· Y~.~. MMfUr The New Shape ofAdvenpst~sion SDAs:SectorDenOl1111lat1on? 1:'

A QuarterlyJournal of theAssociation ofAdventist furums Spring 1975

Interviews of Four Top Leaders How the Electlon Works A Movement ora Machine? SPEORUM

Board of Editors Editorial Assistant Fritz Guy John Pye Riverside, California Pennan t Hills, Australia Alvin L. Kwiram, Chairman Judy Folkenberg Donald Hall Seattle, Washington Silver Spring, Maryland Calvin B. Rock Sacramento, California Huntsvill:e, Alabama Roy Branson Consulting Editors ] orgen Henriksen J. Paul Stauffer Washington, D~C. Godfrey T. Anderson North Reading, Massachusetts Lorna Linda, California Molleurus Couperus Lom.a Linda, California Eric A. Magnusson Stanley G. Sturges Cooranbong, Australia Lorna Linda, California ] ames S. Barclay Dayton, Ohio Win fried Noack Gary Land Western Springs, Illinois Stuart A. Taylor Darmstadt, Germany Cambridge, Massachusetts Berrien Springs, Michigan Ross O. Barnes College Place, Washington Ronald Numbers Verne V. Wehtje Charles Scriven Madison, Wisconsin Angwin, California Athena, Oregon C. E. Bradford Svend Overlade Takoma Park, Maryland Ron W. Walden Ottilie Stafford Odense, Denmark New Haven, Connecticut South Lancaster, Massachusetts ] onathan M. Butler Roland A. Perez Lincoln, Nebraska Benjamin R. Wygal Palo Alto, California Jacksonville, Florida James]. C. Cox Max G. Phillips Editors Berrien Springs, Michigan Mountain View, California Circulation Manager Roy· Branson E. Gillis Erenius Jack W. Provonsha Nathan Moore Charles Scriven Stockholm, Sweden Lorna Linda, California College Place, Washington

Association of Adventist Forums

Executive Committee Staff For International Affairs John R. Jones Molleurus Couperus Nashville, Tennessee President Systems Manager Lorna Linda, California Glenn E. Coe G. William Carey Elaine Kelley West Hartford, Connecticut Silver Spring, Maryland For Outreach Brooklyn, New York Vice Presidents Joseph Mesar Grant N. Mitchell Vice President Brighton, Massachusetts Fresno, California Leslie H. Pitton, Jr. For Development Silver Spring, Maryland Walter B. Douglas Berrien Springs, Michigan Nathan Moore Regional Representatives: College Place, Washington Executive Secretary For Finance Richard C. Osborn Ronald D. Cople Charles Bensonhaver Rosalie Anderson Thorn Takoma Park, Maryland Silver Spring, Maryland Dayton, Ohio Lorna Linda, California

PECTRUM is a gifts are deductible in the report of income for Sjournal established purposes of taxation. The publishing of SPEC­ to encourage Seventh-day Adventist participa­ TRUM depends on subscriptions, gifts from tion in the discussion of contemporary issues individuals, and the voluntary efforts of the from a Christian viewpoint, to look without contributors and the staff. prejudice at :ill sides of a subject, to evaluate the merits of diverse views, and to foster Christian intellectual and cultural growth. Although effort SPECTRUM is published quarterly by the Association is made to ensure accurate scholarship and dis­ of Adventist Forums. Direct editorial correspondence to criminating judgment, the statements of fact are SPECTRUM, Box 142, Athena, Oregon 97813. Manu­ the responsibility of contributors, and the views scripts should be double-spaced and accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. individual authors express are not necessarily Send requests for ·subscriptions or address changes those of the editorial staff as a whole or as (wi th address labels) to Association of Adventist individuals. Forums, Box 4330, Takoma Park, Maryland 20012. Rates: $10 for one year; $3 for single copy; remit by The Association of Adventist Forums is a accompanying check payable to the Association of nonsubsidized, nonprofit organization for which Adventist Forums•. ~ CP21B05 U.hoU.S.A. In This Issue

Volume Seven, Number One

Articles

An Interview with Robert Pierson Ron Graybill 3

Duncan Eva, willis Hackett, Neal Wilson: A Symposium Roberta J. M~ore 8

How the General Conference Election Works Alvin L. Kwiram 17

Where Did Adventist Organizational Structure Come From? Gary Land 23

How to Be a'Movement, Not a Machine Charles Teel, Jr. 30

Sect or Denomination: Can Maintain Its Identity? Bryan Wilson 34

The New Shape of Adventist Mission Gottfried Oosterwal 44

Art

Greg Constantine: "How Humans See" 28

Book Review

God Is With Us, by Jack W. Provonsha James J. Londis 55

SPECTRUM's new logo and cover design are by Henry Rasmussen of Concerned Communications, Arroyo Grande, California.

About This Issue or the first time, analysis. FMolleurus Couperus SPECTRUM could not have become a re­ is not listed as the editor of SPECTRUM. For spected publication without the enormous more than six years, he has brought continuity breadth of experience Dr. Couperus brought to to this journal, overseeing the publication of his work. Having grown up in the Netherlands, articles by more than 200 different Adventists. he studied in the United States and General Conference officials, college students, served several years as a in Indonesia. lay professionals and Adventist academics have Later, he received his medical education at been able to express their views and report their Lorna Linda University, joined the faculty after investigations. becoming a specialist, and eventually became Dr. Couperus has skillfully demonstrated that chairman of the department of dermatology. an Adventist lay journal can be both indepen­ Combining his religious and scientific inter­ dent and responsible. On such delicate issues as ests, he edited for several years an Adventist lay science and , church and state, the journal devoted to the study and defense of authority of Ellen White and the nature of creationism. He became interested in anthro­ inspiration, he has given persons with widely dif­ pology, and in time was invited to teach courses fering views the opportunity to be heard. At the in that subject at both Lorna Linda University same time, he has consistently required both and the University of California at Los Angeles. thoroughness of research and excellence of When asked to edit SPECTRUM, Dr. Couperus enthusiastically agreed. And it is not pastor of the Blue Mountain Valley Adventist too much to say that for six years he has re­ Church in Athena, Ore. garded his work on it as his single most signifi­ The makeup of the new board-most of the cant contribution to the church. It is appro­ members have been with AAF from the begin­ priate here, on behalf of the Association of ning-assures continuity in editorial policy. The Adventist Forums, to salute him for what he has journal will still publish articles written with done. thoroughness and rigor. It will still welcome the Many others assisted Dr. Couperus. Two work of those who seriously explore the should be mentioned especially. Ada L. Turner, frontiers of Adventist thought. editor of academic publications at Lorna Linda The appearance and contents of this issue University during this time, created SPEC­ should make it clear, however, that some TRUM's widely admired graphic design, and did changes will occur. Sensitivity to the rhythms of the makeup for every issue. Fritz Guy, dean of Adventist organizational life has not only led to the College of Arts and Sciences of the same a special General Conference issue, but also to a university, spent many bone-wearying hours in second issue devoted to topics of considerable the editing and re-editing of manuscripts. interest for next fall's Annual Council-including With this issue a new Board of Editors begins the role of women in the church and the ques­ its work. One member is Dr. Couperus himself. tion of divorce. Several other members have been active in AAF SPECTRUM will also try to publish more from its inception. Alvin Kwiram, chairman, is forms of creative expression than heretofore. professor of chemistry at the university of Wash­ Not only formal articles, but interviews, pro­ ington and a member of the General Conference files, narratives, personal essays, visual art, Board of Higher Education. He was the first and even (as we hope) new by Adventist president of AAF. composers, will appear. Roy Branson, associate professor of Christian In other words, while aiming still for the ethics at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological highest academic standards, SPECTRUM will be Seminary at Andrews University, has been less a scholarly periodical and more a journal of executive secretary and president of AAF. Gary thought, opinion and creative expression. Having Land, associate professor of history at Andrews established its seriousness of purpose, the University, has been book editor on the staff of journal will now try to put more zest and pas:­ SPECTRUM. Ottilie Stafford, who is head of the sion onto its pages. With any luck, SPECTRUM English department at Atlantic Union College, may even develop a sense of humor. has served before on this journal's editorial staff. Or that's what we say. We'd like you to see One member of the Board of Editors is new for yourselves what actually happens. to SPECTRUM's masthead. Charles Scriven is The Board of Editors An Interview With Robert H. Pierson

by Ron Graybill

The chief business of the General Conference workers and members have made in striving Session in Vienna will be the choosing of the toward the goal the Lord has set for us. church's leaders. In the pages that follow, SPEC­ There are a number of ways, I think, that the TRUM brings you interviews of four top church Lord has blessed us. One of the most satisfying administrators, on all of whom delegates will be has been the response to the challenge for making decisions in July. . Our · have increased very . Readers may learn from these interviews substantially. I think in 1965 they ran about something of the ideals and priorities of these 135,000, if I'm not mistaken, and in 1973, there men, and in this way be better prepared to carry were about 215,000, and we hope that 1974 will out their duties responsibly, whether at the go beyond that. When I speak about evangelism, General Conference session or in the life of the I don't mean just public evangelism-preaching. church in general. To me, evangelism includes all the encounters The first interview, with Robert H. Pierson, with that take place in our schools and the current president of the General Conference, hospitals, even in our Harris Pine Mills and our took place in Washington, D.C., January 2, food businesses. All of these things can and 1975. It has been edited for the sake of brevity. should and must be evangelistic. Our main goal and objective is to get a people ready for the raybill: What is the coming of . most satisfying of G Another thing that I've been very pleased and your accomplishments as a church administrator happy about is the return to the church of so so far? many of the dissidents who have caused the Pierson: I'd like to reword your terminology church some problems. You probably know just a little, and speak of the blessings of about the various movements that started in and of the progress that all of us together as Europe during the first World War. There have also been dissident movements in South America Ron Graybill is a researcher with the Ellen and Africa and in Australia and here in America. White Estate in Washington, D.C. He :':eceived During the last eight years, after we made the the master of divinity degree from Andrews appeal for unity, revival and , many University and is now working on a doctorate in of these folks have come hack into harmony American church history at Johns Hopkins with the church. University. He is the author of Ellen White and Graybill: Now, in some of these cases, for Church Race Relations and Mission to Black instance with the "Awakening" movement, the America. church has not only made an official appeal, but 4 Spectrum has also taken a great deal of time to discuss General Conference to give full support to the these things with movement leaders. Is that part White Estate in getting the books out in as many of the effort? different languages as possible, and to help our Pierson: I think this has been one of the members everywhere to understand better the contributing factors under the blessing of God. place of the Spirit of in the last-day Our leaders in Australia have spent many hours church. We recommended that a program of with them. Our leaders and our top theologians Spirit of Prophecy emphasis be conducted in here in America have spent a good many hours every division, and this has been accomplished. with them-several days, as you know. It isn't just a little old American woman that I believe that we ought to be pulling the we're trying to glorify, but a gift that God has church together. And while there are many placed in this church to help us through the divergent elements in the church because this difficult days ahead. message has gone to every kindred tongue and And the fact that the servant of the Lord says people, yet I believe that today we have as fair a that one of the last great attacks will be to spirit of unity as we could expect in this world. undermine the effect of the Testimonies makes us feel that we ought to be certain the people are well informed concerning this gift. That's "I want the folks to know why the research center for Europe, and the one we have voted for Australia, will be such a great that a little group of us here blessing. We hope eventually to have them in in Washington do not consti­ several other overseas divisions. tute the church, but it includes Graybill: To summarize, you are most pleased with progress in the areas of evangelism, unity every layman. "-Robert Pierson and advancements of the area of Spirit of Prophecy? Pierson: That's right. I don't believe we have Now, that doesn't mean that we have perfect achieved the ultimate in any of these areas, but I unity, but when it comes to the racial and believe that, with God's help, we're headed in nationalism problems you will find actions on the right direction. the General Conference minutes and on the Graybill: Turning from the past to the future, minutes of many of our organizations that seek what do you see as the major challenges that to take away these middle walls of partitions face the church? and make us one. We must be one here if we are Pierson: The greatest challenge before this going to be one in the kingdom. I believe that church today is that we each one have the our black brethren, our brown brethren and our experience with God that He wants us to have. white brethren are working together much bet­ This is what I've been talking about for eight ter than they might have been, and much better and a half years and will talk about for another than they're doing in the world around us. And six months or however long the Lord grants me. for this I am deeply appreciative. I'm not going to get into a hassle with anyone I'm not suggesting that all the problems have on the technicalities of "perfection," but no one been solved, or that all the inequities have been has ever challenged me for preaching that we removed: This is not the case, but we're working must overcome sin. We must get sin out of our toward that end, and with God's help, we will lives so that we can be in the right relationship continue. with our Lord. When this has happened, there'll Another thing that gives me a great deal of not be any question about our working for Him satisfaction-and I'm not saying this because a and winning ; there'll be no problem about member of the White Estate happens to be our money's being available for the Lord's work. interviewing me-is the emphasis on the Spirit of It's our love for Christ that lies at the bottom of Prophecy. I believe that God placed this gift in the whole thing. the church for all our people around the world. I Our first great challenge as leaders is to lead don't believe that this is an American gift. It has our people into a relationship with Christ that been my desire ever since I came into the will bring about a true revival and a real Spring 1975 5 reformation. If that comes, we don't have to them in different parts of the world-and they measure girls' skirts or men's hair, or anything don't have much left. With the Lord's help, that else. The Lord looks after those things for us if won't happen to the Seventh-day Adventist we'll permit this revival in our hearts. church, because it is God's church. I think another challenge before us today is to Another area of challenge, of course, is the deal with the rising tide of secularism and nsmg cost of education. With the economic materialism that is in the world. You know uncertainty in the world today, and especially what's happened to the other churches where here in the United States, this is going to be a secularism and materialism have come in. They growing challenge and problem. We've set up the have a little watered-down left. As a Board of Higher Education in an effort to help result, they've lost their , they've lost their curb pro.liferaton and duplication of courses and schools-many of them - and they're losing get right down to the basics of what we must do. some of their missions. I don't want our SDA Graybill: What is your a'ftitude toward lay church to go the way some of the other involvement in church affairs? churches have gone. A large number of them Pierson: Well, Ron, I believe in our laity. The have empty pews on Sundays. Of course, there work will not be finished until we rally our laity are some of the evangelical churches that are still to join hands with the church officers and the pretty well filled, but you can go into a lot of ministry as the Spirit of Prophecy says. I do not the other churches-and I've been in some of Continued on p. 6

Robert Pierson: The Burden of Evangelism by Kit Watts n Iowa boy, Robert between the crossfire of the United Nations and A H. Pierson has had a the Katangese armies in Elizabethville for nearly full and varied 42-year career with the Seventh­ a week. day Adventist Church. After two years at Those who have worked with him in his Southern Missionary College, he accepted a call nine-year presidency of the General Conference to pastor and be lay activities secretary for the characterize him as a spiritual man. His all­ Georgia-Cumberland Conference. It was the first consuming desire is to see "the work finished." step of a man who feels keenly the burden of He has encouraged public evangelism by all communicating to the world in his denominational leaders and engages in cam­ generation. paigns himself. He has set up committees to That burden early drew him to overseas upgrade church standards. service-first as pastor and director of lay activi­ He has opened his office and his administra­ ties on the conference level in India, and later as tion to suggestions. He has a reputation for union president in that field. He has spent 25 wanting to feel the pulse of what's going on, for years in ministry outside the United States-in being personable, for answering his mail India, Jamaica and Trinidad, and the Trans­ promptly, and having a remarkable facility for Africa Division. remembering names and faces. He was in Africa in the decade when that continent was experiencing extreme political The unity of the church concerns him deeply. unrest. In December 1961, he was caught "Our church has members from almost every nation, and many of those nations have a natural Kit Watts is a graduate of Union College and animosity toward each other," he has said. has studied journalism at Walla Walla College. "Only a real dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ Until taking her current position as editor of can prevent us from being divided." publications of Sligo Church in Takoma Park, When Robert Pierson is not preaching, presid­ Md., she was a book editor at the Review and ing at committees or boards, or working at his Herald Publishing Association in Washington, desk, he is writing-prolifically. It is his hobby, D.C. She also wrote the three other profiles that he says. He has authored 17 books and num­ appear in connection with this feature. erous tracts. 6 Spectrum refer simply to lay financial support, or the speaking. If there are a large number of folks handing out of literature. It is of prime impor­ who want to speak, fine. tance to involve laymen in other types of Graybill: What do you see as the main endeavor as well. I hope some day to furnish an concerns of the educated Seventh-day Adven­ article for the neview on the lay representation tist-those who are sometimes labeled "intellec­ on our boards and ad hoc committees, on our tuals." What problems do they have, what conference committees and on our advisory contributions can they make? . committees. Today, we have some very knowl­ Pierson: I want to be a president for all of our edgable laymen - our excellent businessmen, people-the intellectuals as well as the most professional men, well-educated, committed, illiterate peasants out in the far-flung corners of godly men. I believe we ought to make every the earth. My relationship with church members possible use of them. I hope the time will come should be such that I can love and work with all when we will have some lay administrators in of them. We have good people among the our churches so that the pastor will be able to intellectuals, we have good members in the main shepherd the sheep instead of being a business­ stream of the church. man. These are days when we should be making We have tried in the last eight and a half years progress. We must not dig our feet in concrete to open some of the windows in our church. and stay where we are as far as our planning, our We've called our laymen into counsel with us. We've started publishing the letters to the editor in the Review. We, as leaders, have made reports "I am pleased that on a few to the church in the Review rather frequently. large church staffs we have some Practically every place I go, not only do I preach but I have a program that I call "This Is Your women associate pastors. Church." It is a question-and-answ"r service. I I am not in any way opposed want the folks to know that a little group of us to our fine ladies' playing here in Washington do not constitute the an increasingly important church, but it includes every layman. role. We can do more than we've raybill: Is there a done in the past to utilize G trend toward more their talents. "-Robert Pierson careful attention to parliamentary procedure in conference constituency meetings? Pierson: I may not be able to answer that programming and our policies are concerned. question the way that you wish I would. If you When it comes to certain basic tenets of this mean by parliamentary procedure giving every­ message, however, I believe these are not body an opportunity to be heard, then I would negotiable. There's room in the church for the be with you entirely. But when it comes to expression of our opinions when it comes to resorting to parliamentary manipulation in order peripheral issues, speculative and to thwart or to accomplish an end, I do not things like that, but when it comes to the certain believe this approach is helpful in doing the basics of this message, these are the areas I don't work of the church. believe are negotiable. Graybill: But I have seen meetings where the Graybill: Thank you. I think that concludes chairman dominated the meeting in disregard of my questions. parliamentary procedure. Pierson: I heartily disapprove of what I ierso~: I'd like to believe you're talking about-the chairman's or P mention one more anyone else's dominating a meeting and not topic that you haven't asked me about. This is letting the people have an opportunity to speak. the attitude of our church toward the role of I believe in . But when it comes to women. I noticed recently that this kind of democracy, it ought not to be one Today reported Seventh-day Adventists had or two people that are doing all the democratic turned down the of women. This is _ Spring 1975 7

not factual. We haven't voted for or against the women who have served as pastors. ordination of women yet. Some other denomi­ Down in the West Indies, we've had women nations have been working on this question for who were evangelists, who went out and raised years and they haven't fully made up their up churches, built church buildings, and then minds yet. Seventh-day Adventists, maybe pastored the church. In Finland, of course, rightly or wrongly, have only spent about a year we've had women evangelists and some that have and a half in serious study of this question. We pastored churches. This has not been on a large started with a group of scholars and administra­ scale, but it indicates that we are not blindly tors of whom more than half were women. opposed to the idea. Some we believed would represent the more Personally, and I'm speaking only personally, liberal approach; others we felt could be I am pleased that on a few large church staffs we counted on to present the conservative point of have some women associate pastors who play an view. important role publicly and personally in the At the 1973 Annual Council, we adopted most work of our modern-day SDA church. They of the recommendations that this study group have some input and some insights that our men recommended. We are continuing to study do not have. I am not in any way opposed to ordination. We want to be sure that theologi­ our fine ladies' playing an increasingly important cally we're correct. We want to know that we role in the life of our church. are following the counsel of the and the A wife and mother with small children, I Spirit of Prophecy. I personally am inclined to believe, still should find her greatest joy and be a little slow in basing as important a decision fulfillment in filling her place as the queen of as this on what the Bible does not say. We have the home. There isn't any greater contribution women pastors in different places around the that a woman can make than to be a wife and world and they've done a good work. We have mother. But when it comes to women who have approved of this. no children, or single women, I believe they will continue to playa more important place in our Graybill: Not in . church program in almost every phase of the Pierson: Yes, we've had some, but not a large work. I believe we can do a lot more than we number. Miss Mary Walsh and others have have done in the past to utilize their committed pastored local churches and there are some other talents. Duncan Eva, Willis Hackett, Neal Wilson: A Symposium

by Roberta J. Moore

At the request of SPECTRUM's editorial educated young members for more openness on board, Roberta J. Moore conducted the follow­ the part of leadership and a longing for worth­ ing interviews last fall in Loma Linda during the while participation. They feel church leaders 1974 Annual Council. ought to be thinking how to make this possible, These three General Conference vice presi­ not just leave it to a hit-or-miss type of dents, W. Duncan Eva, Willis J. Hackett and Neal situation. I think they're right; church leaders C. Wilson, were interviewed separately. From ought to be actively planning and devising ways about 70 pages transcribed from tapes of the to bring about this greater participation. interviews, the author extracted what she And then, perhaps in some way the result of, considered to be of the greatest interest and or at least rela~ed to, these two points, I would arranged the material into a symposium. have to say that there is a constant question of believability regarding administrative policies. oore: What do you Moore: Let's start with the idea of laymen's M see as the chief con­ participation in matters of church policy. As a cerns of the intelligent, educated young Seventh­ church leader, how do you see that? day Adventist in his relationship with the Eva: Church leaders deeply appreciate the church? interest and involvement of laymen in church Wilson: As I see them, these concerns are matters. The Adventist church has always be­ primarily in the area of how flexible the church lieved that it will never be able to fully discharge is to recognize that we can have some differing its commission until laymen and ministers unite viewpoints within the church and still maintain a to finish "the work." We have always believed, very strong degree of unity. There are certain moreover, that God will recognize and honor essentials on which we must stay pretty close such consecrated cooperation "by an outpouring together, but there are other areas, organiza­ of His Spirit without measure." tional or philosophical, which could vary And before you point out that I have not considerably. exactly answered your question, let me explain I find, too, a desire among these intelligent, that I see "matters of church policy" as related purely and simply to the church's task of taking Before taking a post in the Communications God's last message to the world. The church has Department of Loma Linda University in 1973, no other "policies." An interest in church Roberta J. Moore taught journalism at Walla policy, if it is not completely concerned with Walla College. Her doctorate is from Syracuse "the finishing of the work," is basically mean­ University. She is the author of If Winter Comes. ingless to layman and alike. Spring 1975 9

