wfn.org | Adventist World Church President Resigns

["Christian B. Schäffler" <APD_Info_Schweiz@compuserve.com>]

Februar 10, 1999
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland

Adventist World Church President Resigns

Basel, Switzerland. (ANN/APD) Robert S. 
Folkenberg, president of the Seventh-day 
Adventist Church, announced his decision to 
resign at a specially-called meeting on February 
8 at the Church's World Headquarters in Silver 
Spring, Maryland. Folkenberg chose to personally 
inform staff of his decision to tender his 
resignation to the Church's Executive Committee.

Citing the controversy over allegations arising 
from an on-going lawsuit, Folkenberg said that 
this was "detracting from God's work" and so in 
order "to avoid pain and conflict to my family 
and the church I love I am removing myself from 
the controversy." Concerns over business 
relationships with James Moore, the plaintiff in 
the lawsuit filed in Sacramento, California, had 
led the Church to set up, with Folkenberg's 
support, a special committee to address the 
church-related issues. This committee reported to 
the Church's Administrative Committee on January 
27, 1999, which referred the issue to the 
Church's full Executive Committee, the body 
authorized to deal with such matters.

The son of missionaries, Folkenberg was born in 
Puerto Rico and grew up in the U.S. and Cuba. He 
began working for the Adventist Church as a 
pastoral intern in 1963 and has worked as 
evangelist, missionary pilot, and in a wide range 
of leadership roles. He was elected president of 
the Adventist World Church in 1990, at its 
executive session in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Folkenberg's years as leader of the Adventist 
Church have seen major advances in global mission 
and the effective blending of cutting-edge 
technology and evangelism. He personally led in 
developing strategies to use satellite broadcasts 
and the Internet in gospel outreach. As the 
Church's "communication president," Folkenberg 
has devoted a significant portion of his time to 
visit and support the Church's mission around the 
world. He emphasized the active role of laity in 
ministry and witness as well as greater personal 
and professional accountability at all levels of 
the Church.

In his formal statement addressed to G. Ralph 
Thompson, secretary of the Executive Committee, 
Folkenberg said, "I will continue to give my all 
to advancing the mission of the church." 
According to the Church's working policy, 
Thompson now serves as acting president until a 
new president is elected by the full Church 
Executive Committee in its meetings beginning 
March 1.

The full text of Elder Folkenberg's statement 
follows:

"From my early childhood as the son of missionary 
parents in Inter-America, to my ministry as 
General Conference President, my entire life has 
been tirelessly and single-mindedly devoted to 
advancing the message and mission of the Seventh-
day Adventist church.   However, over the last 
few weeks it has become apparent to me that the 
controversy surrounding the allegations of James 
E. Moore, made in the context of his lawsuit 
against the church and me, is detracting from 
God's work.  While I have repeatedly and publicly 
acknowledged mistakes in my dealings with Mr 
Moore I rejoice that the integrity of my motives 
has not been called into question.  However, to 
avoid additional pain and conflict to my family 
and the church I love I am removing myself from 
the controversy by tendering my resignation 
through you to the General Conference Executive 
Committee.  I will continue to give my all to 
advancing the mission of the church and I pray 
that through this action the church can maintain 
its focus on the task our Lord has entrusted to 
us. -Robert S Folkenberg."

This news has also been published on February 8 
by Adventist News Network (ANN).