Model Resolution for Churches

Recognizing the centrality of peacemaking and social justice to the Hebrew prophetic tradition and to the life and ministry of Christ in the New Testament;

Remembering the historical Adventist position of conscientious objection in times of war as well as the radical spirit of many Adventist pioneers, who opposed all forms of violence, militarism, nationalism, imperialism, and discrimination;

Affirming the General Conference Executive Committee’s 2002 statement, “A Seventh-day Adventist Call for Peace,” which summons churches to repentance for our collective failure to teach and to embody the ethics of nonviolence, and which urges us to use our pulpits “to proclaim the gospel of peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation which dissolves barriers created by race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, and religion”;

We, the members of _________________________ Seventh-day Adventist church, dedicate ourselves to work for peace and social justice as a central and indispensable part of our witness to “the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” We pledge to engage in dialogue and in practical actions in our local community for nonviolent conflict resolution, human rights, care for the environment, and economic justice. We desire to join our energies and talents with other congregations who are similarly committed, and to be publicly known as an Adventist Peace Church seeking “the healing of the nations” in our worship life and in acts of service to all humanity.