I would like to welcome
you to an interesting new idea
00:00:10.96\00:00:15.76
that we have come up with.
00:00:15.76\00:00:17.13
The church has
always been about growth.
00:00:17.13\00:00:21.33
You would agree, yes or no?
00:00:21.33\00:00:23.46
The church has always
been about growth, at its core,
00:00:23.46\00:00:27.10
it's mission, it's growth
that comes from Revelation 14.
00:00:27.10\00:00:30.70
Teaching, training, and General
Youth Conference has always
00:00:30.70\00:00:34.30
seen itself
helping and aiding in that.
00:00:34.30\00:00:37.16
We teach young people, we
train young people, we want to
00:00:37.16\00:00:40.73
be the church of today
that can aid our church.
00:00:40.73\00:00:45.16
So what we have done is,
we have always worked with
00:00:45.16\00:00:49.53
Church leadership, Amen?
00:00:49.53\00:00:52.33
We have Godly leaders in
our church and we wanted to
00:00:52.33\00:00:55.86
bring them forward
for a moment for some real
00:00:55.86\00:00:59.03
interaction, we want the
panel to, some of you are
00:00:59.03\00:01:02.33
evangelist, some of you
are trainers, some of you are
00:01:02.33\00:01:05.63
teachers, some of
you are preachers.
00:01:05.63\00:01:08.03
We want to dispel
that this morning.
00:01:08.03\00:01:10.36
In a very real way we
want to get to know you,
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to get to know who you
are, what makes you tick,
00:01:13.26\00:01:16.13
why you serve the church.
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We've had the privilege
to work with church members
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and church
leadership for quite some time.
00:01:22.36\00:01:25.06
I think of Dr. Ratsara,
Dr. Pippin, I think of Elder
00:01:25.06\00:01:29.33
Gallimore, all along
the way Godly church leaders
00:01:29.33\00:01:33.60
have be helping
us and mentoring us.
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So what we have done
this morning, we have taken
00:01:36.70\00:01:38.40
questions from you, we
have taken questions from young
00:01:38.40\00:01:41.66
people around the world and
we distilled them down to very
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specific questions
that we want answered.
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Because we want them
to be relevant people.
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Just like us, they are
real people, and so for a moment
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we want to sit here
with you at this table.
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Like a child would inquisit
their parents and we want to
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be very real, and we
want real answers from
00:02:02.20\00:02:04.56
real people this morning.
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We have assembled
questions from around the world.
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You will get a pulse, you
will get a sense of what the
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young people here
in this auditorium,
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and literally around the
world, how they are thinking
00:02:13.73\00:02:16.13
and what they struggle with.
00:02:16.13\00:02:18.06
And we want to do that and
we want to launch into that
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if you will allow us.
00:02:21.30\00:02:23.06
I want to first of all
thank you for being here.
00:02:23.06\00:02:25.70
Thank you for your support,
I know some of you had other
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things that you changed
your schedule to be here.
00:02:29.06\00:02:32.30
It means a lot to us that
you are here supporting us.
00:02:32.30\00:02:36.10
I think in my presidency,
at GYC, two highlights stick
00:02:36.10\00:02:40.06
out on my mind, this conference
because it has been such
00:02:40.06\00:02:44.03
a spiritual blessing and
such a GC representation.
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The other is, some of you,
actually I think all of you,
00:02:48.66\00:02:53.46
voted me to serve as a GYC
voice in Atlanta at the upcoming
00:02:53.46\00:02:58.20
session and I am just
ecstatic that us here, as young
00:02:58.20\00:03:02.13
people, have a voice at
the General Conference session.
00:03:02.13\00:03:06.06
For the that I thank
you, I appreciate that, and I
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humbly and honorably take
that and serve as a voice.
00:03:10.33\00:03:14.46
So thank you very much for that.
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So if you will allow
me, we will get started.
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If I can, actually I should
introduce you to who we have
00:03:18.20\00:03:23.00
here, we have Elder
Mike Ryan, Dr. Ted Wilson,
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Dr. Ratsara, Dr. Mark Finley,
00:03:28.60\00:03:32.30
although it's Pastor
Mark Finley for me I think.
00:03:32.30\00:03:35.23
Dr. Ella Simmons, Dr. Bill
Knot, Dr. Don Schneider, each
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serve as General Conference Vice
Presidents, Elder Knots serves
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as the communication
piece, specifically of the GC.
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Elder Schneider an Elder Ratsara
served as Division Presidents,
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which are branches of
the General Conference.
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We might get into
that a little bit later,
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but that is who we have here.
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We have Israel and we have
Amy, Israel because GYC all
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along the way has had support
from the church and it has
00:04:02.90\00:04:06.50
seeked the Council of the
church and we have him to show
00:04:06.50\00:04:10.03
that, and we have Amy.
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This morning also there is
an unwritten thing that will
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happen, there is a proper
way to associate with church
00:04:15.40\00:04:19.40
leadership, and we want
to show that in a very real,
00:04:19.40\00:04:23.33
practical way this morning.
00:04:23.33\00:04:25.16
So if I could ask the first
question to get us started.
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We have had a conference
and focused on being unashamed.
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We have focused on commitment
to spiritual things in a
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practical way, we have
talked about creation, we have
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talked about being
unashamed of the gospel.
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I think this
question fits within that.
00:04:45.53\00:04:47.96
I will open it up to anyone,
as leaders of the General
00:04:47.96\00:04:51.43
Conference, would you
speak to the commitment level of
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the GC leadership as well
as the global leadership to
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the authority of
Scripture, even when it cuts
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across cultural practices.
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Dr. Mark: Culture
should never dictate Scripture.
00:05:09.70\00:05:12.86
John 17:17 Jesus
says, Thy word is truth.
00:05:12.86\00:05:15.96
The General Conference
of Seventh-day Adventist is
00:05:15.96\00:05:18.00
clear on the
authority of Scripture.
00:05:18.00\00:05:21.26
Scripture always
transcends culture.
00:05:21.26\00:05:24.50
Now there can be cultural
aspects in which Paul says,
00:05:24.50\00:05:28.30
"I become of all
things to all men. "
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So methods can be
adapted, not theology.
00:05:31.26\00:05:34.13
Israel: Thank you, I wish
Elder Finley I would have asked
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that question because
I was suppose to have a
00:05:39.30\00:05:41.13
follow-up question to
you, but here it goes anyway.
00:05:41.13\00:05:45.00
Recently most of us are
aware of, recently there have
00:05:46.86\00:05:50.20
been some public criticisms
on the Internet regarding
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the amounts of money spent
on public evangelism in the
00:05:53.26\00:05:56.30
form of net type campaigns.
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Are there other successful
methods that are more cost-
00:05:58.46\00:06:02.20
effective in public evangelism?
00:06:02.20\00:06:05.86
Dr. Mark: Well most the people
who are criticizing public
00:06:05.86\00:06:08.16
evangelism are not doing
it. Audience: Amen! Amen!
00:06:08.16\00:06:12.36
And there is a lot of critics,
and if they had a better
00:06:12.36\00:06:14.56
method at winning more
souls, praise the Lord.
00:06:14.56\00:06:18.10
But when you look at Net
Evangelism, we already have
00:06:18.10\00:06:21.13
the airtime on
3ABN or Hope Channel.
00:06:21.13\00:06:23.90
If you uplink one series,
you might have 5000, 3000,
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2000 churches and groups
in their homes participating.
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I would ask Jesus,
what is the worth of a soul?
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I would ask the young people
here, how many of you have
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ever attended a
Net Evangelistic Event?
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May I see your hands?
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How many of you have
ever been blessed by it?
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How many of you have been
baptized as the result of a
00:06:50.33\00:06:53.80
Net Event, may I see your hands?
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Was it too expensive
for you? Certainly not!
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So do we look for
better methods of evangelism?
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Definitely, should we
find better methods? Certainly!
00:07:02.06\00:07:06.33
But Jesus words in Mark
16:16, "go preach the gospel"
00:07:06.33\00:07:10.56
still ring with relevance.
00:07:10.56\00:07:12.33
Dr. Bill: There are some
of us here who owe an immense
00:07:14.03\00:07:16.46
amount to public evangelism.
00:07:16.46\00:07:18.93
I spent a moment a while
back thinking about the fact
00:07:18.93\00:07:21.66
that my paternal grandfather
came into the Adventist
00:07:21.66\00:07:24.36
church through the
Ministry of HMJ Richards,
00:07:24.36\00:07:27.66
the father of HMS senior.
00:07:27.66\00:07:29.46
My maternal grandmother,
and my mother, through the
00:07:29.46\00:07:32.23
Ministry of Glenn Kuhn.
00:07:32.23\00:07:33.73
My wife through the Ministry
of Mark Finley, I owe an
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amazing amount to public
evangelism and I always will.
00:07:37.33\00:07:40.83
Dr. Ella: May I
just add just a note?
00:07:42.60\00:07:45.96
I just wonder why we always
feel that there must be an
00:07:45.96\00:07:50.53
either or, as opposed to
using all of the methods that
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are available to us.