Hackett: I'd like to say that a problem in Hackett: I think support of the local church is laymen's participation comes from their seeing the first step. When laymen support their local the church only from the local perspective. We church strongly, the church will recognize their need to see it as a whole. I think our biggest task capabilities; it won't be long until they will be in as leaders is to help the intellectual folk, the leadership positions of the church locally. professionals of our church, see the church from At the General Conference, we oft~n call in a wider angle and then they can help us meet the people who are outstanding in some of our problems. institutions-for instance, in our universities. Moore : You think, then, that they don't now We're calling them so much now, in fact, that see the church as a whole? the universities and colleges cry, "Look, don't Hackett: I think not many do. Many see the call them any more! We've got a teaching job for church as United States and North America. them to do!" Moore: So the way you see it, then, the invitation comes from church leaders to the "The minu te laymen take over laymen? and attempt to run the church, Hackett: That's right. to choose the personnel, to make Moore: Then the layman really can't do anything to initiate this? the decisions, irrespective Hackett: He can be a leader where he is. of the ministry, then they will That's the first thing to do. If he is recognized also have to accept the respon­ by his local church as an outstanding leader, sibility. And this would mean we'll soon get the message on the top levels. Eva: Lay "input" is obviously most effective that we would have to change at the local church level. But consecrated lay­ our complete concept of church men can and do make a most valued contribu­ administration."-Willis Hackett tion at other levels, too-on conference, mission, union and other executive committees, and on institutional boards. Wilson: We have to look at the question of There are, moreover, laymen's advisory com­ laymanship from a practical point of view. In mittees. They are organized especially to provide other words, how could we make it work? a channel for lay input into the operations of Sometimes, I, have said to my colleagues in the church on conference and mission levels at church administration, "It seems to me that we times other than the usual session of the could spend a profitable thr~e or four days in conference or mission. some kind of conference, made up of those Furthermore, there is value in direct counsel interested in this kind of thing-that is, church from thoughtful laymen to conference, union leadership and lay participation -and say, 'How and other officers. I look back over 40 years of are we going to do it?' "I think unless something service to the church and recall many occasions like that happens, we'll stay in the area of when I have greatly valued the help given me by theory and never get into practical application:, ,laymen. I have not always agreed with every­ I think there are many areas where partici­ thing they said, but I have been greatly enriched pation can come about: committees, discussion and strengthened by their counsel. groups, groups grappling with particular issues in Wilson: Let me comment on how I think a the church. And if we really tried it, I think it layman can gain this input we're talking about. would payoff handsomely. But we dream about Individuals who are interested in certain issues it as a possibility for tomorrow and keep putting that they see in the local church or that they it off for some time in the future. recognize in an institution, or the conference, or Moore: So you haven't figured out how to in the North American Division, or even in our accomplish it. Do you have any ideas about how international family-if these individuals would it could be accomplished? What procedures let some of us at the General Conference know could laymen follow, for example, to gain some of their interest, this would help. input? We often bring together groups for a couple 10 Spectrum of days, to identify a problem. We parcel out would be among the first the General Confer­ assignments, and then members of the group go ence would try to pull in. back home and work on it for a few weeks or a Moore: Are you saying that any layman who few months. Then we call another meeting, and wants input should simply let church leaders the members of the group come together again, know of his interest and the areas where he has to make a report to each other. Usually, we get particular competence? together three, four times, maybe more before Wilson: Well, we like to find those whQ are we are through. willing to give and take. When there are a Take, for instance, the committee that stud­ number of differing opinions to be considered, ied divorce and remarriage. We brought them we have to find a common ground, unless there's together many times, but there were quite long a very clearly articulated doctrine over which periods in between, when they were modifying, there is little controversy. We've got to find refining, doing additional study. persons who can feel a part of a group, moving think the way for towards a solution. I think human judgment and I laymen to start wisdom and the collective strength of the church would be to let us know their particular areas of must be brought to bear, to find a way through interest

Duncan Eva: Years of Upheaval

he Evas were among Eva's service between 1954 and 1965 coin­ T the earliest English cided with years of political upheaval in Africa settlers in South Africa, arnvmg there in the that brought many difficulties for the Adventist 1820s. More than 100 years later Duncan Eva, Church. As secretary of the Division, Eva was at then 13, was baptized as a result of tent the center of every major issue. meetings in his hometown of Aliwal North. It Those who worked with him there believe was a town of perhaps 3,000 English and 3,000 -that his great contribution to the church during nationals. His father worked on the railroad. these years was in his ability to discern the Eva studied at Helderberg College and began crucial issues in complex situations and provide his career with the denomination in 1934 as an clear and workable solutions, particularly in elementary schoolteacher in a single-teacher rewriting policies, constitutions and organization school. Later, he did mission work among the procedures. Indian population in South Africa at NataL In 1973, Eva became the General Conference F or the past 30 years, he has been in adminis­ vice president assigned specifically to adminis­ trative work. trating the flow of church business coming into Eventually, Eva came to the United States to complete his college education in 1949 at Walla the headquarters office. While others travel the Walla College and an M.A. degree from the world attending business sessions, Eva keeps the seminary in 1950. wheels turning at home, making sure that Division-level work has brought him some of decisions get made, and that once made, they his greatest satisfactions. His longest term of get carried out. His fellow workers regard him as service at this level was with the Trans-Africa very human and approachable. When away from Divisi~n as secretary from 1954-1965. During work, his chief interest is working with wood in seven of those 11 years, Robert H. Pierson was a little basement shop. president. His concern for the church is one he cites "In the General Conference, you can become from Revelation 4 and 5-that the church find isolated and insulated," he says, "but in the complete devotion to Jesus Christ. "We're not to division you are next to what's happening and be preoccupied with saving ourselves or even your work has a wide scope." other people, but in glorifying God," he says. Spring 1975 11 would like to ask what you think about the a balance in that, and I think we're trying to get question of laymen's having something to say in that balance. Our lay advisory committees, the choice of their own leaders: pastors and which are totally laymen except for conference conference officials. officials, are one way to get that balance. Wilsoll: Well, I've found that when laymen But as long as we hold ministers responsible realize that we aren't trying to put something for the success of the church, they must have over on them, that we don't have a predeter­ authority as well. mined choice, there is a meeting of minds and a If you hire me to run your business and you working together in these matters. I have discov­ say to me, "I'm going to hold you responsible, ered that laymen not only ask for but also but I'm going to make the decisions and choose appreciate the counsel and advice of leadership. the personnel," I'll say to you, "Excuse me; you I remember sitting for almost three hours with a run your own business." nominating committee, listening to them analyz­ You see, we have a trained ministry; we hold ing some of their needs in that conference, some them responsible for the success of the church. of their hopes, some of the vision they had. Ministers, of course, report back to the laymen, I don't find it strange at all for there to be a to our constituencies. But the minute laymen desire for input in the choice of leadership in the take over and attempt to run the church, to local church or, in fact, at any level of the choose the personnel, to make the decisions, church. I think we miss a lot when we try to irrespective of the ministry, then they will also move things through so fast that we don't take have to accept the responsibility. And this time to develop rapport between members and would mean that we would have to change our leaders. complete concept of church administration. Moore: You're saying that there are limita­ "I find a desire among intel- tions on the input laymen can have in church affairs, such as the choice of ministers? ligent young members for more Hackett: There are limitations on how far we openness on the part of leader- can go in separating the ministry and the ship and a longing for worthwhile laymen. There must be an input from both. But the responsibility for the success of the church participation. They think church rests with the ministry. leaders ought to make this possible. Moore: Is it possible to find out what laymen I think they're right; church would like in a pastor and perhaps even whom they would like? leaders ought to be devising ways Hackett: I think so. And we do that. to bring abou t greater participa­ Moore: What dangers do you see in the tion. "-Neal Wilson participation of laymen in decision-making? Hackett: I don't think there are dangers as long as we have a balance between laymen and You know, the longer I work with people the ministers. We're all working together for the more I see that interaction isn't something that same objectives. develops in just a couple of minutes in a group Eva: I do not know that I see any dangers in that have never worked together. This takes a the participation of laymen in the formation of little time. And, of course, we all have to church policies and decision-making. They realize-leaders and laymen-that in a committee should participate, and their growing interest or in the selection of people we can't always and concern is something that church leaders have the ideal. In the final analysis, we've got to value increasingly. be practical about this, but let's come as close However, we must not forget that the more together as possible in deciding what we ought fully one becomes acquainted with the problems to do. and responsibilities in a certain area, the more Hackett: I'd like to say something about this his opinions and even convictions are modified. point. I know that many laymen feel they do It may not be so clear in the United States, not have enough say in what's going on. We need because of its form of democracy, but we have 12 Spectrum all seen how irresponsible some politicians can you're willing to listen, there's generally a very be when in opposition and how much like those relaxed feeling; then laymen feel they are they oppose they come to be when responsi­ participating on an ongoing basis and don't have bility once again rests on their shoulders! This to demand participation. may illustrate what can happen as laymen .Moore: Let's look at another area for a become better acquainted with some of the moment. What about our overseas programs? To situations that church leaders face. what extent are church leaders seeking input Moore: Do you see any dangers 111 lay from Seventh-day Adventist laymen who could participation, Wilson? make a contribution in planning or carrying out Wilson: No. In fact, I see a lot of strength. I overseas missions programs? find no great clamor and no great feeling of Eva: We have several programs in which uneasiness on the part of laymen where there is laymen are giving help in overseas fields. There is open communication by leadership. A leader has a plan known as Adventists Abroad, for exam­ to work at that-I mean, to learn how to ple, by which the church seeks to make discreet communicate. It is possible for a leader to be use of the services of such people. Then there saying a lot and using many words but still not are also the Adventist Volunteer Service Corps communicating with people. He needs to stop and our student missionary plan. of one student talking and listen. Listening is a part of com­ missionary I was told, "Send us as many like municating. When you have made it clear that Continued on p. 13

Willis Hackett: Scrutiny of Doctrine

he father of willis J. people and committees. T Hac kett held se­ Currently, Hackett is vice president for coor­ ances and never failed in contacting the spirit dination of the church's education and health world. He was a public hypnotist and spiritist. programs. He sits on numerous boards and That was long ago. The girl Hackett was committees. He also works with the Biblical later to marry urged him to attend tent meetings Research committee and the Geoscience F oun­ being held by Luther Warren in Pennsylvania, dation. Since being in the General Conference, and they both became Seventh-day Adventists. he has helped reorganize the flow of work at After one-half year of college, with the headquarters by fathering a plan aime'd at Depression bearing down upon his family, willis making sure what's been decided actually gets Hackett took a job teaching the largest one­ done. teacher school in the Colorado Conference. Hackett sees himself as a team-man, one who There were 26 students in all eight grades. At works to weld a group together to get a job the end of the year, an Adventist contractor, M. done. E. Carlson, offered to sponsor him back to A number of issues face the church in the college if he would take the ministry. Hackett next five years, Hackett . Among them: agreed. Scrutiny of doctrine, acceptance of Ellen White, Following graduation from Union College in the need for a worldwide unity of the church, 1939, he began his ministry as a pastor in Texas. more tensions between liberals and conserva­ Looking back over his career, which has tives, the search for leadership "which will stand included 30 years of administrative work, up and be counted," facing increasing demand Hackett still feels the six years of pastoring were for hospital and education unionization of the most rewarding. workers, making church-sponsored education In administration he has most enjoyed being a truly Christian education and, of course, union president~a position he held in the North economics. Philippines from 1956-1958, the Atlantic Union Outside of his strenuous work life, Hackett from 1958-1964, and the North Pacific from takes occasional refuge in a few hobbies-a good 1965-1968. The vice presidency of the General library, a shop, tinkering with his auto, and Conference is essentially a technician's job, he when he can, a weekend at the lake with his points out. One must work largely through other boat. Spring 1975 13

David as you can find; there is always a work for arrived at simply by popular vote. This is them." something which, of course, some people don't In some countries of the so-called "Third understand. They feel that we ought to be able World" large accessions of membership are the to vote on doctrine or theology as we vote on a order of the day. Behind the thrilling reports are lot of other issues. But I think we shouldn't be real problems, however. We can never consider afraid to discuss these things together. the church's task complete until in every land it Hackett: I think there's plenty of room in the has its roots deep in native soil. True Christian Adventist church for differences in the fringe maturity will be lacking until the indigenous areas of doctrine: the 144,000, for instance, and church stands on its own feet. certain other areas of the three angels' messages. I have a growing conviction that in order to But there are certain fundamentals given to us accomplish this maturity faster, it is going to be by inspiration and well established by the necessary for some overseas to church, which we all must believe to be Adven­ make greater . I mean specifically that tists. there must be greater identification with the people they go to serve than there has been in the past. This obviously will involve a great "Lay 'input' is most effective at challenge, but I believe God has His people who the local church level. But will meet it. laymen can make a valued Moore: This is getting away from the subject of laymen's participation in church affairs, but I contribution at other levels, too,­ wish you would tell me to what extent overseas on conference, mission, union and divisions influence the thinking of leaders on other executive committees, and issues of the church here in North America. on institutional boards. " Take, for example, such subjects as divorce and women's role in the church. -Duncan Eva Hackett: As you know, committees oflaymen and church leaders have studied both subjects. I draw a small circle, and in that circle I put The study on divorce and remarriage was done the things that are explicitly Bible and Ellen largely for North America, but reports on both White; these are the doctrines that every Adven­ subjects went to our overseas officers because tist ought to believe. Around that I draw a anything we do here in North America in regard bigger circle, and in it are those matters that no to either the role of women or divorce affects one can pin down exactly. Some people thin~ the overseas divisions. they're in the inner circle when they're in the I've served overseas, where we have a policy outer. The danger, I think, is that young book for our duties. We adapt many of the intellectuals sometimes become so enamoured General Conference policies to the division in with a concept in the outer circle that they which we work-all the divisions do that-but think everybody has to believe it, and they must these policies are operational differences, not propagate it everywhere. major th~ological concerns of the church. In Wilson: We need to remember that differences these concerns, we must stick together. of opinion don't necessarily indicate disloyalty. I don't find very much substitute for direct, OOre: Let's go from open discussion when we differ. We need to sit M this to a related down together and say, "O.K., let's put things point. To what extent do you think the church out on the table and see how far apart we are can tolerate differences in theology? and why. What's the basis? Is it philosophical, Wilson: I think there's something very whole­ theological, or organizational?" When you trace some about discussion of theology. There are these things back, very often you find that many today who have questions about doctrine, you're really not very far apart. who could be greatly helped if we would Moore: What direction do you think the dialogue with them. thoughtful young Adventist can go when he But we have to remember that doctrine is not differs from the church on points of doctrine or 14 Spectrum of church government? What possibilities are committees and constituency meetings. Anyone there for dialogue in our periodicals, for can air his ideas in a constituency meeting. example? Moore: What about the committees you Hackett: I think our periodicals may be the mention-what is the procedure for getting a place for differing opinions within reason. But I hearing in the committee which deals with would object to someone's carrying a confronta­ questions about science and the Bible? tion before the whole church in one of our Hackett: The best way would be to write a publications. Take SPECTRUM, for instance: I paper. The paper would be aired, and the writer would be a little careful there because I think we might be invited to discuss this with the commit­ have a lot of unsuspecting and unknowing tee, if his peers see in this something worthy of people whose faith and trust and confidence in further exploring; if they don't, they would the church might be marred by carrying some probably tell him, "Look: you're off base here controversies into the open. and here and here. Think it over again." Moore: Then what would you see as offering a forum for dissent? 'm a little afraid of Hackett: We have set up committees; we have I airing differences in one, for example, which deals with differences print, however, for the simple reason that this in opinion in the Bible and science. Then in the gives the church the appearance of being frag­ area of church government there are conference Continued on p. 15

