General Conference 2010 - #7

The day began with a discussion on an item that was not in the original GC agenda, but with the change of regime it was added. It was on the issue of Creation and Fundamental Belief #6 that was voted in 1980. There was a motion to reaffirm the more extensive 2004 Statement and to initiate the process of integrating both Statements. The bottom-line is that the #6 Belief does not include a recent, 24-hour literal day Creation, and the 2004 Statement does. Ted Wilson spoke at length to this. So the proposal was to begin a 5-year process to change Fundamental Belief #6. The President of Southern Adventist University moved that they separate the motion into two parts. He supported the 2004 Affirmation but did not support changing the Fundamental Belief. Of interest during the discussion was Elder Charles Bradford’s emotional appeal to the chair to answer a certain request that came as a Point of Order [but wasn’t]. The chair finally backed down. (Some of you will remember 5 years ago when Elder Brad got on the floor and spoke vigorously to an issue, and the chair ruled him out of order because he was a guest and not a delegate. It caused quite a blow-up. Many thought it was a shame that a well respected Adventist sage and former President of the NAD could not speak! Very quickly they gave him delegate status. They didn’t make the same mistake this year; though they almost blew it again. This morning the advisors around the chairperson quickly told him to respect Brad’s appeal, even if it did not fit the parliamentary rules.) Both motions on Creation passed overwhelmingly and the delegates affirmed the strong 2004 Statement and voted to begin the 5 year process to change Fundamental Belief #6 to express less ambiguity as to the literal creation event.

During a break there was an explanation as to why GCs have not been held outside North America. A Task Force was set up 3 years ago, and studied for a year. Two places were identified: Brazil and Australia had places that met the criteria set up. Most places did not have large indoor stadiums that could keep out rain and bad weather. The one place that fulfilled all the requirements was in Australia. However, in June the temperature would be in the 60s, and would be a bit cold for most delegates. So they have chosen San Antonio, Texas for GC 2015.

Couple other things of the day: The issue of the lack of young adults at the GC as delegates, and being elected, was raised a number of times. It was recommended that there be a defined quota of delegates between 18 and 30 years old. Later when the last nominating committee report came in, a delegate raised the question as to the percentage of persons nominated who were less than 35 years old. They didn’t know, because in the USA it is illegal to ask a person’s age when employing him or her. One nomination that was of interest to me: Remember Bob Folkenberg Jr. (President of Upper Columbia Conference) turned down the associate secretary job? They nominated the Treasurer of Upper Columbia Conference, Myron Iseminger. They also showed the movie, “The Adventist.” But they lost video in the middle of it, and the delegates walked out and went to supper. It was sad that we couldn’t finish viewing it. It is a best-seller on Amazon.com, made by a non-Adventist.