Representatives of the Seventh-day Adventist Church's global ministerial, public affairs and religious liberty and publishing ministries held separate advisory sessions at the world church headquarters the week of March 13, sharing strategies and plans for the next five years.

These sessions bring together departmental leaders from the Adventist church's 13 world regions for a time of fellowship, instruction and sharing. Strategies are considered and discussed, visions shared and accomplishments noted.

Pastor Jan Paulsen, president of the Adventist world church told pastoral leaders that local church pastors sometimes feel disconnected from church initiatives that "come down from above" without their involvement. He encouraged those leaders to work toward making local pastors feel more connected with the global efforts of the church.

James A. Cress, ministerial secretary for the world church, said he agreed with Paulsen's remarks and noted that the group is seeking more and better ways of integrating church priorities with pastoral ministry.

The church's publishing ministries -- primarily responsible for distribution of church literature in many nations around the world -- were well represented during their separate advisory meetings. An estimated 40,000 literature evangelists -- formerly known as "colporteurs" -- are involved in sales and distribution of literature worldwide; according to Pastor Howard Faigao, publishing secretary for the world church, there will be an effort to add 15,000 more literature evangelists to the ranks during the next five years.

In addition, he said, a "Literature Ministry Seminary" program will be established in each national or regional church area, as well as the 13 major regions.

Publishing branches will also produce books for readers at all levels of society, and more books in local languages. In addition, Faigao said, local publishing houses will unite with Adventist media ministries for cross-promotion: the ministries will refer people to the publishing house products that support their broadcasts.

"I'm very encouraged," Faigao told Adventist News Network. "I think the response of our publishing directors is encouraging."

Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) department directors from the world church also held consultations at the church headquarters.

"We need to coordinate what we do around the world as we face the increasing challenges to religious liberty and freedom of conscience," said Dr. John Graz, director for the Adventist Church's PARL department. "It is exciting to see what is possible as we bring together all our expertise so as to better serve the needs of both the church and the world regarding this fundamental right," he added.

"This is an urgent need," said Williams Costa Jr., PARL director for the Adventist church in South America. "As we join forces, we can really accomplish something for God, the God of freedom. We have incredible opportunities, and we have to make them into realities."

Among the eight recommendations that were voted and will be presented to regional church administrators are to ensure that PARL directors and church leaders monitor legislation to determine its possible effects on the freedom of individuals and the operations of the church; support the 2007 International Religious Liberty Association World Congress in South Africa; and support a World Festival of Religious Freedom in 2009.

"The recommendations give PARL directors clear guidelines and a course of action for the years ahead," said Ray Coombe, PARL liaison for the South Pacific region of the Adventist church who also worked on the recommendations.

Other departmental advisory meetings are planned for the world headquarters in coming weeks. [Editors: Mark A. Kellner and Viola Hughes for ANN/APD]