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Jun 6 • 8 tweets • 4 min read
During the President's Report Ted Wilson will perform a surprise baptism. This connects to a 2021 Adventist World Radio story about a group of Leftist Filipino rebels hearing about Adventism, attending evangelistic meetings, and joining the church. #GCSession
These photos from Sunday, before the start of the #GCSession show the mobile baptismal “pool” being prepared.
Ted Wilson visited the Philippines last year during November and participated in some of the reaping efforts as detailed in this Adventist Review article, "When Ted Wilson Preached to an Empty Field in the Philippines." #GCSession
adventistreview.org/commentary/whe…
The group, called the New People's Army, formed in the late 1960s in opposition to the right-wing dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. The current president Rodrigo Dutarte declared them a terrorist organization in 2017. #GCSession
As noted in this report by the AWR president (left), during his visit to the Philippines, Ted Wilson met with Rodrigo Dutarte (right) before beginning his evangelistic preaching. awr.org/reflections-fr…
This "President's Report" baptism will occur as the #GCSession nominating committee meets to elect the next president of the General Conference.
Ted Wilson baptizes Eric Guevarra, a Philippine army colonel. Guevarra says he was impressed to join the Adventist Church after seeing the conversion of Filipino rebels.
Wilson also uses the opportunity to make a public call from the baptismal tank, providing a good optics opportunity for his message of promoting evangelism.

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More from @spectrummag

SPECTRUM (Since 1969) Profile picture
Jun 7
The afternoon business meeting has begun and Paul H. Douglas, GC treasurer, gives his report. From 2015–2019, total assets rose 5.6%. In 2020 there was a financial dip due to COVID-19, but 2021 brought a rebound. #GCSession Image
Much of the financial information has also been shared at previous church business meetings. The church braced for a storm at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, but after an initial dip, tithe and overall finances have done better than many expected. #GCSession
Douglas notes the challenge of inflation, especially over the past year, which he says is now "well entrenched" in world economies.

One question many church employees will be asking is whether cost of living increases can keep up with the effects of inflation. #GCSession
Read 4 tweets
SPECTRUM (Since 1969) Profile picture
Jun 7
Erton Köhler kicks off his Secretariat report with a dramatic short video and a direct message that all that he does is for mission. Speaking forcefully, he emphasizes “urgency” and “efficiency.” Image
Erton Köhler introduces past GC Secretaries and invites members of the Secretariat on to the stage present. #GCSession ImageImageImageImage
David Trim, PhD, Director of the Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research, emphasizes growth while tempering interpretations of institutionalization. Drawing attention beyond church structure, Trim notes the rise and mission importance of education and health care. #GCSession ImageImageImage
Read 6 tweets
SPECTRUM (Since 1969) Profile picture
Jun 7
The 111-page 2022 GC Session agenda focuses on changes to church policy. This thread offers a summary of Tom de Bruin's article, What Is On The GC Session Agenda... And What Is Missing. #GCSession spectrummagazine.org/views/2022/wha…
The agenda has adjusted the language of the guest speakers policy. While before it gave specific criteria for who could not speak, the new policy gives rules for who is allowed to invite speakers.
Changes have been proposed to nominating committees, giving permission to churches to elect a nominating committee that fills open positions. It is specifically noted that these committees cannot have more than two members from one family and should be diverse in age and gender.
Read 10 tweets
SPECTRUM (Since 1969) Profile picture
Jun 7
The nominating committee is back, with a partial report. Ted Wilson is nominated for another term.
#GCSession
Lowell Cooper, retired GC vice president, is chair of the nominating committee and describes the initial work of the committee. #GCSession
With no time given for discussion, GC delegates are now given three minutes to vote yes or no on giving Ted Wilson another term as president of the Adventist Church. #GCSession
Read 4 tweets
SPECTRUM (Since 1969) Profile picture
Jun 7
Next is adding the gender-neutral "deaconate" to the Church Manual instead of "deacons." (Curiously, the word is most often spelled "diaconate.") Delegate Gerard Damsteegt objects, saying it will "depart from the Bible's specific direction than an elder must be male."#GCSession
Another sticking point for some delegates calling for the amendment to be sent back to committee is a clause that says when a local church elects new elders, it also "authorizes their ordination." #GCSession
Mandla Se-Bantwini Lupondwana, delegate from the Southern Africa Union Conference, says that the motion should be voted on.

“The church has already taken a policy decision ... to have ordination for all elders, male and female” in 1984, he says. #GCSession
Read 5 tweets
SPECTRUM (Since 1969) Profile picture
Jun 6
Before the #GCSession agenda is accepted, Jonathan Zirkle, a lawyer and lay church member, asks to add discussion on the church's statements on vaccines from 2015 and 2021 to the agenda. adventist.news/news/reaffirmi…
The statement has "been very detrimental," Zirkle says. Artur Stele responds that there is no second for Zirkle's motion. Zirkle asks to "appeal this decision" and says he knows of remote delegates trying to second the motion. Stele continues to move the business along.
Zirkle is one of the leaders of the Liberty and Health Alliance, a lay organization that has been very critical of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine mandates. The Adventist Church's promotion of COVID-19 vaccines has been a major point of contention for the group. #GCSession
Read 8 tweets

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