GC – 20 Things You Shouldn’t Do At A GC Session

1. Wave a lighter while singing the theme song.
2. Suggest a motion to close the whole session now since we all want to go home.
3. Bring a beer into the Dome.
4. Shout AMEN occasionally when there’s absolutely no call for it.
5. Announce you’re running for president in 5 years.
6. Introduce yourself as the Anti-Christ.
7. Openly read a book by L. Ron Hubbard.
8. Walk past delegates with a cigarette, asking for a light.
9. When an African American preacher says something good, shout “Preach it, nigger!”
10. Jump the line for the food hall, saying “the Holy Spirit is leading me to this.”
11. Ask for a recess because you need to use the restroom.
12. While nobody is watching, move around the signs indicating where each division’s delegation is seated.
13. Suggest a statement giving Dan Brown the same status as Ellen G. White.
14. Listen to a ballgame on the radio inside the Dome, and crank up the volume.
15. Speak in tongues.
16. Take bets on who will be elected into a certain office.
17. Light a barbecue outside the Dome and fry bacon strips.
18. Dress up like Harry Potter.
19. Bring a carpet and kneel facing Mecca during every prayer.
20. Publish jokes about the GC session in a blog.

GC – Urban Sprawl

During my visit to the US I’ve had a real desire to help out the struggling economy by contributing to consumer spending–also known as the activity of shopping. However, one quickly finds that Downtown St. Louis is, no offense, pretty boring.

As in many places in small-town America, city centres are for corporations, exhibitions, monuments, festivities, and tourists. The real life is further afield, in this case in Clayton and the Galleria. A fair effort is done to revive downtowns, I’m sure, but this is the current picture.

Is it the same with the church? Are North America and Western Europe the struggling downtowns of adventists, with historical value, financial strength, and corporate headquarters, when the real action is out there in South America, Africa, East Asia, and other places? Membership growth is centered in these areas, whereas in the Western societies it is at best stagnating.

The session offerings will benefit mission efforts in big cities, but even these will benefit largely third-world cities. In North America, the sole city selected for this effort is Montreal, Canada–hardly the first city you would think about. What about New York, L.A., Chicago, and D.C.? Is the battle lost in these cities?

Is Church Sprawl–both from city to country, and from Western to third world societies–just something we must accept? Isn’t there anything we can do to revive our downtowns of Europe, America, Australia, and other places? Unfortunately, it’s a tough one to answer.

GC – Women revisited

Shadows of the past resurfaced briefly during today’s afternoon session. As some may recall, in 1995 the GC Session voted against a proposal to allow for the ordination of women as ministers in the SDA Church. This was due mostly to the fact that a large majority of church membership, and thus also delegates, are from third world countries with diffent cultures and gender roles. This is an explanation, not an excuse.

In 2000, the issue was ominously absent. But today it was suddenly, although indirectly, back on the floor. The motion in question was a bylaw amendment stating that the GC president should be “an ordained minister of experience”. Apparently, this had not been the case before. As women cannot be ordained, this effectively excludes women from taking this office. It further excludes qualified laypersons. As one speaker pointed out, we have had competent, reelected presidents for many years without this clause.

The motion carried. In itself, it may be a good idea. I do not find ordained ministry directly mandated biblically, but on the other hand it’s not a bad idea–and as long as we have it, it is appropriate that the GC president is one. The real issue here is the same as in Utrecht–ordination of women. And unfortunately the mood on the floor today does not bode well for that happening anytime soon.

I guess this is one of the disadvantages of the pursuit of unity. I take comfort in the assurance that the Kingdom of Heaven is very much inclusive–and that we won’t have to be the ones to decide. I just hope that my female counterparts won’t be so discouraged that they will not continue bringing out the gospel to those who need it.

Separately, president Bush is visiting Denmark today. When Clinton visited five years ago, I was also in America. It seems we’re avoiding each other

GC – Independence Day

Politics can be frustrating. A strange thing happened at the GC session this morning. The motion in debate was the addition of a of a new statement to the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs. The idea in itself is good–clarifying certain issues and sending a signal that our faith is not stale but dynamic.

When this topic was introduced yesterday the chair pointed out that such matters should not be taken lightly and thus a good and thorough debate was appropriate. Apparently, a majority of the delegates did not agree with this observation. After a short period of time today (including yesterday the debate lasted not much more than an hour) a motion to call the vote was seconded and voted. Ultimately, the edited statement was carried with a significant, but not large enough, minority opposing.

