JULY 17, 2004 RECORD In this issue Anti-Semitic vandals deface Russian seminary South Pacific includes youth for GC session PNG government grant “good news” for schools Dr Michael Ryan (left), General Conference vice-president, with Adventist Review editor Dr William Johnsson and director of the Biblical Research Institute, Dr Angel Rodriguez, presenting the proposal for a new fundamental belief to the General Conference executive committee in April. A new fundamental belief? by Nathan Brown he Adventist Church around the world is currently in a period of consultation regarding a Tproposed addition to the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists. A draft of the new Fundamental Beliefs statement, titled “Growing in Christ,” was presented to the General Conference (GC) executive committee in April. If adopted, the new statement (see page 9 for full text) will be the first major amendment to the fundamental beliefs since they were adopted in their current form in 1980. After wide consultation, the proposed new fundamental will be voted upon at the General Conference session in St Louis (USA), June 29 to July 9, 2005. According to Dr Barry Oliver, general secretary for the South Pacific Division, re-examining the church’s fundamental beliefs from time to time is important, because they are focused on the Bible. “Our Statement of Fundamental Beliefs is an expression of our corporate understanding of some of the essential teachings of the Bible,” he explains. “As such it assists those not of our faith But to understand what we believe and what is important to us. It also serves to underpin a strong sense of unity.” But Dr Oliver is quick to add that the capacity to amend the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs Christians is also an important part of the beliefs themselves. “When the current Statement of Fundamental Beliefs was voted,” he says, “it contained a preamble that ensured there is opportunity to amend the statement as deemed appropriate and necessary at any General Conference session of the don’t abuse? world church.” (Continued on page 8) ISSN 0819-5633 27 Editorial 5/7/04 2:49 AM Page 2 EDITORIAL Important findings ’m important! The fact that I’m here for the glory of God, started to really dwell turned out to be a stepping stone in my Iwriting an editorial, on the inside cover on my heart. journey to the Signs. of RECORD, 25,000 copies of which will be And so I put together a résumé and folio Right, where was I? I get a little excited distributed all over the Pacific, means I’m of some of my stories and editorials, and sometimes talking about how God finds important. But let me explain before this planned to approach the Signs for a me important. That’s what I was getting at becomes my last editorial. position there, somewhere . somehow. before. I’m important to God. Without God I had been searching for a career shift for But less then a week after finishing my finding me important enough to have over a year, slowing down my multimedia folio, I received an email from Meryl, the spent some of His busy, universe-ruling business and trying to find my place some- editorial secretary of RECORD, regarding a time working to guide my life, I wouldn’t where else in the working world. Always bulletin advertisement for an editorial have had the privilege of writing this praying for guidance, 12 months trod past assistant job at RECORD. editorial. without any hint of “thou-shalt-work- here” revelations coming to my aid. After my year (plus some) in the work-force In the past, I had had a pretty good hit wilderness, I was beginning to wonder if my career rate of God answering my prayers, as far was of interest to God at all. as leading in my life was concerned. A humbling experience when you experi- You should have seen my eyes light up! We are all important to God. Yes, we ence it. This time, God didn’t seem in a What timing! This is the excuse I need to sometimes have to exercise patience in hurry to want to reveal where I should be approach the Signs and show my face, I waiting for answers to prayer. But waiting heading. All I wanted was to be a servant thought. does not necessarily reduce the measure of of His and be led to the place of most use Of course, I was then faced with the our importance to Him. And anyway, God for Him. I know He knows best, so it predicament of whether I should advertise knows timing is everything. made sense to let Him lead. this position in the bulletin I produced, a Sacrificing His only Son is proof we’re However, after my year (plus some) in position I wanted for myself. I did end up important. No other reasoning can the