Two weeks after Seventh-day Adventist leaders at the Inter-American Division (IAD) headquarters in Miami (Florida/USA) cancelled its mid-year executive committee meetings due to the health concerns of the Influenza A (H1N1), church business meetings have taken another form: video conferencing.

Top church officials video conferenced with 16 of the 17 major church regions administrators to discuss growth, finances, soul-winning, conditions of the church and other pressing issues during a one-hour interview each. These consultations with the top region, or union, leaders are normally scheduled a few days before the church's executive committee meetings every spring." Business has been running smoothly during the video conferencing," said Pastor Leito, president of the Inter-American Division. "This virus situation has pushed us to use technology efficiently at this time."

Although the video conferencing will not replace face-to-face meetings, "it will make consultations far more effective when we can consult with our local leaders," said Pastor Leito. "We believe we have discovered a very efficient way of doing business and keeping in touch with the church."

That connection was evident last week when 17 of the church regions took action during a multi video and teleconference meeting on a number of pressing items that could not wait until the year-end executive committee meetings, said Pastor Leito.

Additional board meetings, as well as a two-hour executive committee meeting, will take place during the coming days.

For news updates on the church in Inter-America, visit us at www.interamerica.org (Editor: Libna Stevens for APD)