The Commission on Ministries, Services and Structures, appointed by the General Conference Executive Committee in October 2005, has been assigned a wide-ranging task of reviewing denominational organization patterns and the delivery systems for programs and information.  Since the scope of the Commission’s task potentially affects working relationships at all layers of organization the membership of the Commission includes representation from all of the 13 world divisions plus the General Conference office.  This representation includes persons selected from local church pastors, laymembers, officers of local conferences, unions and divisions.

Due to the large number of persons serving as members or invitees the Commission will function somewhat like a parliament—setting the overall agenda, assigning working committees for various topics, and receiving/evaluating reports and proposals from these committees.  The Commission is not required to complete its work by any specified date.  It will report periodically to the General Conference Executive Committee and may submit recommendations at any time.  It is generally expected that the Commission should complete its work during the course of the present quinquennium, 2006-2010.

Meetings of the Commission will be convened at least twice per year, usually just prior to major meetings of the General Conference Executive Committee.  Reports of the Commission’s work will be provided through the communication channels that serve the world church.  Opportunity will be provided for persons and organizations to be informed, as well as to submit comments, regarding the Commission’s work and any proposals that may arise.  Correspondence concerning the Commission’s work may be submitted at: http://www.adventist.org/commission-contact.html or sent in writing to the Vice-Chair and/or Secretary of the Commission on Ministries, Services and Structures, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904, USA.