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April 10, 2024 |
On April 9, 2024, the General Conference (GC) held its Spring Business Meeting in Silver Spring, Maryland. These meetings include a series of presentations, updates, reports and discussions on future plans for the Adventist Church, providing important insights into the strategic direction of the Church. Here are some key notes from the meeting, adapted from ANN’s article on GC financial reporting and discussion of human sexuality at the meeting:
Nine Essentials of GC Financial Reporting – Presented by Treasurer Paul H. Douglas
1. financial stability: As of December 31, 2023, the General Assembly’s financial position was solid, with total net assets of approximately US$310 million, 92% of which were cash and investments. This is due to divine guidance and prudent financial management, especially amid challenging global economic conditions.
2. Increase tithes and offerings: The GC received about $13 million more in tithes than expected at $78 million, for a total of $91 million. This year’s production also exceeded expectations by $23 million compared to budget and $10 million ahead of the previous year, for a total of $97 million.
3. Expense management: Despite inflationary pressures, GC maintained its program spending at $172 million. Spending is spread across categories, including mission strategy and support (43%), leadership development (15%), media and publications (13%), educational institutions (9%) and other spending (20%).
4. Liquidity and Capital Management: GC reported available working capital of 13.9 months and current assets of 11.1 months, exceeding the recommended minimum terms of 12 months and 9 months respectively. The purpose of this is to ensure that the organization can effectively respond to emergencies without disrupting mission activities.
5. investment performance: After a challenging 2022 in which investment markets lost value, 2023 saw a significant recovery. This rebound reflects GC’s conservative investment strategy and aims to responsibly manage the resources entrusted to them.
6. Mission Impact Fund: Highlighted two specific funds:
– The first fund supports local church missions projects, with $5 million available for distribution in 2025.
– The second fund is newly launched to support territory-wide evangelism activities in world divisions and affiliated areas, with the GC covering up to 20% of the total program cost, up to a maximum of US$500,000 per entity.
7. strategic mission initiative: Examples include the East and Central Africa Division’s plan to double its membership by 2025 through a variety of evangelistic events, and the North American Division’s 2025 Pentecostal initiative, which involves 3,000 preaching events.
8. organizational focus: GC is undergoing a paradigm shift, prioritizing mission over day-to-day operations, aiming to be more intentional with its strategy and resources to maximize impact and ensure alignment with its evangelistic goals.
9. Positive feedback and support: Several representatives expressed support and confirmed the positive impact of these initiatives in their respective regions, emphasizing the alignment between mission priorities and financial strategies.
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Inter-European Division (EUD) Addresses challenges related to human sexuality
The Inter-European Division (EUD) presented a report on the Division’s recent activities, focusing on challenges related to human sexuality. EUD President Mario Brito stressed the importance of unity and adherence to church principles when addressing LGBTQ issues.
Discussions about same-sex intimacy prompted the EUD to engage in extensive dialogue and consultation with church leaders and members. Brito specifically addressed the reaction to certain publications in the Seventh-day Adventist Journal that differed from the church’s official position, outlining the need to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ topics through greater inclusion of the church’s official perspective in subsequent issues. An effort at a more balanced perspective.
The GC Human Sexuality Working Group, led by General Conference Vice President Audrey Andersson, worked to create humaneality.org as a resource for Church members, offering articles, stories, videos and a Q&A section. The initiative aims to ensure that the Church remains the primary source of guidance on matters of human sexuality.
According to ANN, “The site’s editor, Gina Wahlen, emphasized the importance of the site, saying, ‘We believe the most compassionate approach we can take is to serve in the time God has given us. A very important gift to demonstrate God’s truth.”
You can view videos of the GC meeting on the GC website page.
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