Session Delegate
The delegate's quick glance at the 56th General Conference 
Session activities in Utrecht, Holland.

Monday . July 3, 1995

Pros, Cons, and Points of Order
Election Amendment Challenged
	"Being elected gives you a five year term and it's not easy to put you
out of the position," said Tom Miller, director of auditing for the
Africa-Indian Ocean Division. Also, I feel the auditors specifically
need the protection and independence that election affords them.
Therefore, I'm against the proposed restructuring."
	"I agree in principal with the proposed changes. In Europe there is
a strong feeling that North America has too much influence," says
Beniamin Rosca-Nastasescu of Romania. "Right now it's more like a North
American church not a global church. I believe these proposed changes
would help that situation, but I don't understand all the
technicalities."
	Opposing views like these dominated the morning business session
yesterday when the recommended election amendments to the Constitution
and Bylaws were brought before the delegates. Much of the discussion
dealt with the recommendation to amend Article V-Election, which in
essence, recommends that only officers and departmental directors of
the GC, division officers, and heads of GC institutions be elected at
the GC Session. All others would be appointed by executive committees.
	During the morning discussion, the majority of those who wished to
speak to the issue approached the microphone labeled "Against,"
appealing for the continued election of all personnel during the GC
Session.
	Finally, after a lengthy debate on session points of order, a motion
was voted to refer the issue back to the Constitution and Bylaws
Committee. Approximately 70 delegates exercised their right to meet
with that committee. After several hours discussion they recessed and
later reconvened. A recommendation from the Constitution and Bylaws
Committee is expected to be brought back to the general session.
	"I think it is a little bit of a rush," says Emmanuel Abby of Ghana.
"It's a good idea but they're rushing us through. The church doesn't
need to adopt drastic changes in order to be more efficient. Only when
we have a drastic problem like a disaster do we need drastic change."
	What are some options of resolving the issue?
	Some delegates are suggesting that the issue be "tabled until the next
GC Session."
	"Modify it," said Miller. "Then I'd feel much better about it."
	"We need to digest it," says Abby. "There is no reason to rush."
	
Election Update
	Jan Paulsen, president of the Trans-European Division, was elected
to be one of six General Conference vice presidents yesterday morning
in the business session. Matthew Bediako, Robert Kloosterhuis, Phillip
Follett, Leo Ranzolin, and Calvin Rock were reelected.
	"I will endeavor to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly," Paulsen
said.
	
Images of Mission
	Images of Mission, a new photo book hot off the press, is now
available at the Adventist Book Center (ABC) in the commercial exhibit
hall. 		This full-color souvenir book, published for the GC Session,
includes hundreds of photographs showing "Christian people with a
vision, a message, and a mission for this world of ours-the world at
the end of time," writes R.S. Folkenberg.
	Delegates received a yellow sheet in their registration packets which
entitles them to a free copy of the book. Don't leave Utrecht without
your copy!
	
Celebrating
Women
	About 3,000 women attended a meeting yesterday which began a series
of events designed to celebrate women in the Adventist Church, the
progress of women's ministries, and the Year of the Adventist Women.
	Seminars focusing on six critical women's issues also began yesterday
and will continue until July 4. 			Sponsored by the office of
Women's Ministries, the seminars address poverty, health risks,
illiteracy, length of work days and conditions, abuse, and lack of
leadership training and mentoring.
	Seminars include presentations by healthcare professionals, pastors,
educators, and more.
	"We have brought women from around the world to share information and
inspiration with other women," says Rose Otis, director of Women's
Ministries. She hopes the women attending the Session will take
advantage of the seminars and take the information home to share with
other women.
	"We want a ripple effect to go around the world encouraging and
enabling women to work for the Lord."
	Dr. Ramona Perez Greek, associate director of Women's Ministries for
the NAD, presented a seminar in Spanish on "How to Begin Women's
Ministries."
	"The seminar helped to create a more accurate perception of the
purpose of women's ministries," says Greek. "Now the women are
energized to go back to their local churches and implement women's
ministries soul-winning endeavors."
	Commenting on one seminar, Yvonne Grant of England said, "One seminar
just isn't enough. I would like to attend a series of meetings like
this to further develop my understanding of communication."
		
Angels in Disguise
How Volunteers are Making a Difference at GC Session
	Meet Bryan Cornejo from Mozambique. At eight, he's the youngest of
over 700 volunteers at this Session. Because he speaks three languages
fluently he is very valuable to the language center. Every day Bryan
and 20 other volunteers distribute 10,000 translation units to
attendees.
	"It's not hard at all," Bryan says. "I like to help and I'm having
fun."  Nearly 30 volunteers translate the program into 13 languages.
French interpreter Claude Richli of Canada says, "Translating is the
most stimulating mental exercise since the tower of Babel."
	A group of 142 volunteers from Russia, Moldova, and the Ukraine serve
as parking attendants, in food service, and in many other areas. The 52
member Zaokski Choir, also from Russia, did much of the cleaning and
set up before the Session.
	Linda de Leon, a session manager, speaks for many appreciative staff
and attendees: "Without all these volunteers, this Session would be
virtually impossible. They are absolutely fantastic!"
	Gerard Latchman, chair of the interpretation committee calls them his
"angels in disguise."
	
Book Signing at the ABC
	Mark Finley, speaker of It Is Written, will be at the ABC today at
1100 to autograph his new book 13 Life-Changing Secrets.
	
Adventists Make Room for Prayer
	Nestled in a small corner of Hall 8C, you'll find the prayer room. The
idea to have a special place for Bible study, prayer, and meditation
was conceived at the 1990 GC Session, and is now a reality.
	''The power of the Holy Spirit is more important than any committee,
action, vote, or call," says Leonard Jaecks, a conference president in
the NAD who directs the prayer room. 		Tibor Shelley, an enthusiastic
layman who is assisting Jaecks, says he feels that the Holy Spirit is
present in the room. Already, in answer to prayer, luggage was found, a
relationship strengthened, and a theological argument settled.
	"We are praying for the Holy Spirit to open up our land to the
gospel,'' said a group of Slovakian youth.
	After GC Session church members are encouraged to continue this
spiritual connection by praying at 0615 each day.
	
Youth Kickoff Worldwide Walk
	Yesterday, 30 young adults joined in an inaugural 2 km march along the
canals of Utrecht in an active commitment to increase prevention
awareness and promote the need for a healthy drug-free lifestyle.
	Their "Walk Around the World" marked the kickoff of a five-year
program. It culminates in the year 2000 at the GC Session in Toronto,
Canada.
	"By the year 2000, we are expecting hundreds of thousands of young
people around the world to participate," says Reg Burgess, director for
the project.
	Tom Neslund, executive director of the International Commission for
the Prevention of Alcoholism (ICPA) and Bert Whiting, director of
Health and Temperance for the GC let the group.
	"This is only the beginning," says Ben Mielenz, a participant from
Lincoln, Nebraska, who hopes many other youth will join the walk.
	
Published by Adventist News Network . Celeste Ryan & Jeff Scoggins,
editors . Jason Wells, assistant editor