Paulsen, a Norwegian, has served the Church in this role for the past sixteen months and has extensive pastoral and administrative experience as a missionary, teacher, college principal, and church administrator at the highest levels.

"It is both a privilege and honor to serve the Church and our Lord," commented Paulsen in his acceptance speech. "God is the one who calls and sustains us. Were it not for that conviction I would run a long way away. But I am reassured by the long-held conviction my wife Kari and I

share that God gives guidance to us. We will do our best to discharge the duties you have placed on our shoulders. We will try to do something wonderful for the Church and our Lord. It gives us strength to know that you remember us in your prayers."

Paulsen's re-election comes as the first vote of the Adventist World Session on leadership matters. The Session, held every five years, conducts the business of the Adventist Church, including electing leaders, developing policies and programs, reviewing all areas of Church activities, and voting position statements on matters of concern.

Before his current leadership role, Paulsen served as vice-president of the World Church from 1995-99. Prior assignments have included president of the Church's Trans-European Division based in St. Albans, England, college lecturer and principal in the U.K., and missionary in Ghana and Nigeria. He is married to Kari Trykkerud Paulsen and has one daughter

and two sons.

When asked about the major challenges facing the Adventist Church, Paulsen points to the rapid membership growth. " Accom-modating dramatic church growth is a major task," he comments. "With a million new members joining in just the past year or so is a real challenge for the Church-in terms of providing spiritual nurture,

pastoral leadership, and places of worship. Added to that is the need to maintain the togetherness of this family of faith around the world, with all its cultural diversity brought together in the unity of spiritual development."

The president's election by the 2,000-strong delegation came after his name was put forward by the Session's Nominating Committee, composed of 174 members representing a wide range of different parts of the world.

In exclusive comments to the Adventist News Network after his election, Paulsen stressed the importance of the Church maintaining its mission and identity.

"The Church must never forget its mission of spreading the gospel and confronting individuals with God's offer of salvation," he said. "We also need to look at ourselves, and make sure that the Church is a place to feel at home--a warm and friendly community of faith. It's critical that we cultivate the elements that unite us and work to uphold life-giving, not bureaucratic structures."

Paulsen concluded by saying he looked forward to the future with confidence. "As a Church, our beliefs have a strong future component, and we look forward with confidence as we place all our plans and

proposals in the hands of God, who leads this Church." - Adventist News Network

BAHAMAS CONFERENCE ISLAND-WIDE ON-LINE WITH CHRIST

YOUTH CRUSADE

JULY 16 TO AUGUST 12, 2000

On July 16, 2000, at 7:15 p.m. all roads will lead to the gospel tent on Blue Hill Road to launch our annual youth crusade.

A special call goes out to the veteran crusade warriors to join forces with us as we co-labor together with Jesus for the souls of men.

Ensure that your church is gearing up for this gospel explosion and volunteer your services today. For more information contact your youth leaders or call Voniel Duncombe #32-25110, Pastor Lynden Williams #341-7643, Don Kemp #356-3085 or call the Conference Office and ask to speak with Sis. Mary E. Knott.

REPORT FROM CHURCH

MANUAL COMMITTEE

No Adventist Will Ever Be "Disfellowshiped" Again and Other Church Business

In today's business sessions, delegates to the 57th General Conference Session:

* Voted to change the term "disfellowshiped" to "removed from membership." The Church Manual committee intended to make the term "less

loaded with negative implications," said Lowell Cooper, General Conference vice president. The subheading was changed from "Queries Concerning Receiving and Dropping Members" to "Queries Concerning Receiving and Removing Members."

* Voted to change the name of the Health and Temperance Department to the Health Ministries Department. The proposal came from a desire to

highlight the "ministry" aspect of the department; further, in today's language, the term "temperance" has come to mean "moderation," a definition the Church wanted to avoid. Dr. Alan Handysides, department director, assured delegates that the Adventist message of temperance wouldn't be watered down. "I pledge that our department will double our efforts toward temperance," he said.

* Voted to intensify efforts to inform all church members, especially young members, about the gift of prophecy-which meant, and was later amended to say, "the gift of prophecy through the ministry of Ellen G. White." Among other things, the resolution includes a call for every church to conduct an annual Spirit of Prophecy Day and every school an annual Adventist Heritage Week. Several delegates registered discomfort with the resolution, citing Ellen G. White's own description of her work as "the lesser light." "Is there any resolution with similar wording that deals with the Bible?" asked Jurrien den Hollander of the Dutch Union. Later Hollander's motion for such a resolution was voted and referred to committee.

* Voted to allow believers living in proximity to one another to organize themselves as a "company" after approval from the conference/field/mission. The previous wording was "conference or mission."

* Referred agenda item 416 back to the Church Manual committee. The item concerned new requirements for being elected to church office. Church officers would be required to hold membership at the local church or be "a licensed employee of the conference/mission/field." Ken Corkum, North American Division delegate, suggested that spouses of the employees be included in the list of exceptions. Andrea Luxton, Newbold College president, raised questions about how the new section would affect college campuses. Students often do not transfer their membership to the colleges at their churches although they participate as elected officers when they are attending their colleges. Andre Van Rensburg, South Pacific Division delegate, said the new section also excludes female pastors who are credentialed ministers, not licensed ministers.