Neal Wilson: Exhilarating Risks

efore he was five close friendships with many religious and politi­ Byears old, Neal Wil­ cal leaders in the Middle East and negotiated for son was learning native languages in Central the opening of Adventist work in Libya, Sudan Africa where his father was a missionary. His and Aden. He received a citation from the playmates were black children who taught him Libyan government for opening the Benghazi to make simple primitive traps to catch small Hospital. birds and animals. Wilson became vice president in charge of the He attended high school and completed a North American Division in 1966. He is known junior-college education at Vincent Hill in India, as one who "listens" and this makes him the where about 250 missionary children and chil­ natural q.rget for those who are either disen­ dren of well-to-do Indians studied together. chanted or who seek counsel and blessing upon After his graduation from Pacific Union Col­ new ideas. His appointment calendar is booked lege in 1942, Wilson was married and began weeks in advance. language study in preparation for mission work. He is an avid mountain climber. He and his His first assignment was with Middle-East Divi­ son have already seen the summits of the peaks sion. He became president of the Egypt mission on the east coast and the Tetons. His next at the age of 24. objectives include mountains in Glacier National If he weren't a vice president and had to Park, and someday, Mt. McKinley. The rope­ choose another job for himself in the denomina­ work is dangerous, he admits, but the risks are tion, Wilson feels he would look to the religious exhilarating. liberty field. When he began his work in Egypt, The greatest challenge facing the church, he officials told him Seventh-day Adventists had feels, is "our being able to recognize the gifts of contributed nothing to their country and it was the spirit in the church-how they can mesh and their hope to see the church organization termi­ work together to offer the maximum thrust and nated. Taking this as a challenge to his religious strength to cope with the demands that face us." liberty interests, Wilson pledged to keep the He adds that while Adventists must be a working doors open to Seventh-day Adventists rather church they must primarily be a witnessing than letting them slam closed. Before leaving the church. "We must keep a balance between Nile Union in 1958, he became adviser to the organization and an awareness of our purpose governor of Cairo on religious liberty, developed for existence." Spring 1975 15 men ted. Often when this is done you weaken the church to take in this group? We seem to be the confidence in lddership. The Lord only offering pretty much the same diet to everybody knows we need all the confidence we can get in now. What about the needs of graduate students this day and time, to lead our people forward on secular university campuses? What about into the truths of righteousness without being racial minorities? Professional women? fragmented. of course, a lot depends on how it's Wilson: I'm not sure I have the most adequate done. Many of the articles that have come out in answer at this point, but I'll attempt one. SPECTRUM I think have been verY"thoughtfully I think the Master, in His ministry and His done without being detrimental. life, which were to be an example to us, made it Moore: You seem to see what is published as clear that we ought to try to meet people where having more impact than what is spoken. they are; we ought to have something for people Hackett: Yes, because it's in a smaller group where they are. The trouble is that it's difficult when it's spoken. There's a place for everything. I think the place to bring our differences is to a small group of responsible people who are "I'm a little afraid of airing knowledgeable in the area. I tell teachers this. differences in print, for the The place to propound a question is not before a simple reason that this gives the class of youngsters; it's among your peers who are knowledgeable in the area. church the appearance of being Moore: May we go a little farther with this fragmented. Often when this idea? What about presenting two sides of a is done you weaken the confidence question in the classroom? For example, what in leadership. But it depends on would you think of presenting two views of creationism? how it's done."-Willis Hackett Wilson: I wouldn't be at all adverse to getting two sides of the question, provided the teacher to put together in one person what it takes to has some convictions. I feel very uneasy when meet all situations. The Master could do it, but the teacher has no personal convictions. Anyone I'm not sure I can. However, I think He expects will certainly discover, without any question, me to be discerning enough as a leader to that I have arrived at some conclusions about recognize the variety of gifts in the church, and creationism. I s'ee no great problem in alerting if one person can't do everything equally well, students to many of the things they're going to then perhaps we simply need to look around us confront and making them aware of the issues for those with gifts I don't have. , involved. I would hope, though, that they would We tend too much to restrict ourselves to a not be left in a dilemma, a state of uncertainty, few channels; we are not doing enough in some as to what their teacher believes. of these areas you mention. Take the campus Hackett: A teacher can present all the theo­ ministry, for example; we aren't doing much of ries of the world in that class; I think this is anything there. If we recognized the variety of perfectly all right. Students ought to see the gifts in the church, we would see that some can various sides of a question. But when all is said meet that kind of challenge. . and done, you're teaching in a Seventh-day What I'm saying is that we stick too closely to Adventist school, with a Seventh-day Adventist rather circumscribed patterns of work, to the salary, paid for by a Seventh-day Adventist neglect of large segments of the population that constituency. That being the case, I expect you we should be trying to reach. to say, "Here's where I stand." If we don't have Moore: To what extent do you think your that kind of responsible teaching, then there's answer would reflect the thought of other no point in our paying for our school system. leaders? Moore: This suggests another matter. What Wilson: I don't want you to think that I am about those Seventh-day Adventists who are on presuming to speak for the church or its a secular college campus, rather than a Seventh­ leadership. I'm giving you only my own opin­ day Adventist one? What hope do you see for lOns. redefining or perhaps extending the ministry of In the basics, however, I think we would be 16 Spectrum pretty close together. Oh, some would express it Moore: But as you see it, our mission is still differently than I have; but while their answers pretty much a Bible-preaching mission? How would come out in a different style, the meaning would it differ from Billy Graham's? would probably be about the same. Hackett: There's no question in my mind that Moore: I would like to look at one more area. we have a Bible mission to save men, to How do you react to the criticism that we're still introduce them to the Lord Jesus Christ and to trying to answer questions nobody's asking? the special concepts of Adventism. We have Epa: It is true that we can and do at times all doctrines th'at nobody else has: the sanctuary, address ourselves to questions no one is asking. which is the key to the whole plan of , We can all be completely irrelevent and amaz­ and the investigative judgment, for example. ingly blind to that fact, also. Moore: Is it possible that these may be in the On the other hand, we are never to judge area of questions nobody's asking? what is really "relevant" by what the majority, Hackett: Yes, if I began there. But sooner or or a worldly-wise minority, considers "relevant." later if I'm going to lead people back to God I We know Jesus asked and answered some very have to cover these points. relevant questions that many people considered Moore: To what questions do you think we irrelevant and would have preferred Him to be should be addressing ourselves, for the most silent on. While we must answer the questions part? In other words, how do you see the that people are asking and answer them with the mission of the church in 1975? truth, I hope we will never stop asking and Wilson: Just what it has always been: to answering some "irrelevant" questions that interpret the real character of God, and what people would prefer us to be silent on. solution He has offered for the problem of sin Wilson: I'm not sure what the questions are, and its destructive results, and to show that the that nobody is asking. I suppose it depends a gospel actually works and that it's for everyone. little on what some consider to be the most pressing, urgent needs in their own experience or va: I think one ques­ in their own circle. Etion to which we Sometimes people are grappling with some should be addressing ourselves is how much are very real situations, day by day, and we're we truly studying the Bible and to what extent dealing with philosophical problems. Our philo­ are we letting its message speak to our hearts? sophical problems may have principles which There is no book in the world that is more could be applied to those day-by-day situations, relevant in every age than the Bible. While we sit but the people to whom we preach may find it (whether laymen or ministers) on the throne as difficult to see the principles and to put them sat in great self-confidence and , together. handing down our moral judgments on this and Hackett: Today we're dealing with people that, we had better be listening. The Bible could who don't know the Bible. I met a lady on a be saying, as Nathan said to David, "Thou art plane the other day; we were talking about some the man!" of these things, and when I mentioned the flood, We should also be addressing ourselves to the she said, "What flood?" question of our great spiritual need and most Moore: How would you approach someone earnestly seeking to be completely possessed by like her? the , to know the strengthening with Hackett: I would have to start where she is might that comes in the "inner man," and the and try to find a point of reference. I could start blessed results that flow out from that experi­ with health-everybody's interested in that. Or I ence. could start in the area of economics. In other I know no questions more important than words, I would start in any area that troubles these. When they are answered in our experi­ the person I'm talking with, and lead him into ence, our mission as ministers and laymen will the context. be abundantly clear to us. How the General Conference Election Works

by Alvin L. Kwiram

his July in Vienna 2,500,000, there will be slightly over 1,000· T more than 1,700 regular delegates.2 delegates and 10,000 visitors will meet for the As an example, the North Pacific Union Con­ fifty-second session of the General Conference ference of North America, with a membership of of Seventh-day Adventists. To most, this will be close to 55,000, is entitled to at least 22 regular a time of reaffirmation and pageantry. But it delegates based on membership, six regular dele­ will also be the time when the church chooses its gates based on the number of conferences and leaders. And in an organization where power, missions and one "bonus" delegate for a total of policies and programs flow outward from the 29 delegates. In fact, the total number of regular leadership to the laity, it is important that the delegates from the North Pacific Union Confer­ leaders be chosen with great care. ence to the 1975 General Conference will be This article, therefore, examines the proce­ 31-two more than the constitutional minimum. dures by which the leaders of the church are There will also be nine delegates-at-Iarge from chosen. First~ I shall discuss the composition of this union. The five delegates from the Washing­ the delegation, the selection of the nominating ton Conference will be the conference president, committee and the decision-making processes. an academy principal, two pastors and a lay (The constitution of the General Conference member of the conference executive committee. forms the basis for a general understanding of This is a typical distribution of personnel except the procedures, and is reprinted for your possibly for the presence of the lay person, and convenience at the end of the article. 1) The represents the will of the Union Conference second part of the article offers some criticisms Committee, which selects delegates, including of these election procedures. those allotted to local conferences. The voting body of the General Conference In addition to the thousand-plus regular dele­ in session is composed of regular delegates and gates, there will be about 700 delegates-at-Iarge. delegates-at-Iarge. The number of regular dele­ All 350 members of the General Conference gates allotted to each union is based in part on Executive Committee are delegates-at-Iarge by the membership: one delegate for each 2,500 virtue of position. This number includes all members or fraction thereof. Each union is division administrative officers and departmental allowed one delegate for each local conference secretaries as well as all union presidents. A com­ and mission plus one additional delegate which I plete list of the executive committee members shall call a "bonus" delegate. Therefore, with can be found in the Yearbook. Finally, the world membership somewhat above Executive Committee (actually a small subset thereof) can appoint an additional 300 to 400 Alvin L. Kwiram was the first president of delegates-at-Iarge. This open category provides the Association of Adventist Forums. At for the appointment of representatives of insti­ present, he is chairman of the board of editors tutions and departments not otherwise covered. of SPECTR UM. His doctorate is from the Cali­ It allows for response to the requests from fornia Institute of Technology and he is a unions for additional delegate allotments, and it teacher in the chemistry department at the provides a mechanism for rewarding certain University of Washington. individuals for their steadfast and long-standing 18 Spectrum

dedication to the church. they serve together on various church assign­ It is significant to note that of the total ments, they are the most influential and cohe­ number of 1,700 delegates, all are appointed by sive block on the committee. those in office, and virtually all are employees of the organization. Very few laypersons and even nce the delegates fewer women are represented in the delegation. O have selected their The major official act of the delegates is the representatives for the Nominating Committee, selection of the members of the Nominating their major task is completed. They spend most Committee. This task is taken care of on the of their remaining time at the session listening to first evening of the session. The regular delegates and approving the various divison and depart­ from each division, together with the delegates­ mental reports. This process is interrupted inter­ at-large connected with that division, caucus in mittently to allow the delegates to approve the order to select their representatives to the selections made by the Nominating Committee. Nominating Committee. Usually each division The delegates rarely introduce new business president acts as the chairman of the division from the floor. However" amendments to the caucus which selects one Nominating Committee constitution or the church manual sometimes member for each 15,000 members in the elicit active discussion by the delegates. Of division. (It is not uncommon in the larger divi­ course, most policy questions of substantive sions for each union delegation to caucus character are considered at annual councils and separately.) Figure 1 displays the relative mem­ studied in detail by aI;'propriate committees bership of the divisions, and the corresponding before they are brought to the delegates in (estimated) delegate count, shown in paren­ session for . theses. There will be close to 170 members on The' newly elected Nominating Committee the Nominating Committee. holds its first meeting the morning after the opening ses~ion. Acting under the temporary chairmanship of the General Conference presi­ dent, the committee selects its own chairman who is usually a member of the North American delegation. After four to six nominations for the chairmanship have been made from the floor, the candidates are discussed by the committee and then voted on by secret ballot. Once the chairman is elected, the committee proceeds to elect a vice chairman, who is usually an overseas Figure 1. The rel~tive membership of the ten delegate. 3 Although interpreters are made avail­ divisions. The corresponding number of dele­ able for those who do not speak English, their gates who serve on the Nominating Commitee participation in the business of the Nominating is shown in parenthesis. Committee is obviously more difficult. Only official delegates to the session may The committee then begins its su1;lstantive serve as members of the Nominating Committee. task-the selection of the officers. The first Delegates-at-Iarge who must stand for reelection office considered is the General Conference at the session may not be members of the presidency. The chairman invites nominations, Nominating Committee, even though they may which are usually halted after five to ten names participate in the actual voting on their own have been introduced. Each name is discussed by nominations and those of their colleagues. This the members of the committee and then voted includes all General Conference and division on by secret ballot; each member votes for one officers. The union conference officers represent candidate. Usually, no one receives a clear ma­ a notable exception since they do not stand for jority on the first ballot. The chairman has con­ reelection at the session. Indeed, the union siderable latitude at this stage. If two or three conference presidents from North America candidates are clearly the leadi~g contenders for invariably serve on the Nominating Committee. the position, he may choose to submit those And because of the repeated occasions when Continued on p. 20 Spring 1975 19

0:-V .does .lay p~­ So much for procedures. Now, what about H ticipation In the ratio at this highest level, the General church polity in the Seventh-day Adventist Conference session or its equivalent? church compare with that in other churches? Irish has found that among United Presby­ Now very well, apparently. terians, Southern and United At least this is the conclusion of a study Methodists, the ratio of to laymen is done recently at Loma Linda University, still one to one, straight across the board. Riverside campus, by E. J. Irish. 1 At the 1975 General Conference session in On the local level, Irish finds no startling Vienna, however, it will be roughly 20 minis­ differences in the ratio of ministers to laymen ters to one layman.3 among Seventh-day Adventists and three Irish has attempted to find also what ratios other Protestant churches: United Presby­ exist on key committees and boards. While terian, Southern Baptist and United Method­ the committees in the four churches are not ist. 2 parallel, he thinks some comparisons are valid. He notes that business is done in individual The top five committees and boards of Seventh-day Adventist churches with a ratio United Presbyterians maintain a one-to-one of one minister to ten laymen. It is the same ratio, clergy and laymen. The two most among Southern Baptists. Terms vary: Presby­ important United Methodist committees have terians call their local organization "sessions," 54 members, 36 ministers to 18 laymen: that which have no specific ratio; and the Meth­ is, two to one. Five key committees or boards odists speak of "charge conferences," where of Southern Baptists, with 202 members, all the ratio is one to 15. told, have 117 ministers and 85 laymen. In Procedures for choosing delegates to world the 60-member executive committee, for assemblies such as the General Conference of example, the ratio is 34 to 26. Seventh-day Adventists vary cons~derably. Again, what about Seventh-day Adven­ Irish's study finds that among Methodists, tists? Presbyterians and Southern Baptists, members By far the biggest committee of the of local churches have a voice in the selection General Conference organization is the execu­ of those who will represent them at the higher tive, with a membership of 353. This includes levels of church government. 311 ordained ministers and 40 nonordained Among Presbyterians, delegates to the top but denominationally employed and licensed levels where polity takes shape-the General persons. How many laymen? Two. Assembly, held every year ,-are chosen by On three other key committees at the presbyteries made up of an equal number of General Conference level, Irish finds no lay­ ministers and laymen from a dozen churches. men at all. This is the case with the Sabbath In an annual conference, also with an equal school, communications, and stewardship and number of ministers and laymen, Methodists development committees. choose delegates to their General Conference, Roberta J. Moore held every four years. Among Southern Baptists, the local church is autonomous, and NOTES the local church chooses delegates to an 1 Irish, who is instructor in Bible at Glendale Academy, did his research for a class he was taking annual General Convention, towards his Master of Arts degree. What about Seventh-day Adventists? The choice of these groups had no particular Above the local congregation is the confer­ significance, according to Irish. ence. Here, Irish finds some matters being :3 Irish obtained the statistics he cites by counting decided by officers in a ratio of six ordained names in the 1973-74 Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook, then checked his count and understanding ministers to one layman. Above the confer­ of procedures in a lengthy interview with a ence is the union conference, with a ratio of conference president of wide experience. ten to one. And it is this group-the union United Presbyterians, Southern Baptists and United Methodists publish organizational policies conference-that chooses delegates to the which specify the ratios of ministers to laymen at General Conference sessions every five years. various levels. 20 Spectrum

three names for the second ballot. When one It is difficult to find a logical reason for not candidate has a simple majority, voting ceases. allowing the delegates to exercise their corporate This candidate's name is then brought to the judgment. In the most important decision that floor of the general session for voice-vote the church organization makes, our delegates are approval by the delegates. The delegates do not not permitted a choice but merely an echo. have the option of choosing between two candi­ Another questionable aspect of present elec­ dates, and it is unknown for the delegates to tion procedures is the method by which infor­ reject a candidate submitted by the Nominating mation regarding the candidates is transmitted. Committee. Once the new president has been Anyone who has worked on church nominating approved by the delegates, he joins the Nomina­ committees knows that appropriate information ting Committee and participates actively not available to the general public is frequently (without vote) in the subsequ~nt deliberations. introduced. Beyond this, however, members of Normally, the president's immediate asso­ the Nominating Committee (and for that matter, ciates, such as the secretary and treasurer, are the delegates) should be given the curriculum selected next. Then the committee selects the five general vice presidents and the presidents of "The GC session is a convocation the various divisions. Although these individuals do not join the Nominating Committee, the of denominational employees-the newly elected division presidents caucus with lay person has virtually no impact their divisional representatives who are on the on the selection of leadership. " nominating committee, and thereby have consid­ erable influence on the selection of officers for vitae of each major candidate for office. After that division. The selection of departmental all, the committee members are appointing per­ secretaries and divisional officers represents sons who will administer large organizational most of the remaining work of the Nominating structures involving thousands of people and Committee. millions of dollars. The committee members should not be asked to decide on a candidate on Ow some reflection the basis of fragmentary information communi­ N on all of this. It cated orally and pre-selected by the person who should be readily apparent, first of all, that a is nominating him. The candidate's training and General Conference session is a convocation of experience, his specific qualifications and his denominational employees-the lay-person has areas and length of service should be made avail­ virtually no impact on the selection of the able. Unfortunately, decisions now are based less church leadership. This makes it crucial that the on information than on image and personality. selection procedures be as democratic and open In an age when the church was smaller and more as possible. Many observers have suggested that intimate, the information I am talking about the Nominating Committee submit to the dele­ may have been common knowledge. But with as gates two names for each position, particularly many as 170 members on the Nominating Com­ for the major positions. Opponents of this mittee, that cannot be the case today. approach usually counter that this would make I will not mention the many other changes the election process too "political"­ that have been contemplated by lay persons, presentation of a dual slate might encourage ministers and administrators. Some will object candidates to engage in the kind of political to even these few suggestions, saying they are maneuvering associated with secular politics. But "political" in nature. But I do want to make one even if some few might be tempted to do this, further comment. Traditionally, Adventists have they would do so regardless of the methods of shunned secular politics. Ironically, this stance election. The present system, after all, cannot matches the lack of broad participation by mem­ prevent the surreptitious lobbying of key mem­ bers in the democratic processes within the bers of the Nominating Committee. And since church structure itself. Even knowledgeable and the delegates themselves are not given a choice concerned lay persons are often uninformed between candidates, the present system encour­ regarding either the foci of power or the pro­ ages secret lobbying. cedures for influencing the decision-making Spring 1975 21

