The fifth, sixth, and seventh business meetings during the General Conference Session included discussions and motions related to the Church Manual. These were the first two of several sessions where Church Manual and Bylaws and Constitution issues are expected to be discussed and voted on, leaders explained.
On the morning of July 6, delegates voted to amend the Church Manual in the section dealing with the credentials and licenses of pastors and other employees. The rationale was to eliminate unnecessary repetition, church leaders explained.
Delegates also voted to amend the wording of the suggestion that each division prepare a Supplement to the Church Manual to include items pertaining to its region. The wording was changed to “may” to express it as a suggestion.
Changes to the Church Manual
The Church Manual Committee reports proposed nonsubstantive editorial changes to the main content of the Church Manual to an Annual Council of the General Conference Executive Committee, which may give final approval, leaders explained. They added: “However, in the event the Annual Council determines by one-third vote that an editorial change substantively alters the meaning of a passage, the proposed change must go to the General Conference Session.”
They also explained that at the final Annual Council of a quinquennium, the General Conference Executive Committee reviews all changes to the notes and coordinates the changes. “A new edition of the Church Manual is published after every General Conference Session,” they said. “The most recent edition should always be used.”
Other Motions
Another motion related to a school board, specifying that the principal of the school is generally appointed secretary of the board.
A final motion on the Church Manual on July 6 dealt with the nominating committee and the election process. It clarifies that the nominating committee “recommends names to the church and is not responsible to elect individuals to serve.” It also specifies that the pastor/chair of the nominating committee and treasurer help determine the eligibility of nominees to hold church office.
Bylaws and Constitution Issues
Delegates discussed a motion dealing with how to calculate delegate allotments for the General Conference Session based on the number of members in a particular region. The motion called to add one full year—from the second to the third year preceding the event. The rationale is that it is now taking more than a year in some places to apply for and receive a visa to travel to the United States, leaders explained. “This item is being recommended to give divisions and their delegates more time to prepare,” they said.
After discussing the item, delegates voted to refer the motion to the Constitution and Bylaws Committee.
A change was proposed that would allow church leaders to make significant decisions at the Spring Meeting, which a sizable number of delegates follow virtually every year. In the past, major decisions were debated and voted on only at Annual Council every fall. After discussion, it was decided to refer the item back to the Policy and Bylaws Committee.
Two more motions concerned Adventist Review. The first included acknowledging that the Adventist World magazine will cease publication, to be replaced by a world edition of Adventist Review beginning in August 2025. The second was a name change from Adventist Review Ministries to Adventist Review. Both motions passed.
During the Sixth and Seventh Business Meetings
On July 7, delegates reconvened to discuss and vote other items related to the Church Manual. Leaders introduced an addition to the Church Manual that seeks to create a new section regarding the Membership Record that is separate from the Transferring Members section and provides more detail on the need for constant redemptive membership review.
Delegates introduced and discussed several amendments to the main motion on the Transferring Members section, and voted not to amend a number of them. They voted, however, on an amendment that removes the fact that “the pastor, the first elder, and the church board should carefully consider changes to membership status.”
Another amendment sought to clarify the function of church clerks and the process of membership transfer. The amendment added that “the church clerk should encourage those regularly attending his/her church to request a transfer of their membership.” While deleting other sections, it added that “careful consideration should be given by the granting church and the receiving church to ensure the members in the process of being transferred are living in harmony with the fundamental teachings and related practices of the church.” The motion to amend that section of the Church Manual passed.
Editorial Changes, Offerings, and Stewardship
Another amendment voted deals with members who move and don’t report it. It included only an editorial amendment to make the wording consistent, and it was passed.
Delegates also voted an amendment that seeks to express the importance of giving offerings as part of worship. “Voluntary offerings and the tithe constitute the revenue of the Lord’s work,” the Church Manual quotes from page 74 of Ellen G. White’s Acts of the Apostles.
Another amendment voted seeks to transmit the importance of stewardship in all areas of life. Among other things, it states that “our conscientious stewardship of God’s blessings helps to build our faith. God has so arranged that when we work in harmony with Him in these things there will flow great spiritual blessings to us.”
Other items, upon the decision of the chair, were referred back to the Church Manual Committee to discuss some of the amendments delegates suggested.
Sabbath School, Communion Offering, and Confidentiality
Another amendment voted incorporates making disciples an important part of Sabbath School and specifies the responsibility of the Sabbath School secretary.
Regarding Communion, a voted amendment now specifies that “an offering for the poor may be taken as the congregation leaves. This offering is promoted as an addition to regular and systematic offerings.”
Another amendment passed emphasizes that “the treasurer should never comment on personal giving decisions.” Also, that “the treasurer and the pastor should never disclose individual giving records, except with consent of the giver, as required by law.”