1. HOW TO BUILD GOOD RELATIONS WITH PUBLIC AUTHORITIES
Religious Liberty Department
Inter-America Division

2. Adventist Diplomacy
A quiet diplomacy

3. Definition
Diplomacy is a method of dealing with others to maintain peace and to protect its interests

4. Adventist Diplomacy
Adventist Diplomacy is the way of dealing with others to accomplish our mission and protect our interests in keeping peace and building good relations with all.

5. Building Bridges

6. Peacemakers
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God Jesus
If it is possible, as far it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Paul

7. Why Adventists need a Diplomacy
To accomplish our mission, maintaining peace and building good relations are more effective and cheaper than fighting a useless war.

8. Goals 1. To fulfill our global mission 2. To preserve our interests
3. To promote our values

9. Promoting our Values

10. Goals 4. To protect our members 5. To defend religious freedom
6. To cultivate good relations with authorities

11. The Best Methods
What are the best methods for achieving our goals?

12. Isolation ?

13. Dilution?

14. Cooperation?

15. Principles of Adventist Diplomacy
1- Realism.
Adventists are 25 million
Catholics are 1 billion
Pentecostals are 200 million
Muslims are 1.3 billion
The world population is more than 7 billion.

16. What About the Future Year 2050: Catholics will be 2 billion
Pentecostals 1 billion
Baptists 500 million
Adventists 100 million including children.
1 Adventist for 10 Pentecostals and 20 Catholics

17. 2- A Correct Information
There is no diplomacy without the research of the truth. Correct and precise information is essential for building appropriate strategy. A diplomat needs to know the exact facts and to have access to reliable information.

18. 3- Reality and Perception
In politics, however perception are reality. In diplomacy, perceived power is real power.
W. Freeman Jr : Arts of Power.

19. 4. Opportunism
Joseph, Esther, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Paul were able to seize opportunities.

20. 5. Strategic

21. Two Relevant Questions
“Only two questions were relevant: Who had the most power, and who most shared our values?”
“Ultimately, we have to deal with the one who had more power, not the one we liked the best or with whom we were more comfortable.”
Richard Nixon

22. Set Priorities
“He who tries to defend everything defend nothing. Making strategy means making choices and making choices means enforcing a set of clear priorities.”
Frederick the Great

23. 6. Prophetic
Our vision and understanding of history are in the context of the great controversy between God and the devil. It gives us knowledge about the future and understanding of the past.

24. 7- Integrity
Integrity is the best method to be reliable and have real influence.

25. Corrupted Methods
“It does not matter what color the cat is as long as it catches mice.” Mao Tze Dong.
“The end justifies the means.”
Adventists believe that methods
Which are opposed to Christian values are not acceptable.

26. 8- Respect
Always respect people and make a distinction between “sin” and “sinners.”
Show the same interest in everyone.

27. 9- Humility Humility is the sign of greatness.
Don’t gave the impression that you know everything and are better than everyone else.

28. 10- Perseverance
It takes time to build good relations and to be known as good Christians.
It takes time to achieve our goals.
“Negotiate all the time, openly or secretly in any places is absolutely necessary to the good of the States.”
Richelieu

29. The Field of Action Authorities at all levels Religious leaders
Non-Governmental Organizations
Media
Professional organizations

30. Biblical Diplomats 1. Abraham 2. Jacob 3. Joseph 4. Moses 5. Nehemiah
6. Esther
7. Paul

31. Paul the Ambassador … I am an ambassador in chains … Eph. 6:20
Ambassador of the Gospel
Now we are ambassadors for Christ … 2 Cor. 5:20
Ambassador of reconciliation

32. God’s Diplomats
God uses His diplomats to say the right words to the right persons in the right time in order to save His people and make their mission possible.

33. Results of Good Diplomacy
1. Increased visibility of our Church.
2. Protection of our members.
3. Recognition as Christians.
4. Freedom to preach our message.

34. Good Diplomacy
Good diplomacy will reinforce our identity, bring respect for our values, and make our message known in a positive context - giving the opportunity to everyone to accept or reject it.

35. A Word of Wisdom If you believe that peace is too expensive, try war.
If you believe that religious freedom is too expensive, try religious persecution.