wfn.org | Teleconference Connects Adventist World Church

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Januar 20, 2002
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
http://www.stanet.ch/APD
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland

Unique Teleconference Event Connects Adventist World
Church

Silver Spring, MD/USA.   In a unique teleconference with
some 3,000 church leaders and laity on six continents
Jan. 3, Jan Paulsen, president of the Seventh-day
Adventist Church, wished the church "to do well and for
the Lord to be appealing and attractive through
everything we are and do as a church."

True to its creative use of communication technologies,
Adventist leadership communicated instantly a personal
message from the church world leader. In a series of
six 12-minute calls, the teleconference covered all
time zones and Paulsen was heard in such diverse places
as Mongolia and Jamaica, Pakistan and Israel, Bolivia
and Iraq, and Lapland and Mexico.

In his message Paulsen shared four wishes for the world
church at the outset of the new year and early in the
new millennium.

Referring to the three principal values of the Seventh-
day Adventist Church--growth, unity, and quality of
life--he spoke of a need for "you as leaders to take
time to look after your own personal spiritual needs."

He also referred to the church's principal task of
clearly articulating the vision of the church to its
members. "It is important that this vision for the
church does not die or need to be rediscovered every
time we 'turn around' or elect new leaders."

Paulsen called for greater inclusiveness within the
church. "I am referring particularly to the trust and
roles we give to the youth, young professionals, and
women in our churches. There is so much creative
energy," he said. "The church needs them. Bring them
in from the spectator stands and let them function--let
them lead--in the life of the church."

The Adventist world president also appealed for the
church to become more visible in society at large. He
listed the church's contribution to society including
education, health, personal and religious freedom,
justice and aid to the poor and developing countries.
"But beyond that we have a message from God to bring,
and that surely must make us bold and unapologetic."

Recognizing limitations of one-way communication,
Paulsen invited leaders to communicate and respond to
him directly. "We need to know how you see the church,
placed as we are in a secular or multi-religious
culture, with a God-given mission," he said.

"The phone is not new but unlike the more fashionable
media still carries a personal message effectively,"
said Ray Dabrowski, Adventist world church
communication director. "The linkup demonstrated in a
tangible way the global nature of the Adventist Church
organization and brought together Adventist
administrators, pastors and lay people in a direct
person-to-person manner."

The teleconference was facilitated by Genesys
Conferencing of Reston, VA/USA. "It first began as a
concept and then it developed and turned into a
successful, global event," said Bob Schup, national
account manager at Genesys Conferencing. "It was
thrilling to be involved, to watch it develop, and what
a great way for all to start a new year."

Bronwyn Mison, communication director for the church
in the South Pacific, said the impact of the message was
positive. "I like the way Jan Paulsen referred to it as
his wish list," said Mison. "The president made it
personal."

"The message was short, clear, precise, and to the
point," said Luka Daniel, president of the church in the
African Indian Ocean region. "It was also pastoral as
well as spiritual."

Concluding his message, Paulsen said, "The last three to
four months have been very unsettling for the whole world.
In spite of that I hope that we are able to meet the future
without anxiety. The church will succeed; not because we
are so wonderfully able, but quite simply because this is
of the Lord."