General Conference Committee Council by W. A. Spicer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 22, 1910

General Conference Committee Council

By W. A. Spicer

November 23 to December 4

Third Report

QUITE a number of recommendations were passed relating to transfers of laborers within the North American fields. The general aim was to draw workers from more fully manned fields into the more populous centers. We are not able to print these recommendations, as there has not been time as yet to hear from those concerned.

Ministerial Institutes

The following memorial was presented by the Atlantic Union Conference Committee:—

In view of the very urgent calls which are coming to us in the East to enter the large cities without delay, and proclaim the truths of the message, and knowing well that our ministry, that is expected to do this work, feels altogether unequal to the task without special preparation; we, therefore, would request the General Conference to appoint in the East, the coming winter, a ministerial institute, which will include in its plan the Atlantic Union Conference, and would request that such institute be held at some point in the State of New York, and would favor the last of March and first of April as a time suitable to our field. The length of such institute, the definite place where held, and help for the same, we would be pleased to have the General Conference arrange for.

In considering the memorial, it was arranged that a ministerial institute for the Atlantic, Columbia, and Canadian union conferences should be held at Philadelphia.

By request of the Southern and Southeastern unions, it was agreed that a ministerial institute should also be held in the South.

Soliciting Funds

The following action was taken with reference to solicitation of funds among the churches by representatives of independent or partially self-supporting enterprises outside the conference:—

Voted, That in cases of solicitation of money among churches in a conference by solicitors representing independent or partially self-supporting enterprises in other parts, we advise that as far as possible such solicitors be accompanied by some conference worker, the basis on which money is raised and the division of funds to be arranged in counsel with the conference officers.

Support of Sick or Aged Laborers

Much study was given in the council to the question of the support of sick and aged laborers in the cause, and widows or orphans of laborers falling in death. The following plan for the systematic discharge of this duty was adopted:—

Sustentation Fund

Whereas, The Scriptures plainly teach—

1. That Israel, in the wilderness, under the leadership of Moses, was the recognized church of God (Acts 7:30);

2. That the Lord chose the Levites for the ministry of his church (Num. 3:6, 7);

3. That the service of the sanctuary and the congregation was to be their sole occupation (verse 9);

4. That, because of their appointment to the Lord’s work, they were his people, and he was their portion, in a special sense (Num. 3:45; 18:29);

5. That because of their special relationship to God, and the service they were to perform, the Levites were not given an inheritance in the land, as were the other tribes (Deut. 10:8, 9);

6. That instead of giving them a portion of the land for their inheritance, the tithe of all Israel was given to the Levites for their inheritance (Num. 18:21-24);

7. That this inheritance was given to them as a reward for the service they rendered to all the people (Num. 18:21, 31);

8. That all the people, including the Levites, were to rejoice in this arrangement (Deut. 12:12);

9. That the people who had inheritance in the land were not to forget nor forsake the Levites who had none (Deut. 14:27);

10. That even to this day the tithe belongs to Christ, our great High Priest, for the support of those whom he calls to the gospel ministry (Heb. 7:4-9; 1 Cor. 9:7-14); and,—

Whereas, The adoption of this plan by Seventh-day Adventists provides a prompt, regular, and adequate support for the ministry; and,—

Whereas, In the application of this plan, no regular, well-defined arrangement has yet been made for the care of laborers who, because of serious sickness, permanent illness, or old age, are unable to render full or even partial service, nor for the widows and children of those who fall in death at their post of duty; therefore,—

Resolved, That we hereby adopt, and recommend to all our conferences, the following plan:—

1. That we maintain a permanent fund, to be known as the Sustentation Fund, for the support of sick and aged laborers, and the widows and children of deceased laborers.

2. That the resource of this fund be the tithes of all our people.

3. That each local and union conference and the General Conference pay monthly into this Sustentation Fund an amount equal to five per cent of their total tithe receipts, these remittances to be made through the regular channels.

4. That this fund, for the North American Division and the mission fields, be kept by the treasurer of the General Conference; for the European Division, by the sub-treasurer of the European Division; and for separated union conferences, by their several treasurers.

5. That allowances from this fund be made by vote of the following committees: (a) for the North American Division and the mission fields, the General Conference Committee in North America; (b) for the European Division, the European members of the General Conference Committee; (c) for the separated union conferences, their respective committees.

6. That the benefits of this fund shall be extended to the disabled laborers of our cause whose remuneration has come from the tithe or mission fund while in active service; and such workers in the various departments of our cause, whose remuneration has been on a missionary basis, as may legitimately be included under this head.

7. That the resources of this fund shall not be drawn upon for temporary sickness or disability, it being understood that all conferences shall care for their workers for a period of at least six months.

8. That all applicants to this fund shall furnish the disbursing committees satisfactory evidence that they are entitled to support, and also as to the amount that will be required.

9. That in order to secure uniformity, accuracy, and justice in making allowances, blanks be prepared by each separate general division, which, when filled, will give the committees the information they will need for making a proper and equitable distribution of the fund. This blank to be signed by the applicant, and the president of the local and union conference in which the applicant resides.

10. That when an allowance is fixed by vote of the disbursing committee, an order shall be given to the treasurer of the fund to make monthly remittances of said allowance to the party named until said allowance is changed or discontinued.

11. That the disbursing committees be charged with the duty of aiding the beneficiaries of this fund in locating where conditions will be most favorable for their restoration to health, where living will be most economical, where they can do the most to help maintain themselves, and where they may render the best service possible to the cause.

12. That it be understood by the beneficiaries that the allowances from this fund are cheerfully made, and by the disbursing committees that the fund is the inheritance of the beneficiaries.

13. That decisions regarding applications be made promptly, thus avoiding delay, suspense, and possible suffering.

14. That any surplus funds on hand, above five thousand dollars, be appropriated annually to the General Conference for mission fields.

15. That this plan become operative as follows: (a) The local, union, and General Conferences to begin paying the five per cent into this Sustentation Fund from Jan. 1, 1911; (b) each conference to continue from ordinary funds the support of its disabled workers during the month of January, as aforetime; (c) the disbursing committee of the Sustentation Fund to assume responsibility for the support of those coming under this fund from Feb. 1, 1911.

Calls From the Mission Fields

There was a long list of calls for workers for the mission fields on the council agenda paper. These were often referred to, but in most cases the detail consideration had to be left for later study, and for action as the mission funds may permit. The first thing, it was agreed, was to increase the supplies, so that deficits may be made up as quickly as possible. Then, one by one, the workers may again be moved on toward the most destitute posts.

As full reports and financial calls from the fields are not yet in, and as there will be no spring council, it was voted that members in Washington and near-by points meet early in the year to make up estimates and appropriations for 1911.

From all parts of the world come good reports, and notwithstanding the fewness of the laborers, the work constantly moves forward. These reports and evidences of God’s prospering hand in the work greatly cheered all hearts in the council. The plans for drawing resources of men and means into populous cities, and for continuing a forward policy in the work for the regions beyond, commanded the devotion of all hearts throughout the council.

W. A. SPICER, Secretary.