PRESIDENT’S BLOG GENERAL CONFERENCE SESSION DAY 5
June 28, 2010
A historic step was taken today at the General Conference Session. Delegates were working through the proposed changes to the Church Manual, when a recommendation from a recent General Conference Annual Council was brought in to the floor pertaining to the section in Chapter 5 dealing with organizing a new Church. In that section was a proposal to add to the section dealing with nominations to fill various church offices, such as elders, deacons and deaconesses a new statement in relationship to deaconesses. The section says that elders should be ordained, and then it says: “A similar but shorter service should take place for ordination of deacons and induction for deaconesses.” The proposed addition was to say: “Deaconesses may be ordained in divisions where the process has been approved by its executive committee.” This was presented as the motion.
The basis presented by the General Conference officers to the delegates for this motion, is a quotation from Ellen White in the Review and Herald:
"Women who are willing to consecrate some of their time to the service of the Lord should be appointed to visit the sick, look after the young, and minister to the necessities of the poor. They should be set apart to this work by prayer and laying on of hands. In some cases they will need to counsel with the church officers or the minister; but if they are devoted women, maintaining a vital connection with God, they will be a power for good in the church. This is another means of strengthening and building up the church."--RH, July 9, 1895.{DG 249.2}
After much discussion from the floor, one delegate offered an amendment to motion to read: “A similar but shorter service should take place for ordination of deacons and deaconesses.”
This amendment did not limit ordination of deaconesses to the divisions where it was approved by the division executive committee, but would establish the practice for the entire world field. Again there was much discussion on this amendment. After nearly 2 hours on this one part of the Church Manual, the amendment passed with a significant majority. Thus, the Church Manual now calls for deaconesses across the world church to be ordained in the role, function and service as a deaconess.
June 28, 2010
A historic step was taken today at the General Conference Session. Delegates were working through the proposed changes to the Church Manual, when a recommendation from a recent General Conference Annual Council was brought in to the floor pertaining to the section in Chapter 5 dealing with organizing a new Church. In that section was a proposal to add to the section dealing with nominations to fill various church offices, such as elders, deacons and deaconesses a new statement in relationship to deaconesses. The section says that elders should be ordained, and then it says: “A similar but shorter service should take place for ordination of deacons and induction for deaconesses.” The proposed addition was to say: “Deaconesses may be ordained in divisions where the process has been approved by its executive committee.” This was presented as the motion.
The basis presented by the General Conference officers to the delegates for this motion, is a quotation from Ellen White in the Review and Herald:
"Women who are willing to consecrate some of their time to the service of the Lord should be appointed to visit the sick, look after the young, and minister to the necessities of the poor. They should be set apart to this work by prayer and laying on of hands. In some cases they will need to counsel with the church officers or the minister; but if they are devoted women, maintaining a vital connection with God, they will be a power for good in the church. This is another means of strengthening and building up the church."--RH, July 9, 1895.{DG 249.2}
After much discussion from the floor, one delegate offered an amendment to motion to read: “A similar but shorter service should take place for ordination of deacons and deaconesses.”
This amendment did not limit ordination of deaconesses to the divisions where it was approved by the division executive committee, but would establish the practice for the entire world field. Again there was much discussion on this amendment. After nearly 2 hours on this one part of the Church Manual, the amendment passed with a significant majority. Thus, the Church Manual now calls for deaconesses across the world church to be ordained in the role, function and service as a deaconess.
Dwight Nelson had an excellent sermon/presentation on the role and ministry of the Pastor at the 11 a.m. hour. If they can be obtained, I would like to get a copy for each of our pastors in the Pennsylvania Conference.
Before the session ended for the lunch hour, the Nominating Committee brought in the names for each of the Division presidents. A surprising name for the North American Division president, was Elder Dan Jackson, president of the Adventist Churches in Canada. Tami Horst, Pennsylvania Conference Communication Director has already sent out a press release and the Columbia Union Visitor News Bulletin will have additional information on Elder Jackson. 3 different names had been discussed as highly likely to be considered. It is interesting to see the leading of God through the nominating process to lead individuals to be considered, even though through the eyes of man, they may not have been the supposed candidate. Sometimes, I think of the prophet Samuel, who was sent by God to anoint one of the sons of Jesse. Some of the older sons looked attractive to the prophet Samuel, but God said about one after the other, this was not the one. Finally, Samuel had to ask if there were any other sons, and Jesse said, there is only the youngest who is out herding sheep. When David came, God said, this is the one. Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.
Another election to a General Conference position involves familiar faces to the Columbia Union. Willie Oliver, NAD Family Life Director was elected GC Family Life Department Director and his wife, Elaine Oliver was elected Associate Director. Elaine is a key member of the Washington Adventist University staff. Willie and Elaine have been to the Pennsylvania Conference just a few years ago and conducted the February Marriage retreat, coordinated by Pennsylvania Conference Family Life Director, Jeanne Hartwell.
A name that is familiar to Pennsylvania is Tom Kapusta who served as Pennsylvania Conference Trust Services officer and Association Secretary. Today Tom was elected to be the General Conference Trust Director. Currently he is serving as a trust officer for Florida Hospital.
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