1 July 2015 | San Antonio, Texas, USA [Victor Hulbert, tedNEWS] If there is one meal that defines the Seventh-day Adventist diet it is ‘the haystack’. For those outside of Adventism it is a mystery, but go to any social gathering in North America and the mix of corn chips, beans, salads and sauces is almost compulsory. American missionaries then exported the surprisingly tasty mix around the world. Surprisingly refreshing then, that a Tex-Mex version of it was served at the first official meal of the 2015 General Conference Session. It made delegates from across the world feel somewhat at home.
Yet looking around the dining hall the question arises, why spend so many millions of dollars to draw Adventists together in such an enormous gathering every five years? Couldn’t the money be better used to further God’s work? Couldn’t elections and church business be carried out in a simpler fashion?
These are valid questions, yet, as World Church President, Pastor Ted Wilson states, “During a General Conference Session, not only do we have the joy of worshipping together as a worldwide family; we have the opportunity to clearly focus on the mission of the church, and how best to accomplish that mission.”
That is the spiritual side of the event, and it is life enhancing for those who attend. But more importantly it determines a general direction for the world church, helps diverse people groups work together, and in that context, even allows for more successful mission across cultures. Just watching the hugs and handshakes of people in the registration area today demonstrated that in Adventism barriers are broken and friendships are made that cross significant boundaries. The common purpose is greater than the differences that we all have.
Yet we must also recognise those differences. People are coming to this particular session with high expectations and some strong feelings on several issues – the largest being one that has been bounced back and forth since at least 1990 – that of the ordination of women.
Would a different system of governance have dealt with this combined cultural and theological issue in a different manner? Could a different system have gained a worldwide consensus? Maybe. But with the setting up of the Theology of Ordination Study Committee following the 2010 GC Session in Atlanta, the church has had great opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of what is meant by ordination.
It has also generated a lot of thinking, prayer and Bible study. It has focused on what is best for mission in different cultures and different parts of the world. It has called for tolerance and humility. Whatever way the vote may go next week, and the Trans-European Division has made clear its missional desire for a ‘yes’ vote, nobody can complain that the entire world of Adventism was short-changed in the open discussion.
The same will apply to other issues that will be addressed during the Session. The Adventist view on marriage will become more clearly stated at a time when secular culture is moving away from biblical norms. An emphasis on the validity of the Genesis record on Creation will be discussed – and is likely to be another ‘hot issue’. However, again it is something that representatives from around the world have discussed and voted in various meetings including Annual Council, and now bring to the delegates for a final decision.
Equally we could ask if there would be such diversity in leadership in the church if we did not meet on this global basis? The system is not perfect, it is at times unwieldy, but, with the continued emphasis on mission it has led to large initiatives such as Mission to the Cities and Revival and Reformation that are making a significant impact.
And what about the cost? $20 million is a lot of money. However, balance it out and it is only just over $1.00 per church member. For the benefits it provides that is not a bad price. Munching through my haystacks, engaged in avid conversation, and surrounded by a sea of positive, cheerful people, it seems to me that the event is worth every penny.
For more on why the church holds a GC Session visit the questions section of the 2015 GC Session website.
To see impressions and expectations of those at the GC Session 2015, please click here. [tedNEWS]
tedNEWS Staff: Miroslav Pujic, director; Deana Stojkovic, editor
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