processes. The fact that church government is THE CONSTITUTION representative, rather than purely democratic, of the underlines the paramount importance of an General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists informed and active laity. At present, lay partici­ Article I-Name pation in church government is essentially This organization shall be known as General Confer­ restricted to the local constituency meeting­ ence of Seventh-day Adventists. only there are lay persons in the majority. The Article II-Object ministers are the dominant force at the union The object of this Conference is to teach all natt-ons constituency meetings and, at the General Con­ the everlasting gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and the commandments of God. ference session, the administrators are clearly in Article III-Membership the majority. Thus, if lay participation at local Sec. 1. The membership of this Conference shall con­ constituency meetings is perfunctory, this for­ sist of: feits the laity's one guaranteed opportunity to (a) Such union conferences and union missions either act as a majority in affecting decision-making in in organized division sections or without divisional affil­ iation as have been or shall be properly organized and the church. accepted by vote of the General Conference in session. With only a barely perceptible commitment (b) Such local conferences and properly organized to the full implications of "the priesthood of the local missions not included in any division, union con­ laity," we have slipped inexorably into a state of ference or union mission or such local conferences or local missions directly attached to divisions as have been inaction, or "passivism." This is hard to change, or shall be properly organized and accepted by vote of and should greatly concern church leaders. The the General Conference in session. work of the church cannot be finished by the Sec. 2. The voters of this Conference shall be desig- nated as follows: leadership; laity active in church government as (a) Delegates at large. well as in church ministry is essential for the (b) Regular delegates. completion of the task. Therefore, a major Sec. 3. Delegates at large shall be: responsibility of church leaders at this time must (a) All members of the General Conference Executive Committee. be to discover the means to stimulate the laity (b) Such representatives of missions of the General to more active participation. This cannot be Conference and of general institutions and departments achieved merely by imposing programs from of work, and such general laborers and field secretaries as shall receive delegate's credentials from the Executive above; it will require careful examination of the Committee of the General Conference, such credentials talents and inclinations of the members of the to be ratified by the General Conference in session. The church, and the creation of an atmosphere in number of these delegates thus seated shall not exceed 25 per cent of the total number of delegates in atten­ which they will feel both the responsibility and dance otherwise provided for. the authority to act. Hopefully, this brief over­ Sec. 4. Regular delegates shall be appointed in the view of one aspect of how the church works will following manner: (a) Delegates representing union conferences shall be help bring about fuller lay participation not only appointed by the respective unions. in proclaiming the gospel but also in shaping the (b) Delegates representing union missions, and local vehicle which can make the transmission of the conferences and missions attached to the division but gospel more effective. not to any union, shall be appointed by the division committee in consultation with the organization con­ NOTES AND REFERENCES cerned. (c) Delegates representing union missions, local confer­ 1. Taken from the Seventh-Day Adventist Yearbook, ences, and local missions without division affiliation J. O. Gibson, Editor, Review and Herald Publishing shall be appointed by the General Conference Commit­ Association, Washington, D.C., 1975. tee in consultation with the organization concerned. 2. The numbers throughout this discussion are based Sec. 5. Regular delegates shall be appointed and on the membership as of June 30, 1974 (see reference accredited on the following basis: 1), and therefore will. not be identical to the final dele­ (a) Each union conference and each union mission gate counts which will be based on December 31, 1974 shall be entitled to one delegate in addition to its presi­ figures. dent, without regard to number, an additional delegate 3. The chairman may choose to consider certain for each local conference and each regularly organized procedural matters at this stage. At one previous session, mission in its territory without regard to number, and an the committee voted to exclude those over 65 from additional delegate for each 2,500, or major fraction consideration for office. This action was later criticized thereof, of the membership of the union conference of since that prerogative did not lie within the power of the mission. Nominating Committee. Nevertheless, that procedural (b) Each local conference or local mission directly rule was in fact operational for the duration of that attached to divisions or to the General Confernce, as committee's actions. have been or shall be properly organized and accepted 22 Spectrum by vote of the General Conference in session, shall be (b) Presidents of union conferences, presidents of entitled to one delegate without regard to number, and union missions, ex-presidents of the General Co.nference an additional delegate for each 2,500, or major fraction holding credentials from the Conference, the presidents thereof, of the membership of the local conference or of the two universities, the editor of the Review and mission. Herald, the general manager of the Review and Herald (c) Calculation for delegate allotments shall be based Publishing Association, the general manager of the upon the membership as of December 31, of the year Pacific Press Publishing Association, the general manager preceding the session. of the Southern Publishing Association, the president of Sec. 6. Credentials to sessions shall be issued by the the Home Study Institute, the executive secretary of the General Conference to those appointed as provided for· Association of Privately Owned Seventh-day Adventist in harmony with the provisions of this article. Services and Industries, and the manager of the General Article IV-Officers and Their Duties Conference Insurance Service. Sec. 1. The officers of this Conference shall be a Pres­ Article VII-Term of Office ident, Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, Associate Secretaries, All officers of the Conference and those members of a Treasurer, an Undertreasurer, and Assistant Treasurers, the Executive Committee provided for by Article VI, who shall be elected by the Conference. Sec. 1 (a), shall hold office from the time of election Sec. 2. President: The President shall preside at the until the next ensuing regular session or until their suc­ sessions of the Conference, act as chairman of the Exe­ cessors are elected and appear to enter upon their duties. cutive Committee, and labor in the general interests of Article VIII-Incorporations and Agents the Conference, as the Executive Committee may advise. Sec. 1. Such incorporations may be authorized by the Sec. 3. Vice-Presidents: Each Vice-President shall at General Conference in session, or by the General Confer­ the time of his election be assigned to serve as a general ence Executive Committee, as the development of the administrative assistant to the President or to preside work may require. over a division field. Sec. 2. At each regular session of this Conference, the Sec. 4. Secretary and Associate Secretaries: It shall be delegates shall elect such trustees and corporate bodies the duty of the Secretary and the Associate Secretaries connected with this organization as may be provided in to keep the minutes of the proceedings of the General the statutory laws governing each. Conference sessions and of the General Conference Com­ Sec. 3. The Conference shall employ such commit­ mittee meetings, to maintain correspondence with the tees, secretaries, treasurers, auditors, agents, ministers, fields, and to perform such other duties as usually per­ missionaries, and other persons, and make such distri­ tain to such office. bution of its laborers, as may be necessary effectively to . Sec. 5. Treasurer, Undertreasurer, and Assistant Trea­ execute its work. surers: It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive all Sec. 4. The Conference shall grant credentials or funds of the General Conference, and disburse them in licenses to ministers and missionaries except in division harmony with the actions of the Executive Committee fields, in union and local conferences, and in organized of the General Conference, and to render such financial union missions. statements at regular intervals as may be desired by the Article IX-Sessions Conference or by the Executive Committee. The Under­ Sec. 1. This Conference shall hold quadrennial ses­ treasurer and Assistant Treasurers shall assist the Trea­ sions at such time and place as the Executive Co.mmittee surer in his work. shall designate and announce by a notice published in Article V-Election the Review and Herald in three consecutive issues at Sec. 1. The following shall be elected at each regular least four months before the date for the opening of the session of the Conference: session. In case special world conditions seem to. make it (a) A President, Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, Asso­ imperative to postpone the calling of the session, the ciate Secretaries, Division Secretaries, a Treasurer, an Executive Committee in regular or special Council shall Undertreasurer, Assistant Treasurers, Division Trea­ have authority to make such postponement not to surers, General Field Secretaries, Division Field Secre­ exceed two years, giving notice to all constituent organi­ taries, a Secretary and Associate Secretaries of the Minis­ zations. terial Association, an Auditor and Associate Auditors, Sec. 2. The Executive Committee may call special Division Auditors, a Statistical Secretary, a World Foods sessions of the General Conference at such time and Service Secretary, a Director of Trust Services, a Secre­ place as it deems proper, by a like notice as of regular tary and Associate Secretaries of the Bureau of Public sessions, and the transactions of such special sessions Relations, a Secretary and Associate Secretaries of each shall have the same force as those of the regular sessions. duly organized General Conference department: namely, Sec. 3. The election of officers, and the voting on all Education, Health, Lay Activities, North American matters of business shall be a viva-voce vote or as desig­ Regional, Public Affairs and Religious Liberty, Pub­ nated by the chairman, unless otherwise demanded by a lishing, Radio and Television, Sabbath School, Steward­ majority of the delegates present. ship and Development, Temperance, Young People's Article X-Bylaws Missionary Volunteer; Division Departmental Secretaries The voters of this Conference may enact Bylaws and (including the Health Food Departmental Secretary of amend or repeal them at any session thereof, and such the Australasian Division), Division Secretaries of the Bylaws may embrace any provision not inconsistent with Bureau of Public Relations, and Division Ministerial the Constitution. Association Secretaries. Article XI-Amendments (b) Other persons, not to exceed 35 in number, to This Constitution or its Bylaws may be amended by a serve as members of the Executive Committee. two-thirds vote of the voters present and voting at any Article VI-Executive Committee session: provided that, if it is proposed to amend the Sec. 1. The Executive Committee shall consist of: Constitution at a special session, notice of such purpose (a) Those elected as provided by Article V. shall be given in the call for such special session. Where Did Adventist Organizational Struaure Come From?

by Gary Land

he S~venth-day ~d­ because many Adventists held a strong antipathy T ven tlst orgamza­ toward church institutions of almost any kind. tional structure is the outgrowth of more than a One believer, R. F. Cottrell, opposed organi­ century of denominational experience. Devel­ zation on the ground that it "lies at the oped first in response to a recognized, though foundation of Babylon. I do not think the Lord also widely disputed, need for church order would approve of it.,,2 Like many others, he among the sabbatarian Adventists in the early wanted to leave the problems to the Lord to 1860s, organization during the next half century solve. Probably, such antiorganizational bias re­ evolved as the Adventist mission vis~on grew to sulted from the expulsion of the Millerites from worldwide proportions. The first quarter of the the. established churches and the general anti­ twentieth century witnessed the organizational institutionalism that pervaded reform groups structure's achievement of its modern form. during the pre-Civil War years. Changes made since have not been major. In 1859 James White proposed that yearly During the 15 years following the Great meetings be held in each state; the next year he Disappointment of 1844, the sabbatarian Ad­ issued a call for a general conference. This ventists expanded both numerically and geo­ conference, which met in Battle Creek, Mich., in graphically. Scattered in small groups from New the fall of 1860, took the first step toward England to northeastern Iowa, they were held general church organization by adopting the together only by their common beliefs and the name Seventh-day Adventist. Several months traveling and publishing of James White. Not later, in May 1861, the "Seventh-day Adventist surprisingly, difficulties arose that pointed Publishing Association" organized. Progress had toward the need for some kind of organization. been made, but stiff opposition continued. The Adventists discovered that they had no Patience with those who opposed organization effective way to deal with such problems as ran thin. Ellen White, for example, wrote that dissident groups, the definition of proper minis­ "unless the churches are so organized that they ters and economic support of the ministry. In can carry out and enforce order, they have • addition, they needed a legal basis for owning nothing to hope for the future.,,3 church property and some central direction for The Battle Creek conference of 1861 had evangelizing new geographical areas. As James taken another major step when it recommended White, among others, saw the problems, he that the churches in Michigan unite as a confer­ called as early as 1853 "for order and strict ence and appointed Joseph Bates as the state discipline in the church." 1 conference's chairman. Seventeen churches met Progress toward organization moved slowly together at Monterey, Mich., in October 1862 and entered into the conference. Immediately, Gary Land teaches history at Andrews they established a fixed remuneration for minis­ University. He is on the board of editors of ters and required that ministers report their SPECTRUM, and is also an editor of Adventist activities and expenses to the conference. During Heritage. His doctorate is from the University of the next few months, five more states followed California, Santa Barbara. suit in establishing their own conferences. 24 Spectrum

Delegates from all the state conferences ex­ spread areas as England, Germany, India and cept one, Vermont, met together in Battle Creek Australia. Generally, they were operated on a in May 1863. Believers in organization, the stock basis with the stockholders electing the representatives took only three days to establish officials that would run the day-to-day affairs. a constitution and elect officers. The resulting The legal relationship and the line of authority structure divided responsibility between the to the denomination were unclear, a situation General and state conferences, giving the Gen­ that resulted in considerable conflict and misun­ eral Conference the general supervision of the derstanding among denominational leaders and ministry (transferring a minister from one state the various institutions. conference to another, for example) and the special supervision of all missionary labor. The "For more than a decade, Ellen state conferences held the power to appoint ministers to particular geographical areas and to White had been admonishing the grant ministerial licenses and credentials. The General Conference to divide constitution also established the oJfices of presi­ responsibilities among top leader­ dent, secretary and treasurer, and an executive board of three, all serving one-year terms. ship rather than center it on The organizational structure adopted in 1863 the president. " came from the leaders of the sabbatarian Adven­ tists, not from the local churches. Significantly, As a result of such problems, questions the General Conference was composed of the regarding denominational organization arose at local conferences and those conferences them­ nearly every General Conference session and selves had been organized in response to calls several attempts were made to rectify matters. from James White, among others. That the local In 1887 the General Conference session created churches did not even hold the power to appoint the post of corresponding secretary to help the their own ministers, a decision made probably General Conference president with his paper be~ause of a shortage of ministers, helped ensure work. In addition, the session added three that denominational leadership would never be secretaries to supervise education, foreign mis­ strongly grounded in the local church. The new sionary and home missionary activities. structure satisfied James White, for, a short time Two years later, the General Conference later, he wrote that "organization has saved the session divided the United States into six geo­ cause. Secession among us is dead.,,4 graphical districts with a member of the General Conference Committee selected to superintend he prin:ary ~bject of each district. Among other duties, this superin­ T organIzatIon on tendent was to attend all the annual conferences both the general and state levels had been to in his district and advise the leaders of the local solve the legal problem of property holding, to conferences and Adventist institutions. define and support the ministry and to give In the meantime, several separate organi­ general direction to the denomination. A work­ zations had arisen in an effort to coordinate the able basis for achieving such goals was now denomination's outreach. In addition to the accomplished and· the organizational structure Publishing Association established in 1861, the developed in 1863 retained its basic form until denomination created the SDA Educational 1901. Society (responsible for Battle Creek College), During the remainder of the century, how­ the General Conference Association (to hold the ever, the growth of the denomination's educa­ property of the various church organizations), tional, publishing and medical institutions and the SDA Medical Missionary and Benevolent strained a structure that had not anticipated Association (to oversee health and welfare them. Between 1885 and 1901, for example, 12 institutions) . publishing, 17 educational and 14 medical Responding to a proposal by President o. E. institutions came into existence. To make things Olsen in 1893, the General Conference session more complicated, several of these establish­ moved to change the district divisions into ments were missionary projects in such wide- "conferences intermediate between the General Spring 1975 25

Conference and the State conferences."s Two ship in an enlarged General Conference Commit­ overseas districts were also created, one com­ tee of 25 members, which would choose a posed of Australia, the other of Europe. Envi­ chairman. The office of president was discon­ sioned to coordinate the Adventist Associations tinued. The conference further recommended and to hold title to Adventist properties within that the districts be developed into strong union their territories, the American district confer­ conferences. ences concentrated on evangelism and never became real administrative units. Abroad, par­ hen the new General ticularly in Australia, the districts developed W Conference Com­ into more effective organizations. mittee met a short time later, it chose A. G. For more than a decade, Ellen White had been Daniells as its chairman. Within a year, he was admonishing the General Conference to divide signing his letters and reports in the Review and responsibilities among the top leadership rather Herald with the title president. Some dispute than center it on the president. Up to 1897, the arose concerning this action but in 1903 the president also served as president of the Foreign General Conference session officially reestab­ Mission Board, the General Conference Associa­ lished the office of president and named Daniells tion, the International Tract Society and the to the post. The conference also resolved that all SDA P~blishing Association. In that year, a Adventist institutions should be owned by one number of changes came about. George A. Irwin of the conferences, state, union, or General and became president of the General Conference but changed the constitution to provide for depart­ other men took the leadership positions in the ments to give general guidance to the various associations (except for the mission board, aspects of Adventist endeavor and to take the which was discontinued). The Conference also place of the several associations that were by divided church administration into three geo­ now discontinued. graphical areas: the United States and Canada, On paper, at least, the organizational struc­ Europe and Australasia. ture of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination The difficulties continued, however. One by 1903 placed the General Conference presi­ administrator lamented, "The facts are, that no dent, who worked with a General Conference one can ever know the sad condition that things Committee, in the primary administrative role. are in here on this side."6 Complaints arose of Playing an advisory, rather than administrative, mismanagement of mission funds; assertions role were the yet-to-be-established departments. were made that the organizational structure was The second level of administration existed at the impeding forward progress. Although much union conference level which was to cover large searching resulted from these criticisms, the geographical areas and had yet to be made leaders took no major steps at the 1899 General effective. The third administrative level was the Conference session. But a strong movement state conferences, and at the bottom lay the toward reorganization developed during the next local churches. In theory each level was to take two years, led largely by A. G. Daniells and W. care of the problems that did not need referral C. White, who were currently leading the de­ to a more general body. Thereby authority nomination in Australia, one of the few districts spread among all administrators, thus relieving that had become effective administrative units. the General Conference president of the need Further impetus for reorganization came from for intimate knowledge of the daily activities in Ellen G. White who called for a General Confer­ all areas of the denomination. Such a change was ence Committee that represented all aspe"cts of regarded as necessary because it was impossible Adventist work. for one individual, or even a few, to carry the As the 1901 General Conference session met, administrative burden and because the geograph­ the movement for reorganization became domi­ ical growth of the church made communication nant. Amid decrying overcentralization, and travel difficult. a large committee studied for a week the general Although the General Conference sessions problem of organization and then presented a created the structure, it took effective leadership number of suggestions to the conference. As a to make that structure viable. In choosing A. G. result, the conference decided to lodge leader- Daniells, the denomination chose a man who 26 Spectrum had considerable administrative experience. Relations Department, but Daniells ran into While serving in Australia, he had become problems when he pushed for a ministerial president of the first union conference estab­ association. For decades, General Conference lished by Seventh-day Adventists and on the presidents had been concerned with the state of basis of his experience there he had been the Adventist ministry, believing that a lack of instrumental in the push for reorganization of education was resulting in poor theology. the denomination. Daniells' close association Daniells was likewise concerned and in 1905 announced that improvement of the ministry must be a major goal of the church. Although a "Within North America, the denom­ few small steps toward this goal had been taken ination became more centralized. in the meantime, in 1918 Daniells vigorously The medical, educational and urged the General Conference session to estab­ lish a Ministerial Department. Because of fear publishing institutions were that the department might have executive power now all directly owned by over individual ministers, the conference sent· the church. " the recommendation back for further study. Four years later, it established a Ministerial Commission, soon changed to Ministerial Associ­ with W. C. White and Ellen White also helped ation, with sharply defined duties: to collect establish him as a strong leader. During the 21 facts on ministerial workers and their problems, years that he served as president of the denomi­ to serve as a medium for exchange of ideas and nation, Daniells brought it into its modern form methods and to encourage youth to train for the through effective, if sometimes forceful, leader­ ministry. ship. During the twentieth century's first decade, his action in 1922 Daniells led in establishing eight departments to T brought to a close, help coordinate areas of activity in which the for the time being, General Conference efforts denomination was already engaged. The avowed to carry out the 1903 recommendation to purpose of each of the departments was the establish departments that would give counsel advancement of the gospel, although three-the and direction to the various lines of the denomi­ Medical Missionary, Foreign and Negro Depart­ nation's work. Under Daniells' leadership, the ments-developed in part because of internal church had created its modern bureaucratic denominational conflicts. The Medical Mission­ structure, for only two more departments-the ary Department attempted to make certain that Radio and Television Department and the Tem~ the denomination's medical work would never perance Department-were added in ensuing again come under the control of someone years. independent of the church, as it nearly had The General Conference, however, moved under John Harvey Kellogg. The foreign and beyond the recommendations of 1901 and Negro Departments were responses to the 1903. Although Daniells continued complaining demands of ethnic grol!ps in the United States that the Unions had not become effective for leadership roles within the denomination as administrative units, in 1913 he supported the well as vehicles for reaching immigrants and creation of a new unit, the Division, to lie blacks with the Adventist message. The other between the Union and the General Conference. departments established during this time­ The Division, he said, was a natural outgrowth Sabbath School, Publishing, Education, Reli­ of the local conference-Union Conference gious Liberty and Young People's-prompted arrangement. little controversy and, for the most part, simply The concept of the Division had been first took over the roles played by the previous suggested by Adventist leaders in Europe in Associations. 1912 as a solution to the problem of coordi­ The next few years saw the creation of the nating the European work. A special committee Home Missionary Department and a Press Bu­ considered the proposal for a European Division reau, later to become known as the Public in January 1913, and recommended it to the Spring 1975 27

General Conference session meeting in the spring constitution and bylaws. Except for a five-year of that year. At the conference, Daniells asserted period, however, they existed only outside that the new administrative structure was North America. Within North America, the de­ needed to provide a "binding, uniting, authorita­ nomination became more centralized. The medi­ tive organization" to enable the Europeans to cal, educational and publishing institutions were work together in meeting crises. 7 Although now all directly owned by the church, at the several delegates objected to the possibility of local, Union or General Conference level. The establishing a larger bureaucracy, the proposal secretaries of the Departments who coordinated ·passed. In faCt, the North American leaders the various lines of endeavor within the church found the concept of the Division so attractive were now part of the General Conference that they were able a few days later to push Executive Board. The individuals chosen for through action establishing a North American these positions were now chosen at General Division, despite A. G. Daniells' opposition. Conference sessions and in almost all cases were Establishment of the Divisions was now well ministers, a not insignificant change from nine­ underway. Although the 1918 General Confer­ teenth century practice. Furthermore, indi­ ence session, upon recommendation of the viduals might hold more than one position General Conference officers, discontinued the simultaneously, being both president of the North American Division, it accepted the Asiatic Review and Herald Publishing Association and and South American Divisions that had been an officer of the General Conference, for exam­ organized during the five-year interim. By the ple. Such interlocking directorates clearly helped end of the next decade, all territory outside of centralize activities at the General Conference North America had been organized into Divi­ level. sions. The coordinated worldwide work that Although the centralized structure that Daniells had envisioned when he became General emerged in the early twentieth century was not Conference president had become a reality. In exactly what the leaders had in mind when they the meantime, the 1922 General Conference began seeking organizational change, it did prove session had created a new constitution and effective in promoting denominational growth. bylaws that gave the Divisions the final author­ By the mid-1920s, Adventism had clearly be­ ity in their territories, as long as their actions come a missionary church, for more Adventists 'were in harmony with the plans and policy of lived outside North America than within. But the General Conference. It was hoped thereby although the denomination and the world it was that the Divisions could act with considerable attempting to reach changed at a rapid pace independence, without having to rely upon during the next half century, the organizational Washington. structure remained basically the same. Whether With the creation of the Divisions, the mod­ it is still adequate in 1975 is a question that ern church structure had reached completion. deserves serious examination. Although, as the denomination grew, the bound­ NOTES AND REFERENCES aries of Conference, Unions and Divisions 1 Review and Herald, December 13, 1853, p. 180. changed and new units came into being, the 2 Review and Herald, March 22, 1860, p. 140. 3 Review and Herald, August 27, 1861, p. 10l. changes took place within the framework estab­ 4 Review and Herald, June 2, 1863, p. 4. lished by 1930. The organizational structure of 5 C. C. Crisler, Organization: Its Character, Purpose, 1975 is essentially that of 1930. Place, and Development in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Washington, Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1938, p. 139. heoretically, the 61. H. Evans to E. G. White, March 17, 1898, Ellen G. T changes made in White Estate. Incoming Files. Quoted in Richard W. Schwarz, "Conflict and Expansion," unpublished organizational structure beginning in 1901 were typescript. to decentralize the affairs of the denomination. 7 Review and Herald, June 5, 1913, pp. 6-7. For the most part, the Unions were to be the Acknowledgment: For information regarding the history means' of this decentralization, but they never of Seventh-day Adventist organizational structure prior became really independent administrative agen­ to 1900, I am indebted to the studies by Godfrey T. Anderson and Richard W. Schwarz for the forthcoming cies. The Divisions achieved this independence Studies in Adventist History. Any errors of fact or to a greater degree, helped along by the 1922 interpretation, however, are my own responsibility. (How Humans See' am primarily con­ reality of TV watching-it reminds us that the I cerned with how we mind makes distortion "believable." as humans see," says Greg Constantine, chair­ Of the paintings shown here, one, "And Every man of the art department of Andrews Univer­ Eye Shall See Him," moves away from readily sity. "It is necessary sometimes to investigate identifiable TV personalities. Why did he include other ways of 'seeing' in order to truly under­ this in his series? "I had resisted for years to do stand the phenomena we call vision." a painting of Christ," Constantine explains. "But The paintings featured in this issue of I think now was the right time, and the least it SPECTRUM represent Constantine's fascination accomplishes is that it sharpens one's awareness with "the mechanics and illusion of sight." Here of Christ's second coming because it helps us to he turns his attention to the television image. think of it in a new way." "We say, 'There's Walter Cronkite,' when in reality he is not there at all," says Constantine. Constantine was born in 1938 in Windsor, "Only three colors are used to imitate the Ontario, Canada, of parents who emigrated from infinite range of the subtle tints and hues of Romania. He is a graduate of Andrews Univer­ reality. The 525 horizontal lines used in TV sity (B.A., 1960) and of Michigan State Univer­ limit the infinite range of physical variation of sity (M.P .A., 1968) and he has studied under an object in real space. Economics and market­ Angelo Ippolitto, John deMartelli and Mel ability limit the size of the TV image." Yet the Liezerowitz. His work has been exhibited in the human mind can adapt to this, can "accept the midwest, the south and at the James Yu Gallery illusion as an extremely believable reality." in New York City. This summer he will have What the artist calls "the huge frozen image one-man shows in Bucharest, Romania and at of a painting" gives an "objective view" of the The Gate in Georgetown, Washington, D.C.