work-force wilderness, I was placing the ad in that week’s bulletin, but explain why God would let that happen. beginning to wonder if my career was of admittedly with a warning attached of “For God so loved the world that he gave interest to God at all. Shall I just make my spreading unsubstantiated rumours, his one and only Son, that whoever own way and choose what I want? I asked through the bulletin for the rest of the year, believes in him shall not perish but have myself. I know my wife was starting to get about anyone who did successfully get the eternal life” (John 3:16, NIV). tired of asking what I was planning on position ahead of me (probably spoken in God didn’t have to do that—even then doing and receiving a “no progress” jest, but we’ll never know). He didn’t have to include me in His big answer each time. I applied, was invited for an interview, plan to save the world. One day, however, not so long ago now, it and not even my frank declaration of my And He doesn’t have was impressed on me that I should apply to sometimes original spelling prevented my to be so concerned work for the Signs Publishing Company employment a couple of weeks later. about the ordinary (just act surprised when you find out if I get Within a month I had gone from having things of my life. But the job or not, OK!). no idea about my career direction, to somehow He is. I had been the bulletin editor at my finding a place at the Signs. Interestingly So it seems I church for three years, where, among many enough, the only real experience I thought am important creative spelling decisions, I had enjoyed I could bring to the job was the bulletin to God—and the opportunity and responsibility of position I’d held. Now that was a job I so are you! writing to inform and inspire my church nearly passed up on, but after consulting family. The thought of being able to spend God in that instance too, I found I was to time preparing these insights—as a job— say yes. Three years down the track, it has Scott Wegener OFFICIAL PAPER Editor Nathan Brown Mail: Signs Publishing Company South Pacific Division Senior assistant editor Lee Dunstan 3485 Warburton Highway Seventh-day Adventist Assistant editor Kellie Hancock Warburton, Vic 3799, Australia Church Editorial assistant Scott Wegener Phone: (03) 5966 9111 Fax: (03) 5966 9019 ACN 000 003 930 Copyeditor Graeme Brown Email Letters: [email protected] www.adventist.org.au Editorial secretary Meryl McDonald-Gough Email Newsfront: [email protected] Layout Nathan Chee Email Noticeboard: [email protected] Vol 109 No 27 SPD news correspondent Brenton Stacey Subscriptions: South Pacific Division mailed within Cover: Adventist News Senior consulting editor Barry Oliver Australia and to New Zealand, $A43.80 $NZ73.00. Network www.record.net.au Other prices on application. Printed weekly. 2 July 17, 2004 FLASHPOINT • New Victorian Conference treasurer • Cook Islands church involved in Quit Now! program • Bible Society to distribute at Olympics • World Christian broadcasters talk • and more —Compiled by Scott Wegener— ● The Victorian Conference ● As part of their open day, has a new treasurer. It is Springwood choir sings to 1000 Yarra View Retirement Stephen Whitson (pictured, Village, Warburton, Vic, with his wife, Wendy). Mr he 70-voice Springwood Adventist Church Choir, in association hosted an Whitson replaces Bill Twith the Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra, Redlands College “Australia’s Truscott, Choir, and guest artists Julie Anthony and Manuel Escorcio biggest who will (pictured, centre stage), formed the basis of an “Inspiring Amateurs” morning lecture at program to an audience of more than 1000 recently. tea” cancer Avondale Springwood’s pastor, Andre van Rensburg, said, “This was a quality research College in witness to the community fundraiser. Shire of Yarra accounting and illustrates what can Ranges Mayor Cr David and con- be achieved with a degree Hodgett (pictured, right, tinue with further study Mr of vision.” with village manager Alex- Whitson was born and raised The choirmaster of ander Bolek, left) opened in Newcastle, has worked for Springwood church, the proceedings. The two, the ANZ Bank, more than 10 Kevin Ferris, said that the along with local councillor years for the Sydney Ad- purpose of the event was Monika Keane (pictured, ventist Hospital, served as an to lift the bar for the choir, centre) helped staff serve accountant for the North as well as to enter the morning tea to the Queensland Conference, as community in whatever residents of the retirement assistant treasurer and way possible to make the church’s presence felt.