00:07:55.10\00:07:56.43
I believe that is the example
that we receive from Jesus.
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Amy: Elder Ratsara, I
think with you being a Division
00:08:00.73\00:08:03.40
President, you might be able
to help us answer this question.
00:08:03.40\00:08:06.13
Many young adults are
ignorant of how the church works
00:08:06.13\00:08:08.96
beyond their
local church and pastor.
00:08:08.96\00:08:11.26
Can you help us to
understand the necessity of our
00:08:11.26\00:08:13.16
system of church structure
which includes local church,
00:08:13.16\00:08:16.06
conference, union, division,
and the General conference?
00:08:16.06\00:08:18.93
Ratsara Thank you so
much, our God is a God of order.
00:08:18.93\00:08:23.56
And He has given us a
wonderful structure to support
00:08:23.56\00:08:28.10
the mission of the church.
00:08:28.10\00:08:30.63
When it comes to the
structure of the church, we have
00:08:30.63\00:08:35.70
four levels, four
levels of our structure.
00:08:35.70\00:08:40.63
Which one of them, one of
the levels is divided actually
00:08:40.63\00:08:44.03
into two, we will
know that later on.
00:08:44.03\00:08:46.93
We have first the local
church, the local churches are
00:08:46.93\00:08:51.80
made of all the individual
members of the church.
00:08:51.80\00:08:56.70
And then we have the
local conferences, or local
00:08:56.70\00:09:01.56
missions, or field of section
depending where they are talking
00:09:01.56\00:09:07.80
But it is the same level.
00:09:07.80\00:09:10.50
So the local conference
is made up of local churches.
00:09:10.50\00:09:16.66
We have many, many conferences
all around the world.
00:09:16.66\00:09:22.60
Then we have the union,
the union is a union that is
00:09:22.60\00:09:28.50
made up of local conferences.
00:09:28.50\00:09:31.30
The union is called the
building block of the General
00:09:31.30\00:09:36.66
Conference, and then the
fourth level from the top is
00:09:36.66\00:09:41.93
the General Conference, which
is divided into 13 divisions.
00:09:41.93\00:09:50.56
A division is a branch
of the General Conference,
00:09:50.56\00:09:55.46
so you can see it is
well structured to push
00:09:55.46\00:10:00.36
forward for our
mission to go forward.
00:10:00.36\00:10:03.83
This is a wonderful structure
that the Lord has given us.
00:10:03.83\00:10:08.06
Justin: Thank you, it is always
good and interesting for us to
00:10:08.06\00:10:11.50
understand that structure,
because I think it exists
00:10:11.50\00:10:14.86
for a reason and a purpose.
00:10:14.86\00:10:16.60
If I can set the tone on
the panel a little bit and get
00:10:16.60\00:10:20.80
real with you guys for
second, and gal, we understand
00:10:20.80\00:10:24.93
that the church exists to
protect our fundamental beliefs,
00:10:24.93\00:10:29.70
and I just want to
read a question and
00:10:29.70\00:10:31.26
we have many that came
in because I think it is
00:10:31.26\00:10:33.36
on the hearts of people.
00:10:33.36\00:10:34.93
Some, not all of our
colleges and universities
00:10:34.93\00:10:37.83
continue to hire and protect
professors who do not believe
00:10:37.83\00:10:41.66
in our core
beliefs, such as creation.
00:10:41.66\00:10:44.86
Many youths have lost
their faith under such teachers.
00:10:44.86\00:10:49.23
How can this be stopped?
00:10:49.23\00:10:52.76
Audience shouting Amen!
00:10:52.76\00:10:56.20
Dr. Ella: I tend to
think that comes to me.
00:10:56.20\00:10:58.96
Justin: It was open to anyone.
00:10:58.96\00:11:01.63
There is of course not
enough time to deal adequately
00:11:01.63\00:11:05.96
with that question, yet
I believe we can lay some
00:11:05.96\00:11:10.26
fundamental blocks
of understanding here.
00:11:10.26\00:11:14.60
First of all, my personal stand,
and the stand of the church is
00:11:14.60\00:11:19.80
is that Seventh-day Adventist
schools at all levels, including
00:11:19.80\00:11:24.93
colleges and universities
exist for one purpose.
00:11:24.93\00:11:29.86
In most countries of the
world today there are excellent
00:11:29.86\00:11:33.43
systems of education,
but we operate Seventh-day
00:11:33.43\00:11:38.03
Adventist education
institutions to pass on,
00:11:38.03\00:11:42.56
to teach Seventh-day Adventist
world perspective, spiritual
00:11:42.56\00:11:48.46
understanding, Scriptural
knowledge and so forth.
00:11:48.46\00:11:52.96
Ellen White said, and we
must hold on to this, that
00:11:52.96\00:11:57.43
education and
redemption are one.
00:11:57.43\00:12:01.20
If our schools are not
thoroughly and uniquely Seventh-
00:12:01.20\00:12:08.46
day Adventist,
they should not exist.
00:12:08.46\00:12:11.73
We have no reason for
them other than that they are
00:12:11.73\00:12:14.73
thoroughly
Seventh-day Adventist.
00:12:14.73\00:12:17.33
Then that indicates that
in order to get a Seventh-day
00:12:17.33\00:12:21.53
Adventist education, we
need, we have an imperative for
00:12:21.53\00:12:26.70
Seventh day Adventist,
committed practicing Seventh-day
00:12:26.70\00:12:31.80
Adventist faculty,
leadership, and staff.
00:12:31.80\00:12:36.36
We have all been in a position
in which individuals have
00:12:36.36\00:12:39.56
been hired into our schools
who have not been Seventh-
00:12:39.56\00:12:42.86
day Adventist and we
appreciate our colleagues, but
00:12:42.86\00:12:46.43
either they will betray
themselves as good Christians
00:12:46.43\00:12:50.10
by teaching what we believe,
if they are not Seventh-day
00:12:50.10\00:12:53.90
Adventist, or they betray
us by teaching something other
00:12:53.90\00:12:57.70
than Seventh-day Adventist
beliefs in our schools.
00:12:57.70\00:13:01.93
It is clear from Genesis
to Revelation that academics
00:13:01.93\00:13:06.13
and spirituality are one.
00:13:06.13\00:13:09.90
The divisions that you
hear about, that we read about,
00:13:09.90\00:13:13.26
are false, they are a
work, a tool of the devil.
00:13:13.26\00:13:17.10
Clearly, I could go on
and on, but maybe I should let
00:13:17.10\00:13:20.40
someone else
have a point on this.
00:13:20.40\00:13:22.33
We have a responsibility
to make our schools, all of
00:13:22.33\00:13:26.43
them everywhere, thoroughly
Seventh-day Adventist.
00:13:26.43\00:13:29.83
Justin: Yeah I really appreciate
that, I think the key for me
00:13:29.83\00:13:33.20
is that you responded to it that
if they are not teaching, they
00:13:33.20\00:13:36.13
essentially are not Adventist
institutions as we know it.
00:13:36.13\00:13:39.66
If I could go with a
follow-up question on that,
00:13:39.66\00:13:43.20
actually go ahead Mike.
00:13:43.20\00:13:45.13
Dr. Mike: I just wanted to make
a quick comment that sometimes
00:13:45.13\00:13:48.20
when you are addressing
this issue, it is important to
00:13:48.20\00:13:50.90
keep in mind that it is
not just church leadership that
00:13:50.90\00:13:53.93
addresses it, but it is
laypeople and church leadership
00:13:53.93\00:13:56.90
working together, and
that is what will provide a
00:13:56.90\00:13:59.66
solution that will be of a
permanent nature and one that
00:13:59.66\00:14:03.80
is progressive for the kingdom.
00:14:03.80\00:14:05.93
Justin: So what can
we do as young people?
00:14:05.93\00:14:07.23
Dr. Ted: There is a very
practical way in which church
00:14:08.70\00:14:12.56
members can address the needs
and the confusing situation,
00:14:12.56\00:14:18.00
at times, on campuses and
that is to work through the
00:14:18.00\00:14:22.10
system, it is so
important to have leadership at
00:14:22.10\00:14:26.23
colleges and universities
who are absolutely committed
00:14:26.23\00:14:30.36
the 28 fundamentals beliefs.
00:14:30.36\00:14:32.70
To the word of God, to
the three Angels messages.
00:14:32.70\00:14:35.80
There are many of our
administrators who are like
00:14:35.80\00:14:39.43
that, but it is important
that you work through them and
00:14:39.43\00:14:43.03
through the board of trustees.
00:14:43.03\00:14:45.43
Those people are responsible
for those institutions
00:14:45.43\00:14:48.83
and that is where you, in
a practical way, can actually
00:14:48.83\00:14:52.20
influence the people
by simply talking to them,
00:14:52.20\00:14:55.73
calling them, e-mailing
them, dialoguing with them.
00:14:55.73\00:14:59.20
It will make a difference, you
need to make your voice known.
