General Conference Reflections

July 6, 2010

Summer is in full swing and all I can say is, I much prefer spending the summer in Los Angeles than in Atlanta. The heat and humidity in Atlanta, even this early in the summer, made me appreciate the amazing weather we enjoy here. So I promise I won’t complain (as much) about the heat this summer.

General Conference (GC) was such an interesting experience. I’ve been to the last three GC sessions but this time, with a press credential, I had moments of being closer to the “action” as it were. There are so many changes that took place this time. If you would like to know more about what’s been happening there are a couple of websites I can recommend for news and analysis. One is the Adventist News Network. Another is Spectrum Magazine.

I did have the chance to meet our newly elected North American Division President, Dan Jackson who was previously the President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada. He replaces Don Schneider who has been NAD President for 10 years. His comments during the his press conference gave me great hope for progressive leadership in North America.

Upon returning to Los Angeles earlier this week, however, one impression is lasting. The things that really matter in the church—the work that has the most impact for God’s Kingdom—happens in local churches embedded in communities all over the world. Nothing will ever change that. Much of the work that happens in the upper echelons of the church organization is important, but the most important work is here, where Sabbath after Sabbath we do our best to bear witness to the Jesus who came vulnerably to this earth to redeem the earth and all its inhabitants through radical acts of love and grace. It is this that should be our focus.

Peace be with you,

Ryan

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