10
Recorder
July 6, 1987
Union News
Mostert presents wide-ranging report
during June 3 union committee meeting
A more clearly defined division of
responsibilities among the levels of church
government has been outlined in a plan
adopted by the North American Divi-
sion and its nine union conference pres-
idents. By determining these responsi-
bilities, says Tom Mostert, Pacific Union
Conference president, the flow of church
plans from local churches to the world
headquarters can create better planning
to guide the church in its budgetary
process.
In reporting this development to the
Pacific Union Committee June 3, Mostert
said that the world budget as well as
all other budgets down the line can
be better guided by the plans that have
been voted rather than having the budget
determine what can be done.
Hospitals in transition
In the president’s report to the com-
mittee, Mostert noted that the Adventist
Hospital System is experiencing a busi-
ness transition similar to the whole health
care program nationwide.
In order to cope with rapidly chang-
ing financial conditions brought about
by governmental policy revision, AHS
has divested itself of several hospitals
which were serious financial losses. Most
of these hospitals were simply managed
by the System for other owners. None
were in the Adventist Health System
West.
“Across the nation because of the
changing conditions, hundreds of hos-
pitals will close which are not in the
Adventist Health System,’” he said. ‘Our
leaders at AHS West are highly compe-
tent, but they, like all hospital manage-
ment people, are facing things that don’t
have easy answers.
“Loma Linda University Hospital
1s continuing to be successful, but it
has been able to do so only because
of swift changes in staffing which were
dictated by projected income figures.
“Our hospitals are a vital part of
our church’s mission and their adminis-
trative leaders are doing their best to
keep them sound,’’ Mostert concluded.
He also reported that because of recent
so-called ‘‘holy wars’’ on television,
the Adventist Media Center income has
been affected. Support for radio and
television programs had been excellent
during the first quarter of the year, he
said, ‘‘but despite a second-quarter set-
(near Phoenix)— Winter 1987,
need staff.
August; Flathead Lake, need staff.
14
ReCreation Unlimited
1987 locations
Ark ona: McDowell Regional Park (near Phoenix)—Winter 1987; Dry Gulch
California: Klamath Trailer Resort, Bert Pluhovoy directing—June 14 to September
_ 7; Silver Strand State Park (San Diego), need staff; Burney Falls State Park (Burney),
Idaho: Priest Lake State Park (northeast of Spokane, Washington), Richard and
Sally Daley directing—June 21 to September 7; Farragut State Park, need staff.
Montana: Lake Koocanusa (near Libby), Paul McDowell directing—July and
~~ Oregon: Bullards Beach State Park (near Bandon), David Goymer directing—June |
~ 14 to September 7; Detroit Lake State Park (near Salem), site director to be
~~ named—June 14 to September 7; John Day City Park, Mindy Plufgrad and Melody
Priest directing—June 10 to August 15; Wallowa Lake State Park (near Joseph),
Lou and Eva Goodgame directing—June 17 to August 30. |
~~ Washington: Lake Cushman State Park, John and June Anderson directing—June
14 eptember 7; Chief Timothy State Park, lack site director—June 14 to
‘Call ReCreation Unlimited headquarters today. Find out
where you can be of service. (916) 246-9014.
1
back we are confident that our members
will provide the necessary support these
programs need to help keep them going.’
Tithe gain noted
In reviewing the Pacific Union’s finan-
cial position, Sy Bietz, union treasurer,
noted that tithe contributed by church
members during the first four months
of 1987 was about 5.9 percent more
than 1986.
Membership growth by baptism dur-
ing the first quarter of 1987 was 19.6
percent slower than in 1986, according
to figures reported by Manuel Vasquez,
Pacific Union’s vice president for mini-
stries.
Despite a slight increase in the number
of baptisms in Anglo churches, there
were sharp drops in both Black and
Hispanic churches. During the first quar-
ter 1,419 persons were baptized, com-
pared to 1,766 during the first quarter
1986.
The committee voted to send a spe-
cial $10,000 appropriation to the Nevada-
Utah Conference in addition to the reg-
ular Harvest 90 funds. The appropria-
tion will assist in a 1987 evangelistic
campaign in Salt Lake City.
Conferences normally pass on to the
General Conference about 20 percent
of their tithe income. But local confer-
ences have experienced an increasing
need for more operating funds. The
union committee voted to ask the Gen-
eral Conference to study a reduction
of conference remittances of between
3 and 5 percent. This reduction, they
suggested, would be phased in over a
five-year period.
Revolving Fund projects
Pacific Union Revolving Fund loans
amounting to $1,273,000 for church
and conference building projects were
approved by the committee. The Fund
is composed primarily of monies in-
vested by church members for develop-
ment of churches, schools and other
church-related projects.
In Arizona the funds will be used
for a project at the Arizona campground,
for remodeling at the Phoenix Spanish
church and for purchasing an organ for
Thunderbird Academy. Central California
funds are for remodeling at Arroyo Grande
church, adjacent land at the Lemoore
church and a building project at Moun-
tain View Japanese church.
In Nevada-Utah the loan funds will
help with a revised building project at
the Price church.
Northern California’s projects include