Other resolutions were referred back to committee for fine-tuning. For the full text of all business, see The Adventist Review.

COMMUNITY SERVICES HURRICANE

PREPAREDNESS WATCH

The official hurricane season begins 1^st June and ends 30^th November of each year. Before the hurricane season each household should make the following preparation.

1. Make repairs to house to include damaged shingles or tiles, windows, doors or walls.

2. Check and repair window shutters and keep a supply of wood and plywood for boarding windows.

3. Trim trees near overhead power lines. If you are in doubt whether it is safe to do this, call B.E.C. and ask for assistance, also trim other tall trees in your yard. Remove dead or dying trees and debris.

4. Improve as best you could the drainage of water in your yard to reduce flooding.

5. Keep on hand-flashlights and spare batteries, lantern, a battery -operated radio, a supply of non-perishable food and containers for/of drinking water.

6. Ensure that your home's furniture and contents are fully insured against hurricane damages.

7. Determine where the nearest hurricane shelter is located by your home and practice driving there to decide the quickest and easiest route.

WHAT TO DO WHEN A HURRICANE WARNING IS ISSUED

(A hurricane warning is when the hurricane can produce hurricane conditions within 24 hours).

When you are notified by Radio Bahamas or other local radio stations that your Island is likely to be affected by a hurricane or a storm within 24 hours you should:

1. Check that all precautions that should have been taken earlier are completed.

2. Fix hurricane shutters to all remaining windows; DO NOT DELAY. High winds may make it impossible to do so later.

3. Stock up on special medication required by family members.

4. Feed animals and move them indoors or loose them.

5. Pick all fruits such as coconuts, mangoes and bread-fruits.

6. Tie down your gas tanks and satellite dish

7. LISTEN AND FOLLOW ALL ADVICE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS ON RADIO BAHAMAS OR OTHER LOCAL RADIO STATIONS. The warnings will advise whether those persons who need to abandon their home should seek safety in a designated shelter in your area.

8. STAY CALM as your ability to handle emergencies will help others who may need your assistance.

Persons interested in becoming disaster relief volunteers for hurricane shelters are asked to give their names and phone contacts to Mrs. Duncombe at #361--8683 or 341-4087. Watch the next issue of Logos for more hurricane details.

YOUTH TIDBITS

**Southwest Federation meeting will be held July 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Berea Church. All officers, Pathfinder directors, Adventist youth leaders and choir directors are asked to make a special effort to attend.

**All Southwest Federation Pathfinder directors and deputy directors are asked to meet at the Hillview church tomorrow, Sunday, July 9, at 10:10 a.m. for an important meeting. Among the issues to be addressed are: Camp Andros, SW Federation Pathfinder Day. Strengthening relationships among our clubs, forming Christ-centered values and building character of our club members. Call L. Stuart at 362-2334 for details.

CAMPSITE, CAMP BAMIVOCA

Campsite, Camp Bamivoca. Kool!

Watch for future details.

AUGUST MONDAY HOLIDAY

FAMILY FUN DAY

Come and participate in the: Mixed Relays-

Hop: 5 yrs to 9 yrs 25 meters

Walk: 45 to 65 yrs 100 meters

Jump (sack) 10 to 15 yrs 75 M

Run (dash) 16 to 44 yrs 200 M

Cup through Tunnel

Gunny Sack Race

Unexpected Obstacle Race

Relay 10 to 6

Pastors' Race

Senior Elders' Race

TaeBo

Board Games, Table Top Games

Music to lift you heavenwards

Children's Activities, Food and Holy Fun!

Watch here for future details

NEW WEBPAGE

Centreville Seventh-day Adventist Church's newly constructed Webpage address is www.tagnet.org/centreville

BAHAMAS ACADEMY ELEMENTARY

BAE is accepting applications for 3 elementary Schoolteachers for the 2000/1 school year. Application forms are available at the school between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays, and between 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Fridays.

B. A. SECONDARY

**Summer classes begin July 11 and end July 28, 2000.

13^TH ANNUAL JEFF RODGERS BASKETBALL CAMP

Already scores of boys and girls have signed up for the Jeff Rodgers Basketball camp which started Monday, June 26, at 9:00 a.m. Camp continues daily Mondays to Fridays. Campers can be collected at 1:05 p.m. daily. This camp is billed as exciting, informative and educational, plus your kids get the opportunity to meet NBA players.

ONLINE WITH CHRIST CRUSADE USHERS TO MEET

There will be a very important meeting today at 5 p.m. at the New Englerston Church for all Ushers and Parking attendants. Persons interested in serving in any of the above areas are also invited to attend.

**Youth Crusade Choir Practice today at the Living Faith Church from 4 to 6 p.m.

**At 6 p.m. today a Singspiration Crusade Rally will be held at Hillview Church. All churches and federation members are encouraged to attend.

Sun sets today at 8:04 p.m.

Sun sets next Sabbath at 8:04 p.m.

Download The Logos at

www.tagnet.org/wiunion.bahamas