00:14:59.20\00:15:03.93
Dr. Ella: May I
just add a point?
00:15:03.93\00:15:06.23
You said as young people,
and I'm thinking as young
00:15:06.23\00:15:10.30
people, as students you
have a responsibility to stand
00:15:10.30\00:15:14.30
for truth in these institutions.
00:15:14.30\00:15:18.00
In the classrooms, if you
stand and you are honest in
00:15:18.00\00:15:22.33
your communication of what
is happening, those who have
00:15:22.33\00:15:26.10
responsibilities and the
desire to make a difference,
00:15:26.10\00:15:30.16
will have, shall we say,
the foundation from which to
00:15:30.16\00:15:34.20
operate to make the difference.
00:15:34.20\00:15:36.60
Often those of us who
travel around the world,
00:15:36.60\00:15:39.86
who sit in various
offices who are not out of touch
00:15:39.86\00:15:43.36
with the church, but
who are focused in different
00:15:43.36\00:15:46.80
places, at different times,
really do not know exactly
00:15:46.80\00:15:50.53
what is happening
in a given class room.
00:15:50.53\00:15:53.50
But if you stand for
truth, if you stand for what is
00:15:53.50\00:15:58.30
right, everyone here
will stand behind you.
00:15:58.30\00:16:01.70
Israel: Thank you,
we appreciate that.
00:16:03.40\00:16:04.50
When you say stand for
truth we hear make your voice
00:16:04.50\00:16:08.20
heard, stand for truth,
all these things are very
00:16:08.20\00:16:12.10
positive and encouraging for us.
00:16:12.10\00:16:13.96
Working through the
system, I think the bottom-line
00:16:13.96\00:16:17.40
question is what does that mean?
00:16:17.40\00:16:19.73
How do we do that?
00:16:19.73\00:16:21.23
How do we work through
the system in a proper way?
00:16:21.23\00:16:23.33
Does it mean in a classroom
setting, if my professor is
00:16:23.33\00:16:26.60
saying something that is
clearly not in line with what
00:16:26.60\00:16:29.36
I understand the Bible to
be, do I stand in class and
00:16:29.36\00:16:32.06
say something, to
write him a letter?
00:16:32.06\00:16:33.70
What are the ways in
which we can stand for truth and
00:16:33.70\00:16:36.30
work through the system, and
how does this all tie into, it
00:16:36.30\00:16:40.03
is like the question asked
regarding church structure.
00:16:40.03\00:16:43.90
We don't understand
the church structure.
00:16:43.90\00:16:45.63
Can I write a letter
to the GC president or any
00:16:45.63\00:16:48.16
president, what would be
working through the system?
00:16:48.16\00:16:51.36
Dr. Ella: I want to start with
a personal example, and then
00:16:51.36\00:16:54.53
anyone here can answer
this specific question.
00:16:54.53\00:16:57.80
I want to say welcome
to Louisville everyone,
00:16:57.80\00:17:01.03
this is my town,
this is my hometown.
00:17:01.03\00:17:04.13
I grew up here and my
family was not Seventh-day
00:17:04.13\00:17:06.90
Adventist, I joined the
Seventh-day Adventist church
00:17:06.90\00:17:10.56
at age 16, so I made a
decision as a young person.
00:17:10.56\00:17:14.06
I did not have the blessing
of Seventh-day Adventist
00:17:14.06\00:17:17.56
education, I attended
universities right here.
00:17:17.56\00:17:21.13
Indiana University, the
University of Louisville.
00:17:21.13\00:17:24.70
I did get Andrews in later on.
00:17:24.70\00:17:27.20
But right here in this
town I did my doctoral work.
00:17:27.20\00:17:32.80
First of all you must
always conduct yourself as Jesus
00:17:32.80\00:17:37.53
would, you do not need to
attack the professor in class.
00:17:37.53\00:17:42.26
I had to deal with
this in a real situation.
00:17:42.26\00:17:47.06
For example, I can
remember I would always say when
00:17:47.06\00:17:50.70
called upon to answer
those questions, evolution,
00:17:50.70\00:17:54.30
let's go right there.
00:17:54.30\00:17:55.90
I believed that as a scholar
I need to know the theories
00:17:55.90\00:17:59.96
of evolution, but
never to accept it as fact.
00:17:59.96\00:18:03.90
So I would always have to
say in class, and all my test
00:18:03.90\00:18:08.46
papers, according to you
this is what has happened,
00:18:08.46\00:18:13.30
although I still believe
it is six days, God created
00:18:13.30\00:18:18.13
the heaven and
earth and so forth.
00:18:18.13\00:18:19.90
So there is a way to do it
without creating a problem.
00:18:19.90\00:18:23.36
People will respect you
even while they continue to
00:18:23.36\00:18:26.83
disagree with you.
00:18:26.83\00:18:28.56
Dr. Mark: To follow up on
what Ella has said, there is a
00:18:28.56\00:18:33.46
difference between a
teacher who makes a comment in
00:18:33.46\00:18:38.33
class that I may not fully
understand, and they may have
00:18:38.33\00:18:42.76
a different perception of
truth than I do, and a blatant
00:18:42.76\00:18:47.93
open statement that
violates the tenets of Scripture
00:18:47.93\00:18:53.06
in the Adventist church.
00:18:53.06\00:18:55.10
The comment on academic
freedom, in a sense academic
00:18:55.10\00:19:00.10
freedom is a
myth and here is why.
00:19:00.10\00:19:03.90
When I agree to teach
in a Seventh day Adventist
00:19:03.90\00:19:10.33
College, by that very agreement
I agree to be supported
00:19:10.33\00:19:16.06
by seventh day Adventist
tuition dollars, from Seventh-
00:19:16.06\00:19:20.50
day Adventist parents who
want a Seventh-day Adventist
00:19:20.50\00:19:24.93
education. Audience: Amen!
00:19:24.93\00:19:27.73
So I voluntarily, by choice,
I give up freedom to teach
00:19:27.73\00:19:35.00
contrary to Seventh-day
Adventist values, and if
00:19:35.00\00:19:39.26
I can't do that, the thing
to do; and be intellectually
00:19:39.26\00:19:43.33
honest, is to say, I no longer
believe that, and go teach
00:19:43.33\00:19:47.36
someplace else,
where that can be accepted.
00:19:47.36\00:19:51.26
So academic freedom, there
are Catholic universities, whose
00:19:51.26\00:19:55.30
boards meet; who dismissed
recently, teachers because they
00:19:55.30\00:19:58.73
weren't teaching Catholic
theology in their University.
00:19:58.73\00:20:02.13
Presbyterian boards and
Lutheran Boards who meet,
00:20:02.13\00:20:08.00
so the issue is, yes as
Adventist we work together,
00:20:08.00\00:20:13.33
we work in harmony and
love, but the intellectually
00:20:13.33\00:20:17.76
honest thing to do, for
somebody who may no longer
00:20:17.76\00:20:21.83
believe Adventist theology,
is to find a place where
00:20:21.83\00:20:24.86
they can teach in
harmony with what they believe.
00:20:24.86\00:20:27.83
Amy: Elder Schneider I would
like to ask you a question that
00:20:27.83\00:20:30.70
is related to that, for
those professors who may not
00:20:30.70\00:20:34.20
take that integrity
position and remove themselves,
00:20:34.20\00:20:37.66
I think this
question is directed that way.
00:20:37.66\00:20:40.20
Recently there has been
an online petition asking the
00:20:40.20\00:20:43.43
General Conference
to tolerate monogamous
00:20:43.43\00:20:46.33
homosexual relationships.
00:20:46.33\00:20:48.76
Some of those signers
were ministers and professors
00:20:48.76\00:20:51.16
of our schools.
00:20:51.16\00:20:52.40
Some sits on boards of
organizations that teach very
00:20:52.40\00:20:55.23
divergent doctrines, what
should be done when church
00:20:55.23\00:20:58.00
employees, receiving a
check from the church, openly
00:20:58.00\00:21:00.80
seeks to undermine the
very teachings they endorse?
00:21:00.80\00:21:03.56
Audience: Amen! Amen! Amen!
00:21:03.56\00:21:08.83
All the people, that
we talk about, are people.
00:21:08.83\00:21:12.03
We need to deal with all
the people in a Christian way.
00:21:14.60\00:21:20.16
Even people that are very,
very different in their way
00:21:20.16\00:21:25.73
of thinking than we might be.
00:21:25.73\00:21:28.50
If I am given an opportunity
to deal with an issue like
00:21:28.50\00:21:34.36
that, I really want to
deal with it by talking with the
00:21:34.36\00:21:41.16
person in a setting where
that person and I can visit
00:21:41.16\00:21:47.93
back-and-forth as
opposed to a trial setting.
00:21:47.93\00:21:52.76
It seems to me like a
trial setting causes a conflict
00:21:52.76\00:21:58.90
that may not be necessary.
00:21:58.90\00:22:01.60
Since I have been in the
jobs I have been in for the
00:22:01.60\00:22:07.26
last 30 years or so, it
has been my job to deal with
00:22:07.26\00:22:12.93
people, some of them
I have asked to quit.
