wfn.org | Adventist Administration In South Pacific

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August 20, 2000
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
http://www.stanet.ch/APD

Adventist Church In South Pacific Restructured For 
More Effective Operation

Sydney, Australia.     The South Pacific Division of 
the Adventist Church, incorporating Australia, New 
Zealand, and south pacific islands, has moved 
decisively to reduce the amount of church 
administrative structure in that region.
The two union conferences in Australia and New 
Zealand have voted to dissolve, setting the stage 
for a more cost-effective structure of four unions 
instead of the current five. 

"For some time laypersons and church leaders have 
been concerned that a disproportionate amount of our 
human and financial resources have supported 
administrative and departmental functions at the 
expense of front line workers," says Dr. Barry 
Oliver, secretary of the South Pacific Division. "It 
is the church's responsibility to refine ist 
structures so that it can be most effective in 
achieving its mission."

Under the proposed restructure, staffing at the 
union level will be reduced by 30 per cent. The four 
unions will be called: the Papua New Guinea Union 
Mission, the Western Pacific Union Mission, the 
Australian Union Conference and the New Zealand 
Pacific Union Conference. Church leaders say that 
the resulting reduction in administrative costs will 
free more money to be used at the conference and 
local church levels. 

They also anticipate other benefits including a 
greater role for national leaders in the islands, 
centralized accounting, and the opportunity for 
individual countries to have a stronger national 
voice at union and conference levels.    

This latest development is part of a wider review 
process within the division to help re-shape church 
organization in the south pacific to help it more 
effectively achieve its mission. This includes 
reducing duplication of work and improving co-
ordination between various church departments, 
further rationalizing services, and simplifying 
financial procedures. A Division-wide session in 
October will complete the final stage of the union 
restructure. (237/2000)