South Pacific Division Session 2005

What is the South Pacific Division Session?

Session is a five-yearly meeting of representatives from the different levels of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific. The church has a representative form of governance in which members delegate responsibility to various entities and persons who are involved in the administration of the church. A review and election process occurs during session.

This will be the church’s 13th session.

When will the session convene?

Session convenes from August 30 to September 3, 2005.

Where will the session convene?

Session convenes at the Carlton Crest Hotel, 65 Queens Road, Melbourne, Victoria.

How many people will attend?

Some 500 people will attend the session as delegates. The delegates come from local Adventist churches throughout Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and other Pacific islands. We anticipate close to 700 visitors will attend the worship and other services on Saturday.

Leaders of several other denominations will also attend the opening ceremony. Invitations have been forwarded to state and federal politicians.

Who are Seventh-day Adventists?

Seventh-day Adventists are Christians who want to know God better and experience Him more in their lives each day. As an active church in 205 of the 230 countries recognised by the United Nations, the Seventh-day Adventist Church numbers millions of baptised adult members worldwide. Membership is growing at a rate of almost one million every year, with new members joining the church at the rate of one every 35 seconds.

The name "Seventh-day Adventist" highlights two important beliefs: the second coming, or "advent" of Jesus, expresses the church's vital hope; the seventh-day Sabbath, or Saturday, emphasises the biblical day of worship of God as Creator and Saviour.

Seventh-day Adventists treasure the Bible as their only creed. Central to Adventists' understanding and practice is a firm belief in: God the Creator, Jesus Christ His Son and the presence of the Holy Spirit; Christ's death and resurrection; and salvation that is received solely through faith in God's grace in Jesus Christ

Seventh-day Adventists believe in sharing their faith in God through active, involved witness. Churches, schools and medical facilities provide opportunities for pastors, trained specialists and members to dedicate their lives in service to others.

Seventh-day Adventists are actively involved in religious liberty and human rights issues, humanitarian aid and development, health and wholeness, education and personal growth and social and community issues. Not only concerned with spiritual health, Seventh-day Adventists promote a healthier lifestyle - free of alcohol, smoking and the use of illegal drugs.

To find out more about the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific, or about this session:

• Visit http://adventist.org.au or http://adventist.org.au/spdsession  
• Contact the Communication and Public Relations Department by phoning +61 2 9847 3290, by faxing +61 2 9489 0943 or by emailing us.