An interesting phenomenon seems to be sweeping across the North American Division as various union and local conferences hold their constituency meetings. Delegates are being presented with changes to their conference's constitution and bylaws. The question is, who is pushing these changes?
What Happened in Oklahoma?
Let's consider the recent Oklahoma Conference constituency meeting, held on April 18, 2021.
After the the publication of this article, F7 was informed by the NAD Communication Department that all of the proposed changes to the Constitution and Bylaws were directly requested by the General Conference. The claim is that the North American Division was simply passing the requested changes on to the unions and conferences.
However, a different story was articulated by Buford Griffith, Jr., secretary of the Southwestern Union, who chaired the Oklahoma constituency meeting. In explaining what happened, he stated:
". . . we were asked to put in what we saw as the working document from the GC at NAD. . . .We made some revisions to it, but I can tell you as a member of that committee, I'm not completely comfortable with it [the document]. . . . Now, I'll get personal--I see the new document as General Conference overreach. . . . there are parts in it that don't let conferences be conferences. So that's the perspective from a member of that committee. We did what we could, but it is up to you at this point to look at that document as a whole.”
When asked point blank by a delegate (from the floor) if the changes to the model constitution came from the NAD, the Union Secretary admitted that they did. Transcript:
Delegate male voice A: Thank you, Mr. Chair. . . .[identifies himself, Pastor . . . ] . . . Just a question of clarification, so, the bold red letters are coming down from the NAD, is that correct?
Union secretary (Buford): That's correct.
Audio clip (2:34—2:42)
So, which is it?
The NAD says the changes were “directly requested by the General Conference." But Buford Griffith, Jr., secretary of the Southwestern Union, who was at the NAD Executive Committee, said the NAD “made revisions” that he was not “completely comfortable with.” And then he turns around and accuses the GC of “overreach.”
Brother Griffith's comments are confusing. At times he seemed to be stating that the proposed changes were coming directly from the GC, at other times he admits he was present when changes were made by the NAD before passing it on to the Conference. It left the delegates wondering—is this "new document" coming from the GC, or NAD? Are the modifications coming from the GC, or NAD? It was not clear. In fact, Griffith's "explanations" were so muddled that, as described by several Spanish-speaking delegates to the meeting, it was "too complicated, too much detail, and a lot of information to keep on translating back and forth."
Let's Compare the Two
Today, however, we have an advantage that the unfortunate delegates at the Oklahoma Constituency meeting did not have. We have a copy of the GC Model Constitution for Conferences, and we are able to compare it with what was given to the delegates in Oklahoma.
To begin with, the General Conference Working Policy that introduces the Local Conference Model Constitution and Bylaws (D 20 05) explains very clearly what parts may be changed at conference constituency meetings and what parts cannot be changed by them:
"D 20 05 Local Conference Constitution and Bylaws—The following Local Conference Model Constitution and Bylaws shall be followed as closely as possible by all local conferences. Those sections of the model constitution and bylaws that appear in bold print are essential to the unity of the Church worldwide and shall be included in the constitution and bylaws as adopted by each local conference. Other sections of the constitution and model bylaws may be modified as set out in Bylaw Article XII, provided they continue to be in full harmony with the provisions of this model. Where specific cases require modification to text in bold print, final approval for such modifications to any text in bold print must be studied and approved by the General Conference Executive Committee after receiving a recommendation from the division executive committee and the General Conference Administrative Committee. Amendments to the Local Conference Model Constitution shall be made by action of the Executive Committee of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists at any Annual Council of that Committee."
Let's now look at the documents closely.
On the left, you will see the Model Constitution for Conferences as printed in the General Conference Working Policy 2020-2021.
On the right, you will see what was given to the delegates of the Oklahoma Conference Constituency Meeting.
Notice carefully the proposed changes in the document given to the Oklahoma delegates--some are in line with the GC Model Constitution, but several significant ones are not. Where did those changes come from? It seems to be a mystery.
Serious Issues
Fortunately, even though they were not given access to the world church's actual voted model constitution for conferences, the Oklahoma delegates recognized that there were some serious issues with the document that they were given, and so they voted it down by a huge margin—90%.
The question naturally arises, why were the delegates not given the GC Model Constitution for comparison? How can delegates be expected to make good decisions if information is being withheld? And if the leadership of the NAD wants to give worthy leadership and earn the respect and support of the membership, they should have been the first to insist this be done. Especially when the changes were as substantive as these obviously were.
When crucial information is being withheld, then people start asking, and should, “What are they trying to hide or railroad through?” And while the GC Model Constitution is available and no secret, the average member delegate is probably not even aware of its existence. Not providing the GC Model Constitution for delegates well ahead of the constituency session along with the conference constitution for such major suggested changes represents incompetent leadership or worse.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a representative form of church government. The delegates who empower the system should be treated as equal brothers and sisters in Christ. And they have a right to all the information pertinent to their decision making! Any church leadership that refuses or neglects to give those tools to delegates are acting more like a religious oligarchy than gospel ministers. This kind of behavior borders on priestcraft rather than servant leadership, as exemplified by Jesus.
But questions still remain.
For example, what did Griffith mean when he said, "Now, I'll get personal—I see the new document as General Conference overreach. . . . there are parts in it that don't let conferences be conferences."
That begs the question--what "parts" would those be? Might it be the part that states: "This conference shall pursue the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in harmony with the Fundamental Beliefs, programs, initiatives, and actions adopted and approved by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists at its sessions”?
