Today, there are church manual changes and tweaks.
It was observed by a pastor, that none of these changes really affect our day-to day life as Adventists, yet they consume a lot of energy. It would be better to deal with matters of substance, such as our denominational support for liberty of conscience, the growing centralization of power in church leadership, and the oncoming rainbow-colored freight train headed toward us. We could also address the odd relationship between our church and the very secular United Nations.
Speaking to this larger issue, Leroy Abrams went to the microphone (at 3:04:20 in the above link) and called into question the GC practice of creating a rigid Agenda for a GC Session. He said it is hypocritical to ban delegates from conferring among themselves on issues that need to be discussed at GC Session. he said individuals who set the agenda hold the true power. In a calm manner he asked for more flexibility, allowing delegates (who are — during session — the highest authority in the church) the freedom to open and discuss issues of substance. Otherwise, it looks like the meeting is being controlled/manipulated by power brokers at the GC level. “Smoothness of meeting proceedings is not evidence of the working of the Holy Spirit.” We appreciate his reasonable suggestion.
More church manual changes…
Around 11:20, a suggested change to add the words ‘conduct baptisms’ to the duties of a minister failed by about 1000 to 500. More about that later..
Now they are debating the page 126 portion of the church manual that allowed conferences to bully churches from having speakers they didn’t like. This clause was in the church manual in two places. They are proposing to remove one of them and leaving the other. It would be better to remove both portions, or put a circuit breaker in place to prevent conferences from banning speakers they simply don’t like (such as Stephen Bohr in 2023).
Motion to stop discussion . . . passed.
Vote to pass motion. Carried by majority of raised voting cards… The clause allowing conferences to veto church pulpits remains on page 126.
3 PM.. Nominating Committee recommends Richard McEdward for GC Secretary. .. Voting… passed 1630 to 133.
Paul H. Douglas re-nominated as General Conference Treasurer.… passed by 1851 to 47.
Seven General Conference Vice Presidents presented as a block. Tim Standish requests that they vote on the names individually.
The request (by Tim Standish) to vote on names individually was denied by the chair.
The block vote passed 1798 to 92.. I would think that if a delegate requests to vote on individuals separately it should be granted. It wasn’t. It appears to be a blow against accountability. The chair (Mbwana) was jubilant over the vote outcome.
Motion to table appropriations item 204, too close to call with voting cards. Moved to electronic voting… Motion passed 736 to 702. Amazing.