ANR Bulletin No. 3 ? GC Session 2005, St. Louis, USA

Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do.
And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with
– even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department.
Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently. Romans 14.1: The Message

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#45125 - 07/02/05 05:51 AM ANR Bulletin No. 3 ? GC Session 2005, St. Louis, USA
StanJensen Registered: 06/29/02 Posts: 342 Loc: IN front of the Computer	ANR Bulletin No. 3 ? GC Session 2005, St. Louis, USA Adventist News Review Trans-European Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church Friday, 1 July 2005 ADVENTIST WORLD PRESIDENT UNANIMOUSLY RE-ELECTED In the afternoon session of 1 July, Dr. Jan Paulsen was unanimously re-elected as the president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Describing the process of the nominating committee, the chairman of that committee noted that the discussion prior to the eventual recommendation of Paulsen's name was "very healthy, very positive and very good". As Jan and Kari Paulsen were re-introduced to the delegates, Paulsen noted the great challenges of continuing in such a job. "I need to know that the Holy Spirit will be a constant companion and support and I know he will Thank you for continuing to remember us in your prayers." Dr. Bertil Wiklander, president of the Trans-European Division (TED) expressed his satisfaction at the re-election of Dr. Jan Paulsen, "I am very pleased with the result of the election today. Elder Paulsen has wide experience and is a man you can trust, with high ethical values and he has a good agenda for the church. I believe there are three focus issues that he has brought to us: unity of the church, the mission of the church and quality of life. These are very good for us in every field, every division, we can work around those values and together with him I?m sure that we will see good progress in the next five years." Ian Sleeman, pastor from the British Union said, ?I think he has done a good job, it is good to have continuity.? GC SECRETARY AND GC TREASURER RE-ELECTED Pastor Matthew Bediako and Robert Lemon were re-elected to General Conference Secretary and Treasurer respectively. Dr. Paulsen, GC President, commenting on their election said ?I wish to express my appreciation for the choices that have been made.? Matthew Bediako thanked God for his leading during the last five years, stating ?It is a privilege to serve.? Robert Lemon also expressed his wish to the used by the Holy Spirit as he continues to serve the church for the next five years. REPORT HIGHLIGHTS The General Conference Secretary revealed that baptised church membership totalled 13,936,932 as of December 31, 2004. In 2004, 2933 members were being added to the church daily. In some countries the ratio of church members to the population is quite high. For example 1 in 10 members in Grenada are Adventists. Some towns in southern Mexico close down completely on Sabbath except for emergency services as so many are church members. Within the Trans European Division (TED), there has been very good news with an increase in membership of over 11% in the last five years. Harald Wollan, Secretary for the TED observed that although we have much lower baptismal figures compared to other Divisions. "It is interesting that we have a high percentage [increase]. That's very encouraging", he said. Directing his comments to the members within the TED, he added, "Thanks for participating in the mission of the church." Recognising the harsh reality that some families pay a high price in mission service, a bouquet of flowers was also given to Melissa, a young girl whose missionary parents had been murdered in Palau in 2003. When asked what she wanted to do with her life, Melissa answered, "I want to be a missionary in Palau." Giving the flowers to Melissa, Kari Paulsen said, "Melissa is one of the most beautiful [flowers] the Lord has ever made, both inside and out." Robert Lemon, General Conference Treasurer described a healthy financial position for the church. Annual tithes and offering total US$1.781 billion. However, total mission giving has remained at around $50 million over the last 25 years. As a percentage of tithe, mission giving has dramatically shrunk from around 65% of tithe in 1930, to approximately 10% in 1980, but only 4% in 2004. Lemon urged, "We must, must, re-emphasize the importance of the mission offering." PRESS CONFERENCE REPORT At a press interview soon after his re-election, Jan Paulsen answered questions covering a number of questions concerning the youth within the church, the challenges of slow growth in Europe, the challenges for the years ahead, and personal frustrations. Concerning young people he said, "I want to know what is in their hearts." Repeating a theme from the previous evening?s presentation, he urged the young people directly, "If you don't find it [church] interesting, come in and make it interesting be partners with us." Following his "Let's Talk" initiative to invite young people to dialogue on issues that are important to them he also urged the church to be more accepting and tolerant of the involvement of our young people in church life, "Because I am 55 (I am a little older than that) does not mean I have a greater right to speak than someone who is 20 they will make mistakes -- didn't you?" He also revealed that he had urged the Division presidents around the world to have similar "Let's Talk" initiatives with young people in their local areas. Addressing the challenge of slow membership growth in Europe he acknowledged "I don't have the answers" but he noted two things for members to realise. Firstly, that just because the church finds it difficult working in Europe; "please don't deduce from that that God is somehow removed". Secondly, not to define obedience by the situation in which you find yourself -- there may be as much rejoicing in Heaven for one person saved in Europe compared to one hundred and one elsewhere. In answer to the question of the challenges for the next five years he noted the need for the pastoral care of members, the need for buildings for members to meet, because "there is only so long you can meet under a palm tree", and the need to maintain unity and avoid regionalism. When asked about his frustrations; while admitting that he is very content in his job and enjoys going to work in the morning, he found "small mindedness"; people acting out of fear rather than strength, and the frustration of not being able to fill more of the great needs he sees around the world, as frustrating. A final question asked is he going to stay for a full five year term. ?I am a servant of the Lord? he said ?He owns the future?. FRIDAY EVENING VESPERS The evening programme was filled with a rich variety of musical items including a brass ensemble, piano solo, the Melashenko family vocal group, a harp solo and vocal solo. Dr. Richard M Davidson, teacher in the Department of Theology at Andrews University, USA, drew our attention to Joshua the man with a faithful spirit; the man whose Divine/human name was given to him by God. He pointed out how Joshua?s life and work was a type of Christ. Davidson lead us into the Sabbath by indicating that just as the Israelites entered into their promised rest by believing, so we enter God?s rest by believing, not in our own achievements but in the finished work of Christ. Adam and Eve also rested, not from their own labours as they had only just been created, but in the finished work of God?s creation. GC SESSION PHOTO GALLERY If you wish to see photo?s of the session please visit the following site: http://news.adventist.org/specials/2005/gcsession/2005-06-30/gallery/index.html [ANR Team/ANR] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANR Team: Miroslav Pujic, news director/writer, Beverly Coysten, editor/writer, Gavin Anthony, news writer. ANR, 119 St Peter's Street, St Albans, Herts, AL1 3EY, England E-mail: anr@ted-adventist.org Website: www.ted-adventist.org ANR (Adventist News Review) is a news and information bulletin issued by the communication department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Trans-European Division. You are free to re-print any portion of the bulletin without need for special permission. However, we kindly request that you identify ANR whenever you publish these materials.
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