MISSION POLICY AND FUTURE VISION

The mining case is a mere reflection of greater issues and conflicts within the IC, such as what the mission policy and future vision of the denomination should be. 

The mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (as a whole and of all its units, such as the IC) is to preach the Gospel to all mankind as it is reflected in the messages of the three angels in Revelation 14. This is stated in the constitution and bylaws of the General Conference and of the IC.[1] 

The Seventh-day Adventist Church expresses its mission in multiple ways, but this expression usually comprises education, health care and public health, theology, and the public proclamation of the message of the denomination. The Seventh-day Adventist Church has shaped its administrative structure and established its institutions to make such a multifaceted mission as effective and productive as possible. 

In Iceland, the IC bought Breiðabólstaður property (the two mines belong to that estate) in order to be able to run an educational institution and possibly a health institution. Once the academy was closed, the IC nevertheless decided to keep the buildings and the property and has used them extensively since. A good majority of church members, however, considers it possible to make further use of the property—but how that should be done is a point of difference.

Discussion within the IC

At Session 2012, delegates decided to abolish the Suggestion Committee[2] and to entrust the EXCOM with writing the future vision and missionary policy of the denomination. Apart from how successful or unsuccessful the EXCOM has been when it comes to this, this decision is ominous in a democratic denomination. It has led to the rapid decline of an informed and educational discourse for and continual education of church members. It is clear as day that when the EXCOM can unilaterally make all the most important decisions, it has little reason to consult with church members. But it belongs to Session to jointly make the future decisions of the denomination, then it follows that delegates to Session must be well informed concerning the matters of the IC—and this would mean that the EXCOM has a reason to organize such education continually. 

Without being too forthcoming in this matter, the author—who is educated in Adventist history and theology—would like to point out two things. First, it seems that the institutions of the Seventh-day Adventist Church have a limited lifetime. This means that it is at times institutions need to be abolished, property must be sold, things must be changed and something new must be begun. Second, however, the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church has always ended up entailing institutions on Church property. This means that even though assets are sold it must be known what should fill their place—and whether one is exchanging properties for no reason or even losing real estate without gaining anything in return. 

The utilization of IC property is a large decision and is directly related to, amongst other things, the future vision and the mission policy of the IC. The utilization of the IC mines should therefore not be a decision that the EXCOM makes unilaterally. All church members should be involved in such a discussion and decision making process, the process being both extensive and detailed. Following such a discussion, it will be possible to make decisions at Session or an extraordinary Session.

[1] “The purpose of the General Conference is to teach all nations the everlasting gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the commandments of God.“ „The Mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is to make disciples of all people, communicating the everlasting gospel in the context of the three angels’ message of Revelation 14:6–12, leading them to accept Jesus as personal Savior and unite with His remnant Church, discipling them to serve Him as Lord, and preparing them for His soon return.” The General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, General Conference Working Policy 2010–2011, pp. 1, 29. This purpose is also expressed in the beginning of the bylaws of the IC, where it is stated in article no. 2 that “the mission of the IC is to proclaim Jesus Christ as a personal Savior and the everlasting Gospel.” Bylaws of the IC, 2019, article no. 2. Cf. also an article series by the author about the purpose of the Seventh-day Adventist Church which was published in Samantektin 2020–2022 and is listed in the bibliography of the present document.

[2] Constitution-and-bylaws committee, “Skýrsla laganefndar” (Report of the constitution-and-bylaws committee), meeting documents for Session 2012, p. 62.