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

Thursday . July 6, 1995

No!
Delegates Reject the North American Women's Ordination Request
	"It was with fear and forboding that some of us saw to approach this
debate," said President Robert S. Folkenberg as delegates prepared to
vote on Item 208, North American Division Request-Ordination.
	It was with calm determination and poise that Session chair Dr. Calvin
Rock, moderated the discussion of the anxious crowd.
	And it was with singing, some tears, and a deafening calm that
delegates, visitors, and members of the press retreated from the
auditorium.
	Once again, the Seventh-day Adventist Church voted against women's
ordination (not the actual request). The results: 673 (31%) for, 1,481
(61%) against.
	
Hot Topic
	For months the vote has been the subject of magazine and newspaper
articles, books, discussions, debates, meetings, prayer, and radio and
television programs. It even captured attention from the international
press.
	"The whole issue of women is so current in the religious world," said
Helen Pearson, an English freelance reporter for the BBC. "In England,
Jews and Methodists are discussing the affects of ordination."
	As Adventists flocked to Utrecht last week, many believed that the
outcome of the vote would make or break the Session and the Church.
		"There is one issue that I am most concerned with-women's
ordination," said Stanley Bolini of Kenya. "I don't see where the Bible
supports it. And I wonder why Jesus, if in favor of ordination, didn't
choose to ordain women in His time."
	G.R. Malak of India shares Bolini's views. As a result he had
discussions and studies in his home prior to the Session.
	"This is a very delicate issue," said Siriporn Pantipoonwinai of
Thailand. "We need more time to discuss it."
		
Poised for Action
	It was 1400 and the administration, Church, press, and world were
poised for action.
	After chairman Rock set the ground rules, A.C. McClure, president of
the NAD stated the rationale for the request and former NAD president,
Charles Bradford supported that. Dr. P. Gerard Damsteegt outlined why
he believes women's ordination is unbiblical, and Dr. Raoul Dederen
explained why the use of certain proof texts are out of context.
	When the chair called for discussion, 120 delegates rushed to the
microphones. Only 16 spoke before a "point of order" silenced them.
		
Aftermath
	Ushers quickly collected secret ballots and slipped away for a count
while all sang hymns, mingled, and speculated on the outcome.
	"I voted no, a big no," said Gabriel Boakye-Benkwa, of Ghana, "because
this church must be as one."
	"I prayed beforehand and asked the Holy Spirit to lead," said visitor
Joyce Charles of England. "I think something will happen in the next
five years to turn things around, but this is what God wants at this
time."
	"I appeal to the whole delegation that no matter the outcome, whether
or not our views were supported, we need to look at the mission of the
church," said Matthew Bediako, GC vice president. "And, as Pastor
McClure said: 'Whatever the outcome, we'll all rally together.'"
	
Harmonizing in the Halls
	From morning 'til night you can hear soloists, quartets, choirs,
orchestras, bands, and pianos around the Jaarbeurs complex.
	Impromptu praise sessions, presentations in the main auditorium, and
crowd-stoppers in the streets of Utrecht flavor the spirit of the
Session.
	"It is a privilege and a blessing to perform here," says singer
Ullanda Innocent from the United States.
	Not every musician who traveled to Utrecht this summer gets an
opportunity to perform.
	Two years before the Session convenes, each division invites it's
members to submit audition tapes. Those divisions choose their best
musicians and submit their tapes to the Session music committee. This
year's committee, chaired by Dick Stenbakken, screens music, chooses
performers, and schedules practices and performances for the Session.
And this is no easy task.
	Deloris Allen, a staff member of the music committee office at this
Session reports that they have been bombarded by musicians who want to
perform.
	"It seems like a gazillion different musicians entered," said
Stenbakken. He received some 250 audition tapes but could choose and
schedule performances for only 60 to 70.
	"What the delegates see here is just a taste of the music. We can only
allot between four and 11 minutes for each group," says Stenbakken.
Because of this, he has no problem with musicians performing in the
halls.
	Performing for crowds of anywhere from 10 to 33 thousand people is
no small thing.
	"I didn't mind the crowd." said Rhanda Bonet of Egypt. "It was just
great standing on the stage singing the words 'Praise the Lord All Ye
Nations.' The experience was sensational."
	
Ministry Village
	A rainbow of color greets you as you walk into the "town center" of
Ministry Village. A small park and fountain surrounded by ferns and
flowers makes stopping to relax on a park bench nearly irresistible.
	Shops, services, a university, and a chapel represent each department
of the GC Ministerial Association.
	"The idea of Ministry Village is to represent the services that
Ministerial Association offers," said Mike Speegle, one of the
association staff. "We want to give people a relaxing atmosphere in
which they can become better acquainted with us and us with them."
	It's quickly apparent that people appreciate that atmosphere by the
crowded benches and busy 'sidewalks.'"
	Paintings, illustrations, displays, and information clearly tell the
mission of the Ministerial Association.
	It's worth seeing, especially if you would enjoy a chance to relax.

The Candle Man
	His name is Rudd Snel. He is physically challenged and sits in a wheel
chair selling beautifully crafted candles from his booth near the ABC.
His smile is broad and infectious.
	"Snel means quick, but I am slow," he quips.
	Snel, not an Adventist, has been making candles for over 25 years but
says that he is still learning how to make them. His candles come in
all shapes and sizes and range from the simple to the elegant.
	"Adventist people are very nice. I hope they buy many candles," says
Snel.
	
A Lot of Sweat!
	Each day, the Adventist Review staff grinds out a 32-page bulletin.
Since 1863, the Review has reported the official minutes of the Session
business meetings for Church members.
	Myron Widmer, an associate editor, says that putting a daily bulletin
together in another country poses many challenges. Among them are short
photo shop hours and different printing specifications.
	Turn around time for the Review, under normal conditions, is 3 1/2
weeks. How does the staff manage to put out the bulletin in one day?
	"It takes a lot of preplanning, a lot of calmness, and a lot of
sweat," says Roy Adams, an associate editor.
	Copies of the bulletin are available at the Review booth and are free
to delegates.
	
Book Signings
1400-Steve Wohlbert, author of The 1888 Message for the Year 2000
1600-Ed Reid, author of It's Your Money, Isn't It? and Even at the Door
1600-All are invited to a book signing for black authors. Meet Delbert
	Baker, Ullanda Innocent, Roy Adams, and others.
River Plate Meeting
	A special invitation is extended to alumni and friends of River Plate
University for a Friday, July 7, luncheon. Meet at the Jaarbeurs A La
Carte cafeteria at 1130-1400.
	Encuentro de amigos y ex alumnos de CAP/UAP. Viernes 7 de Julio a las
1130 en A La Carte cafeteria en el Jaarbeurs.
	
Published by Adventist News Network . Celeste Ryan & Jeff Scoggins,
editors . Jason Wells, assistant editor