:: The 21st General Conference Session

Bulletin #7, September 6, 2011

Spiritual Messages

The morning worship was presented by Manuel Henda, the new Regional Secretary for Africa. The theme of his message was "Moral Independence." This message can be heard at: Session Daily Worship

Following breakfast the Session reconvened for the business of the morning. Davi Paes Silva continued with the second half of Romans 12, in his thought for the day—Rom 12:9-13. I believe that these words are very appropriate for us today: "not slothful in business: fervent in spirit; serving the Lord"and then "Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."

This chapter is considered by some to be the Apostle Paul's "Sermon on the Mount." The Spirit of Prophecy exhorts us to study this chapter. We may find in this chapter a summary of the Christian message. Note verse 19, We are to "give place to wrath" (KJV), but a different translation of this verse puts it this way, "Do not take revenge, dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath" (ISV). That is, give place to God's wrath, not our own. Let us take this chapter to heart in all we do this day.

The main business of the session during the day was the consideration of partial reports from the various committees. The Temporary Bylaws Committee presented its reports. Rather than giving partial reports here, we will include the decisions all grouped together at the very end of all the bulletins.

Nominations for the Doctrinal Council were presented and the following brethren were elected to the Permanent Doctrinal Council: Davi Paes Silva, D. Sureshkumar, Peter D. Lausevic, Eli Tenorio da Silva, Dorival Dumitru, J. Ramos, M. Wagner, S. Diaz, N. Iancu, M. Gines, A. Bogatov, S. Karvatski, Z. Ndovala, O. Nasui, J. Usuga, E. Lainez, Edgar Moreno, E. Ramos, A. Vedhasingh, Benjamin Thiel, D. Bosanac.

The Finance Committee was also decided upon today and consists of Paul Gavric (Chairman), Jacob Risko, Charles Balbach, Marian Ionita and Maryann Estevez.

A number of recommendations from the Temporary Medical Committee were also considered by the Session.

A Health Correspondence Course consisting of 12 Lessons has been prepared and it was agreed to forward this to the incoming Publications/Review Committee for approval and publishing for all Units.

The decision for permanent Regional Health Committees to be established in every region to oversee the medical missionary work was well received.

A decision was also made to provide educational materials on:

• Nutrition (providing information on the proper use of fats and oils, carbohydrates, calorie intake, omega 3 and vitamin B12 intake, and the detrimental effects of consuming soft drinks such as Coca Cola, coffee and teas containing stimulants);
• Diseases (including information and health instruction regarding modern diseases which affect our church members such as arthritis, diabetes, stress, high cholesterol and obesity);
• Electronic devices (including information regarding the health risks associated with the use of mobile phones and electronic devices on the body; as well as those associated with the use of TV, the internet and computer gaming); and
• Lifestyle (the health risks involved in practicing poor sleeping habits, lack of regular exercise, living a sedentary lifestyle and the wearing of high-heeled footwear).

All of our Missionary Schools are now to include some theoretical and practical training in medical missionary work within their compulsory curriculum and in the training of missionaries. This is in harmony with the following counsel, "I wish to tell you that soon there will be no work done in ministerial lines but medical missionary work." (Evangelism, p. 523.)

It was also decided that suitably trained personnel within each Region be selected to run training seminars for the ministers and workers of the region in the area of medical missionary work. "In new fields no work is so successful as medical missionary work. If our ministers would work earnestly to obtain an education in medical missionary lines, they would be far better fitted to do the work Christ did as a medical missionary." (Medical Ministry, p. 239.)

In addition to the selection of Regional trainers, it was decided that every Union and General Conference Unit elect Local Medical Missionary Department Officers to lead out in the medical missionary work within their units and that each Union/General Conference Unit should send their medical missionary reports regularly to the GC Medical Missionary Department. "I wish to say that the medical missionary work is God's work. The Lord wants every one of His ministers to come into line. Take hold of the medical missionary work, and it will give you access to the people. Their hearts will be touched as you minister to their necessities. As you relieve their sufferings, you will find opportunity to speak to them of the love of Jesus" (Evangelism, p. 523, 524).

After considering the successful medical outreach programs conducted in the previous term, it was decided that medical teams continue to be organized to visit needy areas in order to conduct medical missionary outreach programs.

The Temporary Medical Committee also presented their recommendations on IVF (in-vitro fertilization) treatments and the health issues associated with various birth control methods. These recommendations have been forwarded to the incoming Doctrinal Committee for further consideration from an ethical/moral perspective.

An appeal was also made for the support of the Sanatoriums in Romania and Brazil. Both these institutions have suffered under the global financial crises of recent years.

The following decisions from the previous Session were also confirmed and agreed to be implemented.

"WHEREAS, the preparation of materials for health ministry in digital forms was discussed, it was "RESOLVED, that the GC Health Department will prepare digital materials for seminars in health evangelism, DVDs for TV programs, health lectures in CD for radio programs, and manuscripts for newspapers."

"WHEREAS, there is a need of more licensed and qualified medical practitioners in our church, it was "RESOLVED, that we must encourage young people to study medical courses to be qualified in medical health fields."

"WHEREAS, the database of medical workers was discussed, it was

"RESOLVED, that there should be a database of all qualified medical workers in our church."

With the conclusion of the Medical Committee report, the Session adjourned its business for the day.

Evening worship entitled, "Any Idols Here?" was conducted by Br Jose Roberto Domingos. The audio of the study is available online at: Session Daily Worship

God Bless.

Bulletin Committee: Peter D. Lausevic, Paul Chapman, and Daniel Lee