On June 22, around 150 delegates from the Adventist congregations in German-speaking Switzerland confirmed René Pieper as executive secretary and Jascha Felix Stahlberger as financial officer for another four years. Stephan Sigg was already elected as president of the Seventh-day Adventists in German-speaking Switzerland for a four-year term, at the first General Assembly of the year, on March 30, 2025 (see APD report from April 2).
Structural Reform and Mission Statement
The proposed changes to the brochure "Structural Reform 2025" and adjustments to the mission statement of the German-speaking Swiss Association (DSV)—presented during the delegate assembly in March—were accepted. The plan is to publish both documents on the church's website.
Reports
The president’s report on the past two years indicates that the number of German-speaking Adventist members increased by one person from 2023 to 2024, reaching 2,605. The following were positively noted: there are no gaps in the pastoral staff, the introduced area model allows for synergies, the first project of lay preaching training was successful, and the financial situation of the church is healthy. Challenges and problem areas mentioned in the report include that the strategic and operational leadership of the DSV is heavily burdened, particularly due to the related institutions and associations where the leaders share responsibility. The loss of many young people and the withdrawal of long-standing members was lamented as a silent exodus. The report stated that traditional evangelism has had only moderate success and that more sustainability and innovation is needed to reach a secular and diverse society. The ethnic diversity in the church should not be addressed by founding more ethnic congregations but through gradual inclusion in existing congregations.
Financial Report
The financial report of the Adventists in German-speaking Switzerland (DSV) shows a stable development for the years 2023 and 2024. Over 95 percent of the income continues to come from the so-called "tithe" – voluntary donations from church members based on biblical principles. In 2023, these amounted to 8.8 million Swiss francs. In 2024, they stood at 8.1 million Swiss francs. Despite the slight decline, the donation income remains above the long-term average. The DSV's income is used for personnel costs, expenses of various areas of work, administrative costs, subsidies for church-related institutions, and the distribution of part of the income to the worldwide Church network. Both years concluded with surpluses. According to the financial report, the church is financially solid.
Adventists in Switzerland and Worldwide
The Seventh-day Adventists in Switzerland are organized under association law and are divided into two church regions: the German-speaking Swiss Association of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (DSV), based in Zurich, and the Fédération des Eglises Adventistes du 7e jour de la Suisse romande et du Tessin (FSRT), based in Renens (Vaud Canton). Together, both administrative regions form the Swiss church leadership, known as the Swiss Union, based in Zurich. At the end of 2024, there were 4,853 baptized Adventist Christians in Switzerland.
Adventist Institutions in the Language Regions of Switzerland
The Adventists in Switzerland operate the private schools A to Z in Zurich and Reinach (Aargau); two youth homes in St. Stephan (Bern) and Les Diablerets (Vaud); three senior and nursing homes in Krattigen (Bern), Oron-la-Ville, and Epalinges, near Lausanne; the Advent Publishing House Switzerland in Krattigen; and a shipping office for French books in Renens (Vaud). Additionally, they run the Hope Bible Study Institute (HBI) and the Religious Education Institute (RPI) in Zurich, as well as the Correspondence Bible Study Institute (IEBC) in Renens. In Gland (Vaud) is the La Lignière Clinic, which specializes in rehabilitation for cardiovascular diseases, neurological, orthopedic, and rheumatic conditions, as well as post-treatment for cancer. Information: https://la-ligniere.ch/
National Institutions of the Adventists
Among the national works is the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Switzerland, based in Zurich. The office is located in Aarau. Abroad, ADRA Switzerland collaborates with local partner organizations, primarily in disaster and development aid projects.
The Swiss League for Life and Health (LLG), Zurich, offers holistic physical, mental, spiritual, and social health promotion through its seminars in approximately 40 local groups.
Website of the Adventists in German-speaking Switzerland: www.adventisten.ch
Website of the Adventists in Romandie and Ticino: www.adventiste.ch
Statistics on Adventists in Switzerland: https://adventisten.ch/kontakt/presse/
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