6 October 2009

Leaders elected for WA

Carmel, Western Australia
Calvin Chuang/Glenn Townend/Melody Tan

Pastor Lionel Smith (pictured right), director of stewardship and trust services of the Seventh-day Adventist Church's Western Australian Conference (WAC), has been appointed to the new position of assistant secretary.

As assistant secretary of WAC, Pastor Smith's responsibilities include overseeing the church's campgrounds and administrative meetings, as well as being part of the Easter camp committee and departmental meetings. Pastor Smith's role is similar to that of general secretary in other conferences.

Pastor Smith was appointed during the 75th Western Australian constituency meeting in August. He will also retain his position as director of stewardship and trust services, and coordinator for occupational health and safety.

The 268 delegates who attended the meeting also voted to reappoint Pastor Glenn Townend as president and Warrick Long as secretary-treasurer of WAC.

"The future direction for WAC is clear," says Pastor Townend. "The constituency meeting wants us to keep focused on our vision, mission and fulfilling the purpose of renewing the Adventist movement, creating significant lives and transforming communities."

Delegates also voted to adopt the model constitution of the Australian Union Conference, ensuring a consistent approach to how WAC is governed and uniting the country's nine conferences.

The number of people on appointment and nominating committees has also been changed, and there is now a four-year term between constituency meetings.

According to Mr Long, the meetings have helped WAC move closer to attaining its 20/20 vision of 20,000 Adventist disciples, 2000 small groups and 200 churches.

Reports from the meeting also revealed that tithe between 2006 and 2008 reached milestones of $A5 million and $A6 million, and baptismal growth increased by almost one per cent.

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