00:22:12.93\00:22:17.73
Very rarely, almost
always as we visit, I can find a
00:22:17.73\00:22:23.43
time to ask a question,
are you having a lot of fun
00:22:23.43\00:22:29.10
doing what you are doing?
00:22:29.10\00:22:31.00
People who are not supportive
of this church are by in
00:22:31.00\00:22:36.96
large not having fun either.
00:22:36.96\00:22:39.40
And people who are not
enjoying what they are doing,
00:22:39.40\00:22:45.73
are not doing a good job
supporting this church often.
00:22:45.73\00:22:52.00
That leads me to
another point then.
00:22:52.00\00:22:54.50
I say, if you are not
having fun, and you are not
00:22:54.50\00:22:59.50
really into the mission of
this church, would you want
00:22:59.50\00:23:03.73
me to help you
find something else?
00:23:03.73\00:23:07.33
Almost always, that has
taken care of the issue for me.
00:23:07.33\00:23:13.00
Almost never have I said,
okay next Tuesday we go to
00:23:13.00\00:23:18.63
trial, be ready
because were coming at you.
00:23:18.63\00:23:21.43
That just has not been
necessary in my experience.
00:23:21.43\00:23:26.20
Justin: Thank you, I
guess to sum these questions up
00:23:26.20\00:23:30.63
in a sense, we asked them
as young people because there
00:23:30.63\00:23:35.06
is a sense of concern.
00:23:35.06\00:23:36.66
We love the church, we
love creation, we love God
00:23:36.66\00:23:41.50
creating man and woman to
marry and all these things,
00:23:41.50\00:23:46.30
to do with the
homosexuality thing.
00:23:46.30\00:23:48.23
Sometimes we get a sense
that these things are not being
00:23:48.23\00:23:53.30
dealt with
quickly, or quickly enough.
00:23:53.30\00:23:57.56
I think it goes with young
people, if this is happening,
00:23:57.56\00:24:00.36
let's do something right now.
00:24:00.36\00:24:03.76
But we also asked that
question from our mentors.
00:24:03.76\00:24:07.13
Why is there a sense from
young people that it doesn't
00:24:07.13\00:24:09.53
feel like it is
happening quick enough?
00:24:09.53\00:24:11.60
Why isn't, we talked
about creation, homosexuality,
00:24:11.60\00:24:15.03
why is this
something being done quicker?
00:24:15.03\00:24:17.40
Dr. Ted: Probably one of the
basic reasons, touching on this,
00:24:17.40\00:24:23.03
touching on creation and
many other subjects has to do
00:24:23.03\00:24:27.46
with something we started
out with, and that is the
00:24:27.46\00:24:31.86
authority of Scripture.
00:24:31.86\00:24:33.93
As society has permeated
the church, as we have become
00:24:33.93\00:24:40.00
more quotes sophisticated,
we have lost a sense of the
00:24:40.00\00:24:46.06
word of God in a
literal understanding as being
00:24:46.06\00:24:50.16
authoritative in our
lives, and in our institutions.
00:24:50.16\00:24:55.36
I think as we address these
situations, they have to be
00:24:55.36\00:25:00.53
done within the
light of Scripture.
00:25:00.53\00:25:03.13
The Scripture is very
clear on homosexuality,
00:25:03.13\00:25:06.70
it doesn't mean that
we cannot deal with the
00:25:06.70\00:25:10.20
situation in a Christ-like
manner, as Elder Schneider
00:25:10.20\00:25:13.86
has said and others.
00:25:13.86\00:25:15.83
It needs to be done carefully,
but society should not
00:25:15.83\00:25:20.43
impact the way we view truth.
00:25:20.43\00:25:24.33
Scripture has to be
presented first and I think more
00:25:24.33\00:25:28.33
and more administrators
need to understand that.
00:25:28.33\00:25:32.23
When they do, and when
they fully accept that, things
00:25:32.23\00:25:36.03
will move a little more
quickly than you are seeing
00:25:36.03\00:25:39.76
at the present time.
00:25:39.76\00:25:41.30
The conference that took
place at Andrews University
00:25:41.30\00:25:45.36
in October is a prime
example of how some individuals
00:25:45.36\00:25:49.00
who are very interested
in the area of marriage and
00:25:49.00\00:25:52.56
homosexuality, were able to
put together a very profound
00:25:52.56\00:25:58.50
conference they came
down very strongly on the word
00:25:58.50\00:26:01.90
of God, but with
care and with love.
00:26:01.90\00:26:04.96
But it is very
clear what God says.
00:26:04.96\00:26:07.93
Israel: Maybe just to
follow up from Elder Ryan.
00:26:07.93\00:26:11.46
The Seventh-day Adventist
church doesn't come to this
00:26:11.46\00:26:14.20
subject in neutral, we
have a position and it is
00:26:14.20\00:26:17.16
Biblical, we know what it is.
00:26:17.16\00:26:18.73
I think Elder Schneider's
counsel is very, very good.
00:26:18.73\00:26:22.40
I wonder what the
disciples thought?
00:26:22.40\00:26:24.80
There have to be some of
them that were just a little
00:26:24.80\00:26:28.30
suspicious about Judas,
and yet Christ went year after
00:26:28.30\00:26:31.80
year and didn't take care of it.
00:26:31.80\00:26:34.76
I wonder if we can't
learn something from that.
00:26:36.83\00:26:39.90
I think Elder
Schneider, counsel is very good.
00:26:39.90\00:26:42.90
The fact that let's deal
with people as Christ would
00:26:42.90\00:26:46.80
deal with them, it
doesn't change the truth.
00:26:46.80\00:26:49.60
We have a position and we
know what it is, but I think
00:26:49.60\00:26:53.23
our first responsibility
is when we finished is to say,
00:26:53.23\00:26:56.86
did I act like Jesus?
00:26:56.86\00:26:59.16
Dr. Paul: I would like to also
add, I really believe that we
00:26:59.16\00:27:06.43
are the church, we need to
take a firm stand and we have
00:27:06.43\00:27:10.93
done that as a corporate,
we have statements that are
00:27:10.93\00:27:16.40
written on top of what we
need to do as leaders and as
00:27:16.40\00:27:21.50
members as we have already
stated, Elder Schneider and
00:27:21.50\00:27:26.60
Doctor Ryan said.
00:27:26.60\00:27:27.83
I do believe we need
to apply this principle.
00:27:27.83\00:27:33.50
The best way to combat
error is to emphasize the truth.
00:27:33.50\00:27:39.60
So I feel the need, that
we need to do more emphasizing
00:27:39.60\00:27:46.53
the truth, we need to
spend more time and I would say
00:27:46.53\00:27:53.36
study more, talk about this and
gradually, while we emphasize
00:27:53.36\00:27:59.56
truth, then we are bringing
to light and gradually darkness,
00:27:59.56\00:28:05.76
it will go away.
00:28:05.76\00:28:07.60
On top of the administrative
approach that we are doing
00:28:07.60\00:28:11.80
and by the way you know
in the division, that is the
00:28:11.80\00:28:16.00
approach we are doing.
00:28:16.00\00:28:17.30
On top of that, we
need to emphasize the truth,
00:28:17.30\00:28:21.06
and the truth will triumph.
00:28:21.06\00:28:23.30
Dr. Mark: There is an example
from early Adventist history
00:28:23.30\00:28:26.03
that is very instructive,
although the Seventh-day
00:28:26.03\00:28:30.30
Adventist church today faces,
at times, the introduction of
00:28:30.30\00:28:34.73
doctoral heresies, this
is not new in the church.
00:28:34.73\00:28:39.53
Over 100 years ago, John
Harvey Kellogg introduced into
00:28:39.53\00:28:44.40
the Adventist church
pantheistic theories.
00:28:44.40\00:28:47.36
When they came in, they
came in subtly at first and
00:28:47.36\00:28:51.96
there were those Adventist
leaders that said meet this,
00:28:51.96\00:28:56.53
hit it head on,
purge the church.
00:28:56.53\00:29:00.36
They came to Ellen White
and Ellen White said, not yet.
00:29:00.36\00:29:06.06
Why? Her heart was
Pastoral, she wanted to save as
00:29:06.06\00:29:11.73
many people as possible.
00:29:11.73\00:29:13.90
The apostasy was not fully
developed and she recognized
00:29:13.90\00:29:17.93
that if church leadership
moved too quickly, people
00:29:17.93\00:29:21.90
along the way would be lost.
00:29:21.90\00:29:24.36
Many people may grasp the
fringes of an idea, but it
00:29:24.36\00:29:29.00
takes time to work with
them, as Elder Schneider has
00:29:29.00\00:29:33.63
mentioned, in kindness and love.
00:29:33.63\00:29:36.96
So why doesn't the church
move more quickly at times?
00:29:36.96\00:29:41.93
It is because the loving
heart of Christ longs to redeem
00:29:41.93\00:29:46.90
everybody possible
and to work with people.
