Four Pioneering Adventist Peace Churches

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10197515_GFFW_NEwZRn3uYgVG1EJU8y2_wn7Kzh9yl2OTUDnas4The APF provides a certification program for churches committed to working for peace and social justice as an integral part of their identity and mission so that they can become part of a public Adventist Peace Church network. The following four pioneering churches have passed official motions to become part of the Adventist Peace Church movement: Anaheim SDA Church 900 Sunkist St. Anaheim, CA 92806 www.anaheimadventist.org

Glendale City Church 610 E. California Ave. Glendale, CA 91206-3701 www.glendalecitychurch.org

Advent Hope Church 111 E. 87th St.(between Park and Lexington) New York, NY 10128 www.adventhope.org

Hollywood SDA Church 1711 N Van Ness Ave Los Angeles, CA 90028 www.hollywoodsda.org.org

The certification process to become an Adventist Peace Church takes approximately one year to complete and includes the following steps (also posted on the APF website):

1) Churches must become registered applicants for Adventist Peace Church certification by notifying the APF by email of their desire to join the Adventist Peace Church network.

2) Church boards must pass a motion—such as the APF model resolution for churches—affirming basic principles of Christian peace witness and concern for matters of social justice as integral to their identity and mission, as well as expressing a desire to be publicly identified as an Adventist Peace Church.

3) Churches must identify one or more of the following core campaigns to emphasize in their work with a long-term commitment to building relationships and developing action strategies appropriate to their local contexts: care for creation, economic justice, peacemaking and reconciliation, racial and gender justice, health and human rights.

4) Over a one year period, church congregations must engage in three concrete actions or conscious-raising events in their local communities in partnership with non-members to address peace and justice concerns.

5) Over a one year period, churches must include at least three worship services that emphasize peace and justice themes.

6) On a designated weekend (such as Fourth of July or Memorial Day weekend), all Adventist Peace Churches will hold services that with sensitivity and respect for all members recall the Adventist heritage of peacemaking and conscientious objection in times of war, mourn the victims of violence (both civilians and combatants), and focus attention on the work of individuals around the world whose commitment to peacemaking places them in danger and hardship.

7) Upon completion of these steps, churches will be officially designated by the APF as Adventist Peace Churches. They should notify their Union and Division papers of the steps they have taken and wherever appropriate encourage their sister churches to join the Peace Church network.

8) In order to remain an active Adventist Peace Church, congregations must continue to follow steps 4-6 or other processes or actions voted by the Adventist Peace Church network as a whole on an annual basis (with accountability to other Peace churches).