Andrews University Berrien Springs, MI, USA Photo: Andrews University Relations

Report Finds Seventh-day Adventist Schools Doing Well, But Lists Areas of Concern

Silver Spring, Maryland/USA | 14.10.2005 | ANN/APD | International

Imagine an Adventist school with few or no Adventist teachers or students. Such a school might well have trouble maintaining an "Adventist environment," but that is the future facing several of the church's colleges and universities worldwide if they do not work to reverse current trends, an October 12 report concluded. The report, from the Adventist world church's Commission on Higher Education, was presented to members of the church's executive committee at its autumn business meeting.

The commission was formed five years ago to study Adventist higher education institutions worldwide. Some of its mandates included: developing a global plan for Adventist higher education; conducting research, surveys and evaluations regarding strengths and weaknesses at each Adventist college, seminary and university; and developing strategies to strengthen unity, integrity and financial viability of the Adventist system of higher education.

Some of the greatest challenges facing several Adventist schools, according to the report, are the increase in students and faculty who are not Adventists; continued financial reliance on the church coupled with the inability of the church to continue the same level of finance; lack of policy compliance in some areas; and a lack of focus on carrying out the church's mission.

While Adventist schools may be changing, members of the commission concluded these schools are still making a strong and positive impact on the church.

Bogenhofen Senior High School St.Peter am Hart, Austria Photo: APD

"Higher education in our schools is increasingly becoming the site of ministry," Pastor Jan Paulsen, president of the protestant mainstream Adventist church, said. "Our ministers in education [are] the second largest workforce in our church caring for 1.5 million youth and children. We have a huge commitment to support higher education -- as a church we cannot survive without it."

The report also found Adventist schools are essential breeding grounds for the next generation of church leaders, and the church's higher education is doing a "reasonably good job" in meeting the needs of the church.

But what about those schools that are still struggling? The report also showed examples of schools that have upheld or not upheld the mission of the Adventist Church. One school received charters from the government and began implementing new programs and adding new students without first consulting the church. This led to a decline in Adventist faculty and students.

"Some of our schools are under enormous pressure locally to expand and embrace new programs, and is not infrequently at a pace that is greater than we are able to provide resources -- personnel and otherwise," Pastor Paulsen observed.

Dr. Andrea Luxton, associate director in the world church's education department pointed to one of the action statements in the report. The statement encouraged schools to take proactive steps to recruit and retain Adventist teachers.

Dr. C. Garland Dulan, education director for the world church, said present church structure militates against development of a global plan for education to be implemented in all Adventist schools. Local boards and entities are responsible for carrying out the recommendations, he said.

"It is not the intent for the world church to become a micro-manger of education around the world, but we are taking initiative as a body to see how can we do this better," Pastor Paulsen explained. "We want to work with you."

The report concluded with recommendations that should be taken to improve schools, including: requiring training of teachers, especially in the Adventist philosophy of education; taking proactive steps to retain and recruit Adventist teachers; developing marketing and financial incentive strategies to increase Adventists in Adventist institutions; and expanding the service to Adventist students not attending Adventist institutions.

Today the Seventh-day Adventist Church has one of the largest private parochial educational systems in the world, with more than 5,600 schools and a combined enrolment of more than 1 million students. The church also operates 99 tertiary-level institutions offering one or more graduate degree programs under its own authority, including universities. [Editors: Taashi Rowe and Christian B. Schaeffler for ANN/APD]

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