UNION OF CHURCHES

An alternative organizational model for the Seventh-day Adventist Church

introduction Policy discourages the organization of a

union of churches Sub-committee assigned to study whether

policy should be changed to encourage a union of churches

Sub- committee decided to include a union of churches-mission to complete the picture

introduction Nomenclature-

Union of Churches-conferenceUnion of Churches-mission

Definition of a Union of Churches: A united organized body of local churches

within a territory, having similar status to a union conference or union mission, and a direct relationship with the division.

introduction

Irregular and diverse circumstances around the world:

Geographical hurdles, language issues, financial challenges, ethnic concerns, cultural norms, geopolitical hurdles, traditions.

introduction

No one model fits all these situations

Flexibility is needed

history 1967-first union of churches-Austria

1981-General Conference approved recommendation of Euro-Africa Division to set up unions of churches

1983-policy approved

1985 General Conference Session approved representation

history Reasons given-

small membership

difficult evangelistic environment

Interim structure to be used until the church grew into a more viable stature, requiring mission or conference status

history

1981-Italy, Spain and Portugal became unions of churches

General Conference action, “The tithe percentage will be paid as though they were unions,” but the organization would be an exception rather than a model for new church structures.

history General Conference Annual Council action,

1983, approved new policy stating, “The Church does not encourage the organizational arrangements termed union of churches.”

Only an action of the General Conference Committee can authorize the establishment of a union of churches.

history

1984-1995 Sri Lanka was listed as a union of churches

current status Unions of churches in Euro-Africa and Trans-

European Divisions

5 countries in EUD and 1 in TED

Netherlands and Sweden have adopted union of churches structure but have union conference status

current status SIX UNIONS OF CHURCHES

RANGE: Population-5.525 million to 59.178 million Membership-2649 to 11,742 (Average 6961 per

union) Churches-47 to 114 (Average 81 per union) Institutions-3 to 6 (Average 4.8 per union) Ordained ministers- 17 to 63 (Average 38 per union)

current statusSTATISTICS:

An average of .46 ordained pastors per church An average of 84 members per church Church membership is approximately .003%

of population

rationale for changeJan Paulsen stated: Globality of Church Rapid growth in some areas Sluggish growth in some areas (which historically

have been resource providers) Changed expectations from members Government regulations Predominance of non Christian religionsForce the church to re-examine organizational structure

rationale for change BIG CONCERNS:

1. Global unity

2. Global mission

3. Best use of resources

rationale for change ISSUES WHICH AFFECT UNITY:Organization, structure, communication,

policies, theology, identity, values, beliefs, committees, prophetic gift, Church Manual

ISSUES WHICH AFFECT MISSION:Preaching, teaching, healing, responding to

poverty and disasters

rationale for change

ISSUES WHICH AFFECT RESOURCES:Examine what and how we are doing things now

as opposed to what we did when the Church was established;

Are we meeting the needs of the global community and the global Church?

rationale for changeWHY UNION OF CHURCHES?1. Reduce number of levels of organization2. Enable redistribution of financial resources3. Enable redistribution of personnel4. Enhance mission in specific areas5. Facilitate access to country authorities6. Faster communication and more appropriate

decision making

changes needed

Making a union of churches a desirable option:

Change policy-a positive option Adequate representation at all levels Fair financial arrangements Remove special wage scale provisions Define clear criteria and process for new status

changes needed

Policy for union of churches-conference, similar to union conference, with a blend of local conference elements

Policy for union of churches-mission, similar to union mission, with a blend of local mission elements

changes needed

Union of churches-conference, self-supporting, approve its own constitution based on new model

Union of churches-mission, guided by operating policy, approved by division, based on General Conference model policy

changes neededNEW NOMENCLATURE:

Union Conference of ChurchesUnion Mission of Churches

ORUnion of Churches-ConferenceUnion of Churches-Mission

ORAnother

changes needed

New policy to govern distribution of institutions

New policy to govern discontinuation, dissolution, and mergers

philosophy Changing and diverse world Dominant religious organizations Faster and effective means of communication Possibility of centralized financial

management to large geographical areas Tighter immigration laws Difficulty transferring funds

philosophy Expansion of education Rapid growth of Church in some areas Negative growth of Church in some areas Increased threat of war Ability to travel long distances quickly and

cheaplySome factors are a blessing; others are

challenge to the Church

philosophyWE NEED TO ASK QUESTIONS:

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the new model?

Does it respond to the realities of the Church and the world we now live in?

Can we or should we amend a structure that is almost 160 years old?

philosophy

Is the Church over-governed? The answer could be-yes, in some parts, no, in others

Will new structures threaten unity or enhance it?