Like, say, those pesky actions of the General Conference Sessions in 1990 and 2015 where the world church voted "No" to ordaining women to the gospel ministry, and in 1995 when the Session voted specifically not to allow the North American Division an exception to the 1990 vote, an exception which would have allowed them to ordain women to the gospel ministry?
Furthermore, let's keep in mind that the "General Conference" is not just some office located in Silver Spring, Maryland, where a small group of (white) men huddle together, devising ways "to keep conferences from being conferences."
What is the "General Conference?"
The General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists spans the world--it is the world church. It is 21.7 million people, like you and me.
It is divided into thirteen world regions--known as divisions--each one is part of the General Conference and is to represent the General Conference and its decisions and actions taken at its quinquennial world Sessions, as well as decisions and actions taken by its Executive Committee during its Annual Councils.
The North American Division is duty-bound to represent the General Conference within the territory of North America and assist it in administering the division’s territory.
Unfortunately, however, as we have seen in recent times, it appears that the NAD is taking steps to distance itself from the world church, instead of supporting it. One way that we see this happening is by the NAD working through its union conferences to push forward its own ideals and agenda (including women's ordination and more) in competition and sometimes contrary to the world church. This is often done through union conference constituency meetings and local conference constituency meetings--particularly through slight and not-so-slight "tweaks" to the model constitution and bylaws for union conferences and local conferences.
Why Is This Important?
Why is it so important that unions and local conferences follow the Model Constitutions as voted by the world church?
To answer this question, it's important to keep in mind that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is unique (a concept frequently attacked by those who disregard prophecy). Let's remember:
God raised up this church and provided the gift of the Spirit of Prophecy in fulfillment of Bible prophecy (Rev. 12:17).
It is the most global Christian church, with an active presence in more countries than any other church, in fulfillment of Bible prophecy (Rev. 14:6).
The unity of the church is a testimony that God has raised up this movement to finish the gospel work in the earth, to prepare people for the seal of God and warn them against receiving the mark of the beast, and to call people out of Babylon in fulfillment of Revelation 18:1-4.
But to proclaim this prophetic message successfully we need to remain united as a global church and unitedly pray for the latter rain of the Holy Spirit (see Eph. 4:11-16).
The efforts currently underway in various conferences and unions in North America to pull away from the world church weaken our unity and our witness and threaten our mission. The only way we can hope to receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is by being of “one accord” as the apostles were at Pentecost (Acts 2:1). Satan has launched an all-out war against God’s remnant people to prevent this from happening (Rev. 12:17). Note this counsel from Ellen White so applicable to us today:
“I urge those who claim to believe the truth, to walk in unity with their brethren. Do not seek to give to the world occasion to say that we are extremists, that we are disunited, that one teaches one thing, and one another. Avoid dissension. Let everyone be on guard, and be careful to be found standing in the gap to make up the breach, in place of standing at the wall seeking to make a breach. Let all be careful not to make an outcry against the only people who are fulfilling the description given of the remnant people who keep the commandments of God and have faith in Jesus, who are exalting the standard of righteousness in these last days.
“God has a distinct people, a church on earth, second to none, but superior to all in their facilities to teach the truth, to vindicate the law of God. God has divinely appointed agencies-men whom He is leading, who have borne the heat and burden of the day, who are co-operating with heavenly instrumentalities to advance the kingdom of Christ in our world. Let all unite with these chosen agents, and be found at last among those who have the patience of the saints, who keep the commandments of God, and have the faith of Jesus.”[i]
Appeal to Church Leadership
We appeal to all of our ministers who occupy positions of leadership, whether in the local church, conferences, unions, divisions or the GC. We say it kindly, but please ever remember that God’s people are not your servants, they are Christ’s servants! And you are to lead them, under Christ and in the spirit of Christ, with humility, transparency, faithfulness and clarity. Many of our ministers are godly and worthy of our support, respect and appreciation!
But there are those, who are unconverted and use members and church structure as a political playing field for power, office or prestige. The church exists for spiritual purposes, not political ones! And ministers are to be spiritual leaders, not politicians, position seekers, or timeservers!
Jesus is coming soon. And ultimately it is not the delegates and members that ministers need to be concerned about. Nothing done now will be hidden then! What will Jesus say to His ministers if they have used His church for political applause, instead of giving it biblical servant leadership? We want, together with our pastors, to meet the Lord in peace. We want Jesus to say to our ministers, “well done!” Not, “I never knew you.”
Being a spiritual leader in God’s remnant church is serious and weighty. Perhaps, both members and ministers would do well to review this crucial leadership parable, told by Jesus, for the end of time in Matthew 24:45-51.
What Can Be Done?
So, what can be done to help the NAD, and more specifically, its unions and local conferences, stay united with the world church?
First, we can pray earnestly for the leaders, asking God to guide and to influence them along right paths. Secondly, we can pray for the delegates at these very important constituency meetings--that they will speak up and resist changes that are out of harmony with the world church. And you can and should talk to your delegates representing your church with any input you want to share with them.
Delegates—if you are a delegate, ask for the material for the constituency meeting ahead of time. Review it with your church board or church in business session. Ask for their input. As a delegate from your church, they are trusting you to represent them and the spiritual and evangelistic mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Learn to speak up with clarity and grace. Your vote, voice, and influence count.
To help members and delegates to be more informed, we are providing here copies of the latest Model Constitutions from the General Conference Working Policy 2020-2021, as voted by the world church in session and by its representatives at its Executive Committee meetings during Annual Councils. You can rest assured that any variation from these model constitutions did not come from the world church. May the Lord help us each to be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" (Matt. 10:16)
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16).
****
[i] Ellen G. White, God's Remnant Church, p. 40., https://beta.egwwritings.org/book/b14042