Pictured: Stephen Bohr and Björn Karlman

by Björn Karlman  |  9 July 2025  |

Sitting in the nosebleed seats of the America’s Center convention center—AKA the assigned General Conference Session “external media” area—I found myself next to a new friend whose publication sits firmly on the ultra-conservative wing of Adventism. We laughed about how we essentially read each other’s work not for agreement, but for inspiration on what *not* to write. Our editorial perspectives are so divergent that we often find ourselves covering the same events from completely opposite angles.

Yet, there we were, side by side at GC Session, not at each other’s throats. Despite our publications’ differences—on everything from eschatology to vaccinations—we found one area of total agreement: opposition to censorship in church media. That shared value, even among ideological opposites, felt significant.

The Exhibit Hall: A Microcosm of Adventism

Wandering through the Exhibit Hall, I bumped into Stephen Bohr, president of the independent ministry Secrets Unsealed, known for his right-wing preaching and strident eschatological focus. We snapped a photo together, and he confided that meeting people in the hall was one of the main reasons he bothered attending GC. His comment struck a chord. Adventism, much like society at large, is increasingly polarized. It’s easy to retreat into our tribes, to only read what reinforces our own views. But here at Session, despite the divisions, there’s a genuine sense of being part of one big, international family.

Of course, every family has its quirks—weird uncles, heated arguments, and the occasional spectacle. The exhibition hall has its share of fringe campaigners, and there’s someone outside the center driving an SUV with a sign warning about apostasy and the newly elected GC president. There are also moments of real human vulnerability, such as witnessing high-profile leaders lose their jobs in front of everyone as the cruel politics of GC unfolds.

Human Moments Amid the Politics

A few days ago, I passed Ted and Nancy Wilson on the street outside the convention center. Wilson had lost the GC presidential election the day before. Both waved and smiled, but Wilson’s expression was unmistakably crestfallen. These moments remind us that, behind the headlines and policy debates, real people are experiencing very public highs and lows. I was glad the GC had new leadership, but I felt for Wilson as a human being and wish him and his family well.

Why In-Person Matters

It’s easy to be cynical about the GC Session. The logistics are expensive, and the agenda can feel bogged down in minutiae—millions spent on flying thousands to America to edit the church manual, for example. But there’s something vital about gathering in person. The fellowship and dialogue foster a sense of community that can’t be replicated online. It’s in these face-to-face interactions that we have the best chance to listen, learn, and maybe even change.

Signs of Hope

In his first press conference, new GC president Erton Köhler took a step that felt refreshing. He reversed the previous administration’s refusal to engage with independent media, specifically naming Adventist Today and Spectrum as part of the church and expressing a desire to communicate.

Whether this intention leads to real change remains to be seen. But the very act of coming together, of sharing space and conversation, gives us a chance to make progress.

In a world—and a church—where polarization is the norm, GC Session reminds us that dialogue across differences is still possible. Some may call hope for genuine conversation naive, but I’d argue it’s even more naive to complain about the status quo without embracing new opportunities for openness. Sometimes, the most important thing we can do is simply show up, listen, and recognize our shared humanity.

To comment, click here.

Björn Karlman is the executive director of Adventist Today.