INTERNAL POLITICAL FALLOUT FROM THE EMERGENCE OF AN IMMIGRANT MAJORITY: THE IMPACT OF THE TRANSFORMATION OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISM IN METROPOLITAN NEW YORK.

The U.S. has received an influx of "new immigrants." drawn from many parts of the developing world, since 1968. These have, in turn, altered the demo- graphics of congregations and denominations. Of all the denominations operating in metropolitan New York, Seventh-day Adventism has been impacted most dramatically by the changes. Its face has been transformed as it has shifted from a church of primarily Caucasians and Afro-Americans, each dominating separate conferences to one that is now 90% new immigrant. This paper explores the tensions that emerged, as a result of the changed racial/ethnic balance, in the competition to control leadership positions and resources, initially in local congregations and later in the conferences, and the dynamics as these tensions have played out. Finally, it considers why such conflict has been especially strong within Adventism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]