"Carol Channing," acrylic on canvas, 51" x 65". Spring 1975 29

"Every Eye Shall See Him," acrylic on canvas, 69" x 89."

"Colonel Sanders," acrylic on canvas, 51" x 65". How To Be a Movement, Not a Machine

by Charles Teel, Jr.

oW can the insti­ Type of leadership: movement from prophet H tutional church re­ to priest main responsive both to its message and its Type of authority: movement from charisma membership? How can it incorporate the "first to bureaucracy love" of the past and the "latter rain" of the Before going on, let me express my clear hope future into the nitty-gritty of the institutional that a review of these constructs will lead now? In short, how can those who are com­ beyond the level of description to the realm of mitted to the institutional church keep the ends. As one who was reared on the church from movement from evolving into a machine? the time I drank my mother's milk, and who still In pondering how the church can be at once a finds much meaning and fulfillment in nurturing responsible organization and a responsive organ­ and being nurtured by a gathered community of ism, I will draw on the work of pioneer social faith, I make no bones about subscribing to theorists Ernst Troeltsch and Max Weber. deeply rooted norms and values. These norms Tr_oeltsch's monumental The Social Teachings of and values both and are informed by the Christian Churches, and Weber's Sociology what I perceive as "empirical" reality. Thus, it is of Religion and The Theory of Social and precisely because of a commitment to the Economic Organization, have charted the course church I love that I am led both as pastor and as for much contemporary scholarship concerning sociologist to lean heavily on the sociological the nature of religious institutions. Employing description of "what is" in directing efforts ideal types-generalized polar categories used for toward "what ought to be." analytical purposes-these men laid the ground­ /Church Organization: The sect is defined work for the following constructs, which aid in as "a voluntary society, composed of strict and analyzing the dynamics of change in religious definite Christian believers bound to each other institutions: by the fact that all have experienced 'the new Type of organization: movement from sect to birth' ".1 As a voluntary association which one church enters only after having experienced a conscious conversion, the sect tends to be exclusive and to Charles Teel, Jr., teaches religion and sociology appeal to the individual element in Christianity. at the Riverside campus of Loma Linda Univer­ The sectarian community views the sity. He studied for the M. Th. at Harvard Univer­ as symbols of fellowship and accordingly stresses sity, earned his doctorate in lay participation and the priesthood of all at Boston University, and cares deeply about believers. Sectaries live apart from the world and parish ministry. emphasize the simple but radical opposition of Spring 1975 31

the kingdom of God to secular interests and lowers to contribute their energies and expertise institutions. They have no intention of evangel­ in giving birth to the movement. izing the social order but instead attempt to The priest, who is most directly associated incorporate within their own circle a Christian with the church-type religious organization, order based on love. In protesting against the claims authority by virtue of his office and years status quo and attempting to embody a corpo­ of service in a . In contrast to the rate life style that offers an alternative to prophet who does not work within a structural existing social structures, the sect appeals pri­ framework, the priest must perform established marily to the lower classes and thus works service and maintenance roles in relating to a "upwards from below and not down~ard from specified constituency. His priority is that of above.,,2 building up the system as opposed to inspiring renewal and reform. His first allegiance is thus the maintenance of institutional structures.4 "The priest builds up the system Charismatic! Bureaucratic Authority: The as opposed to inspiring renewal prophet exercises a charismatic type of leader­ ship, that is, leadership that is authenticated as and reform. His first alle­ participants in the movement attribute to him giance is the maintenance of exceptional "gifts of grace." These gifts are institutional structures." perceived to be of divine origin and on the basis of this the prophetic leader is invested with authority. In the religious community governed The church, in contrast, is characterized by by charismatic authority, leaders are not techni­ institutionalism, organization and tradition. In­ cally trained. There is no hierarchy, no dismissal, stead of joining voluntarily, members are "born no promotion. In place of formal procedure or into" the church. The institution, in turn, abstract legal policy, the community responds to defines itself as the sole keeper of an objective one claiming a divine "call" and, in turn, seeks treasury of grace which it dispenses through rites creatively to enhance the workings of the and sacraments administered only by stipulated movement. functionaries. Desiring to cover the whole of A bureaucratic type of religious authority humanity and to be coexistive with society, the emerges as initial enthusiasm for the prophetic church accepts the social order and becomes an endeavor begins to wane. In its pure form, integral part of prevailing social structures. charismatic authority is specifically foreign to Hence, it correspondingly becomes dependent everyday routine structures. Hence, a rational on the upper classes and reflects an overwhelm­ organization of administrative procedures is ingly conservative outlook. In sum, the church is called for. Bureaucratic forms are established "an institution which has been endowed with with an emphasis on hierarchy of administrative grace ... , is able to receive the masses, and to offices. Then follows the creation of an adminis­ adjust itself to the world."3 trative staff and the formulation of policy, Prophetic/Priestly Leadership: The prophetic procedure and protocol. As bureaucratic author­ leader stands in the tradition of the rugged ity takes root, the laity become readily distin­ Amos and his Hebrew colleagues. His authority guished from the clergy. and formal is legitimized by his claim to having received a statements of become numerous and divine command. Unencumbered by a tradition, complex. Formal declarations and abstract pol­ a constituency or vested power interests, the ICY emerge as authoritative in place of the prophet proclaims a "breakthrough" to what he charismatic call to which the prophet lays 5 perceives as a higher spiritual order. Sharing the claim. sectarian characteristic of withdrawal from the social sphere, the prophet shepherds a gathered ach of the typolo­ community who are dissatisfied with belief and Egies of Christian practice in existing religious institutional struc­ faith and practice and social organization has tures. In inspiring a strong sense of community roots in the gospel and the primitive church. In among participants, the prophet encourages fol- minimizing the lay/clergy distinction and maxi- 32 Spectrum

mizing the total involvement of the membership, tity is uniquely ours in relation to the world we the sect type uniquely embodies the doctrine of are called to serve? the priesthood of all believers. In ascribing The religious institution thus faces a paradox; specific role and function fo members of the the demand for commitment and spontaneity body by way of structuring an ordered and and broad participation, and the demand for organized church, the church type places a systematic order and structure and procedure. greater emphasis on the doctrine of the body of Hand in hand with this "structure" paradox is Christ. The sect type, moreover, builds on the the "function" paradox: the demand for sancti­ model of a gathered community which seeks fication through detachment from the world and radically to live out the gospel ideal while the demand to be a leavening dimension within awaiting the future Eschaton. The church type the social order. Said bluntly, can the religious instead fosters a scattered community which institution have its cake and eat it, too? bears witness to and through the present social order. From the sectarian types cited above, we/ "The religious institution faces glean obvious traditional "goods." . a paradox: the de!]1and for commit­ Spontaneity. Involvement. RenewaL Commu­ nity. Responsiveness. The search for authen­ ment and spontaneity and broad ticity. A romantic idealism and radicalism. The participation, and the demand for prophet inspires and pioneer movers of the systematic order and structure and ~ovement move. There is little time or interest for rank or organization or typing carbon copies procedure. Said bluntly, can the or logging information to keep service re"cords religious institution have its up to date. There are wrestlings and probings cake and eat it, too?" and truth seekings and meetings. To the common pot one member contributes a printing press, another contributes the use of a vacant Troeltsch alludes to this matter of paradox in carriage house, another contributes editorial his conclusion: expertise while yet another hustles paper and The Ethos of the Gospel is a combination of ink. Letters to the editor reflect intense involve­ infinite sublimity and childlike intimacy. On ment in both the belief and practice dimensions the one hand, it demands the sanctification of of the movement. Articles are diverse in that the self for God by the practice of detach­ Truth is viewed as a quest. Editorials at once ment from everything which disturbs inward liberally blast the status quo of the world and communication with God, and by the exercise inspire community and an eschatological hope of everything which inwardly binds the soul among movement participants. with God's will. On the other hand, it From those church types cited above we also demands that brotherly love which over­ glean traditional "goods." To gear a movement comes in God all the tension and harshness of for action requires organization, structure, plan­ the struggle for existence, of law, and of the ning. There is the matter of paying a full­ merely external order, while it unites souls in time editor or president or treasurer or sub­ a deep spirit of mutual understanding, as well scription manager. Practical and existential as in the most self-sacrificing love, which, questionings follow on the heels of the earlier even in its simplest expressions, gives a true enthusiastic affirmations. Who carries on the hint of the nature of God Himself. This is an work of a prophet? How can we do this most ideal which requires a new world if it is to be effectively? Who educates the children? Can we fully realized; it was this new world-order that trim down the purchase price of ink and paper Jesus proclaimed in His Message of the King­ enough to get by without raising subscription dom of God. But it is an ideal which cannot costs? Given the complexity of our involvements be realized within this world apart from and the increase in personnel, would not a compromise. 6 systematic statement of policy help encourage The essential issue, to be faced in this General more fair and equitable treatment? What iden- Conference year as surely as it was faced in the Spring 1975 33 days of the early church, is how to handle the Some may question how a contemporary "compromise" demanded by this paradox. "The community of faith might build on this model history of the Christian Ethos becomes the story of sect-church diversity and still experience that of a constantly renewed search for this compro­ unity which is by definition essential to the very mise, and of fresh opposition to this spirit of existence of community. To this query I regu­ compromise. ,,7 larly hark back to the refrain which reminds us that the decisive passages on o return to the ques­ unity do not speak of one program, one form of T tions posed at the ministry, one vote, or one life sty Ie. Rather, outset: How can the institutional church remain these Scriptures speak of one Lord, one Faith, responsive both to its message and its member­ one . In fact, unity shines more brightly ship? How can it incorporate the "first love" of in the conflict of wills than in concord, for it is the past and the "latter rain" of the future into in such creative tension that we see ourselves as the nitty-gritty of the institutional now? In brothers united under one God who is above all short, how can those who are committed to the and who is Father of us alL8 institutional church keep the movement from evolving into a machine? NOTES AND REFERENCES If the ideal types of Troeltsch and Weber hold 1 Troeltsch, Ernst, The Social Teaching of the Christian Churches. Vol. II. Translated by Olive Wyon. New any response to these questions, it is this: the York: Harper & Row, Publishers, 1960, p. 993. viable religious institution will have a structure, 2 Ibid., p. 331. as church-type organization requires; but it will 3 Ibid., p. 993. be a structure flexible enough to encourage 4 Weber, Max, "The Prophet." The Sociology of Reli­ sectarian creativity and dissent. In the creative gion. Translated by Ephraim Fischoff. Beacon Series tension which ensues, the priest is then consist­ in the Sociology of Politics and Religion. Boston: Beacon Press, 1964. . ently forced to respond to the exhortation of 5 Weber, Max~ "The Types of Authority and Imperative the prophet; the bureaucratic planners of pro­ Control." The Theory of Social and Economic gram and policy are necessarily reminded that Organization. Translated by A. M. Henderson and the nature and essence. of their vocation is Talcott Parsons. New York: Free Press, 1947. 6 Ibid., p. 999 (emphasis supplied). grounded in the lay-orientated and charismatic '7 Ibid., p. 999. call to discipleship; and the church with its 8 See Bonhoeffer, Dietrich, Life Together. Translated by forms and traditions is obliged to be open to the John W. Doberstein. New York: Harper & Row, sectarian nudge of reform and renewaL Publishers, 1954, p. 24. Sea or Denomination: Can Adventism Maintain Its Identity?