Does the new model fairly provide for representation?

philosophy

Local churches struggling financially Perception is that too much money is being

passed to higher organizations Not enough money for evangelism locally Should we alter structure just to redistribute

money? We need a better reason than just financial

philosophy

Restructuring must foster unity We must avoid congregationalism at all costs Be careful to avoid isolation Restructuring must release more personnel into the

field Country structures can respond to political realities

far more readily New structures must not result in additional units

philosophy

We must bring the Church into 21st century Change can be painful If it is imposed it becomes objectionable-must be

seen as an option Must include features that address relevant needs Must assist the mission of the Church, provide

essential resources, both financial and personnel

constitution

Changes will be needed in the General Conference constitution and bylaws to accommodate new models

Union of churches-conference and union of churches-mission need to be identified as well recognized units, not Cinderella organizations

constitution ARTICLE IV-MEMBERSHIPMembership of the General Conference includes unions

of churches-conference and union of churches-mission

ARTICLE V-General Conference SESSIONSRegular delegates to GC Session from unions of

churchesUnion of churches-mission: one delegate as well as

president (same as union mission)Union of churches-conference: two delegates as well as

president (same as union conference)

constitution

ARTICLE VIII-EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Presidents of union of churches-conference and mission serve as ex-officio members of General Conference Executive Committee

bylaws ARTICLE VIII-AUDITING SERVICE AND

AUDITS

GCAS is the preferred provider for auditing services for unions of churches

ARTICLE XIII-EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

This article will need to be deleted. It states that presidents of unions of churches are only invitees to General Conference Executive Committee

bylaws ARTICLE XIV-DIVISION EXECUTIVE

COMMITTEES

Presidents of unions of churches to be ex-officio of their respective division committees

ARTICLE XVII-FUNDS

An extra percentage of funds (2-3%) may need to be remitted to the division for extra services rendered to unions of churches, e.g. depts.

bylaws

Unions of churches will have access to a larger pool of funds than union conferences/missions. Unions of churches will receive 100% of the tithe from the local churches while union conferences/missions usually only receive 10% of this amount. If unions of churches are required to remit an extra 2-3% to the division they will still receive 70-80% more than union conferences/missions.

policy amendmentsB Organization and Administration Constituency based units No longer an exceptional unit of organization Units required to abide by teachings and

policies of the Church A building block of the church Remove the special wage scale provision

policy

B 60 ESTABLISHING NEW CONSTITUENCY-BASED UNITS

Nomenclature Process for organizing new unions of churches Reorganizing unions of churches-better to organize

two unions of churches rather than a union conference or union mission-which puts back another level of structure

policy

B 75 11 ESTABLISHING NEW CONSTITUENCY-BASED UNITS

General criteria for establishing new unions of churches

Process for dividing a union of churches

policyB 85 UNION OF CHURCHES Negativity removed Preferred organizational arrangement New set of criteria

-contiguous boundaries-no more than one union in any geographical area-similar language groups-population, 10 mill.-150 mill.-membership, 4000-150,000-no sub units-must advance mission of the Church

policy

B 85 UNION OF CHURCHES

Authorization by General Conference Union of churches-conference, model

constitution Union of churches-mission, operating policy

policyB 90 DISCONTINUATION OF

ORGANIZATIONS

Discontinuation of organizations Mergers Dissolution Expulsion

policyD 11 MODEL UNION OF CHURCHES-

CONFERENCE CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

Patterned after union conference and conference constitution and bylaws

policyD 17 MODEL UNION OF CHURCHES-MISSION

OPERATING POLICY

An entirely new policy The model needs to be added to the GC Working

Policy Needs to be approved by the relevant division

executive committee for each union of churches-mission

Includes elements from local mission and union mission model operating policies

policyFinancial policies

Policies have yet to be written It is recommended that unions of churches remit to the

division an extra 2-3% more than union conferences/missions This is to cover extra services provided by the division to

unions of churches, e.g. departments Divisions may return this money to unions of churches if

extra services are not needed and /or provided

policy Remember that unions of churches will have

access to a larger pool of funds than union conferences/missions. Unions of churches will receive 100% of the tithe from the local churches while union conferences/missions only receive 10% of this amount. If unions of churches are required to remit an extra 2-3% to the division they will still receive 70-80% more than union conferences/missions.

recommendationsWe recommend: the redistribution of finances and personnel to meet

the needs of an irregular world and a rapidly changing church

that the total number of administrative units be reduced and that one level of structure be eliminated where deemed valuable for mission of the Church

the adoption of unions of churches, both conference and mission to address the issues identified above

recommendationsWe recommend: That unions of churches, conference and

mission be normalized in General Conference Constitution and Bylaws as well as in Working Policy

That a special study be initiated to determine how best to communicate this proposal to church members

recommendationsWe recommend: The development of models to show impact

on number of delegates to GC Session, additional members on GC and Division Executive Committees

The development of models that will demonstrate the impact of this proposal on both financial and personnel resources.

appendices Appendix A General Consultation on Church Polity and Theology in

Europe Appendix BRobert Pierson Letter Appendix CAustrian Union Conference Reorganization Appendix DRobert Pierson Telegram

appendices Appendix ERobert Pierson Letter to Marius Fridlin Appendix FEdwin Ludescher Letter to Neal Wilson and other items Appendix GObservations and responses to questionnaires sent to

union of churches-conference presidents Appendix HAdventist Review, July 14-28, 2005