wfn.org | News Conference with Adventist World President

[APD <APD_Info_Schweiz@compuserve.com>]

July 2, 2000
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schäffler, Editor-in-chief
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland 
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
www.stanet.ch/APD/2000/GK 

"Building a Mission-focused Church" - 
Adventist Church President Hold News Conference

Toronto, Canada, 02.07.2000/ANN/APD      Pastor Jan 
Paulsen took questions from the Seventh-day 
Adventist media at a press conference held just hours 
after he was re-elected General Conference president 
on June 30. Paulsen addressed a broad range of 
issues, including church growth and leadership .

"I want to make every effort to keep unity in the 
church," Paulsen said in his opening remarks about 
the rapidly growing denomination. This growth brings 
the biggest challenges, he explained.

Paulsen also spoke about the amazing diversity of the 
Adventist Church-whose membership represents 205 
of the 230 countries recognized by the United Nations. 

"There will be differences in how the church expresses 
itself," Paulsen said, "but there are certain pillars 
which we all subscribe to. There will be different 
features in each Division, but there is one church."

"Culture changes, but not the gospel," Paulsen added.

In response to a question about the role of women in 
the Adventist Church, Paulsen said that "we have 
under-utilized women. They are the mothers in Israel. 
They are such a large part of the life of the church. 
There should be women taking part in visible 
leadership roles in the church," he said. 

Paulsen's statement came after the Adventist Review 
released statistics showing that there are 
approximately 301 female General Conference Session 
delegates out of 2000. Paulsen expressed interest in 
providing leadership training for woman at various 
Adventist educational institutions.

Paulsen also discussed his philosophy about the role of 
church leadership.  "We drive collectively at decisions," 
he said. "We check each other's integrity." He stressed 
that church leadership must forgo personal interests to 
preserve unity. "My colleagues should accept that we 
must make collective decisions," he stated. 

Emphasizing that service and evangelism are the 
lifeblood of the church, Paulsen said that the church's 
focus for the next five years should be directed by 
mission, not issues.  

Paulsen stressed the vital importance of the local 
church. Where the local laity is strong, Paulsen said, 
churches will grow. "When people take ownership of 
the church, they want to be part of it," he said.  "I will 
challenge members to define their obligations as 
Christians. To be a Christian spectator is 
meaningless." [Editor: Heather Osborn for ANN/APD]