The worldwide Adventist Church is currently engaged in a biblical-theological study of ordination. Each Division through its respective Bible Research Committee (BRC) is in a process of discussing the theological foundations and practical implications of ordination. BRI is actively assisting with this BRC process. Good discussions have taken place in various BRCs and excellent papers have been submitted to these committees. Such a study is crucial to the formulation of an Adventist understanding of this topic as well as to the resolution of the issue of women’s ordination. Suggestions, questions, and conclusions produced by the BRCs will be sent to the Theology of Ordination Study Committee (TOSC).

The TOSC is a large committee formed by representatives of each of the thirteen world divisions and chaired by Artur Stele (GC Vice President and Director of BRI). About a quarter of the committee are women; lay representation is also included.¹ The assignments of this committee can be summarized in the following way: (1) Review the history of the study of ordination in the Seventh-day Adventist Church; (2) develop a Seventh-day Adventist theology of ordination; (3) study the subject of ordination of women to the gospel ministry; and (4) in areas of disagreement, focus on potential solutions that support the message, mission, and unity of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The TOSC will prayerfully study these issues, trying to reach a consensus on each assignment. In the areas where consensus will not be reached, the TOSC will present several reports and will also work on potential solutions. These steps will insure that the process will be open, fare, and transparent. The TOSC will complete its work in the Summer of 2014.