00:29:46.90\00:29:50.43
But there was a point
where the pantheistic heresy was
00:29:50.43\00:29:55.06
affecting so many young
people that the church had to
00:29:55.06\00:29:58.73
meet it and Ellen White
said, that she was given a
00:29:58.73\00:30:02.40
dream by God, and He
said meet the apostasy.
00:30:02.40\00:30:06.70
Meet it head-on!
00:30:06.70\00:30:08.40
So there comes a blend,
and I know we are dealing with
00:30:08.40\00:30:12.80
young people who
want us to be real.
00:30:12.80\00:30:14.53
We are real leaders, we
love this church, we believe in
00:30:14.53\00:30:20.33
the supremacy
of the word of God.
00:30:20.33\00:30:23.06
But we also have
hearts of pastors.
00:30:23.06\00:30:25.70
We want to see our
teachers, many of whom, a vast
00:30:25.70\00:30:29.96
majority of whom love
Jesus and are committed to this
00:30:29.96\00:30:34.13
church, there may be some
who teach some things that are
00:30:34.13\00:30:37.90
not totally in harmony
with the fundamentals, but even
00:30:37.90\00:30:42.60
they have hearts to be
redeemed for God's kingdom.
00:30:42.60\00:30:47.26
So we have that delicate
balance, of walking that tight
00:30:47.26\00:30:50.66
rope between the Pastoral
love that reaches out to
00:30:50.66\00:30:54.30
redeem and protecting
the church from apostasy.
00:30:54.30\00:30:57.46
Please pray that as
leaders we will know when to be
00:30:57.46\00:31:00.60
tender and went to meet it.
00:31:00.60\00:31:02.83
Israel: I would like to follow
up that question Elder Finley.
00:31:02.83\00:31:07.10
I think it is great and
it's enlightening to us.
00:31:07.10\00:31:10.73
To me somewhat assuring
that there is a Pastoral
00:31:10.73\00:31:14.30
approach rather than just
oversight, which is what the
00:31:14.30\00:31:17.50
fear of the young
people sometimes is.
00:31:17.50\00:31:20.20
As a follow up
question, sometimes there is a
00:31:20.20\00:31:23.40
perception; some, not
all, church leaders seem to be
00:31:23.40\00:31:26.56
negative towards supporting
ministries that have a track
00:31:26.56\00:31:29.70
record for upholding
the teachings, policies, and
00:31:29.70\00:31:31.93
leadership of our church.
00:31:31.93\00:31:33.50
While other entities, and
even workers who undermine our
00:31:33.50\00:31:36.20
teachings seem to have
lost a lot of affirmation.
00:31:36.20\00:31:39.26
Then, how can this be? What
can be done to call everyone
00:31:39.26\00:31:42.80
to the same accountability?
00:31:42.80\00:31:44.63
Sometimes it seems as though
we're Pastoral in situations
00:31:44.63\00:31:48.10
where, as you just mentioned,
while at the same time not
00:31:48.10\00:31:51.96
showing the same type of
Pastoral ministry toward other
00:31:51.96\00:31:55.56
ministries that might in some
way try to support the church
00:31:55.56\00:31:59.13
in its distinctive teachings.
00:31:59.13\00:32:01.00
Dr. Ted: I think one of the most
important things, and we get
00:32:01.00\00:32:04.73
back to practical counsel,
Israel is what you're asking
00:32:04.73\00:32:07.83
about, how do we make a
difference when a school, or
00:32:07.83\00:32:11.96
whatever and the same
thing has to do with any kind of
00:32:11.96\00:32:16.06
supporting ministry activity.
00:32:16.06\00:32:18.76
You have to let people
know what you are doing,
00:32:18.76\00:32:22.30
who you are, you
have to make contact.
00:32:22.30\00:32:24.50
Leaders are people, like
you're trying to prove today.
00:32:24.50\00:32:28.73
You simply have to get
closer to people and explain it.
00:32:28.73\00:32:33.46
Let me just say it is
absolutely wonderful to be at
00:32:33.46\00:32:37.50
GYC, I have been here
since Wednesday night and I have
00:32:37.50\00:32:41.50
been thrilled, I have
been so encouraged by the
00:32:41.50\00:32:45.10
commitment of the
young people to the church,
00:32:45.10\00:32:48.60
and to the principles of
the church, and to Scripture,
00:32:48.60\00:32:52.36
and to what the advent
movement is really about.
00:32:52.36\00:32:57.06
Now once people get a
flavor of that, all doubts are
00:32:57.06\00:33:00.90
going to be dismissed, and
you have publicly stated from
00:33:00.90\00:33:04.73
this platform, that GYC
supports the Seventh-day
00:33:04.73\00:33:09.13
Adventist
church and always will.
00:33:09.13\00:33:10.93
Once people understand that,
they are not going to be as
00:33:10.93\00:33:14.60
hesitant and it is
the same with many other
00:33:14.60\00:33:17.16
supporting ministries.
00:33:17.16\00:33:18.50
People simply don't know
exactly what you are doing.
00:33:18.50\00:33:23.16
Some people, unfortunately,
are opposed simply because
00:33:23.16\00:33:27.76
their world view is
completely different.
00:33:27.76\00:33:31.36
And you just
have to accept that.
00:33:31.36\00:33:33.16
But I would highly
encourage supporting ministries,
00:33:33.16\00:33:36.86
and GYC has already
proven it, that you are so loyal
00:33:36.86\00:33:40.63
to the church and its
values and its mission, people
00:33:40.63\00:33:44.33
shouldn't have a question.
00:33:44.33\00:33:46.06
Israel: I appreciate that, but
I want to make sure that we are
00:33:46.06\00:33:48.80
also addressing the other
part of the question which is
00:33:48.80\00:33:52.43
in some cases I know we
seek to be Pastoral, and I
00:33:52.43\00:33:56.00
believe that is great.
00:33:56.00\00:33:57.23
I think it is great, we
need to win our brothers and
00:33:57.23\00:34:01.10
sisters and sometimes as
young people we overlook that.
00:34:01.10\00:34:04.86
So we appreciate you bringing
it to our attention Elder Finley
00:34:04.86\00:34:08.63
which sometimes causes us a
little bit of self reflection.
00:34:08.63\00:34:12.36
I guess the part of the
question that strikes me more
00:34:12.36\00:34:16.80
than anything is,
sometimes ministries are given
00:34:16.80\00:34:20.30
affirmation by certain
parts of church leadership.
00:34:20.30\00:34:22.90
That is a perception
that we sometimes receive.
00:34:22.90\00:34:25.40
That there is not just a
Pastoral treatment of the
00:34:25.40\00:34:28.26
situation but actually
affirmation is given to people
00:34:28.26\00:34:31.10
who are divergent or ministries
or situations that are divergent
00:34:31.10\00:34:33.86
from our fundamental beliefs.
00:34:33.86\00:34:35.90
Dr. Mark: You have to
distinguish Israel between
00:34:35.90\00:34:40.30
the affirmation given by an
individual and the endorsement
00:34:40.30\00:34:44.66
given by the church.
00:34:44.66\00:34:46.36
The Seventh-day
Adventist church at the General
00:34:47.80\00:34:50.33
Conference does not
mussel its leadership.
00:34:50.33\00:34:53.50
So you are going to have
people who may give individual
00:34:53.50\00:34:58.86
affirmation, but the Seventh-day
Adventist church of the
00:34:58.86\00:35:04.23
General Conference gives
endorsement to supporting
00:35:04.23\00:35:07.10
ministries through
the ASI organization.
00:35:07.10\00:35:10.20
The reason we are
here today is to give
00:35:10.20\00:35:13.26
endorsement to this ministry.
00:35:13.26\00:35:15.16
Now there are two other
aspects of this I want to
00:35:15.16\00:35:18.60
discuss, what is a
supporting ministry?
00:35:18.60\00:35:21.73
How do you define a
supporting ministry?
00:35:21.73\00:35:24.80
A supporting ministry is a
ministry that is in harmony
00:35:24.80\00:35:28.36
with the mission message
and organization of the Seventh-
00:35:28.36\00:35:31.90
day Adventist
church, but generates its own
00:35:31.90\00:35:35.13
financial support, so there
is no difference in loyalty
00:35:35.13\00:35:39.46
to mission
message and organization.
00:35:39.46\00:35:42.33
The only difference is
that it generates its own
00:35:42.33\00:35:44.20
financial support.
00:35:44.20\00:35:45.70
An independent ministry by
definition is one who stands
00:35:45.70\00:35:49.03
outside of the church and
becomes a corrective of the
00:35:49.03\00:35:52.30
church and
criticizes the church.
00:35:52.30\00:35:54.43
So you have two ends
of the spectrum, you have
00:35:54.43\00:35:57.50
independent ministries
who see the church in apostasy
00:35:57.50\00:36:01.36
and who correct it,
who attempt to correct it.
00:36:01.36\00:36:05.13
The fundamental issue
there its unsanctified pride.
