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Though Words Change . . .
While the acronym ASI has held steady through the 50-year history of the organization, there have been several names and logos.
Purposes and objectives have never changed. Fundamentally, members of the group were/are dedicated to support the Seventh-day Adventist Church, encourage the "priesthood of all believers" by emphasizing Christian witness in the workplace, provide a place of fellowship for lay persons with like goals, and enhance the Christian principles of business.
However, the name chosen 50 years ago--Association of Seventh-day Adventist Self-supporting Institutions--did not fit the membership mix as the group expanded horizons. As early as 1959 they began to question what appeared to some as exclusiveness. Citing observations from Ellen White that "we have none too many sanitariums," they were reminded that "we do not overemphasize any particular phase of our health message to the detriment of other equally important parts .… be they large or small." Dental and paramedical personnel were seen as medical missionary workers as well.
When in 1961 a garage owner was brought into the fellowship, some questioned how a person pursuing a business--such as the Church itself did not sponsor--could be part of self-supporting work, which they saw as only areas of ministry in which the Church was engaged. Then, there was no doubt that health and education were the Church's main focus.
Working their way through that, the early membership noted also the many references from Ellen White addressing the importance of the farmer, mechanic, lawyer, and other businessperson.
By 1970 their name for the acronym no longer applied. Thus came the Association of Privately Owned Seventh-day Adventist Services and Industries. It was still ASI!
That was seen as an unwieldy handle in 1979, even as lay persons of all trades and interests felt compelled to join the army sharing Christ in the workplace. With rapid growth of diverse membership came the name, Adventist-Laymen's Services and Industries.
With the times there were differences in logo style, though once the pin was selected in 1963 the design has remained fairly constant.
In today's attempt at being "politically correct," ASI's Communication people ofttimes refer to Adventist-laypersons in Services and Industries! By whatever name, the Mission and Vision apply to every ASI family member, of every age, from every ethnic group, of every national language.
ASI members are a family no matter how they differ in culture, conversation, or cuisine.
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