by Bryan Wilson

o sociologists, to de­ the attempt of theologians to explain. Theirs is a T scribe the Seventh­ normative discipline; he attempts a level of day Adventist Church as a sect is simply to seek value-neutrality. Theologians are concerned with an appropriate designation for the movement, as prescribing just what the truth is, with the one of a number of significant and eventually implication that truth must then be canvassed sizable religious movements that had their origin against all other views which are, in greater or in the eastern United States in the nineteenth lesser degree, . The sociologist, while century. These various movements have become seeking truth, is not committed to it. For him, some of the largest minority religious move­ the truth is not necessarily identified with the ments in Christianity. They have become inter­ good or the desirable. The truth is limited to the national, and they have given the very word possibility of establishing casual connections, "sect" a somewhat new dimension. From being describing functions, providing a mode of analy­ small, local, separated, communities, have sis which is convincing. It is not his business to now become worldwide, growing, internation­ look for correct statements of faith; to attribute ally organized bodies. Despite growth in size, truth to particular nonempirical propositions; to however, they remain sects, separated from endorse particular ethical prescriptions. As far as other Christians by distinctive teaching, a more possible, his language is neutral and his termi­ uniformly dedicated life-style, and by a self­ nology is devoid of pejorative or commendatory interpretation which claims at least a unique connotations. place in the Christian community (and which Thus, unlike theologians, who have usually sometimes denies much of a place to other used the word 'sect in a pejorative sense, the groups). "- sociologist employs sect in a neutral way to Let me pause to make clear the limits of my describe a separated minority, a group with task. A sociologist looks for examples in social ideological differences from those of the major­ conditions. He treats his data as social data; ity in the broad tradition which they share. religious movements are to him, social phe­ All the sociologist means by "sect" may be nomena. The explanations of their emergence set out in a number of propositions which and development are to be looked for at least in describe certain expectable (but not essential) very large part in prevailing social conditions. characteristics: His attempt then stands in sharp contract with 1. Sects are separated minority groups, which have chosen to stand apart from tradi­ Bryan Wilson is reader in sociology and fel­ tional church communities. They also separate low of All Souls College at the University of themselves from the culture of the wider society Oxford in England. His numerous books include by their ethical precepts, and a sense of apart­ Religious Sects and Magic and the Millennium. ness and of special mission. At present, he is working on an analysis of the 2. Sects claim a monopoly of the complete Adventist Church. truth; (a) either as restoration of pristine teach- Spring 1975 35 ings, or (b) by special revelation appropriate to stances in society. There is a sense, sociological the time of their own emergence and to all rather than theological, in which the sectarian subsequent ages. movement itself is "salvation" -in taking men 3. Therefore, the sect represents itself as in out of the wider society, and bringing them into some measure an "elite" vis-a-vis the outside a community which has a strong sense of its own world, a remnant specially preserved and with a sanctity and destiny. This idea of the commu­ special destiny. nity itself as salvation is an ancient one and 4. Within the movement, there is an expec­ conforms to a wide range of human experience. tation of equal commitment of members, and The extent to which it is consciously elaborated rejection of all internal distinctions of religious as doctrine varies, of course, from one move­ virtuosity as a special calling. ment to another, but it is often a discernible 5. This equal commitment is expected to be element in the appeal and self-interpretation of total commitment, and there is a sense in which sectarian movements. sects seek to provide a total environment for their members in one way or another (either by '~Mutation attempting to control their mental orientation of response to the world, or by proscribing many aspects of may also occur when events secular involvement). enforce some reappraisal of 6. There is an emphasis on lay leadership doctrine. Clearly, such re­ and equality among members in respect of leadership roles, and often the rejection of a appraisal occurs most professional ministry, and certainly of a special­ unalterably in respect of the ized professional "priesthood." failure of prophecy. " 7 . Concerned with standards of commit­ ment, the sect must have mechanisms for the expulsion of the wayward and the maintenance The idea of salvation is, of course, capable of of sect boundaries: thus there are tests of merit very diverse interpretations theologically. The for admission and for continued membership. different world conceive of salvation in 8. The sect maintains a distinctive way of very different terms-as the overcoming of de­ life, not merely separating its members from sire; as the of the body; as the involvement in the world, but prescribing special transmigration of the soul. In less abstract modes of conduct and particular patterns of religious systems, salvation may be more con­ ethical obligations. cerned with "making things work" by magical 9. Thus sects stand as ethical protest groups devices; by eliminating illness; or by ridding against the wider society which is seen as in oneself of the attention of a witch, a bad fairy, some measure damned. or a curse. Even within the 10. The sect has a special historical sense of divergent soteriological possibilities can be dis­ its own role in world affairs, reevaluating the tinguished, and much of the spectrum, from the historical past in terms of the sectarian present. healing of the body to the purely spiritual conception of a heavenly afterlife, can be found hese propositions in the Christian tradition-not excluding the T appear to hold, in a need to be saved from an evil political order in general way, for the groups that sociologists the world. Whatever the theological content of (and the man-in-the-street) readily identify as the concept of salvation, however, there is a sects. Like all religious bodies, sects are con­ common sociological element which can always cerned with salvation. They are communities of be discerned in the advice, activities and hope the saved, or at least of those who have made that have to do with salvation. That element is themselves eligible for salvation. What they are the search for present reassurances about one's to be saved from may be variously specified, but life circumstances, one's life chances, or one's in a sociological sense it can be said that the sect afterlife chances. Religious systems are always is saved from the world, from the destiny facing short on empirical verification. The prospects of other men, and from the prevailing circum- salvation remain matters of hope in by far the 36 Spectrum greatest parE: even where healing of the body conceptions of the world, society and God in occurs by application to power, it order to reinterpret events in ways which will is often emphasized that the subjective condi­ diminish evil and enhance the prospect of the tion of the supplicant is more important than experience of salvation. and the objective power of the supernatural-men the various movements are close are healed by faith. This subjective element then to this position. is what the sociologist recognizes as the sociolog­ 5. Thaumaturgical responses are similar to ical aspect of salvation: salvation is present these last mentioned manipulationist responses, reassurance concerning what is culturally de­ but they tend to be very much more limited fined as great evil. appeals. for dispensation from the operation of Clearly the problem of salvation from evil is normal causation. They provide a personal and faced by all sects within the Christian tradition. local experience of salvation in some immediate But different movements differ in respect of instance. This is less a belief in objective what they take to be evil, and in what form they principles of the metaphysical sphere as in expect salvation.' Different sects have differing particular spirits or powers which have almost responses to the world. There are several easily personal connotations and relationships. In west­ distinguished hypothetical responses among ern society, Spiritualists come close to this Christian sectarian movements: position. 1. The Conversionist response, in which the 6. The Reformist response is of a rather emphasis is on "changing men" by prompting a special type. Evil is seen as something that may subjective experience which is of such intensity be dealt with piecemeal by the application of that their attitudes to life, the world and their conscientious effort and social works. Religious fellow men are all transformed. The emphasis 'is insights are largely reduced to the promptings of on the heart, and salvation largely consists in the conscience in this position, which is much more awakening and release of new emotionally based affected by rationalistic interpretations of so­ orientations to the world. The Salvation Army, ciety. The contemporary are the closest the Holiness movements and the Pentecostals sectarian group to this position. approximate this position, which has the closest 7. The Utopian response is a radical demand links of all sectarian positions with the older for the complete reconstruction of human so­ Protestant orthodoxy. ciety on the divine plan. This response also 2. The Revolutionist response avers that God occurs in strong rationalistic forms, but it is a will change the world, eliminating evil and possible Christian and sectarian response as long securing righteousness. This response is the as the ends that are sought are believed to be in expectation of the overturning of the world conformity with divine precepts. The Oneida order and the establishment of God's Kingdom community is an example of a group which suddenly by God's own intervention in human adopted such a response. affairs. The Jehovah's Witnesses and Christadel­ phians most closely approximate this position. hese are hypotheti­ 3. The In troversionist response is to with­ T cal and pure types draw from the evil world. Neither men nor the of "responses" to the existence of evil in the world need to be changed. Men must be aban­ world and the need to overcome it or escape doned and the world must not be allowed to from it. Actual sects may adopt one or more of intrude into the piety of the community. This these positions at any given time, and in time response was characterized by the English eight­ may change the balance of their responses. eenth century Quakers, by various communi­ Certain circumstances precipitate changes of tarian groups and by the Exclusive branch of the response. Most typical of such changing circum­ Plymouth Brethren movement. stances is the impact of war, which may radi­ 4. The Manipulationist or Gnostic response cally alter the living conditions of a sect, and its seeks to overcome evil by the use of secret relationships with political authorities, nonsec­ knowledge of divine principles provided by God tarian neighbors, etc. A second kind of change for man but partly hidden from him. The may be prompted as a movement experiences a initiate learns how to manipulate his own shifting balance between new converts and Spring 1975 37 second or subsequent generations of members. engage in the emotional excesses of an extreme All persisting sects face the problem of social­ Holiness sect. The consequences of such changes izing the children born to converts. All of them are various. In denominations with little differ­ face the fact that second-generation adherents entiation, people may shift their allegiances may have different preoccupations from those (most easily effected when moving house) by of their parents: they may interpret their own leaving a denomination of lower general standing positions vis-a-vis the world rather differently; for one with a clientele which is closer to the they may fail to appreciate positions that were newly attained position of the individuals con­ hard-fought in the past; and they may be ready cerned. Status confirmation can be obtained by for much greater adjustments and accommoda- belonging to the desirable social groups­ churches included. Alternatively, the sense of allegiance to the group may remain, but the "The influence of internal upwardly mobile members may entertain new specialists is likely to produce ideas about the appropriateness of various group activities, the style of , the extent to ambivalent relationships between which involvement in the wider society is different sections within a move­ justified and so on. Generally, as their members ment: between traditionalists and have risen in social status and prosperity, the pattern has been for sects to accept increasingly liberals, between intellectuals liturgical styles and forms of worship, and to and men of simple faith, between seek parity with older churches in respect to organizers and thinkers. " excellence of buildings, robes and organs. Some­ times there is active competition with other denominations; sometimes the same trend ap­ tion to the outside world than was ever origi­ pears to be simply the demand for "status nally conceived as possible. Since most move­ congruence" in respect to religious and general ments acquire new converts and second­ social milieux. generation adherents over a considerable time­ span, the actual moment of tension is often far utation of response less dramatic than that which arises from the M may also occur experience of war, of course, but analytically the when events enforce some reappraisal of doc­ two types of "intake" can be distinguished and trine. Clearly, such reappraisal occurs most some of the crucial problems isolated. unalterably in respect of the failure of prophecy. A third circumstance conducive to change is Some explanations must be forthcoming to the problem of reconciling sect values to the provide members with an adequate understand­ changing life-circumstances of members. Not ing of their position once firmly expected events infrequently the austerity, regularity, conscien­ have failed to take place. A number of possibili­ tiousness and hard work that are enjoined in ties always remain open, of course, some of sectarian movements-the canons of Victorian which will perhaps fail to satisfy some of those virtue-result in considerable increases in the who had previously been faithful. Usually, at prosperity, education and social status of many ,least some measure of doctrinal readjustment members of the group. Wesley saw the logic long must take place. In the matter of prophecy there ago in regard to the Methodists of his own must be a reinterpretation of the significance of lifetime, but the problem is perennial. There can dates, or new exegesis, for not only must failure be no doubt that improved relative prosperity, a be explained, but also new hope, commitment greater measure of education and the attainment and reassurance must be provided. Not all of position and respect in the world are circum­ failures have to do with actual prophetic exe­ stances that tend to alter men's religious predi­ gesis, of course. Some are related to more lections. To state an extreme case, the man who general expectations: the growth of the move­ has attained social respectability in the business ment (as in Christian Science); or the mental community may not find it congenial-as he accomplishments of votaries following a particu­ may have done as a poor youth-to continue to lar process of therapy (as in , in 38 Spectrum which the end-state of "clear," in which the divisions of labor in which differential standards individual would be free from' all implanted come to be emphasized for professional minis­ engrams and so find himself with much im­ ters and local laymen. In particular, profes­ proved memory and intelligence, has been at sionals may be expected to "know doctrine" least twice reassessed as these desired results while laymen need not be concerned. The failed to be attained). Such reappraisal is, abserice of a widely disseminated knowledge of however, not necessarily an occasion for the doctrine, and even of the distinctive "truths" of mutation of pristine response; it is the occasion the movement further attenuates distinctive on which mutation might occur. commitment. The growth of such a class of Among the various types of sect, it is the professionals is also a way in which decisions conversionist type-the sect which relies on a pass from the sectarian community to the profound inner experience-which most causes special department. Technical considerations in­ the individual to alter his whole orientation to creasingly influence decisions' without regard to the world. The conversionist sect is most likely local demand for involvement, or the pristine to undergo a process of denominationalization, sense of the equal competence of saved indi­ and by sloughing off specifically sectarian char­ viduals to discern the will of God. acteristics to seek a place of parity among denominations. This particular type of sect is likely to be denominationalized for a number of "The Sabbath teaching, perhaps reasons. In the first place, it was in many more than any other item, has respects least differentiated of all sectarian been a means of keeping groups from the general Protestant tradition, Adventists separate and different. and thus could always take the older denomina­ tions as some type of reference point, even if a This is the badge of identity. " reference point of similar but more Laodicean movements. Secondly, because in part of the Fifth, such movements tend increasingly to ease with which new members are drawn in, routinize their operation, and often become these groups are likely to undergo the experi­ preoccupied with the success of their activities ence of the loss of commitment on the part of as measured in terms that can be used in the their membership. Specific allegiance to the "rational" processes of accounting and book­ movement is often less emphasized than a keeping. Quality is somewhat surrendered for general sense of being a saved individual. With quantity-one has this perspective most con­ this less intense commitment to movement sciously subscribed to in the writings of the boundaries, a certain fluidity of association may missiologist Donald MacGavran. The swift con­ lead to diminished doctrinal rigor and to even­ version of people who are but little socialized to tual adjustments for convenience. Third, there is the values and norms of a movement cannot but implied in this position a wider tolerance of lead to the dilution of the movement's goals and other groups, and their diverse or slackening life-style. Since the characterization of a sect standards may also begin to exert influence. The depends upon the members' being recognizable absence of a firm badge of identity to a as sectarians before they are described by their particular tradition and to a known body of occupation, ethinicity, education, etc., this proc­ people encourages a dilution of original posi­ ess IS a clear intimation of incipient tions. Fourth, groups of this kind which are denominationalism. intensely committed to evangelistic campaigns, Sixth, and this follows from the fifth point, often develop a centralized bureaucracy, in such is the pressure for conversions-now rela­ which agencies of control evolve at the center tively easily attained through "changes of which are themselves relatively out of touch heart" -that the relatively unsocialized converts with local and grassroots concerns. As the are likely to be pressed into the process of movement acquires increasingly specialized agen­ evangelizing, intensifying the process of dilution. cies, so the distinctions between professionals Since these movements are not doctrinally ori­ and laymen have every opportunity to develop. ented, it is easy for knowledge of doctrine to be The process encourages a sense of specialized discounted as long as the felt experience of Spring 1975 39 conversion has occurred. But the felt experience strong adventist-revolutionist-orientations. of conversion is not always easily communi­ 1. First, the Seventh-day Adventist move­ cated, and if communicated, is likely to be ment did not emerge as a separate body simply communicated with only vague doctrinal sup­ as an adventist movement, but rather in disap­ port. Uncertainty of specific commitment is pointment about the advent, and after some closer to denominational positions than to that reformulation of ideas. of pristine sects. 2. From the beginning, the Advent teaching was one among several concerns which were part evolutionist sects of the primary charter of the movement and in R rna y also undergo terms of which it came into being. Not only mutations, but the likely change here is from the preaching the advent but also the conditions for revolutionist, adventist position, to a much more it became an essential focus of attention, with introversionist position, particularly after the significant consequences for faith and practice. disappointment of unfulfilled prophecy. The 3. These conditions and the need to preach formal hope of the advent may not be aban­ about them were validated by divine inspiration. doned, but what may happen after either a So the movement acquired from its origins as a specific disappointment with respect to time, or separate organization an alternative source of gradually as patience is increasingly demanded, legitimation; not only the Scriptures, but also a is that the adventist idea may in effect recede in vessel of interpretation. Thus Adventism had significance in the life-style and day-to-day possibilities for other courses of development involvements of the group concerned. The up­ than the model I have been employing. building of community life may 100m more 4. The movement inherited and adapted a largely in the daily concerns of such a group-as professional ministry to its service. This factor with the Rappites df Pennsylvania. Or the circumscribed the extent to which the demand emphasis may shift to the idea of salvatiol). for full eq).lality of commitment might be attained within the life of the community, as has exacted, and gave room for the d~velopment of occurred among the Exclusive Brethren. Formal specialized agencies in a degree which would be doctrine is not in itself the only evidence of precluded by a more completely sectarian response to the world, for often sects inherit a stance. It is clear, of course, that in Seventh-day wide and even divergent set of traditions, some Adventism the ministry does not stand in quite of which more fully characterize its actual the same relation as do other ministries to their concerns than others. Even the , movements, but the existence of a cadre of who had a strong and insistent adventual hope . full-time agents of the movement was an influen­ from their earliest beginning, became in the tial element in the possible development of the inter-war years a much more introverted group, Church. although they now appear to be emerging 5. Extremely important elements in causing increasingly as a reformist sect. the movement to develop differently from the The Seventh-day Adventists do not conform model I have outlined was the accretion of to the mutation pattern of revolutionist to concerns: in particular, the concerns with educa­ introversionist movement. This is in part because tional provision, dietetic requirements, medical the movement did not begin as a very close care, religious liberty and . In approximation to a pure type of response. From some respects, these various items might, of the beginning, its response was many-sided, and course, have become mechanisms for the insula­ although not a conversionist sect, the movement tion of the Seventh-day Adventists from wider has shown a much more denominational path of involvements with the society, and perhaps in development than have many of the separatist some respects have done so. bodies which emphasized the advent as their primary point of separation from the other ontrol of educa­ bodies in . Several broad considera­ C tional provision_is tions help to account for the difference between an extremely important strategic device for the the Seventh-day Adventists and the development maintenance of boundaries, since it operates in of other sectarian bodies which began with the most sensitive area of socialization of the 40 Spectrum

young. I do not know just how important attention to worship has increased, leading education has been to the maintenance of the usually to more elaborate forms. Where the separate identity of Seventh-day Adventists, but interest in grows, one can be certain that I should be inclined to believe that it has been it will be expressed in the development and extremely significant to reinforcing group soli­ elaboration of liturgical practice. If there has darity in the past. This has remained so as long been an enrichment of church life by liturgical as a very large element of education was development, this may also, of course, indicate essentially moral rather than strictly technical. some diminution in the urgency of Adventual (The trend has been, in all education, for the expectations. Other elements in Adventism have moral to give place to the technical-no doubt also had the opportunity to grow since the also in Adventist schools.) disappointments of the 1840s, and this could be 6. Finally, the course of Adventist develop­ said to have occurred in approaches to diet and ment has probably been considerably influenced evangelism. by the inherited diversity of liturgical styles and by the relative freedom within the movement t appears to me that for liturgical development. It is not for me to I certain factors in speculate about the reasons for the liturgical the Seventh-day Adventist tradition point to the differences within Adventism. Given the differ­ likelihood of a process of denominationaliza­ ent traditions from which Adventists came in tion. The existence of a professional ministry is the beginning, perhaps emphasis on liturgical important in this respect. Ministers are likely to uniformity might have appeared unnecessarily take as one important reference-group for their divisive, and to be a matter of less than primary own performance the already-existing ministries importance, given the expectation of an early of other movements. Therefore, the ministry is return of Christ. It may also have been the case likely to evolve concerns important to its own that the emphasis of the Sabbath teaching itself functions. These are especially concerned with may have made actual liturgical practice less training in which there is likely to be a desire for intellectual parity with the ministry of other "Denominationalism implies a movements. These concerns differ from those of the laity, and the ministry is often in a position complex of characteristics, includ­ to cultivate its concerns and to impress the need ing increased tolerance of other for them on the whole movement. It is also movements, attenuation of dis­ likely that over time the more seriously commit­ ted young men give increasing thought to tinctive commitment and dimin­ whether they ought not to become ministers. ished emphasis on boundaries. " This in itself becomes a recruitment of those who feel themselves more likely to be suited to a life of greater religious virtuosity. Differential important than the occasion for practice. It may opportunities come to exist for those with be that in common with many other "free different dispositions towards their common church" groups, primary interests were in doc­ faith. trine and in exegesis, which itself is the mark of . The existence of a ministry over a long period a newly literate public capable of debating such is also likely to promote an interest in research issues. In the face of these interests, liturgy, and a desire to know what is being said by other styles of devotion and the embellishment of religious professionals, by the intellectuals of churches and church practice were of less direct religion (the theologians). This leads to demands concern. This may have permitted somewhat for the movement's own theologians, both to "higher" styles to be established in some places provide the movement with the types of schol­ which may have reflected the upward social arly support enjoyed by other movements, and mobility and increasing status of Adventists. It is to claim respect according to the same criteria. also the case that, with the diminution of Such a process is not merely a development of doctrinal interests (as other concerns have ­ new interests. It is likely to lead to an increased bilized man's capacity for literacy), so the relativity of religious beliefs. To enter into a Spring 1975 41 universe of discourse with outsiders is to begin ning increase there is likely to be a displacement to share the premises of that discourse, and to of the strictly moral, and perhaps the theologi­ accept frameworks for argument and discussion cal, by the demands of the new methods of which belong to the theological tradition and organization. Growth of specialization is itself not to the Seventh-day Adventist tradition. This something which can be seen within church process is likely to lead to reappraisals of one's organizations. It is itself a feature of the large own teachings, history, assumptions and self­ denominations, and in many ways the Seventh­ interpretation. The existence of universities day Adventists are equipped to continue to within the movement is a commentary on the develop in this direction towards increasingly processes of sect development. The very fact denominational· patterns of organization, inter­ that an outsider who knows only a little about nal specialization and control. Seventh-day Adventism is asked to talk about (I am not unaware that, in spite of the trends the movement from an external point of view is in this direction in the wider world, the move­ an indication of a type of liberal orientation ment maintains what is to an outsider an which is not characteristic of sects, except after interesting and, in many respects, unique bal­ very long processes of development. The influ­ ance as a "mixed economy," in which there is ence of internal specialists is likely to produce both official and private enterprise, in, for ambivalent relationships between different sec­ example, nursing homes, publishing work and tions within a movement: between tradition­ the production of health foods.) alists and liberals, between intellectuals and men Denominationalism implies a complex of of simple faith, between organizers and thinkers. characteristics, including increased tolerance of However, there is also a sense in which the other movements, attenuation of distinctive existence of a body of ministerial specialists commitment, diminished emphasis on bounda­ must encourage the development of other ries and boundary-maintaining devices. Also, the groups of professionals either from the ministers denomination accommodates to the secular cul­ themselves, or in the form of new cadres of ture in very large measure and accepts its special recruits. provisions. There is a compromise in moral A movement having as many sides as the obligations to a point somewhere between the Seventh-day Adventist Church has abundant official and ideal norms of the society and the room and urgent need for expertise in several ordinary practice of other people. There is also departments, particularly in education and medi­ gradual increase of reliance on secular and cine (each of which subdivides at an increasing political agencies of control instead of on rate into internal branches of specialization of internal group control. Willingness to cooperate its own). The development of these areas of across group-boundaries in a variety of special specialization cannot but create more demands causes, even at the risk of "losing" to those for coordination, administration and organiza­ special causes the members who are primarily tion at various levels, so that bureaucratic posts concerned with these areas, is a final characteris­ must also grow in number and influence. Given tic of denominationalism. Clearly, in these terms the contemporary world situation, especially in the Seventh-day Adventists have still some way missions and education as well as medicine, the to go before they are denominationalized. There trend can be discerned as growth of centralized are, of course, several important barriers which agencies over local activities. Economies of scale have hindered their "progress" to this goal. are increasingly realized in many departments of The inhibiting mechanisms scarcely need to human activity; technical subdivisions grow in be listed since they are better known to Adven­ number, and so does the need for their internal tist readers than to me. First among them is the coordination one with another. There is the Sabbath teaching, which, perhaps more than any increased dependence on elaborate and costly one other item, has been a means of keeping equipment (in hospitals, research laboratories, Adventists separate and different. Perhaps more computer departments, etc.) and the consider­ than anything else this time is least understood able likelihood of growth at the central agency, by those outside the movement. This, above all, with further subdivisions of hierarchic coordi­ is the badge of identity, and such a badge must nation. As technical control and rational plan- act as a distinctive, sectarian device, maintaining 42 Spectrum boundaries and reaffirming, however unstressed distinctiveness in the movement that should be the point may now be, the idea of an elite. mentioned. In the first place, there is the I t is also evident that the acceptance of balance of local autonomy and hierarchic order. special inspiration by the movement at its origin Adventists are, of course, proud of the structure must also be a point of division between the they have evolved, and there is no doubt about Seventh-day Adventists and other movements, the unusual balance between center and periph­ and to them must appear as a distinctive ery, through intervening echelons of consider­ sectarian trait. As long as other movements hold able regional independence. Perhaps it is this the Seventh-day Adventists at a distance, the diversity of levels of control which leads to a process of denominationalization is likely to be wider diversity in the movement than is usual in impeded, both because of the inappropriateness sectarian movements; a diversity in liturgy and of the models of other movements in Christen­ in the openness-exclusivity or ecumenistic­ dom, and because of the Seventh-day Adven­ separatist dimensions of Adventist life and prac­ tists' own likely reactions to enforced tice. (Ecumenical thrusts are, of course, af­ separation. fecting many movements today, and the unfash­ The dietetic position of the movement is also ionability of boundaries in highly mobile a powerful boundary-maintaining item and this society, in which a permissive ethic of "man has, of course, been a cumulative force, from come of age" prevails, is evident in many prescriptions to their extension movements.) There is also an interesting balance through Mrs. White's further proscriptions. The of communal values in an international move­ practice of Adventists in these matters thus ment. Adventists are perhaps not unique in this reinforces their distinctive beliefs to consolidate respect, since all modern large sects necessarily and to make evident in actual life-style as well as seek to foster local involvement and pride in in important symbolic form their apartness from international presence, but certainly a great deal the ,wider world. is done in the Adventist movement through the Sabbath School to make local people aware of n some degree the their connections with people across the world. I vol un tary segrega­ Yet it also appears that there exists some tion and concentration of Adventists into par­ measure of tension with respect to primary ticular regions, at least in the United States, has, of course, been a powerful agency for the further consolidation of isolation from the wider community. Sects are, in origin, communities, "Science, curiously, is easier to and the Adventists despite their size have man­ accommodate with religion than are aged to maintain many of the features of the humanities. Science has bound­ community in the face of increasingly imper­ sonal society. Clearly, such developments en­ aries. The arts are another prob­ hance group social control, reinforce group lem, offering alternate values values, and maintain distinctions between com­ to those that have been received. " munity ideals and the practices of men in the wider society. The development of the mass media has somewhat altered the possibility of geographical segregation into self-contained goals. Adventism is many-sided and its many­ neighborhoods, and the simultaneous distribu­ sidedness is both a strength and a source of tion of news, ideas, values, styles and fashions problems. If one divides, as has Sir Isaiah Berlin, from centers far outside the control of the the world into hedgehogs and foxes-hedgehogs movement may have its powerful accommo­ who, in difficulty, know one big thing, and dating effect. The prospects for community life foxes, who know many things, then the Seventh­ and for sectarian separation are very much day Adventists are foxes. If one asks how man altered in the world since the second World War shall cope with difficulties, the Adventists point II. to education, to dietetic practice, to a variety of To the outsider, there are certain features of health measures, to particular avoidances, and Spring 1975 43