00:36:05.13\00:36:08.96
On the other end of the
spectrum you have liberalism,
00:36:08.96\00:36:12.50
who believes it has grown
beyond the church, that it's
00:36:12.50\00:36:15.73
positions are archaic and
want to reform the church,
00:36:15.73\00:36:18.90
by getting it to deny
its fundamental beliefs.
00:36:18.90\00:36:22.73
That also is pride, so
whether you look at the ultra-
00:36:22.73\00:36:27.50
right, the critical
independences, or the ultra-left
00:36:27.50\00:36:32.23
the liberals, the
fundamental issue is pride.
00:36:32.23\00:36:35.40
We at the General
Conference want to bring people
00:36:35.40\00:36:39.03
toward the center of the
28 fundamental beliefs that
00:36:39.03\00:36:42.63
support this church
in the mission to take
00:36:42.63\00:36:45.23
the gospel to the world.
00:36:45.23\00:36:46.90
Dr. Bill: One of the ways in
which those of us who work in
00:36:46.90\00:36:51.73
the General Conference-based
ministries are learning to
00:36:51.73\00:36:54.90
think about our work is
to identify what God is doing
00:36:54.90\00:36:58.03
in the church, and
try to get in on it.
00:36:58.03\00:37:00.50
That means coming to
GYC, that means listening
00:37:00.50\00:37:04.00
carefully, that means praying
in the hall with young people,
00:37:04.00\00:37:07.16
that means letting our own
hearts and minds be affected
00:37:07.16\00:37:09.66
by the movement and the
phenomenon we are experiencing
00:37:09.66\00:37:13.00
here, in that we become
supportive ministries of what
00:37:13.00\00:37:16.30
you are doing, and
that is the definition
00:37:16.30\00:37:18.13
we intend to work with.
00:37:18.13\00:37:19.76
Dr. Mike: You know I have had an
opportunity to work in a lot of
00:37:19.76\00:37:24.80
frontline mission projects.
00:37:24.80\00:37:26.76
Many people come to me
and say, well we have a
00:37:26.76\00:37:30.23
supporting ministry that
wants to come and help us,
00:37:30.23\00:37:32.06
is it okay? We
don't know who they are.
00:37:32.06\00:37:34.33
Well there is a system
that we have within the church
00:37:34.33\00:37:39.66
that gives approval
to supporting ministries.
00:37:39.66\00:37:44.03
ASI is an organization
we use to say look at them,
00:37:44.03\00:37:48.16
if you are part of ASI
then we sometimes give a nod.
00:37:48.16\00:37:52.20
But actually there's a
much more biblical explanation
00:37:52.20\00:37:56.20
in the end, in the very end.
00:37:56.20\00:37:58.90
Isaiah 8:20, to the law and
to the testimony if they don't
00:37:58.90\00:38:01.96
speak according to this
word, there is no light in them.
00:38:01.96\00:38:05.10
And many times a supporting
ministry will prove itself
00:38:05.10\00:38:08.20
or not prove itself,
based on that principle.
00:38:08.20\00:38:12.40
There is a reputation
that begins to move forward.
00:38:12.40\00:38:15.50
I think there's no question
that as people rally around
00:38:15.50\00:38:22.73
the mission, the
message and they are interested
00:38:22.73\00:38:25.73
passionately and
proclaiming Christ to the world.
00:38:25.73\00:38:28.63
If they take that up, they will
become partners with the church.
00:38:28.63\00:38:32.70
Amy: Just as a follow up to
that, are we sure that all the
00:38:32.70\00:38:35.96
ministries represented at
the General Conference session
00:38:35.96\00:38:39.20
are supportive of
the church mission?
00:38:39.20\00:38:41.23
Audience: Hardy Amen, chuckling.
00:38:41.23\00:38:47.40
Dr. Ted: Are you talking
about ministries in the exhibit
00:38:47.40\00:38:51.63
session? Yes!
00:38:51.63\00:38:54.40
There is a committee that
works carefully to try and
00:38:54.40\00:38:58.13
screen those who are there.
00:38:58.13\00:39:00.43
They do their best, and
certainly the ASI standard is
00:39:00.43\00:39:05.70
held very high, there may
be some things that slip in
00:39:05.70\00:39:10.96
here and there, they
shouldn't, but by in large,
00:39:10.96\00:39:14.60
by God's grace we hope
the committee does a good job.
00:39:14.60\00:39:17.96
It is very careful in the
way things are planned for
00:39:17.96\00:39:21.26
the General Conference session.
00:39:21.26\00:39:22.93
Amy: I'm sure you choose Godly
people to sit on that committee,
00:39:22.93\00:39:26.30
each of you are in that leader-
ship position as Justin said,
00:39:26.30\00:39:29.66
and we look up to you
as very Godly leaders.
00:39:29.66\00:39:32.50
I think I speak for the
three of us, and many of the
00:39:32.50\00:39:35.56
young people here, we too
desire to become Godly leaders
00:39:35.56\00:39:38.60
one day, what do you
look for when you are hiring
00:39:38.60\00:39:41.23
someone? How can we develop
into those Godly leaders?
00:39:41.23\00:39:43.76
How can we seek mentorship
from people like yourselves,
00:39:43.76\00:39:46.36
from other people can help
train us to be those people?
00:39:46.36\00:39:48.93
What would you
suggest for us to do?
00:39:48.93\00:39:53.46
Yes, that is a
very good question.
00:39:53.46\00:39:57.93
Dr. Paul: Because the future
of the church is in Jesus Christ
00:39:57.93\00:40:03.93
through leadership, so
that is for an example,
00:40:03.93\00:40:08.30
Southern African division,
is a major portion of the
00:40:08.30\00:40:13.83
role of leadership to
mentor young people and young
00:40:13.83\00:40:19.33
leaders because it's success
without is a successor failure.
00:40:19.33\00:40:24.56
So what I have found, at
least three qualities that we
00:40:24.56\00:40:33.90
want to develop
for in leadership.
00:40:33.90\00:40:36.80
First of all, the church
is a spiritual organization.
00:40:36.80\00:40:41.60
So the first qualification,
the first quality we need
00:40:41.60\00:40:46.40
to develop is spirituality.
00:40:46.40\00:40:48.40
We need to be
very close to the Lord.
00:40:48.40\00:40:51.20
We need to allow God to
lead us so that we can lead
00:40:51.20\00:40:54.76
people, we don't want
to mislead the church.
00:40:54.76\00:40:57.76
So spirituality is very
important and vital aspect when
00:40:57.76\00:41:05.10
it comes to the
quality of leadership.
00:41:05.10\00:41:07.60
Then, secondly, is
love. We need to lead by love.
00:41:07.60\00:41:13.73
Jesus Christ is the top
leader, He is the example and
00:41:13.73\00:41:18.63
that is why we are still
worshiping Him now, because He
00:41:18.63\00:41:23.50
led by love, He
sacrificed Himself.
00:41:23.50\00:41:26.23
So by the grace of God we need
to develop this loving spirit,
00:41:26.23\00:41:30.43
because once people know
that you love them, then they
00:41:30.43\00:41:36.56
will follow you, so
love is very important.
00:41:36.56\00:41:41.10
Then thirdly, is excellence.
00:41:41.10\00:41:44.83
We need to ask God to
help us to be effective and
00:41:44.83\00:41:50.36
efficient, getting
things done, well organized.
00:41:50.36\00:41:55.83
So we can bring success to
the work of the Lord because
00:41:55.83\00:42:01.13
you cannot debate success.
00:42:01.13\00:42:03.63
They are three things,
spirituality, loving sacrifice,
00:42:03.63\00:42:08.43
and work hard.
00:42:08.43\00:42:10.96
Dr. Ted: Can I jump in on this?
00:42:10.96\00:42:13.10
I think God uses
people who are humble.
00:42:13.10\00:42:18.00
He doesn't need people who
have every kind of an answer
00:42:18.00\00:42:22.03
for everything, He can
use people who are even less
00:42:22.03\00:42:26.03
educated than one might
want to be able to accomplish
00:42:26.03\00:42:29.90
things, humility is one
of the most important things.
00:42:29.90\00:42:33.70
Which means
complete submission to God.
00:42:33.70\00:42:35.90
In addition to that,
people who are good listeners.
00:42:35.90\00:42:42.20
People who don't
just jump to conclusions.
00:42:42.20\00:42:45.43
People who don't just
categorize things immediately,
00:42:45.43\00:42:49.13
but they listen carefully.
00:42:49.13\00:42:51.30
People who certainly love
God and love human beings,
00:42:51.30\00:42:56.93
that is so important, integrity.
00:42:56.93\00:42:59.10
I think of Micah 6:8
sums it up, it sums it up.
00:42:59.10\00:43:03.13
Do justly, be fair, love mercy,
and walk humbly with your God.
00:43:03.13\00:43:10.93
Those are the kinds of leaders
that God is going to use.
00:43:10.93\00:43:14.13
He is going to pull them
out, and there are plenty
00:43:14.13\00:43:16.36
of them right here at GYC.
