- Why does the Adventist Church hold a business session every 5 years? What is the purpose of the GC Session?
- Do you have to be a delegate to attend the GC? How many delegates are there? How are the delegates chosen? What is their job?
- How can members benefit from attending the Session?
- Describe a typical day at GC Session from beginning to end.
- How does the process of electing church officers work? What offices are filled at a GC Session? At what point in the session is the GC president selected?
- How can church members get updates on the proceedings and voted actions at GC?
- Can I volunteer to help at the meetings?
WHY DOES THE ADVENTIST CHURCH HOLD A BUSINESS SESSION EVERY 5 YEARS? WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE GC SESSION?
General Conference Session is a global spiritual gathering and a constitutionally required business meeting that has been held every five years since 1970. Its purpose is to vote on global leadership, set the direction of the Church for the next five years, and vote changes to the Constitution, Fundamental Beliefs and Church Manual.
DO YOU HAVE TO BE A DELEGATE TO ATTEND THE GC? HOW MANY DELEGATES ARE THERE? HOW ARE THE DELEGATES CHOSEN? WHAT IS THEIR JOB?
GC Session is an open meeting—anyone can attend—but only delegates and invitees have the ability to speak and only delegates may vote. For this 62nd GC Session, 2,818 voting delegates are expected to attend. Each union nominates delegates to represent its field. In addition, delegates representing major church institutions are selected.
HOW CAN MEMBERS BENEFIT FROM ATTENDING THE SESSION?
Attendees gain an understanding of the world church and how it operates. They will literally see people from more countries and language groups than any other meetings in the Church and possibly in the world. World church members that are not able to attend in person are encouraged to participate online as all the meetings will be livestreamed.
DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY AT GC SESSION FROM BEGINNING TO END.
For those working behind the scenes, the day starts with a Steering Committee to determine the agenda items for the day. The first public meeting is morning worship, followed by a business session that lasts until lunch. There is another business session in the afternoon. In the evenings, world regions have a chance to showcase mission, challenges, and opportunities, all presented with the color and flair of national dress and music.
HOW DOES THE PROCESS OF ELECTING CHURCH OFFICERS WORK? WHAT OFFICES ARE FILLED AT A GC SESSION? AT WHAT POINT IN THE SESSION IS THE GC PRESIDENT SELECTED?
A nominating committee is formed to nominate General Conference officers, departmental directors and associate directors, and division officers. The president is elected first and joins the Nominating Committee to offer recommendations on all the other nominations, which the committee may choose to accept or reject.
HOW CAN CHURCH MEMBERS GET UPDATES ON THE PROCEEDINGS AND VOTED ACTIONS AT GC?
Adventist News Network and Adventist Review will be covering the event online, and with articles and interviews onsite. We encourage our World Church members to enroll to ANN and Adventist Review, and received instant news and official communications from this inspiring event.
CAN I VOLUNTEER TO HELP AT THE MEETINGS?
Due to the technical nature of the General Conference Session event, we are not able to accept any volunteer workers.