finally, to the solution of all problems in the most particularly Christianity in its sectarian adventual hope. Yet the balance between these forms. The social sciences most of all, using or concerns (and perhaps some others) in any given attempting to use the rational empirical methods situation is perhaps not always easy to strike. of the sciences, but dealing with the content of the arts-the realm of values-makes compart­ here is also the fea­ mentalization of knowledge almost impossible. T ture of openness in The social sciences proceed on the assumption Adventism, seen particularly significantly in that knowledge can be relativized, that . For all sects, education is a problem truths can be, in some measure, "understood" in comparable with the development of the mass relation to the context in which they arise and media. Contemporary education conflicts with find acceptability. various premises on which religious ideals may Openness to education for the Seventh-day rest, and it is no secret that the majority of Adventists must mean that at some point these . teachers in higher education in, for example, problems are confronted, even if they are not Britain, have no religious affiliation. Education readily resolved. For it must become apparent challenges the idea of inspiration as a concept. that the energy and resources that have gone Committed to empirical procedures, methods of into the wider educational process outmatch verification, testability and adhering to both what has gone into the specific religious tradi­ assumptions about the material nature of causa­ tion of any group. The prestige of education in tion and the possibility of rational techniques of the secular world is difficult to scale down, even enquiry, education clearly finds the operation of in the face of strong faith and doctrinal cer­ the supernatural a problem. Sudden nonnatural tainty. A movement which is open to education processes and events pass beyond its expecta­ will not escape this particular problem, although tion, and such processes (in inspiration, or there may be other grounds for hope. charisma) and such events (in biblical times, or To the outsider, the tensions for the separated in the expectations of prophecy) are central to religious movement must occur in the extent to the Seventh-day Adventist position and implicit which it is open to the wider world. Evangelism (if less emphasized) in the traditions of much of does not allow the Adventists to turn away from Christianity. the wider society, yet evangelism, too, presents But science is, curiously, easier perhaps to its own problems for the persistence of commu­ accommodate with religion than are the humani­ nity values and the morality that is learned in ties. Science has boundaries. The scientific enter­ face-to-face relations of local community. As prise can be contained on the assumption that social relationships transcend the communal other causes might operate certain well-defined level, as they now so quickly do, even in the life spheres. The arts are but another problem, of the child, so the moral commitment of the offering a range of alternate values to those that separated groups may be harder to sustain since have been religiously received; relativizing hu­ its moral precepts were forged with face-to-face man experience, and frequently drawing (par­ relations in mind. In the modern world, it ticularly in literature and poetry) on areas of appears to me to be more difficult than ever to experience that stand in sharp contrast with be in but not of the world. But Seventh-day contemporary ideal morality, even more with Adventists appear to be continuing to wage that the ideal moral assumptions of Christianity, struggle-and not without success. The New Shape of Adventist Mission

by Gottfried Oosterwal

fter a hundred years last phase of His mISSIon to bring about the A of overseas mission, restoration of the Kingdom of God in full glory the Adventist Church has grown from a small (Rev. 14:6-12). And even though, if present community of 6,000 believers to a worldwide trends continue, by the end of this decade movement of over 2.5 million people; from an barely 10 percent of all Seventh-day Adventists American church to a universal church firmly will live in the United States of America, where planted in over 90 percent of the countries of the church had its origin, this worldwide com­ the world. It is now the most widespread single munity has remained one genuine brotherhood, Protestant missionary organization; and every one great family and one fellowship. year the Lord is adding nearly 250,000 believers But a number of trends are now developing by baptism or profession of faith, making for a that are not only putting the unity of the church net annual church growth of over 5.5 percent. to a severe test, but are also affecting the whole The vitality, growth and comprehensive scope life and mission of the church. Unless the of Adventist mission amazes even the casual consequences of these new trends and develop­ observer. It is evidenced by the very high per ments are clearly recognized, both in their capita giving of U.S. $162 per year (over $305 positive and negative functions, the missionary million in 1973); by the church's 50 publishing advance and growth of the church may be houses with 5,500 literature evangelists; by the seriously stunted. A greater awareness of the 71,000 denominational workers, the 3,847 ele­ actual missionary situation may lead the church mentary schools, 345 hospitals and dispensaries, in this General Conference year to an honest 462 colleges and academies,' 3 universities, 49 self-evaluation in the light of the divine commis­ orphanages and old people's homes and 27 food sion (Matt. 28:18-20), and to a reassessment of factories. But it is even more amazing that the present challenges and opportunities for during these hundred years of world mission the Seventh-day Adventist mission in all the world. church has preserved such a remarkable unity ith the church estab­ amid the forces that are breaking every global W lished in most of the structure to pieces. Seventh-day Adventists are world, a shift has occurred in the very nature of still proclaiming with fervor the one and the the Adventist overseas missionary movement. It same message that moved the pioneers, namely took place in three stages. First, men and that Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of all men and women left the shores of North America to the Lord of the whole world, has entered the proclaim the Gospel message and establish churches. Second, the 'work of the missionary Gottfried Oosterwal teaches mission and shifted to the building up of the established at Andrews University. He churches. Institutions were established; increas­ is the author of Mission: Possible and holds ingly, missionaries became involved in training doctorates in theology and in anthropology and indigenous workers, and in the organizational history from Utrecht University. aspects of church growth and mission. Spring 1975 45

This shift continued even further in the third and church planting to institutionalized service, phase of mission, which became the most or that after a while, when these institutions and tumultuous and revolutionary one. Indigenous organizational structures can be taken over by workers now became entrusted with the propa­ indigenous workers, the missionary should move gation of the message and the care and the out altogether. That concept is rooted in a building up of the churches. They also took over wrong kind of colonialism and betrays an many-if not most-of the organizational and unbiblical spirit of paternalism. The example of administrative functions of the missionaries, Christ shows us that real mission is not climbing who now became advisers and specialists in up, but coming down; not going out, but moving academic or technical aspects of the work. In on. It is not making oneself dispensable, but most areas of the world, the Adventist mission­ making oneself nothing and becoming a servant ary movement today is characterized by this to all men (Phil. 2:5-8; Matt. 20:28; etc.). third phase. As a result, less than two percent of It is not just biblical theology that calls for a missionaries from North America and Europe stop to this trend and for a new missionary spirit are going out to evangelize or to plant churches. that will send thousands of missionaries overseas Nearly all teach in Adventist schools, serve in a medical or paramedical capacity, or work as specialists within the church organization or as "A number of trends are not only administrators of Adventist institutions. putting the unity of the church We should immediately recognize the dangers in this shift from evangelistic mission to intra­ to a severe test, but are also affect­ church mo'vement, from being a sending commu­ ing the whole life and mission nity to being a lending organization. Although of the church. Unless the con­ few people detect anything abnormal in this development, it has, in the light of a biblical sequences are recognized, the view of mission, two negative consequences, missionary advance and growth of which already are causing considerable stagna­ the church may be stunted." tion in Adventist mission. The first is the trend to leave the evangel­ ization of the field and the planting of churches to evangelize and win converts and plant exclusively to the indigenous workers, while the churches. The very missionary situation leaves us missionary does the administrative, organiza­ no choice! After a hundred years of mission, the tional or specialized work. The second is the AdveiItist church may have been planted in 90 concept that the missionary's role is to prepare percent of the countries of the world, but this is and equip indigenous workers to take over as a far cry from having brought the Gospel to all soon as possible, so that the missionary himself nations, kindreds, tongues and people. There are can move up to a higher or more specialized, some two billion (2,000 million!) people in the organizational function. When all the positions world who have never even heard the name of have been taken over, and there is no higher Christ and another billion, perhaps, who have place for the missionary to climb to, he returns not been confronted with the message of the home, thinking that his mission is accomplished. three angels of Rev. 14:6-12. This is already having a devastating effect on The future of Adventist mission stands, or the advance of Adventist mission. What is wrong falls, with the concept that mission is always is not the principle of making the local church reaching out to those who do not know Christ­ or field responsible for the evangelization of its not by proxy, but by personal presence and surrounding areas. This clearly has a basis in proclamation. In view of all of this, three actions Scripture. But the exclusivistic manner in which should be taken: this principle has been used and the separation 1. The preparation of a profile of the many between church activity and mission that is the tribes and tongues and people, country by result of it, is wrong. Nowhere in Scripture does country, who have never been reached with the this principle mean that the foreign missionary Gospel; of what prospects there are for mission movement should shift from pioneer-evangelism among them; and of the ways they can best be 46 Spectrum

TABLE 1 Population (1973) SDA Church Members (1973) Ratio Africa 374,000 685 1:546 Asia 2,204,000 358 1:6,156 North America 233,000 486 1:479 Inter-America 92,000 320 1:288 South America 206,000 376 1:548 Europe .. 472,000 171 1:2,760 USSR 250,000 40 1:6,250 Oceania 21,000 108 1:194

Total c. 3,860,000 c. 2,400 1: 1,608 reached. One way to implement such an action heard the name of Christ. The road ahead for would be by establishing a Seventh-day Adven­ Adventist mission means mission to millions-in tist Institute of World Mission, which could fact, some 3,500 million, 85 percent of whom coordinate this-and other-urgently needed mis­ are non-Christians. sionary research. Such an institute could stimu­ About 60 percent of the world population late the church's thinking on new missionary lives in Asia, three times as many people as in all methods, and assist in the selection, recruiting. of North America and Europe and Australia and and training of missionary evangelists leaving the New Zealand combined. Less than three percent various countries and continents for service of the Asian people are Christian, while as Table abroad. 1 shows, the total number of Seventh-day 2. The setting aside, from the General Con­ Adventists is only 358,000, or one in 6,156 ference down through the various divisions, of people. special budgets for pioneer-evangelists to work One cannot deny the urgency of mission in among people not yet reached with the Gospel. Africa, Inter-America and South America, or At least one division has already begun to do Oceania, Europe and North America; even in this. But a hundred missionaries should be in the North America barely 15-20 percent of the field where now there is one only. people have ever heard the Adventist message 3. Establishment of special training programs clearly. Yet, the situation in Asia is really for these missionary evangelists and church indicative of the challenge of mission in the near planters to prepare them for their work of future: the many millions of people of other cross-cultural communication. , the teeming urban populations and the millions of unbelievers in a secular world. very year, according It is obvious that new approaches to mission Eto the 1974 United are demanded. Bringing individuals in one by Nations population figures, 132 million people one will never accomplish what the Lord com­ are born, while some 55 million die, making for missioned His church to do. Christ spoke of a net population growth of two percent, or baptizing families (kindreds) and tribes and 75-80 million people per year. This means that language groups. In these last days, the church in 1980, over 416 million people will have been should prepare itself for people movements added to the present world population of four toward Christ: whole villages, tribes, castes, billion. Unless the church will find ways to reach families and communities accepting the good out more rapidly to a much larger population, news of salvation and forming churches obedient the number of those who live and die without to the commandments of God. Besides reaching having been brought into contact with the out more rapidly to the millions, people move­ Eternal Gospel will increase. More than ever, ments bring a quality to church growth that therefore, Seventh-day Adventist mission should individual conversions seldom do. People be­ be oriented towards those who have never even come Christian without social dislocation, Spring 1975 47 making for much more stable churches, greatly thought, behavior and identity. The encounter diminishing the present high rate of between or does not take individual converts who have become separated place, therefore, on the level of systems of from their own group, and establishing a link to thought or formulation of doctrines, but on the those members of the group who have not yet much deeper level of human experience. The taken their stand for Christ. People movements, communication of the Christian message has to of course, should not be equated with careless take place, therefore, on that level, or there will baptizing, without personal decision or involve­ be no communication at all. The evidence for ment. They are not "mass" movements. Each this is all about. After centuries of missionary member of the group participates in the decision endeavor, barely two percent of India;s popula­ to join the church, except that the members tion is nominally Christian. After more than a make their decision collectively, much as house­ century of Protestant mission in Japan, fewer hold~ did in Old and New Testament times. than one percent are professing Christians. In In the past few years Adventist mission has the Muslim world of the Middle East, the total repeatedly been challenged by such people harvest of is even less. More­ movements, from Peru to Zaire to Indonesia and over, the converts from the non-Christian world Korea. Many of these have not been recognized. have by and large come from the minority Others have fizzled because the church was peoples in these areas and from the isolated unable or unprepared to form such a movement populations least affected by the dominant way of thousands of people into a genuine Adventist of life. church in a relatively short time (being an important factor in harvesting a people move­ hough the SDA ment). The immediate future will see many T church has far more such people movements arising in all greater potential to reach out to Muslims and continents. It is, therefore, imperative that Buddhists than any other Christian church, until Adventist workers and missionaries be instructed now it has made little or no concentrated effort in how to nurture these movements and care for to win these people to Christ. One reason is the the churches that will grow out of them. church's self-understanding. It has looked upon Though exact figures on the adherents of the itself as a remnant within the Christian commu­ world's religions are, of course, not available, the nity, and it has conceived of its mission as best estimates give the following picture: "calling the honest out of the apostate and decadent churches which consti­ _ TABLE 2- (1975) tute Babylon." From the very beginning, there­ Christian c. 900 million fore, Adventist mission has been oriented Muslim c. 660 million towards the Christian populations of the world. Hindu c. 505 million Even today, over 90 percent of all converts

Buddhist (Outside of '-. come from a Christian background. The others the People's Republic are won mostly from animist populations. of China) c. 275 million A second reason Adventists have not accom­ Confucianist (Outside of plished more among non-Christian religious the People's Republic groups is that the church has neglected to of China) c. 250 million prepare special literature written for the Hindu Animist c. 150 million or Buddhist or Muslim mind. Practically all Under Communist Regime c. 1,200 million Adventist mission literature in these non­ Christian areas-and there is very, very little-is The challenge of the does not, translated from English writings intended for of course, consist merely in their numbers of Christians in a Western cultural setting. people, amounting to more than twice that of A third reason is found in the prevailing the Christian populations in the world. It con­ concept of evangelism in Adventist mission. sists rather in the fact that these religions are a Evangelism, which in the Scriptures clearly total way of life, a culture, a value-system that means to present Jesus Christ in such a way that has shaped these peoples' whole life and people clearly understand His promises and 48 Spectrum

demands, His grace and His conditions of salva­ ance to it. Now, this stage is passing away, and tion, thereby forcing them to make a decision the question is: Are Adventist missionaries ready about Him, has become identified with "soul for the new opportunity? Thrown back on our winning." This has given rise to the tendency to spiritual values and resources only, without the concentrate on those individuals who are pro­ powerful incentives of Western technology or spective church members. And though there is riches or power, are our message and biblical support for working with those popula­ and Christian example strong enough to con­ tions the Spirit has already prepared for harvest, vince non-Christian believers of the power of the exclusivist application of this principle has Christ? Success in mission now depends not on led to a fatal neglect of non-Christian popula­ our management abilities, academic or technical tions in Adventist mission. specialization, or organizational strength, but on Fortunately, in the last few years a new vision the kind of persons we are and the spiritual has gradually been emerging in Adventist mis­ fruits in our lives. Here also lies the answer to sion circles. In the fall of 1973, after a hundred the process of modernization and secularization years of Adventist mission, the Annual Council that affects all religions today. A Spirit-filled life of the General Conference appointed a commit­ is what people need to find meaning in the tee on Adventist relations with people of other confusion of the future shock with its neurotic­ religions. There are new insights now on the role izing effects on all men. of these other religions in the Great Controversy between Christ and . New concepts are hen the first century developing regarding the most fruitful ways of W of Adventist mission communicating the Gospel to people of other was drawing to a close, at least four distinctive faiths. To keep this newly awakened momentum periods in human history also came to an end. going, it is imperative that the General Confer­ One of these, already mentioned, was the ence appoint someone as soon as possible to colonial period. During the 25 years of decoloni­ coordinate the new interest and activity in this zation since 1945, a hundred new nations have area. Such a coordinator could be responsible joined the United Nations. This process of for further research in communicating the Gos­ decolonization, with the nationalism that pel to non-Christians, and could stimulate the accompanies it, has had a great influence on preparation of Adventist mission literature espe­ Adventist missions. cially written for such people. In order to keep A special tribute must be paid here to the constantly before the church Paul's ambi­ African and Asian leaders of the Adventist tion -and therefore ours-"to bring the Gospel church who-often under, the most adverse to places where the very name of Christ has not circumstances and immense social and political been heard" (Rom. 15:20, 21), he could also pressures-have shown such remarkable loyalty organize and conduct workshops, seminars and to a church that so unmistakably bears the workers' meetings in areas of the Hindu, Bud­ stamp of the West. Many of these leaders have dhist and Muslim world. been self-expressive in their nationalism, but not What are the prospects for a fruitful mission self-assertive and never self-satisfied. With such to people of other faiths in the coming decade? leaders, we may expect the unity of the church They are greater than ever. It is no exaggeration to be maintained in the future, even though the to state that a whole new day has come, present cultural nationalism could be more challenging the church to prepare for an abun­ destructive than the political nationalism of dant harvest. Among the human factors respon­ yesteryear. As a new ideology, it works more sible for this are the end of the colonial era and subtly, affecting the believer's whole life and the technological and economical supremacy of thought. the West, and the process of modernization and Further intensive contact between Adventist secularization. Until the 1940s and 1950s, believers and leaders, a common sharing and Christianity was identified with the colonial especially a large and continuous flow of mis­ West, and the church was considered an instru­ sionaries, from everywhere to everywhere, are ment of Western culture. This both brought means to counteract the negative consequences success to Christian mission-and caused resist- of growing cultural nationalism in the world. If Spring 1975 49 present trends are any indication, the future of count. Churches, and certainly foreign missions, the unity in the Adventist church looks very lose many of the rights and privileges they had bright. under the former capitalist (and colonial) sys­ A tribute must be paid here to the Adventist tem. In some countries, churches are forced to church leaders, who have greatly strengthened form a union, since the division among them is the large flow of missionaries from home bases considered harmful to the ideal of unity, to the other than the United States and Europe. In this concept of equality and happiness for all. In respect also Seventh-day Adventist mission has most areas churches and missions are no longer set an example to all other mission organiza­ exempt from joining labor unions, national tions. Adventist mission today has become a councils and political activity. two-way street. Already some 45 percent of All this compels Adventists to ask some Adventist missionaries-that is, of the nearly serious questions. Can Adventists in the near 3,000 persons now serving the church in a future participate in joint action programs with other churches? Should we always insist on having our own schools or organizing our own "A second reason Adventists relief and welfare and health programs? In quite have not accomplished more among a number of countries, Adventists already are non-Christians is that the operating schools together with other churches, paid for by the national governments. Should church has neglected to prepare the church continue to insist that Adventist special literature written for the doctors, nurses and staff members leave their Hindu, Buddhist or Muslim mind. work as soon as a hospital is nationalized? What role should Adventist mission, with its strong Nearly all mission literature was emphasis on the restoration of the image of God originally for a western culture. " in men, in its wholeness, and on the "healing of the nations," play in nation building? Are not nations and tongues and tribes the object of country other than their own-comes from areas God's mission, besides the individual who is a outside of North America. Filipino missionaries part of that community? have been called to work in Vietnam, Cambodia, It is absolutely imperative that the church Thailand and as far as Africa. Missionaries from officially takes stock of its present attitudes and South America are not only serving in Inter­ concepts in mission in order to give an answer to America or Africa, but in North America and such questions. This may be done through a Europe as well. series of General-Conference-organized seminars The other three distinctive periods of human on the present missionary situation, or through a history that have come now to an end are the world conference on mission, or both. era of capitalism with its individualism, free enterprise, private ownership, profit-making and f particular chal­ competition; the age of belief, which is now O lenge to Adventist making place for a secular mentality; and the mission is the rapidly increasing city population rural era, which is now giving way to the age of of the world. While the world population in­ the techno polis with its new kind of man, homo creased four times in the period 1850-1975, the metropolitanus, and its radically new mode of population living in cities of 100,000 or more existence. increased 70 times in that same period. At The shock of these tremendous, and rather present, already 35-40 percent of the world sudden, changes is also greatly affecting the population is living in urban centers. Twenty­ shape of Adventist mission. Most of the new five years from now, about two-thirds of the nations-and the old as well! -are accepting a world population will live in cit~es, most of them form of socialism. The nation, the people as a in large metropolises. A church that is devoted whole, become the overriding interest. It is the to reaching the millions will find in the sprawl­ freedom, the development and the pursuit of ing cities its largest mission field. happiness of all-and not just of a few-that Since urbanism is a way of life that in many

