Released by: Rick Kajiura
Phone: +31-30-955-324 (June 29-July 8) or +301-680-6300
Written by: Herb Ford
          
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 6, 1995

ADVENTIST WORLD CONGRESS, DAY 8

Utrecht, The Netherlands ...  Thousands of Seventh-day Adventists from
more than 200 countries attending a 10-day 56th World Congress of the
Church here, Thursday, July 6, suspended regular business to meet in
"breakout sessions" to intensively discuss six major concerns of their
faith.
	The discussion subjects were: "The use of Scripture in the life of the
Church," "The authority of Scripture," "Relationships among
Christians," "Abuse and family violence," "Tobacco issues," and
"Religious liberty."  Delegates and visitors to the congress attended
the discussion sessions of their greatest interest.
	Those attending the breakout session on scriptural authority heard
that "Contemporary theology of almost any shade is now in crisis.  It
has become relativistic and hesitating.  There is no lack of religious
literature, to be sure, but one scarcely hears a sure word that
recognizes divine authority.
	"The breach between the Reformation and the Roman Catholic Church 450
years ago is narrow when compared with the chasm separating those who
affirm and those who deny the existence of an objective divine
revelation.
	"In those days each side acknowledged the existence of revealed truth.
They differed only in its interpretation.  Today there is widespread
skepticism as to whether an objective revelation exists at all."
	It was recommended to those attending the session that major
conferences on biblical authority and unity of belief be conducted for
Seventh-day Adventists throughout the world in the future.  It was also
recommended that a world study commission be set up to identify how
secular values are displacing biblical values in Seventh-day Adventist
faith and life.
	A well-attended session on "Abuse and Family Violence" learned that
"when the church accepts the possibility that violence can occur within
its membership, a first step has been taken in the right direction.  A
door is thus opened for pastors, lay leaders, and members to break the
silence and to seek redemptive ways to serve both victim and
perpetrator."
	Recommendations coming from this session included conducting research
to determine the nature and extent of abuse and domestic violence
within the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Another recommendation calls
for increasing pastors' and church leaders' awareness of possible legal
responsibilities and liability when cases of abuse and domestic
violence are handled inappropriately in a church setting.
	Recommendations from all six breakout sessions will advise the Church
and leadership about concerns which will need to be addressed in future
strategy planning for the denomination.
	At a mid-day press conference today Robert S. Folkenberg, Silver
Spring, Maryland, U.S.A., world president of the Seventh-day Adventist
Church, met with the press and said that he believes a vote Wednesday,
July 5, by 2,154 delegates not to allow the ordination of women will
not way seriously affect the Church's spiritual mission.
	The request for the action had come from the Church's North American
Division.  It requested that it be allowed to ordain persons without
regard to gender, even though other world divisions might choose not to
do so.  Delegates rejected the request by a near two-to-one vote.
	"The unity of our Church is not seriously affected by that vote," said
President Folkenberg.  "Historically, the Church has rejected many
requests brought to delegates at world sessions, but when they return
to their homes, members draw together in the unity of the faith.  I
believe that is what will happen relative to yesterday's vote."
	Folkenberg also said that young people are most active participants
in their faith in developing countries of the world.  "Many young
people hold Church positions, and are dynamic witnesses to God's truth
in the emerging countries.  In the developed countries older members
hold most of the leadership positions and are the most active workers
for Christ.
	"We will be working carefully and, we hope, successfully, in the days
ahead, in seeing young people take a more active role in the operation
of their Church in the developed countries," he said.
	The world Church president also stated that concern about human rights
is only one of a broad spectrum of issues he wants to lead the church
to address in the next five years.  "We want to be right in the middle
of such concerns," he said. "And that's exactly where we want to be,
not at one extreme or the other, but in the effective middle, working
toward the relief of humankind in a number of areas."
	He wants to avoid extremes, he said, because history teaches that the
church which gives inordinately of its vigor to one concern, for some
reason loses its spiritual vigor.
	Johann Heinz, Darmstadt, Germany, a professor of Systematic Theology
and Church History at Marienhohe Seminary, contrasted the increasingly
pessimistic view of futurists with the increasingly optimistic view of
Christians at an 11 a.m. session of the world congress today.
	"Futurology, a branch of science that looks into the future trends,
draws a dismal picture: over-population, world famine, environmental
pollution, the exhaustion of resources, and the possibility of an
atomic catastrophe," said Heinz.
	"The world's hope in the future has dimmed, for it has been based on
humans.  We cannot expect any qualitative changes in humans, or the
world.  In contrast to the utopia of an improved world, the gospel
gives us the promise of the kingdom of God.  This concept of the
kingdom of God is actively causing a basic change among people," the
theology professor said.
	"Christian statements, long considered to be old-fashioned, are
receiving new meaning," he said.  "Christians are realists; they see
the world as it is.  They are optimists as well, knowing that
everything will be different tomorrow.  They are also activists,
knowing that what they cannot complete, God will bring to fruition."
	Women attending the world congress have received a message from
Hillary Rodham Clinton, wife of the President of the United States.  "I
am pleased to have this opportunity to send greetings to each of you,"
she wrote.
	"The topics you discuss at this congress recognize that investing in
the health and education of women is essential to improving worldwide
prosperity. The fortunes of women are inextricably tied to the fortunes
of our global community.  Women must thrive if the world is to thrive.
	"As you come together to discuss ways to empower women throughout the
world, you work to achieve a common goal of improving the lives of
women worldwide," wrote Mrs. Clinton.  "It is my hope that your efforts
will help create new opportunities for women in all nations.  I commend
your efforts to recognize and support the rights of women and family
living in countries throughout the world."
	The international church gathering continues through Saturday, July
8. Some 35,000 delegates and visitors from 200 countries are expected
to attend Saturday's worship services and a giant Parade of Nations
which closes the 10-day congress Saturday evening.
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