After considerable runaround Sunday night in my effort to get a press pass (re-directed 4 times), I finally received one from Carol on Monday.
After getting the press pass, I walked around the huge America Dome, getting some steps in (the goal is 20k per day) and took various photos as memorabilia, speaking to some friends as I saw them. As I walked by one room, I saw a friend that works for the Review sitting at a computer. I snapped an unsuspecting picture of him and later texted it to him with the caption “Some shady guy ..”. He got the joke.
I finally found the press box, thanks to Sam. Through no fault of the GC, the echo was horrible in the press box. Situated on the 6th floor, there is tremendous reverberation throughout the dome, especially up near the roof, despite efforts of the designer to remediate the sound with ribbon baffles.
After straining to hear for a couple hours, I walked down to the second floor and took a seat in the general bleachers. Surprisingly, I could hear much better there. It was there that I heard the motion from Jonathan Zirkle to discuss the 2015 ADCOM statement as a world body.
At 11:10 AM I noticed a person wildly waving an American flag on the floor of the Arena. Hopefully, they were signalling to someone who was lost. Or maybe they were experiencing extreme patriotism.
The Clapping
After a number of votes or speeches, there was sustained applause. In my opinion, it was inappropriate, whether I agree with the vote or speaker or not. We may be in a sporting venue, but ours should be a different Spirit. That’s my view (and it used to be the view of meetings like this).
At lunch time I went back to the hotel, a mere 10 blocks away, eating pistachios on the way and leaving a trail of pistachio shells all the way there (that may be helpful in finding my way back). We were told that St. Louis is an unsafe place, but I haven’t had any trouble. Not so far, anyway. At the hotel I wrote a report on the morning’s meeting, took a few calls and then headed back to the Arena. (Driving my car to the hotel late last night, a guy ran across the street in front of me with his pants sagging almost to his knees. I was afraid his britches might cause him to fall, but he made it.)
Church Manual #1
In the afternoon, Church Manual changes came up. I found a television where I could actually hear the discussion on the second floor and parked myself in front of it and took notes for a couple hours. Here’s the scoop.
400 - 22GS. This was the item that sought to give greater over church pulpits to pastors and conferences. Tim Standish made a good point, that pastors should be more accountable to church boards and congregations. In an era where power is slowly being accumulated at the top in our world, this was a helpful reminder. The amendment passed, though.
The nominating committee was still in deliberation during this time. I appreciate the work they do, but I question the efficacy of having them off in a separate room while other serious matters are being discussed and voted on. Their input would be good to have in these other votes.
Then it was supper time. Myself and a friend went to a Thai restaurant and enjoyed an awesome meal. I saw GT Ng there the previous night, so I knew it had to be good. We sat close to the Spectrum editor and the Diversity & Inclusion officer from Andrews. We went over and said hi to them and had a short but amiable conversation.
The big question throughout the day was when the Nominating Committee would finish their work, and who they might recommend as GC President. I must have received 100 emails and messages asking about it. My answer was short “We don’t know yet, but we should by the end of the day. Hang in there!”
Church Manual #2
Then we went back to the Arena to hear more Church Manual discussions and votes. A summary:
Female elders. See David Read’s explanation of Church Manual changes. There was a motion to refer this change back, rather than inscribe female elders into the Church Manual. Jim Howard made a good point, pointing out the ambivalence of the amendment. There was good discussion going on with people waiting to contribute their thoughts, but Stephan Gulliani stepped to the mike and called the question, thereby halting discussion (this is a common practice when people feel that the discussion may be going in a direction they don’t like). The motion to refer back failed by 617 to 787 votes, and the amendment was passed. Again there was wild applause by those who passed the amendment.
Diaconate changes. There was brief discussion on this item, but Stephan Gulliani again stepped to the mike and ‘called the question’ ending discussion again. There was an odd look in his eyes that caught my attention, perhaps my vision was off. The vote to stop discussion passed 1278 to 166. The vote to accept the amended changes passed 1088 to 350. Applause.
409-22gsb Ordination service for deaconesses. These people are trying to kill off opposition to female ordination with a hundred paper cuts. This is the goal. It passed with 1274 yes votes.
Observations
There is a palpable rubber stamp vibe here, mingled with a lot of pro-structure enthusiasm. Structure is fine, but people matter more to God than structure (to quote John Maxwell, and more importantly John the Apostle 3:16; Matthew 12:12).
This whole Covid and vaccination issue has done something remarkable in the church. It split members by revealing a distinction between those who have great love for the structure and those who have great love for the Advent Message and its Author. Even among conservatives. It revealed what people love.
There are other nuances of course like individuals in the medical field unable to conceive that their profession might be being politicized and weaponized by unrighteous governments, but this reality is now evident.
Our church system was built around trust. It flourishes with trust. In fact, love cannot exist in an environment of distrust.
Illustration. When I came back into the Arena after supper, I was confronted by an agitated woman asking me if I had snapped a picture in the business center. I was confused what she was referring to—I have taken numerous pictures while here, of the city, the meetings and the venue. Then I remembered the humorous photo I snapped of the Review employee. Perhaps that was it, although it certainly wasn’t worth getting upset about. I don’t understand what makes some people tick, but I don’t always know what makes me tick, either.
We need to love those with whom we may disagree. “In season and out of season” means when you feel like it and when you don’t.
After a couple years off, it is good to be back in a large meeting with fellow members. The backpacks worn by delegates are a stark reminder that this meeting was postponed for two years. They say “2020” on them.
That’s the candid report from St. Louis.
Stay tuned.
And stay faithful!
****
