To prepare for 13+ hours of sitting, I got a very nice early morning walk to the St. Louis Arch. Lovely way to begin the day.

  • 8:00 a.m. Devotional – Charissa Torossian (Sydney, Australia) “The Life and Ministry of Mary Magdalene” Best message of the week, in my opinion. Worth your time to hear.
  • Church Manual Items (continued)
    • Page 82, deletion of old policy about Disabilities Ministries because of new Possibility Ministries policy. Passed
    • Page 96-100, “Making Disciples” New policy. Please read. Much discussion about some theological and practical concerns. Interesting insights. Referred back to committee for further work.
    • Page 101, Aligning making disciples with the mission statement. Passed
    • Page 102, Clarifying – No Additional Tests of Fellowship.- Referred back to the committee to consider changing “fellowship” to “membership.”
    • Page 103, Fundamental Rights of Members – clarifying timing when proposed to be removed from membership or disciplined. Passed
    • Page 104-105, Sabbath-keeping. Included entire Bible verse rather than just a portion. Passed
    • Page 106, Premarital Counseling (new addition). Some urged to define “couple” as man and woman. Passed as printed.
    • Page 107-108. Purpose of Organization. Finding ways to reach other cultures, etc. Concerns were voiced about the stated mission is to make “members” rather than disciples. Referred back to committee for possible adjustments.
    • Page 94, Church Board can accept request to be removed – clarification. Passed
  • LUNCH
  • Page 34, Resolution on the Holy Bible. (Option: I would wish that we would simply affirm our belief in the Bible WITHOUT spelling our each key doctrine in the document.) Motion to send this back to administration passed.
  • Page 35, Statement on the Confidence in the writings of Ellen White. A motion was made to refer it back to the committee, but it failed. The concern was that the document infers that EGW’s writings are the inspired commentary of the scripture. The motion to refer back failed. After more discussion a motion was passed to table the item until the statement on the Bible is passed.
  • You needed to be here to follow this. A motion (suggested from the platform) to reconsider and it passed. So the question of referring the Statement on the Bible is back on the floor for discussion. That motion passed to reconsider. Another motion to accept the Statement on the Holy Bible was made and passed. (Someday we need to talk about this process when we are all together.)
  • Therefore a motion was made to “take from the table” the Statement on the Confidence in the Writings of Ellen White.” This passed
  • The “Statement of Confidence in the Writings of Ellen White was again brought back for discussion. A motion was quickly made to cease debate and it passed. A motion was then made to accept the statement and passed 84% to 16%. Again, I wish we were together to dialogue about what just happened.
  • Biblical Research Institute introduced the new book on hermeneutics. We will let you know how you can acquire this book at a reduced price if interested.
  • CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS REVISED AGENDA
    • # 206 Two items previously referred back defining “Frontline” workers and approval of Annual Council minutes were brought back and approved.
    • #208 The process of possible postponement of the GC Session. Some clarifications were made. Passed
  • SUPPER
  • Devotional by Noemi Duran about how God is seen in nature.
  • Church Manual Revised Agenda (these were referred back and they are now presented again)
    • Page 2, Business Meetings (timing and who can chair). Passed
    • Page 3-4, Nominating Committee Standing Committee. Passed
    • Page 6, Term of church offices. (up to 2 years, 3 with Conference approval).
    • Pages 7-11, Youth Ministries (changes in name, ages, church board appointments). Pass
    • Page 12-13, Church Board Membership. Passed
    • Page 14, Redemptive Membership Review. Passed
    • Page 15, Church Records, (changing audit to review), Passed
    • Pages 16-20, Making Disciples (new policy with some suggested changes), Passed
    • Page 21, No additional tests of membership (changes fellowship to membership). Passed
    • Page 22-23, Purpose of Organization.
  • Church Manual Agenda
    • Page 109, Proper payment of money by members (electronic giving), Passed.
    • Page 110, Terms used in Church Manual. (term local church used for company). Passed.
  • Dismissal at 9:15 pm

 

Written by Elder Ron Carlson, president of the Kansas-Nebraska Conference.

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