What happens during Annual Council?
Q: What happens during Annual Council? A: While the Annual Council is a business meeting where reports are given, finances reviewed, and policies discussed and voted, it is much more than this. It is also a time to pray together, to be inspired as we hear inspiring testimonies from around the world, and to encourage…
Read MoreWho are the Executive Committee members?
Q: Who are the Executive Committee members and how many are there? A: The 343-member committee includes Seventh-day Adventist representatives from around the world. In addition to General Conference (GC) officers, vice presidents, and department heads, each of the 13 world divisions are represented by its officers, union conference presidents, and some pastors and lay…
Read MoreWhat is Annual Council?
Q: What is Annual Council? A: Annual Council, sometimes known as Autumn (or Fall) Council, is the yearly business meeting of the General Conference Executive Committee. The October meetings are usually (but not always) held at the church’s world headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland. In the past, Annual Council meetings have also been held include…
Read MoreCan unbaptized children participate in the communion service?
Q: Is it right for unbaptized children to participate in the communion service? — Angelina, from Canada A: Angelina, this is a question that many people have wondered about — especially parents of young children. It’s an important topic that has been studied by the Seventh-day Adventist Church and has resulted in the following statement…
Read MoreHow can you respond to a person who has never heard about God?
Q: How can you respond to a person who has never heard about God without using Adventist doctrine? How can we help them to understand? — Ney Khut, from Cambodia A: Ney Khut, Thank you for your interest in sharing God’s love with those who have never heard of Him! Of course, while you may…
Read MoreCan you pray without knowing it?
Q: Can you pray without knowing it? Can the Holy Spirit hijack one’s conscience by talking to God in a physical way without the person being privy to whatever is being said? I ask after reading 1 Cor. 14:14, which says, “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful”…
Read MoreCan Adventist pastors use titles such as “general” or “captain”?
Q: Can Seventh-day Adventist pastors and ordained ministers use titles such as “general” or “captain” such as is used in a government’s military or in the Salvation Army? — Gin, from Myanmar A: In the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the most common title for clergy is “pastor.” “Elder” is often used if the minister is ordained,…
Read MoreWhat caused man to sin?
Q: What caused man to sin even though he was created in God’s image? Was sin also part of God’s creation? — Sibaminya, from Uganda A: Sibaminya, there is nothing or no one that can force a person to commit sin. The Bible explains this clearly, and in the book of James we read this…
Read MoreCan my beloved gay nephew be a member of his local Adventist church?
Q: Pastor Wilson, I have a gay nephew. I love my nephew so much, but if he doesn’t change his ways, is he eligible to be a member or serve as a leader in the local Adventist church? — Eli, from the United States A: Eli, I want to encourage you to continue to love,…
Read MoreCould you republish the autobiography of missionary Anna Knight?
Q: Are you aware of the story of Anna Knight, the first Seventh-day Adventist African-American woman who served as a missionary? She wrote an autobiography titled, “Mississippi Girl,” that was published by the Southern Publishing Association in 1952. Her story has again come to interest as there is a movie about her father, Newton Knight…
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