" 50 Spectrum ways greatly contrasts with the ideals of a The anti-city attitude is rooted in a one-sided church shaped in the rural world of yesteryear, application of the writings of Ellen White. She Adventist mission has found it very hard to emphasized that Adventists should leave the reach out to the cities. In fact, with some rare, cities to avoid their polluting influence. These though very significant exceptions, such as Sao counsels, however, were given not as a-principle Paulo in Brazil, Adventist mission has failed in of mission, but in the context of our spiritual its mission to the cities. Even though large growth. Whenever Ellen White speaks about the city as an object of mission,· she urges that "there should be in every city a corps of "The last five years the church organized, well-disciplined workers; not merely has lost many more hospitals in one or two, but scores ... " (ChS 72)*; that centers, restaurants, plants, hospitals, even the mission fields than it was church schools should be established in the cities able to open. This trend will (CG 306); that families should not leave the continue in the future. National­ cities, but rather work in the neighborhoods of their homes, "carrying with them wherever they ization will be one important go the atmosphere of " (ChS 116); that factor, but there will be other Adventist families should move away from the reasons as well. " (rural) areas where there are already many Adventists and settle in the cities to raise up there the standard of Christ (8T 244; ehS 180; amounts of money have been spent on "city etc.). To Ellen White the city was not just a work," results have been very minimal. And of symbol of evil or confusion, but also an object those who are won to the faith in the cities, a of God's love and care and mission. Hearing only very large percentage leave. one part of her message has been fatal to the All this seems to indicate that the city per se advance of the Gospel for which we must give an presents a climate so hostile to the Adventist account. message that no great harvest can be expected The new road of Adventist mission is leading there, no matter what approach the church to the cities. May God give us the power and the might use. But in light of spreading urbanism, grace to be in the city, without being of the city. this conclusion would lead to a horrid pessi­ mism, even to a flight away from the cities, not wo strong pillars of unlike Jonah's flight from Nineveh. This pessi­ T Adventist mission in mism is clearly present among many church and the past have been the medical and educational mission leaders, in East and West alike. In fact, work. Like every other aspect of the church's an anti-city mentality has developed among most work, these two also are greatly affected by Adventists which has become fatal to the ad­ changes in the missionary situation today. vance of mission. To turn the trend, it is Schools and hospitals are being nationalized or imperative that Adventists begin to apply some put under severe restrictions of government of the new insights and methods that other control; secularization is undermining the par­ churches or religious groups have used with great ticular aims and goals of Adventist education; success, from Tokyo to Bangkok to New York the end of the capitalist system has led to the and San Francisco: the training of the laity for socialization of medicine, making it difficult for city mission; the use of people's relationships Adventist hospitals to continue supporting with neighbors, friends and colleagues at work; themselves by serving the affluent classes. The the formation of house churches or factory last five years the church has lost many more (company) groups; city colonization; restaurants hospitals in the mission fields than it was able to and health clinics and joint evangelism and social open. This trend will continue also in the future. action efforts. But all of these will remain without effect unless Adventists will have over­ *6T26: "In the city of London alone no fewer than one hundred men should be engaged"! And this was come their anti-city attitude. There's where the written long before London had grown out to its present crux lies to our success or failure in mission. form or had developed its present style and spirit. Spring 1975 51

Nationalization of Adventist medical facilities account for 50-75 percent of all deaths in most will be one important factor, but there will be of the developing countries of Africa and Asia. other reasons as well-economic, medical, cul­ Small-even mobile-clinics, health education to tural and missionary. prevent many of these diseases and community When Adventist mission hospitals were first health programs are what is needed. The change established, they filled a real need. But as the of people's health habits, eating patterns, system work of the church grew and developed, mission of hygiene seems to be a much better criterion hospitals became more and more patterned after to evaluate success in medical mission than the the institutions in the United States. There was number of operations or occupied beds in a the same specialization of the physicians, nurses hospital. Moreover, such work is really oriented and staff; there were similar, if not identical, to the whole man: his physical, cultural, social, facilities and equipment, and the same pattern mental and spiritual life . . of individualized care and orientation toward Since today about 90 percent of Adventist curative medicine. This kind of health care, medical mission is concentrated in hospitals, the however, has begun to cost prohibitively-even road ahead may mean a rather radical change in America. And it is now virtually impossible to from the established pattern. But at stake is the operate mission hospitals on a similar level as advance of the Gospel. Hospitals are necessary, thos,e in North America or Europe, even if they and specialized individual care is needed .. But were allowed to continue their operation. The first the real needs of the millions should be church will increasingly be called upon to make solved, and the root of their problem lies in their up the deficits, something it cannot afford, and environment, in the community or the family. It should not do! The alternative, operating mis­ is the problem of sanitation, hygiene, facilities, sion hospitals on a much lower standard, has no drinking water and .tpalnutrition. What good future either. Already modern government hos­ does it do a person to find healing in a hospital pitals and well-equipped institutions operated by when he has to return again to his disease­ universities or international foundations are infested environment and disease-promoting evil giving the much older mission hospitals serious habits? competition, causing a serious decline in income The crisis in Adventist hospital work overseas and a further deterioration of the good image may prove to be a blessing in disguise. It forces these mission hospitals have enjoyed for many mission leaders to take a hard and bold look at years. Moreover, such a solution will make it the situation, and thereby discover new openings much harder still for mission hospitals to attract and better opportunities for mission. And, re­ American doctors and staff. And national Ad­ ally, the future of Adventist medical mission ventist personnel would likewise be less inclined looks bright. Not only do the programs and to work there, only compounding the problem. approaches suggested here make it possible to What other alternatives are there for Adven­ reach out to the many millions who are now tist medical mission? Which road should it take? virtually shut off from Adventist medical mis­ In light of our mission to the millions, the sion; not only is this work economically possible question arises whether the almost exclusive and in harmony with the Adventist concept of emphasis on curative. medicine and individual mission to the whole man; but it also enables, care is really the best missionary approach, to more than ever, the mInIsters and other say nothing of the economic aspect. * Hospital workers-and the whole church, in fact-to wor k, though necessary, is the least effective in become part of this medical missionary work. reaching out to the millions who still suffer from malaria, hookworm, amebiasis, trachoma, yaws, dventist educational diarrhea, filariasis, pneumonia, schistosomiasis, A mission is faced dysentery, influenza or malnutrition. And these with similar problems and challenges. It de­ *A survey sponsored by the Lorna Linda University mands, therefore, similar changes and new School of Medicine Alumni Association in 1958, and approaches. In many. countries, of course, the again in 1963, indicated that about half of the SDA Adventist church can no longer operate its own hospitals had no programs in public health, in health education or in preventive medicine for their surround­ schools. Governments feel that education is too ing areas. powerful an instrument for the molding of 52 Spectrum national character to be left in the hands of first, a gain in the long run. Schools, so foreigners or private institutions. It is only a necessary in the beginning phase of mission, had matter of time until most church schools will begun to absorb far too much in resources and either be nationalized completely or put under personnel without giving a proportionate evan­ rather strict government control. gelistic harvest in return. But the question arises: even if Adventist There is great validity in this attitude, and churches are allowed to operate their schools, Adventists should learn from it. But there are are the costs worth the effort? If, in the affluent some dimensions of educational mission that United States, Adventist schools are already these churches clearly have overlooked and hurting for lack of funds and more and more where Adventist mission can make a tremendous Adventist youth (now at least 55 percent) are contribution, if it chooses to walk that road. attending public schools as a result, how would The first is to establish models of education. the churches in the poverty areas of the world, where most Adventists live, be able to support ithout arrogance or church schools? The answer is: They cannot. W pride, it may be These schools would have to be supported by stated that there is something in genuine Chris­ mission funds from abroad, and still only a tian education that is lacking everywhere else: fraction of the thousands of Adventist young the concept of the harmonious development of people could be absorbed. To accommodate our the whole person. It is dear that Adventist Adventist youth in Africa and Latin America, mission won't be able to operate many schools for example, would mean to build there in the everywhere. But it can operate some schools in a next one or two years as many schools as the few, centrally located areas. The impact of such church has built these past hundred years in the schools, if genuinely built on the counsels given whole world. to us in Scripture and in the writings of E. G. What other road is there for Adventist educa­ White, will be far greater than the relatively tional mission? Most Protestant mission organi­ small number of students that can attend. The zations have given up educational mission as part whole surroundtng area will see the difference! of their plan to evangelize the world. In fact, And governments of these new nations will be persuaded to follow the example set by these few real Adventist institutions. I strongly recom­ "To accommodate in Adventist mend that Adventist mission as soon as possible schools our youth in Africa and consolidate its educational institutions. Quality, Latin America would mean to not quantity, is the answer. A second dimension, closely related to the build there in the next one or first, is that Adventist education must consider two years as many schools as the the real needs of the people .. One of the church has built in these past weaknesses of educational mission in the past has been that it has transplanted Western educa­ hundred years in the whole world. " tion systems into cultures and societies that, in fact, demanded a totally different emphasis. What need is there, really, for the many liberal miSSion leaders are feeling quite relieved now arts colleges that now cause an overproduction that their schools have been taken over by of people with degrees in the humanities, etc., governments. It frees the missionaries for work for whom there is no employment? The basic more directly connected with the spread of the need in most of these new countries is technical, Gospel and the growth of the church. And the agricultural and vocational training. Liberal arts money saved that way can be spent in other, programs tend to stimulate-if not create!-an evangelistic programs of the church, including aversion to manual labor. They are conducive to the strengthening of local churches, youth pro­ a strong rationalism and often produce a men­ grams, family evangelism, literature evangelism tality of elitism. Seventh-day Adventist schools and other missionary activities. They consider in the past have not altogether escaped these the loss of their many schools, though painful at negative influences. Spring 1975 53

Most of the new nations of Africa, Asia and the Seminary. Latin America are perpetuating in their state c. The program should fit within the educa­ schools the model inherited from the West, tional system, and be offered on the level of, the emphasizing mental development and neglecting requesting field. the other aspects of man and his existence. The d. Contacts between teacher and the field real exception to this rule has been the People's should be recognized as a necessary requirement Republic of China, with its emphasis on the for a successful training by extension. unity of head and hand, theory and practice. As soon as possible, the church may wish to Genuine Adventist education has a mission to appoint someone who could serve-with a repre­ perform that greatly transcends the conversion sentative committee-as the coordinator of such of individuals who are attending our schools, a program of Theological Education by however important that is. By establishing Extension. schools, founded on a genuine Adventist phi­ losophy of education, that really fulfill the most he varying circum­ basic needs of the population, millions of people T stances taking place will truly be helped and at the same time be in the world," Ellen White wrote, "call for labor reached with the message where now only a few which will meet these peculiar developments" are influenced. (MS 8a, 1888). Though the mission remains the There is a third dimension that Adventist same, methods and approaches must change. educational mission needs to explore more fully: Reforms are necessary, and new priorities will theological education. The aim of that education have to be established. "Never say, therefore," should be the training and equipping of leaders Ellen White warned, "that this has never been and workers in the countries of Africa and Asia. taught. Away with these restrictions. That which Nearly 2,000,000 converts have been won in God gives His servants to speak today would not recent years. Thousands of churches have been perhaps have been present truth twenty years established. But in most of these fields we have ago, but it is God's message for this time." And not trained nearly enough leaders. The church "present truth, from the first letter of its should make this task one of its first priorities, if alphabet to the last, means missionary effort" not its very first! The problems connected with (MS 8a, 1888; CH 300). implementing such a program, worldwide, are Today, after a hundred years of Adventist well known: lack of finances, a paucity of mission, there are nearly ten times as many qualified teachers and small enrollments. One of persons who have not heard of Christ as in the the best ways to overcome these difficulties is to days of the apostle Paul. We know the work is establish a system of Theological Education by not finished. But the question is: Can our Extension. The church would not have to wait mission be accomplished in this generation? The until it had enough qualified teachers in the answer is: Yes, definitely so! Christ's promise is particular locales themselves, since these could sure: This Gospel of the Kingdom will be come from various areas in the world. Neither preached in all the world (Matt. 24:14), and the will the church have to invest a lot of money in power to do so has been given to us long ago expensive buildings. (Matt. 28:18-20) and is with us every day, every A beginning has already been made through hour (John 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:1-21). the extension programs of the Theological Semi­ What is lacking then? The right methods? nary and Graduate School of Andrews Univer­ These are important. But they are not the heart sity, and of the Seventh-day Adventist Theologi­ of the matter. "A revival of true godliness cal Seminary Far East in Manila. The following among us is the greatest and most urgent of all should be considered, however, in order to fulfill our needs. To seek this should be our first the pressing needs in the fields: work" (CS 41). a. The program should be greatly expanded Perhaps the greatest hindrance to accomplish­ beyond its present format. ing our God-given task lies in our selfishness, b. The need of the field should be the. which reflects itself in complacency, a decline in determining factor, not just the requirements for the missionary spirit, the lack of and a degree program as it is listed in the bulletins of hearts that "are no longer aglow with love for 54 Spectrum souls, and a desire to lead them into the fold of bers. The result is that the rich are becoming Christ" (4T 156). richer arid the poor poorer. While the percent­ Ellen White calls for "doing the right thing at age of Seventh-day Adventist world membership the right time" (2T 36). This takes different in North America decreased from 39 percent in forms for different people in different locations 1930 to 20 percent in 1970, the percentage of and at different times. Each believer, each the workers in North America increased from 38 church and each corporate structure, from the percent to 47 percent. At the same time, the smallest institution to a union or a division, may percentage of Adventist workers in overseas examine itself. For North America, to be spe­ fields decreased from 62 percent in 1930 to 53 cific, it means a change in the giving pattern and percent in 1973. And every year the gap is the way we spend our money. According to the becoming wider and wider. church's statistics, mission offerings in the Ad­ Lack of funds prevents Adventist mission in ventist churches in North America show a many areas in the world field from reaping the tremendous percentage decline, from 33.5 per­ harvests that the Spirit so abundantly has cent of the total offerings in 1930 to 11.1 already prepared. But the crisis is not caused so percent in 1971. At the same time, the rate of much by a lack of giving per se, as by our spending for home and local projects has pattern of spending it. While we are enriching doubled-and continues to rise sharply. During ourselves by adding more specialized institu­ the first six months of 1973, the actual offerings tions, more elaborate programs, more expensive for mission in North America were $52,000 less buildings at home, God's work in many areas of than during the first six months in 1972. At the the world is seriously stagnated. For instance: same time, however, the churches outside of Fro~ 1965 to 1970 over 10,000 workers were North America, and especially those in the Third added in North America, an increase of 12 World, increased their mission offerings 26.5 percent. At the same time, the number of percent, from $4,020,894.73 during the first workers outside of North America dropped from half-year of 1972 to $5,085,623.57 for the first 37,337 to 36,618, an actual decrease of nearly 2 six months of 1973. * Sabbath School offerings percent. And that at a time when a veritable during that same time also rose 26.11 percent church explosion was going on. Not only is the outside of North America, but only 7.05 percent pastoral care and nurture of the churches seri­ in the North American Division. ously threatened, but hundreds of well-prepared The relative decrease in mission offerings over and well-equipped potential indigenous leaders against a rapid increase in spending for home have to seek employment outside of the denomi­ and local projects is only one symptom of a nation, or they leave their own countries to dangerous trend that, unless it is reversed, will come to the United States. All this is causing seriously hinder the advance of Adventist mis­ serious stagnation in the advance of Adventist sion in the world. mission today. If this trend could only be One fatal result of the decline in mission reversed, there could be a hundred workers in offerings is the ever-widening gap between the the field where there is only one today. number of workers in the countries of Africa, It is possible, indeed, to accomplish the work Asia and Latin America and the number of God has entrusted to us in this generation. The members. Already there are places where there is rapid increase of population, the revival of the only one minister for 25 to 30 churches. world religions and the rise of new ones, the are very high-in some places 40-45 mushrooming of the cities, the process of for every hundred that are won-because of the secularization, the closing of doors and the rising lack of pastoral care. At the same time, however, of inflation are really no problems to a church the growth rate of workers in North America is that is wholly committed to the task of world increasing more rapidly than that of the mem- mission. A church so committed will be pre­ pared to adapt its structures, the spending of its *Fortunately, by the end of the year (1973), the money and the deployment of its personnel and mission offerings in North America showed a total resources for that supreme goal. But this means increase of 12.5 percent over the previous year (1972). At the same time, however, the mission offerings in the that after a hundred years the battle of Adven­ world field showed an increase of 19 percent! tist mission has to start in our own backyard. (Adventist Thought at Its Best'

Reviewed by James J. Londis

God Is With Us atonement and the Second Advent are expli­ by Jack W. Provonsha '" cated from their theological depths. For ex­ Review and Herald, 157 pp., $3.50 ample, rather than rehearsing the biblical "proofs" for the Sabbath, God Is With Us od Is With Us by focuses on its importance as a "symbol," an GJack Provonsha is "event-window" that opens out towards a God the most sophisticated statement of Adventist of creativity and holiness and love and freedom. theology made to the secular mind in recent In the chapter on sin, Provonsha employs years. Framed by glimpses into Provonsha's psychological insights to create his "self­ personal religious journey, the picture of a God perpetuating wheel of sin," a concept modern in who accompanies man is sketched in increasing its formulation and true to Scripture. detail through each chapter. Philosophical and While the book does not deal extensively with theological (rather than confessional and exe­ the epistemological issues in religion, Provon­ getical) in its approach, the book is nevertheless sha's comments are accurate as far as I am Adventist thought at its best. Unfamiliar termi­ concerned. There is no talk of any "certainty" nology and freshly crafted concepts may give that removes the possibility of error. The infer­ some the illusion of heresy, but heresy is not ential nature of knowledge precludes that. One present. On the contrary, there is a refreshing only has the assurance of "faith" that engenders absence of the jargon found in many - of our humility before the truth. books written for the non-Adventist audience. Provonsha's own humility before the great This is a book for both the biblically oriented as questions may be seen in his chapter on evil and well as the unchurched. suffering. His views, suggestive and helpful, do Each chapter will yield new insights to the not attempt to account for all the difficulties in reader unacquainted with Provonsha's thought a Christian theodicy. On the contrary, Provon­ and style. God, man, creation, the Sabbath, sin, sha is content to rest the problem in the conviction that the God of love suffers with us James J. Londis has recently accepted the and will bring an end to it all at the best possible pastorate of Sligo Church in Takoma Park, Md., moment. where, among other things, he will pursue his I found ,1'But Few Are Chosen" -the chapter interest in urban ministry. His doctorate in the on election and the church-full of insights. is from Boston Univer­ Prophets and prophetic movements are deline­ sity. For the past ten years, he has taught at ated as those who speak to God's people, who Atlantic Union College. speak to those "of integrity and compassion ... 56 Spectrum

regardless af their abviaus labels." (p. 55) Thase to' experience any event ar issue simultaneausly. who utter prophetic messages must rely an Cammunicatians technalagy has placed every symbals to' identify themsevles (hence the garb, man in everybady else's backyard ... And this is manners, etc., af prophets) and call attentian to' what is mast different abaut aur day. their wark. What is nat said, but may be "Think, if yau will, abaut it, and yau will inferred, is that this is the reasan far same af the understand haw truly significant that fact is. more cantraversial discussians abaut "stand­ The things aur fathers laaked far were quite ards" in Adventist histary. While many af them impassible in their day, hawever ignorant they may be "mares" rather than "mO'ra1s," they were af that fact. But they are nat impassible in have served the functian far aur mavement that aurs." (pp. 145-46) camel's hair served far Jahn the Baptist. The What are the thealagical implicatians af anly weakness in the chapter is its silence claiming that a lack af technalagy has delayed cancerning aur ratianale far "missians" if we the caming af Christ? I am nat even sure that speak to' "Gad's peaple." this natian can be harmanized with what appear My anly real camplaint abaut the baak is to' be his views an missian (the anes I wish he Pravansha's tendency in places to' graze difficult had elabarated an). I realize that a baak this size and impartant issues, utter a saupcan, and gO' an cannat be expected to' caver all the issues in with the reader left tantalized. For example, he depth, but these issues are taO' impartant nat to' says that "the truly free actian is a camparative receive mare space. rarity even at the human level. The behaviarists Yet, the baak is sa rich and sa well dane that are correct-almast." (p. 52) Naw, being a dyed­ these criticisms are minar-almast petty. After in-the-waal Christian humanist, I am nat can­ reading it the first time, I had to' see what kind tent with that statement as it stands. It may nat : af impact it wauld make an saphisticated have the implicatians I think, but I dan't knaw nan-Adventist friends af mine. One cauple-the that withaut further elabaratian from wife a farmer Adventist and the husband a Pravansha. farmer Christian Scientist-wrate and tald me Here is anather: "TO' be laving, an actian that far the first time the significance af the must always be apprapriate to' the needs af the Sabbath apened up to' them (her in particular). moment." (p. 75, italics mine) I laaked far same The realizatian that ane must maintain a healthy qualifier to' this argument far same kind af agnasticism abaut same issues in faith lifted a cantextualism in , but there is majar abstacle to' faith in her mind, far she had nane. Daes Pravansha mean to' say that lang­ always thaught "faith" called far certainty range needs are unimpartant ar subardinate to' abaut everything, a certainty that always eluded immediate anes? I daubt it, but the brevity af her. the discussian disallaws the passibility af an­ . Even their values were shifting. Time after swering anticipated questians. time the baak expases the superficiality af And, finally, in his very instructive chapter an madern values and it made the bath af them the Secand Caming, Provansha suggests that ane realize that pleasure cauld nat sustain the weight. reason far the delay af Christ's caming may be af living a purpaseful existence. While it is true that ane af the majar precanditians suggested that "ane cauple daes nat an evangelistic audi­ by the Bible has nat existed until naw-the ence make," I am encauraged to' send it to' gaspel to' the whale warld. "Never befare has it athers. Jack Provansha has rendered a real been passible far issues to' be really universal in service to' the church with this wark. It deserves scape ... It is naw technically passible far a wide and enthusiastic reading by Adventists virtually every man, waman and child an earth and nan-Adventists alike.