00:43:16.36\00:43:18.16
Dr. Bill: If I can add one more
quality to what my brothers have
00:43:18.16\00:43:21.00
suggested, it's tenacity.
00:43:21.00\00:43:22.90
Many times as a young person,
you may have a God driven
00:43:22.90\00:43:27.63
idea, a dream in
your life, in your mind.
00:43:27.63\00:43:29.90
You may approach a
church leader and may discover,
00:43:29.90\00:43:33.00
initially, not the
overwhelming acceptance you are
00:43:33.00\00:43:35.83
seeking, or even an affirmation
you think it deserves.
00:43:35.83\00:43:39.16
Be tenacious, come back a
second time, and a third time
00:43:39.16\00:43:42.80
if necessary, pray with
that individual, go back and
00:43:42.80\00:43:45.80
look at your idea and
share with other Godly friends.
00:43:45.80\00:43:48.73
Don't stop with
the first no you get.
00:43:48.73\00:43:52.46
The system works if we are
tenacious, I have experienced
00:43:52.46\00:43:56.40
that in my own life as a
young person working with
00:43:56.40\00:43:58.83
student government
on Adventist campuses.
00:43:58.83\00:44:00.93
The system will work if
we will go back and carefully
00:44:00.93\00:44:04.26
plan, re-draft, re-direct,
come back a second and third
00:44:04.26\00:44:07.56
time, you will
discover the success
00:44:07.56\00:44:09.93
God intended for your idea.
00:44:09.93\00:44:11.70
Let me put a little pretext
to your response because I
00:44:11.70\00:44:14.56
want to direct a question
in this realm specifically to
00:44:14.56\00:44:18.56
you Doctor Simmons because
we have Godly women in our
00:44:18.56\00:44:22.53
leadership at GYC.
00:44:22.53\00:44:24.26
Our first president with
a female, and I see you are
00:44:24.26\00:44:27.26
a female amongst men,
on that side of the panel.
00:44:27.26\00:44:30.23
I wonder from your perspective,
00:44:30.23\00:44:32.06
can you address
the female leadership?
00:44:32.06\00:44:35.86
Dr. Ella: Certainly,
let me address this in
00:44:35.86\00:44:41.30
a general way first.
00:44:41.30\00:44:43.30
But perhaps this is
really important, maybe more
00:44:43.30\00:44:47.30
important for women today,
since you state the question
00:44:47.30\00:44:51.50
with that perspective.
00:44:51.50\00:44:53.53
Young people, when you
have all the rich knowledge base
00:44:53.53\00:44:58.83
that you must have, all
the professional and vocational
00:44:58.83\00:45:03.86
skills, all the dispositions
of humility, and you are
00:45:03.86\00:45:08.83
tenacious, remember
you must be committed
00:45:08.83\00:45:14.20
to your God and Him only.
00:45:14.20\00:45:18.40
We want to be real, we
see in our church so often
00:45:18.40\00:45:21.46
individuals, male and female,
clamoring for a position.
00:45:21.46\00:45:27.10
That is not of God.
00:45:27.10\00:45:30.06
There is a difference
between your call and being
00:45:30.06\00:45:34.26
tenacious about staying
on track, pursuing that which
00:45:34.26\00:45:38.46
God has called you to do.
00:45:38.46\00:45:40.16
Then setting your
sights on a position and then
00:45:40.16\00:45:43.56
manipulating your way through
the system, your network,
00:45:43.56\00:45:47.90
your contacts, what ever, to
get there, that is not of God.
00:45:47.90\00:45:52.20
So I say to all, and
particularly to women,
00:45:52.20\00:45:55.86
because I do have a
burden for the young women
00:45:55.86\00:45:59.53
for whom I am
simply a forerunner.
00:45:59.53\00:46:03.40
God has special things He
wants to do through you for
00:46:03.40\00:46:09.90
this church and for this world.
00:46:09.90\00:46:12.23
Our system is not exactly
structured to receive women
00:46:12.23\00:46:17.66
as openly as it receives
men, that comes from tradition
00:46:17.66\00:46:23.03
and a comfort with
the way things have been.
00:46:23.03\00:46:26.00
But our church is changing,
and young women then, you must
00:46:26.00\00:46:31.40
be prepared to take up that work
that God has set before you.
00:46:31.40\00:46:36.76
I love all the Paul says
about the Christian existence,
00:46:36.76\00:46:42.06
but this is particularly
applicable to coming into the
00:46:42.06\00:46:47.33
work, as we call it,
working for the church.
00:46:47.33\00:46:51.53
Paul says for us to run
the race, in Hebrews 12,
00:46:51.53\00:46:55.66
run the race that has
been marked out for us.
00:46:55.66\00:46:59.73
We think about running
the race, but in that he says
00:46:59.73\00:47:03.00
that has been
marked out for you.
00:47:03.00\00:47:05.70
God has a specific plan
for each one of us, including
00:47:05.70\00:47:10.96
for women, yes you
must be tenacious women.
00:47:10.96\00:47:15.90
Do not allow the system,
the systems of this world,
00:47:15.90\00:47:20.40
or the traditional systems
of the church to deter you
00:47:20.40\00:47:24.90
from doing what God
has called you to do.
00:47:24.90\00:47:28.46
And then please, do not
act in unseemly ways in trying
00:47:28.46\00:47:33.46
to move into that
which God has called you.
00:47:33.46\00:47:36.33
I remember in this country
when women's liberation was
00:47:36.33\00:47:40.66
a big thing, women went
out to the street and marched.
00:47:40.66\00:47:44.96
Voices have to be
heard, but there is a way to do
00:47:44.96\00:47:48.80
things, particularly
for Christian women.
00:47:48.80\00:47:51.56
I remember one of the foremost
leaders, in this country,
00:47:51.56\00:47:55.06
make this statement, she
said women, we have arrived.
00:47:55.06\00:48:00.06
We have now become the
men that we wanted to marry.
00:48:00.06\00:48:05.03
If I ever hear an Adventist
woman say that, I think it
00:48:05.03\00:48:10.03
is over for all of us.
00:48:10.03\00:48:12.03
Audience: laughing!
00:48:12.03\00:48:13.96
No, we do not want to
become men, we don't want to
00:48:13.96\00:48:17.66
outdo men, we want to
take our positions along side
00:48:17.66\00:48:22.00
the men of the church
and do what God created women
00:48:22.00\00:48:26.26
in the beginning to do.
00:48:26.26\00:48:28.70
We are not to take over,
but we are not to be dominated
00:48:28.70\00:48:33.20
either, we are to be
equal partners in what God has
00:48:33.20\00:48:37.36
called every individual,
in this church, to do.
00:48:37.36\00:48:41.46
So prepare yourself, but
please remember to maintain
00:48:41.46\00:48:46.13
your feminine
Christian dignity in doing that.
00:48:46.13\00:48:49.70
That does not mean you
are weak, in fact it means you
00:48:49.70\00:48:53.53
must be tougher than the men and
00:48:53.53\00:48:56.56
Ellen White says this,
there are times that the women
00:48:56.56\00:49:00.76
are stronger than the
men, maybe because we start off
00:49:00.76\00:49:04.30
in a weaker position
and God has to give us more.
00:49:04.30\00:49:08.10
I don't know, but we
must be tough, but we must
00:49:08.10\00:49:11.83
remember who we
are and whose we are.
00:49:11.83\00:49:17.06
Audience: Hardy Amen!
00:49:17.06\00:49:21.16
Israel: If I can, for a moment,
Mr. President, say hi to my
00:49:21.16\00:49:23.60
wife who is
watching us on TV right now.
00:49:23.60\00:49:25.93
I love you Judy,
where is the camera?
00:49:28.00\00:49:29.16
Audience: Laughing
00:49:29.16\00:49:32.06
I have a question here for us.
00:49:33.23\00:49:36.00
Maybe our division presidents,
I know some have served
00:49:36.00\00:49:38.90
in divisions and are no
longer in division's but this
00:49:38.90\00:49:41.40
might be something appropriate
for you to answer also.
00:49:41.40\00:49:43.86
In the light of the
Catholic priest molestation,
00:49:43.86\00:49:46.90
televangelist dishonesty,
and all the secular scandals
00:49:46.90\00:49:50.60
there have recently been
on television; what can we do
00:49:50.60\00:49:54.26
as Adventists to improve and
safeguard our own global church
00:49:54.26\00:49:58.40
system where transparencies
and accountability
00:49:58.40\00:50:01.46
that reassures us as membership?
00:50:01.46\00:50:03.20
Dr. Paul: The church is like
a family, and when we read the
00:50:06.70\00:50:11.30
Bible, the Bible says
many times, family of God.
00:50:11.30\00:50:16.66
For a family not only
to survive, but to thrive,
00:50:16.66\00:50:21.96
we need
transparency and accountability.
00:50:21.96\00:50:26.50
So we need to take the
church as a family with their
00:50:26.50\00:50:31.50
accountability and
transparency are required.
00:50:31.50\00:50:35.16
How are we doing that?