Several arguments for amendments and corrections in the documents were either not heard at all since the debate was closed, or imho too quickly rebuffed by the chair. I think the statement in itself is generally good, but certain delegates raised some very relevant issues which, it seemed, were simply not taken seriously.

“A decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the seperation.” Or, in this case, to speak against a certain motion. Today democracy was cut short by democracy itself. Hopefully this will not taint the objective of the new fundamental belief, “Growth in Christ”, which rightfully should be a goal for any Christian.

And this be our motto: “In God is our trust!”

GC – Cardinals

Being in St. Louis with no official responsibilities does have its advantages. This afternoon I decided to let session be session and do something very American, and in the spirit of St. Louis–baseball at Busch Stadium. The St. Louis Cardinals were playing the Colorado Rockies at home in beautiful summer weather. (Incidently I did bring two delegates to the game–but don’t tell anyone.)

There were considerably more people and also more cheering here than at the Edward Jones Dome, where shortly after the game GC vice presidents were (mostly re-)elected. These are the people who, under the president, govern our church, and from which the next president will probably arise. If you will, our cardinals.

Who are the real heroes? Actually, neither. The SDA is a church of the people. The GC officers do a tremendous job, I’m sure–but the real games are played on the field. If most members are somewhat indifferent, it’s because they’re busy covering bases back home. There are no spectators–we’re all players.

Oh, and the Cardinals won 5 to 4.

www.stlcardinals.com

GLADventists

I really thought that GLADventist was a good name for this blog. It’s a fun mix of two words, works in a lot of languages besides English, and was supposed to be an underlining of how I’m not a MADventist or a SADventist. As such, it’s still a good name.

However, a googling of the term (which, I admit, I probably should have done earlier) introduced me to another group using the name: The Gay and Lesbian Adventist Community. To clear out any misunderstandnings I changed the name of my blog to something a little more boring, I’m afraid.

On the other hand, www.gladventist.org can be interesting reading of sorts. This community argues for showing the love of God, even to a stigmatized group as homosexuals. As far as I can gather it is very far from the Gay Parades now found in many major cities. Rather a humble request for loving care, regardless of our individual sins, problems, or experiences. What would Jesus do?

GC – Veggie dogs

It’s General Conference time in the home of the Gateway Arch. And St. Louis Fair and Independence Day aside, a lot of the people of St. Louis have discovered at least a little bit about the peculiar people called Seventh-Day Adventists.

We don’t drink or smoke, and a lot of us don’t eat meat. So, on a lot of street corners around the Edward Jones Dome you can find hot dog stands happily announcing ‘Veggie Dogs’ for sale, touting the suit-cled conference delegates to a quick one-dollar meal. Every foodplace within range of Downtown has special vegetarian menus, welcoming Adventists to their establishments.

While this is no doubt great for the attendees (and the veggie dog is not all that bad, mind you), I can’t help but wonder: Is this really what we want to be famous for? “Adventists? Oh yeah, the people who didn’t eat meat.” Surely we have a message for the world more important than that?

The love and grace of God, salvation through Christ, hope of His coming in the near future, and a love and respect for all people. These are the things I would like the church to be famous for. I know that we like to look at what’s odd–just turn on the tv. But don’t confuse the odd with the important. Buying a veggie dog won’t get you into heaven–only Jesus can do that. I hope that the people of St. Louis hear this also from the Adventists.

Welcome – First post

Ok wow – I never thought I’d get around to this. And in such an unusual place as well. I don’t really know quite the exact purpose of this blog, or whether it will still be alive even a week from now, even less if anyone will find it or read it or comment. But here goes.

Right now I’m in St. Louis, MO, at the General Conference Session of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. And this is basically what spurred me into finding somewhere to share a few thoughts with the world.

I am not a critic of the church nor do I consider myself to be either right-wing or left wing. I love my church and think I’m pretty mainstream in a lot of areas–theologically, at least. But sometimes I think we as adventists need just a little more perspective or self-reflection.

This is where I think I can save the world. Ok, maybe not, but if my thoughts are of any value please let me know what you think. Anyway, that’s kind of an introduction, I guess. If anyone catches on and reads this, I might tell a bit more about myself later on. For now, it’ll be mostly comments on the GC.