Unprecedented Meeting Examines Church’s Missional Structure

An historic meeting of administrative leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America met near Dulles Airport outside of Washington, D.C., May 13-15, to discuss the future of the church and its structure, organization, and mission.

Story by the North American Division

An historic meeting of administrative leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America met near Dulles Airport outside of Washington, D.C., May 13-15, to discuss the future of the church and its structure, organization, and mission. It is the first time presidents, executive secretaries and chief financial officers of each of the church’s administrative units, conferences and unions, have met in a joint session.

The conference began with church leaders, which also included education and healthcare leaders, expressing a strong willingness to place the needs of the church’s effectiveness and mission before their own position. When asked, an overwhelming 95 percent of attendees said they would be willing to sacrifice their position, if it would help further the mission of the Adventist Church.

Titled “Shaping the NAD of Tomorrow,” the conference featured presentations on: the changing face of the religious environment in North America, challenges to the Adventist education system, reaching the emergent secular society, and how governance and organizational structure affect the efficiency of the church and its mission.