00:50:35.16\00:50:38.56
You see we have a system
already, but many times we
00:50:38.56\00:50:43.06
don't really make
good use of the system.
00:50:43.06\00:50:47.13
We have already a check
and balance in our system.
00:50:47.13\00:50:52.36
Through the representative
our form of governance is
00:50:52.36\00:50:57.13
represented from the
local church, when we have a
00:50:57.13\00:51:01.30
conference session and we
had the delegates from the
00:51:01.30\00:51:05.43
local churches, and
then the union sessions.
00:51:05.43\00:51:08.40
So through the
sessions that is already one.
00:51:08.40\00:51:11.30
Then through the boards
and committees, that is a check
00:51:11.30\00:51:16.16
and balance already, but
unfortunately sometimes we have
00:51:16.16\00:51:20.46
this system, but we don't
really make good use of it.
00:51:20.46\00:51:24.73
So we need to look
into the way we conduct our
00:51:24.73\00:51:29.10
businesses, that
transparency is required.
00:51:29.10\00:51:33.43
That accountability is
required, we have already an
00:51:33.43\00:51:38.36
auditing system in our church
that all the organizations must
00:51:38.36\00:51:43.30
be audited, including the local
church once a year according
00:51:43.30\00:51:48.20
to the church manual.
00:51:48.20\00:51:49.83
The conference's
and up must be audited.
00:51:49.83\00:51:53.66
Then the last thing I
want to emphasize and we are
00:51:53.66\00:51:58.83
trying to do this in SAD,
Southern Africa division is
00:51:58.83\00:52:04.50
to be really intentional
about the evaluation and
00:52:04.50\00:52:10.16
assessment, that
is very important.
00:52:10.16\00:52:13.30
Sometimes you say
whoa, this is a church don't
00:52:13.30\00:52:16.50
evaluate us, no,
this is also a body.
00:52:16.50\00:52:20.40
We need to go
into the evaluation
00:52:20.40\00:52:24.26
of the system strongly.
00:52:24.26\00:52:26.26
Lastly we need to be
more open and sharing of
00:52:26.26\00:52:31.53
information, we need to
allow the door to be opened
00:52:31.53\00:52:37.06
in a two-way communication.
00:52:37.06\00:52:39.56
That is where a leader
must not be threatened by hard
00:52:39.56\00:52:42.83
questions, and
actually we need to invite those
00:52:42.83\00:52:46.83
questions because we
are together in this.
00:52:46.83\00:52:50.40
We are a family, if we
foster that kind of spirit,
00:52:50.40\00:52:56.20
then transparency and
accountability will be upheld.
00:52:56.20\00:53:01.96
Before you respond Elder Finley
it is great that the church has
00:53:01.96\00:53:07.93
a system of accountability
and we appreciate that system.
00:53:07.93\00:53:11.16
You mention
sessions and boards and etc.
00:53:11.16\00:53:13.43
in some ways, I think
those are great systems and
00:53:13.43\00:53:19.93
they are there for a reason.
00:53:19.93\00:53:22.33
I was just thinking, as
you were mentioning these
00:53:22.33\00:53:25.06
things, Elder Ratsara,
we are happy that Justin is
00:53:25.06\00:53:27.76
going to be at the GC
session, but I was thinking to
00:53:27.76\00:53:30.83
myself, in Michigan Conference
we have, our membership
00:53:30.83\00:53:33.86
will have maybe three
delegates or so to the
00:53:33.86\00:53:36.46
General Conference session.
00:53:36.46\00:53:38.23
I think one of them, if
I'm not mistaken, one might be
00:53:38.23\00:53:41.60
our President, Elder Gallimore.
00:53:41.60\00:53:44.40
Which means there is two
an out of one of them is an
00:53:44.40\00:53:46.06
employee, and then all
the criteria, so three people
00:53:46.06\00:53:49.60
have to divide that up.
Like the reason I say that is
00:53:49.60\00:53:53.36
by the time you have the
General Conference and from the
00:53:53.36\00:53:56.60
General Conference we get
into the important meetings
00:53:56.60\00:53:59.66
even nominating committees,
I'm thinking what is the
00:53:59.66\00:54:02.70
likelihood of anyone
getting into a nominating
00:54:02.70\00:54:06.20
committee from
just regular laity?
00:54:06.20\00:54:08.03
That might be an easy
thing to happen, but from my
00:54:08.03\00:54:10.50
perspective, then someone
to have a voice even in that
00:54:10.50\00:54:12.93
type of a large
committee, 300 to 400 people.
00:54:12.93\00:54:14.66
I don't go how may
sit in those committees.
00:54:14.66\00:54:16.36
I think it's great we
have these checks and balances,
00:54:16.36\00:54:20.30
but are they really
checks and balances?
00:54:20.30\00:54:21.93
I guess that's the question
I'm really asking, is it really
00:54:21.93\00:54:25.80
a system of checks and balances
as it is intended to be?
00:54:25.80\00:54:29.53
Dr. Mark: The General Conference
session has just over 2000
00:54:31.36\00:54:35.03
delegates, many of those
delegates are mandated by
00:54:35.03\00:54:40.36
the Constitution of
the General Conference.
00:54:40.36\00:54:43.66
That Constitution
is formulated by the
00:54:43.66\00:54:47.30
General Conference
session and has been formulated
00:54:47.30\00:54:50.16
down through the years
and can only be changed by
00:54:50.16\00:54:53.00
a General Conference session.
00:54:53.00\00:54:54.73
All the delegates who are
representatives of the world
00:54:54.73\00:54:57.60
field, and when you think
of the fact that Seventh-day
00:54:57.60\00:55:00.43
Adventists have a
church of 16 million members
00:55:00.43\00:55:03.83
we have a representative
form of government,
00:55:03.83\00:55:07.40
but although we
have over 2000 delegates,
00:55:07.40\00:55:10.90
many of which are determined
by the Constitution, there
00:55:10.90\00:55:16.00
are some delegates that
are reserved to be appointed.
00:55:16.00\00:55:20.06
Over 300 of them by the
General Conference themselves.
00:55:20.06\00:55:24.10
And it is a very
interesting thing, our General
00:55:24.10\00:55:26.83
Conference President, Jan
Paulsen recently meant with
00:55:26.83\00:55:30.70
each of the division presidents
and urged them to look
00:55:30.70\00:55:34.96
at the delegates that
were not assigned by position
00:55:34.96\00:55:39.03
mandated by the Constitution
and consciously choose
00:55:39.03\00:55:43.06
youth to
participate in the session.
00:55:43.06\00:55:46.80
So there are those
numbers, which many people don't
00:55:46.80\00:55:50.10
realize, there is a
certain number we can allocate
00:55:50.10\00:55:53.06
that the Constitution
doesn't mandate and we are
00:55:53.06\00:55:56.00
looking specifically at
young people because we want
00:55:56.00\00:55:58.90
them to
participate in the process.
00:55:58.90\00:56:01.56
If I can draw us into a
little bit of a conclusion here
00:56:01.56\00:56:07.60
and go back where we started.
00:56:07.60\00:56:09.66
We start with comments
about the mission of the church.
00:56:09.66\00:56:12.83
Obviously we are all
here for different reasons and
00:56:12.83\00:56:15.80
we all support the mission
of the church and all these
00:56:15.80\00:56:18.70
things we spoke about
our ways for us to do that.
00:56:18.70\00:56:21.73
You mentioned there
are 16 million Adventists.
00:56:21.73\00:56:24.86
We are excited about
that number, but it is weak
00:56:24.86\00:56:28.00
to be honest, there
is a lot in the world.
00:56:28.00\00:56:32.06
There is a lot the
United States that haven't heard
00:56:32.06\00:56:34.23
the name of Jesus
because they don't have the
00:56:34.23\00:56:37.00
opportunity to hear the
Seventh-day Adventist message.
00:56:37.00\00:56:39.60
I think in closing it
would be good for you to
00:56:39.60\00:56:42.80
encourage us,
what is being done?
00:56:42.80\00:56:45.06
It is not a good
number, we don't like it
00:56:45.06\00:56:47.80
in closing what is being
done, and specifically what
00:56:47.80\00:56:52.10
can we as young people do to
help you finish this mission?
00:56:52.10\00:56:56.40
The Seventh-day Adventist church
believes that it has been given
00:56:56.40\00:57:01.46
a mission mandated by God.
00:57:01.46\00:57:04.50
Matthew 24:14,
Revelation 14:6, 7.
00:57:04.50\00:57:11.00
GYC can serve as a
forum for young people urging,
00:57:11.00\00:57:18.00
encouraging, training to
have one passion and one goal
00:57:18.00\00:57:23.76
and that is to preach
the gospel to the world.
00:57:23.76\00:57:26.73
Amen, your
participation in our conference,
00:57:26.73\00:57:29.60
your participation on
this panel has meant a lot.
00:57:29.60\00:57:31.86
We hope you have sensed a pulse
of the young people here at GYC.
00:57:31.86\00:57:36.56