Session Delegate The delegate's quick glance at the 56th General Conference Session activities in Utrecht, Holland. Wednesday . July 5, 1995 Constitutional Arm Wrestling And Other Company Business Frustration was evident at the business session yesterday. Time limits, motions cutting off discussion, complex language-all this and more happened on the floor. Nevertheless, much was accomplished throughout the day including Church Manual changes, elections, and reports. Voice & Vote Several departments were realigned and membership on the GC Executive Committee was increased to 260. Union presidents, an additional lay person, a church pastor from each divistion, and 30 members at large were added. Local conference/mission presidents are invited to attend when their division hosts the meetings. There they will have "voice and vote." Divorce & Remarriage An amendment to the church's position on divorce and remarriage was also discussed at length and voted. It states that if two people get divorced on any basis other than those stated in the Bible they are not to remarry. However, a request to establish a study commission to reconsider this matter was also voted. Appointment or Election Another article came to the floor under which the director of Archives and Statistics, associate directors of GC Auditing Service, and editors and associates of the principal denominational journals would be appointed instead of elected. But Tom Miller, a division auditor, disagreed: "The auditors feel strongly that we will be deprived of protection by being appointed. I believe it will be very easy to dismiss an auditor if we are appointed." The motion was immediately withdrawn by the Constitution and Bylaws Committee secretary Athal Tolhurst. "In reflection, there is a matter we need to clear up before we bring this to the delegates," he said. Company Business The nominating committee brought several recommendations for approval. See the Adventist Review for a complete list of those elected. Communication Report Rajmund Dabrowski, communication director of the GC, presented a report from the Commission on Strategic Communication (COSCO). Approval was enthusiastic on the delegate floor and there were requests that the video report be made available in various languages. "We hope that communication will be embraced by every member of the Church and that we will lower communication from the corridors of power bringing it to the local Church and communities," said Dabrowski. Question: How do you feel about the Session so far? I, along with others, am concerned because we believe that Hispanics haven't been given the opportunity for leadership in the Church. We are not making any accusations. It's just that we are a significant group and we are feeling left out. -Sunilda Ramos, USA I appreciate that people aren't just accepting everything recommended. I like that there is discussion on important issues. However, at the same time, I'm also glad that people are emphasizing being united and deemphasizing gender and racial lines. -Marcelo Toledo, Argentina One Big Job! Delegates Represent a World Church "A delegate is someone chosen to represent a section of the Church at the GC Session and transact business on behalf of the world Church," says Norman Miles of the United States. In layman's terms that means they spend time each day listening, caucusing, referring, stating their positions, and waving their red cards, voting on significant issues. It's quite a responsibility involving long days and endless meetings. But do the delegates mind? "I consider it a privilege because I get to play a more active role in the decisions that the church makes," says first-time delegate, Christina Fernandez, associate secretary of the South American Division. Would a delegate ever join a group for a day-long excursion to Germany, enjoy a long lunch downtown, or check out the exhibits during business sessions? Not Siv Anne Tollevik of Norway. "I'm trusted to be a representative of the people at home," she says. Stanley Bolini, a delegate from Kenya says it's important to attend the meetings "to speak on behalf of the people of my constituency." What is most important about being a delegate? "It's a thrilling experience to be part of a church that is open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in it's business," says Mark Finley, speaker of It Is Written. "One has an opportunity to understand the inner workings of the church," Miles says. "It's a real privilege to help develop policy, shape the church, and direct it's mission." Happy Birthday SDAs On-line If you have access to a computer, a modem, and a phone line, you too can travel on the information superhighway at the speed of light. Here, on CompuServe, you will find SDAs On-line. Today, the computer forum, where Adventists across the world communicate electronically, celebrates its first anniversary. CompuServe is the oldest on-line communication service with more than 2.8 million members. SDAs On-line currently has 3,000 members. More than 1,500 free membership packets have been distributed from their booth (#91) in the exhibit hall since the Session began. Today, during the women's meeting at 1400, Ralph Blodgett, director of SDAs On-line will conduct a workshop in Hall 9 Room 3. Each night from 2000 to 2100, Blodgett and several GC communication staff members facilitate a daily Session news conference on-line. Booth Offers Free Massages If you've been walking back and forth around this vast Jaarbeurs complex, you're probably ready to take a break. The Cesunbheits Center, one of the more popular booths in the commercial exhibit hall, has just the treat you need. Visitors to the booth can get free foot and back massages and buy NEUMOD massage products. "The word cesunbheits has to do with being well and feeling good," says salesperson Doris Hunneus. The brightly lit booth has been visited by nearly 2,000 people daily who sample the back massage unit while placing their weary feet on a soft vibrating pillow. "Most people come and try it first, then come back to buy," says Hunneus. Book Signings 1100-Ullanda Innocent, Chapel recording artist and author of Something Special 1300-Keavin Hayden, author of The Shaking Among God's People and Barbara Manspeaker, author of Forever Stories Funpak 1400-Karen Holford, author of The Loneliest Grief 1700-Nancy Van Pelt, author of My Prayer Notebook and Creative Hospitality Free Book All delegates received a yellow sheet in their registration packets that entitles them to a free copy of the GC session souvenir book, Images of Mission. Visit the ABC with that sheet to receive a free copy. Adventist Church Meets the Press During GC Session, the Adventist News Network is conducting news conferences to release 10 issue statements to the world media. They come from the office of the GC president, and have been adopted by the administrative committee. The statements clarify the church's positions on date-setting for the Second Coming of Christ, authority of Scripture, family violence, the equal role of women in society and the church, religious freedom, support for the United Nations' Year of Tolerance, and affirmation of equality and literacy. Today at 1230 in the press room, statements will be released on environmental stewardship and the hazards of tobacco smoking. Published by Adventist News Network . Celeste Ryan & Jeff Scoggins, editors . Jason Wells, assistant editor