, Adventist Health Systems/United States, Brinsmead repudiated" synthesis theology," the consul ta tion recommended tha t telling Ford that "I hope the church NADCA set up a committee for the purpose leadership has the intestinal fortitude to of "reviewing the wage and benefit stand by its convictions to preserve the 1844 structure for health care administrators." faith without compromise. I hope it has the nerve to pay no attention to the protesting multitudes who are motivated by sympathy Where Are Evangelical {"ror you. " In May 1982, Brinsmead expanded and Adventis~ lfeaded? sharpened his disagreement with Adventism and, by implication, Ford's continued vangelical Adven­ identification with it. "If no event of Etists, as some called redemptive significance occurred in heaven themselves once found common .cause in in 1844, there is nothing salvagable in the Volume 13, Number 1 63

Adventist system," and "if the 1844 eCles relating to the Advent movement; a theology falls, Ellen White and the entire final work of atonement and an investi­ doctrine of the Spirit of Prophecy also gative judgement beginning in 1844; Adven­ falls." Furthermore, "efforts to vindicate tism as the 'remnant'; Ellen White as a Adventist Sabbatarianism will fare no better latter-day prophet; the Sabbath as a moral than attempts to vindicate 1844 or Mrs. test. " White. The Sanctuary, Spirit of Prophecy The rest of the issue includes a story and Sabbath doctrines stand or fall to­ detailing the experiences of several former gether." What Brinsmead lumped together, Adventist ministers leaving the denomi­ he then savaged. "Adventism is a total­ nation. The editors also provide a handy itarian religious system which demands an guide for Adventist looking for another allegiance that belongs only to God." denomination. The first step suggested is to Brinsmead concluded his polemic by attack­ look in the Yellow Pages. Crandall's own ing evangelical Adventism directly. "Evan­ choices of denominations to which "you can gelical Adventism is traveling the road of an safely narrow the field," receive asterisks: Adventist offshoot," and "will end in swift Evangelical Convenant Church, Evangelical and sudden disaster." There must be no Free Church and Presbyterian and Re­ compromise. "If a person cannot be an formed (various denominations). authentic Adventist, he should not be a Good News Unlimited Foundation, of phony one. Evangelical Adventists must which van Rooyen is a mainstay, took steps decide whether to submit to that system or to clear up any confusion. In their next obey the gospel, for the gospel has broken newsletter, van Rooyen responded to con­ through the Adventist system and has left it cern about his position on the Sabbath. "My shattered beyond repair." family and I keep the seventh-day Sabbath. The editors of Evangelica appear to agree. My statement in the interview was not that The same month Brinsmead's attack ap­ we should abandon the Sabbath. To the peared, they published an issue entitled contrary, it was that we need to give it "After Adventism: Going Forth to Jesus." special attention, and that it needs to be The editors were students at the SDA studied and considered very carefully. No Theological Seminary in Berrien Springs, part of our belief system should be treated as Michigan, when they founded the journal non-negotiable. Non-Sabbatarians should that did much to popularize the term continue to study their position, just as I feel "Evangelical Adventism"; the editors now I should study mine." He took further pains rejected it. To the question of his article to distinguish his position from others in the "Whither Evangelical Adventism?" Editor same issue. "From my point of view, it was Alan Crandall. answered, "probably no­ intended to stand on its own and not to deny where. It has almost run its course. The or endorse other statements with which it time has come for us to frankly admit that, appeared at the time of publication." notwithstanding the good Seventh-day The newsletter also included Desmond Adventists have accomplished over the Ford's reply to the question "should we years, the entire Adventist system is leave our local church?" Doctrinal error, he bankrupt. As embarrassing as this may be, said, was not sufficient reason for leaving, we must confess that even evangelical unless that error repudiates Christ and His Adventism is only a partial solution. Instead gospel, makes the performance of Christian of attempting to keep one foot in "the gospel duty impossible, or destroys true worship and one foot in Adventism, we may as well and fellowship with God and man. "If the make a clean break with a system which we gospel is freely preached in your present have come to see as inimical to the apostolic congregation and you are not hindered from faith." He ticks off five doctrines that "the following conscience, we would advise you gospel has exposed as faulty: Time proph- to thank God and remain where you are." 64 SPECTRUM

While Desmond Ford agreed at the the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C. founding of Evangelica to serve as one of its The probable site is about 15 miles north of board members, it is clear that they now its present location. have different positions on membership in Pressure to sell will no doubt increase the Seventh-day Adventist church. Cer­ when the Review and Herald Publishing tainly, in the gospel congresses organized by Association leaves its large building vacant, Good News Unlimited in Santa Clara, as it is scheduled to do after January 1983. California, July 23-25, and in Chattanooga, The new plant for the Review, now under Tennessee, July 30-August 1, the speakers construction, will have 220,000 square feet. did not urge withdrawal from membership In addition, an office building is being in the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. erected. According to Calvin Edwards, adminis­ trator of Good News Unlimited, the empha­ sis was on Bible study, particularly sound principles of interpreting the Gospels.

General Conference Puts Headquarters Up For Sale

he General. Confer­ T ence contmues to look for a buyer for its headquarters in Takoma Park, Maryland, having recently turned down an $11.9 million offer from a Canadian-owned development corporation. The present General Conference prop­ erty, near a station of Washington's new mass-transit system, includes the North Building, a 10-story high-rise office build­ ing, and the older Central and South Buildings, each with four floors. The total space now occupied by the General Conference is some 180,000 square feet. The offer from the Canadian company would have also included the buildings now housing the Review and Herald Publishing Association and the Home Study Institute. A $15 million sale would be needed to pay for the construction of a new building of approximately 200,000 square feet on property the General Conference owns in SPECTRUM ADVISORY COUNCIL

Charlene and Floyd Anderson Marga and Elton Kerr Lucille and Alan Anderson Dorane and William King Ramona and Len Bierlein Claire and Richard Knierim Ben R. Boice Ruth and Edward Komarniski LeJean and Allen Botimer Doreen and Irwin Kuhn Neridah and Bernard Brandstater Verla and Alvin K wiram Betty and Bruce Branson Karen and Mel Lake Mary and Floyd Brauer Anita and Robert Lang Merrilyn and Ray Brown Roberta and Bradley Litchfield Marilyn and Robert Burman Ewald Lonser Harold S. Campbell Heidi and Richard Ludders Dos and Molleurus Couperus Thelma McAdoo Eryl Cummings Irene and Kenneth McGill Walter Cummings Marguerite and Robert Marsh Elsie and Raymond Darnazo lola and Julius Martin Thelma and Lloyd Dayes Ne\'a and Bill Meek Mary and James Dunn Jacqueline and Robert Moncrieff Mary and Wilfred Eastm;m Lyla NeUmann Juanita and Richard Engel Valerie and Glenn Patchen Nancy Engeset ~arilyn

The SPECTRUM Advisory Council is a group of committed SPECTRUM supporters who provide financial stability and business and editorial advice to insure the continuation of the journal's open discussion of significant issues. For more information, contact:

Dr. RaymondS. Damazo, Chairman (206) 454-2722 Office 855 l06th Avenue N.E. (206) 455-4522 Residence Bellevue, W A 98004