LIVE: Day 4 Updates from GC Session 2025 in St. Louis

Hi, I’m Björn Karlman, AT exec director, and I’ll be providing live updates for day four of the 62nd General Conference (GC) Session. Thanks for joining us!

MOST RECENT UPDATES APPEAR FIRST:

[5:20 PM CDT] Delegates approved Nominating Committee Report #5 by a wide margin, confirming J Raymond Wahlen II as undertreasurer and naming the following six associate treasurers for the General Conference: Sabrina C DeSouza, Josue Pierre, Timothy H Aka, German A Lust, Richard T Stephenson, and Dr. Gideon M Mutero. The newly elected officers were then invited to the stage, and the session adjourned for supper.

[5:05 PM CDT] Delegates debated and voted on Agenda Item 405, a proposed amendment to the church manual clarifying that the nominating committee’s role is to recommend names—not elect individuals—to church office. The discussion featured concerns about pastors and treasurers potentially acting as “tithe police” when determining nominee eligibility, as well as risks related to data protection and the implication that tithing could become a requirement for good standing. Motions to table or amend the item were unsuccessful, and the final vote approved the changes, leaving the original clarifications in place.

[4:20 PM CDT] Delegates have approved two amendments to the church manual: agenda item 404 clarifies that the school principal is generally appointed as secretary of the school board, ensuring consistency with existing manual language. Agenda item 403 updates the manual to allow world divisions the option—not the obligation—to prepare supplements, following a delegate-approved amendment to insert the word “may.” Both items were moved, discussed, and carried.

[4:05 PM CDT] Adventist Review Ministries has been renamed to Adventist Review, and starting August 2025, Adventist World will be rebranded under the same name, leaving Adventist Review as the bylaws’ only listed publication. Delegates approved the necessary bylaw changes to reflect this streamlined publishing identity.

[3:55 PM CDT] Delegates voted to table agenda item 204 (the Appropriations – Constitution and Bylaws Amendment) until items 202 and 203 return from committee, after a card vote was too close to call and Election Buddy delivered a 736–702 result in favor. Item 204 proposes updating bylaws to let Spring Meeting handle major business and clarify how appropriations are considered, but for now, it’s on hold pending its committee-bound companions.

[3:49 PM CDT] A recommendation has been made to amend the General Conference Constitution and Bylaws, specifically Article XIX—Appropriations. The proposed changes would:
• Formally include Spring Meeting, alongside Annual Council, as a venue for conducting major church business and making appropriations.
• Update the language to state that appropriations will be based on “a methodology that promotes mission priorities to be fulfilled through the work of world divisions and other denominational entities.…”

[3:28 PM CDT] The nominating committee has made an appearance with more names: Richard E. McEdward, previously president of the Middle East and North Africa Union Mission, has been nominated and voted in as General Conference Executive Secretary, while Paul H. Douglas retains his role as GC Treasurer, both passing with overwhelming delegate majorities. In addition, the following have been nominated and voted through as GC general vice presidents:

Thomas Lemon, Audrey Andersson, Pierre Omeler, Artur Stele, Saw Samuel, Leonard Johnson, Robert Osei-Bonsu

[2:42 PM CDT] The motion is passed and the GC will now change the Constitution and Bylaws to allow more time for delegates and divisions to prepare for #GCSession.

Two delegates immediately get up and make the case for moving GC Session outside the US. The first delegate (pictured) suggests a “more stable country… like Canada.” Then another one suggests moving the session to Africa so more can attend.

[2:22 PM CDT] Delegates are drifting back from lunch and the General Conference is considering a change to its Constitution and Bylaws that would give divisions an extra year to prep delegates for GC Session—moving the deadline for determining eligible entities and quotas from two years before Session to three—as international travel planning now requires the patience of a saint. This adjustment aims to help divisions navigate the ever-exciting world of visas and travel logistics, ensuring delegates have enough time to prepare for their journey to the US. Moorooven makes a motion to make the change. Discussion begins.

[12:05 PM CDT] It’s time for lunch and, delightfully, this delegate has gotten up to complain about the meal quality for the delegates – she says the food is not up to standard. I’m heading OUT of here for lunch.

[12:00 PM CDT] Delegates approved a motion (agenda item 402) allowing the Executive Committee to remove repetitive language from the church manual, specifically in chapter 4 (Pastors and Other Church Employees) and on pages 35–36 (Credentials and Licenses). Discussion was stopped by vote, and the motion carried.

[11:58 AM CDT] A recommendation has been made to amend chapter 4, pages 35–36, of the church manual to remove repeated information in the “Credentials and Licenses” section for pastors and church employees. The aim is to clarify and streamline the text.

[11:45 AM CDT] Item 401, the “A Divinely Appointed Ministry” amendment, is being sent back to the Church Manual Committee on chair Audrey Andersson’s discretion, despite no formal vote. Still, the delegates keep debating, though—thank goodness—we are on the last speaker.

[11:18 AM CDT] In a room full of jewelry-averse, conservative delegates, a speaker from the Trans-European Division is turning heads—and not just for her bold style. She’s pushing for pastors to lead by example, specifically by helping those in need who are disadvantaged, and wants this principle woven into the amended language of the church manual.

[11:10 AM CDT] Well, the motion to amend the “A Divinely Appointed Ministry” section by adding “conduct baptisms” after “ordain elders” has been voted down—558 for, 1,040 against. Looks like the delegates decided to keep the baptismal waters calm for now, returning to the original agenda item 401 with all the enthusiasm of a rainy church picnic.

[10:56 AM CDT] A motion to amend the “A Divinely Appointed Ministry” section of the church manual proposes adding “conduct baptisms” after “ordain elders” on line 26 (item 401-25GS), clarifying elders’ potential role in this key spiritual duty, to ensure consistency and support in local churches.

[10:42 AM CDT] The first proposed amendment (401-25GS) to the church manual is on the table, pushing pastors to train local leaders rather than play superhero solo under the banner of “A Divinely Appointed Ministry.”

[10:26 AM CDT] Andersson prefaces the work on church manual amendments by reminding people the manual is not to be used to beat people over their heads but is instead a useful tool to provide consistency in churches around the world. She also says the only place the church manual can be changed is at GC Session.

[10:22 AM CDT] PHEW, the delegate orientation is finally over. Moorooven says he hopes the delegates have enjoyed it. 🥳

[10:12 AM CDT] An eye-crossingly boring orientation to delegates via pre-recorded video is going on and on. It even involves mock scenarios for proper debate etiquette/rules of order with what appear to be church employees as actors. I need a nap.

[9:54 AM CDT] The delegates are getting a mini-lecture on ethical expectations of them from General Conference (GC) undersecretary Hensley Moorooven. There have been a number of leaks to media, and Moorooven warns of “textually transmitted disease.” He adds another metaphor, saying, “Words are like toothpaste”; you can’t put them back in after they are out. Bad, delegates, bad!! 🤣

Next time, it might be worth giving these reminders at the START of GC Session.

[9:36  AM CDT] GC general VP Audrey Andersson is chairing this morning. She’s a breath of fresh air with a friendly style that will hopefully help us through discussion of the church manual today 🤣

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