General Conference Session reminds me that we are a worldwide movement with very diverse cultures and beliefs. It is nothing short of the hand of God that has kept us from splintering. Over the past 10 days about 100,000 Adventists from about 200 countries gathered in St. Louis. They were composed of all different kinds of people who are the same in one very special kind of way—followers of Jesus. We don’t agree about everything, but we believe that Jesus is the only answer and our only source of hope. We all struggle, get confused and occasionally get discouraged. Yet, deep in all our hearts we embrace that “God so loved the world that He have His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Thursday’s business session was maintenance and necessary business, but nothing too problematic. The “small group” breakout discussion topic was:
Unity in Christ
- What guidance does Scripture give on how a worldwide religious movement that is so diverse in its cultures, languages, and traditions like the Seventh-day Adventist Church can be unified? What are the common denominators of a united church that transcends our cultural backgrounds?
- How can the unity of the church be fostered locally, regionally, and internationally?
The Church Manual changes were completed on Friday morning. The final “small group” discussion breakouts finished Friday’s business session.
Mission for All
- What are some of the greatest challenges to mission in the 21st century?
- What is your personal involvement in the mission of the church? What ways have you found effective in sharing your faith? Share how your local congregation is making an impact on your community.
NAD delegates had Friday afternoon free because we elect our Departmental Directors at Year-end Meetings, so I finally got to wander around the exhibits and bump into many old friends and colleagues.
Sabbath was a high day. There were certainly more present the second weekend than the first. If you could not listen to Elder Köhler’s (new GC President) message, I urge you to do so. www.gcsession.org/ Here are some highlights I gleaned.
- “Our message is based on hope and security, not anxiety and fear.”
- “Over the next five years you will hear me say repeatedly, ‘Grounded on the Bible, focused on the mission.’”
- “We can’t be a church that measures our growth with simple ABCs – Attendance, Buildings, and Cash. We must have a strong focus on D – Disciple-Making. This is our measurement.”
- “We can’t be distracted by things that are not priority. We can adjust our methods but never change our Bible-based message.”
- “Let us be a church that was born in the 19th century but is ready to meet the needs of the 21st century.”
- “I count on your prayers, on your support, on your kindness. Let us move forward together. Our mission will be accomplished when we are together.”
- “A hopeless world is in desperate need of a hopeful church.”
Written by Elder Ron Carlson, president of the Kansas-Nebraska Conference.
Click on the picture below to view pictures from the North American Division Flickr website.
