The General Conference Department of Public Affairs & Religious Liberty

What Is Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL)?

Conference of Seventh-day Adventists exists for one simple reason:We work to position the Seventh-day Adventist Church and its services to a standing of credibility, trust, and relevance in the public realm.

The General Conference Department of Public Affairs & Religious Liberty

Our mission and purposes statements.

Method

Adventists were involved in public policy advocacy from the inception of our church. Adventists have been on the forefront of the effort to secure the God-given fundamental human right of religious freedom.

What We Do

The Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department maintains relations with governments and international organizations. It represents the world church in meeting officials around the world and monitoring the state of religious freedom.

Founding Documents

To understand the PARL department's philosophy and approach, it's helpful to look at the documents that provide the "blueprint" for PARL's mission.

A Brief History

For more than 150 years, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has been committed to promoting freedom of belief for all people. “Religious Liberty is in the DNA of the Adventist Church,” is how Elder Ted Wilson, president of the General Conference, describes Adventists' deep commitment to the the idea that religious freedom is a God-given gift.

PARL and the International Religious Liberty Association

The International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA) has strong ties to the Seventh-day Adventist Church and to the PARL department, yet it is today an independent and non-sectarian organization that works to promote freedom of religions or belief for all people, everywhere, no matter what their faith tradition.

The General Conference Department of Public Affairs & Religious Liberty

PARL Dossier

Weekly News

From the Director

Adventists at the United Nations

Recent news

Foundations and Functions of PARL

International Documents

World Report 2021

Get Involved!

Become a Church Ambassador

Report a Religious Liberty Concern