This coming September, the Mid-America Union Conference will do what it has traditionally done the year following the General Conference session: host our own constituency session. This will not only be a constituency meeting for MAUC, but also for Union Adventist University. On September 13, 2026, the delegates chosen by the six local conferences in MAUC will serve as delegates for both of these entities.
The MAUC constituency session will be held to hear reports, elect officers for the union and to make any changes to our Constitution and By-laws that delegates vote. For Union Adventist University’s session, we again will hear reports, reaffirm our Board of Trustees, and make any changes to the Constitution and By-laws that are needed.
Beyond the legal and governmental reasons, sessions are a wonderful opportunity for coming together to be reminded of our incredible mission, having the opportunity to worship and sing together, and seeing friends from all across our territory. Over the next few months, each of your conferences will be choosing their delegates and sending the names to us at the union. If you are chosen to be a delegate, I look forward to seeing you at the College View Church in Lincoln, Nebraska, on September 13.
United in Service—Living the Gospel
The theme for this year’s constituency session is “United in Service – Living the Gospel.” We settled on this theme because it fits beautifully with the General Conference’s emphasis for the next two years named “OneVoice27.” Both call for us to come together to fulfill our commission to preach the gospel to all the world. We need to come together, “even if we think differently,” according to Elder Erton Köhler, our General Conference president.
So, we want to focus on being “united in service,” but also a people “living the gospel.” What does it mean to be living the gospel? Philippians 2 explains it beautifully. Paul writes, “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interest, but also for the interests of others”(Phil. 2:1-4 NASB).
I believe for us to live this out, we must begin with a prayer for the Lord to sit on the throne of our hearts. Only then will we possess a divine nature in which we can love and work this way. If we take this theme and commit ourselves to it, I believe the coming five years could be the most impactful years of ministry ever for the Mid-America Union.
Ministry reports bring joy
Watch for the September issue of the OUTLOOK magazine because it will contain the union’s report of the ministry that has taken place around our territory over the past five years, as well as a vision for ministering together for the next quinquennium. Reports will come from the president, secretary and treasurer of our union, along with our departmental directors. I believe when you read about how God has been working throughout our territory in so many ways it will encourage you and bring joy to your heart.
A special mailing will be sent to the delegates prior to the session that will contain more information concerning our day together. The delegates will also receive a written report from the nominating committee, the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Rules of Order for meetings, the timing of the meeting and other logistical information including the session’s agenda and the proposed changes to the union’s Constitution and By-laws. The nominating committee will be meeting prior to the session to nominate names for the officers’ positions, the members of the Mid-America Union Executive Committee, and members of the Mid-America Union Association Board.
Similarly, information about Union Adventist University will be shared with the delegates before they come. Our school is such a vital part of our heritage and future in Mid-America. UAU continues to produce some of the finest pastors, teachers and leaders anywhere. We can continue to be so thankful for the impact our school is having on the lives of our young adults and our territory. Dr. Yami Bazan, our president, is providing exceptional spiritual leadership on our campus. Our faculty and staff are also tremendous, and we owe them our gratitude and support.
The delegates chart our course
I realize the thought of a constituency session may not garner much excitement with some people. Most just think of it as a long, laborious day where, in the end, the inevitable happens. To be honest with you, I used to think that way as well. But over the years, I have come to appreciate the way in which our church is governed and how it is our membership who has the final say (vote) in the future of their church. After all, this is what makes us a Protestant church—the body as a whole being in charge and not a person.
It amazes me the wisdom our church founders displayed in organizing a denomination. The General Conference sessions of 1902 and 1903 have given us the system we have today. It was the Holy Spirit who guided their hearts and minds in setting up the various constituencies at different levels of the church and how they were to function. Our representative form of church governance ensures that no one person can own the process or direct its outcomes.
I would like to invite you to begin to pray with me now that the Lord has His way in all that takes place at our September 13, 2026, session—from every person who is elected to serve in leadership or on a committee, to every change to our Constitution and By-laws. I believe with all my heart we are living in the last days. All the decisions made on this day will be critical for the mission of the work in Mid-America moving forward. And when our session is over, I pray our arms are wrapped around each other thanking God for the way He has led and that we will be found “United in Service – Living the Gospel.”
