Thoughts on Columbine

While in Littleton, CO, last weekend for my graduation, I decided to visit Columbine and the very sobering memorial that is nestled beneath a grassy knoll, just a few hundred yards north of the school. When it was dedicated in the year 2000, then President Bill Clinton was present and gave the dedication address.

I have visited Columbine Memorial once before; I think it was the first year or two into my doctoral studies, I drove the few miles from Denver Seminary to the site and spent a few minutes there.  This second visit, last week, seemed to impact my emotions in a more powerful way than the first time. I think that happened, in part, because unlike the first visit, this time my family were with me. As a Father, and in my ministry role which connects  me closely to the mission of our schools, this re-visit felt personal. Since so many bad things have happened in the past few years, we may have forgotten that in a sense, Columbine was the event that inaugurated and defined terror in a way this nation had never before witnessed. My re-connecting with Columbine, reminded me of that event that even those affected personally that day, might choose, if they could, to forget:

It was 17 years ago last month, just a few weeks before the school year would end that an unimaginable horror unfolded in the hallways, classrooms, and cafeteria. Remember that day? The first time we would be introduced by the media to the word "terror," though we couldn't have guessed, it would today, be a common word throughout the world. I think Columbine seemed to give birth to a new dark era of continued mayhem, murder, and senseless violence that now characterizes our world.

On that grim morning in April, 1999, parents, friends and family learned that 12 kids, and 1 teacher, would not return home that night. Would not enjoy supper around the table with family, would not laugh or complain about the days events, would not mention for the thousandth time, "can't wait for school to be over!" Wouldn't watch their favorite TV show, wouldn't complete their school assignments for the next day, wouldn't dream, cry, love or mourn again. What a dark day it was for Columbine, and really, for all of us who were reminded - once again - that Satan is real.  Evil exists, and sometimes . . . for a few moments . . . the darkness seems to swallow the light.

The memorial is simple, if elegant. Every person who lost their life that day is honored with a summary of their life, etched into an engraved  marble slab set into a circular granite wall.  What struck me in reading their stories is how many of the students were followers of Christ.  The most well-remembered of them was Rachel Scott who looking down the barrel of a gun, and was asked "Do you believe in God?" Her reply, "You know I do!"  Those were her last words. I'm reminded, that praise God . . .  Jesus also has the last words.  The last words in the Great Controversy and who wins the final round between Christ and Satan,  the last words in proclaiming victory over death, the last words as to our eternal destiny.

A few pictures below you'll see one of the references at the memorial to the presence of God in the midst of the tragedy.  A good reminder, that even in unspeakable tragedy, God is not silent, He is there, and what a glorious day it will be, when his final words are a pronouncement that sin and darkness are no more. That the war of Satan on planet earth is finished, and it is time, at last, for us to go home!

 

AHS Conference on Mission

Last week I spent several days in Orlando participating in both the February AHS  Board of Trustees meeting, and following that, the annual AHS Conference on Mission, which is 2 1/2 days of inspiration and sharing on an aspect of the primary reason AHS exists: mission! Here are a few photos from the event:

First picture, below left, is the audiences response at the Conference to the question asked on the screen. The audience responses are generated with a hand controlled device called an "option finder" which allows for anonymous responses to the various questions which explored issues in the area of patient care particularly during terminal illness.  The picture below right is of AHS investment in advertising and publicity at the Daytona Motor Speedway.  The picture is small, but there is an enormous and beautiful AHS/ Creation Health entryway display at the Speedway which hosts events for fully half the year. NASCAR is the only official major sporting event in the U.S. which unashamedly supports and believes in the power and value of faith in God and so the AHS "fit" with Creation Health and Daytona was great! BTW: I notice that on mobile devices the pictures don't always line up the way described, so, right may be "left" and left "right."  You'll figure it out.




Below left is Dr. Jeffrey Kuhlman, SAU alum, who served as personal physician to President Obama, and now works within the AHS system. Below right are the three things that he was told when he arrived at Loma Linda in 1983 for Med School, and that he's tried to never forget.




The topic of the Conference was Palliative Care, a growing speciality that ministers to those terminally ill, with compassion, hope, and attention to quality of life. The Sabbath service on the topic was powerful and personal, delivered by Dr. Benjamin Reaves, Special Assistant on Mission to Dr. Don Jernigan, President of AHS.  Dr. Reaves, a former pastor, teacher, and past president of Oakwood University, lost his wife of over 50 years to Alzheimers and his sharing on Sabbath was personal and insightful.  Drawing from the 1st chapter of 2nd Corinthians, Elder Reaves shared the promise of God's desire to comfort us in our afflictions, and that in turn, such comfort equips us to be what we could not be without suffering affliction, and that is a comfort to others.

At the end of the sermon Elder Reaves told a moving story of how his wife, in visiting with the Neurologist, could not answer simple questions such as "what is today?" or, "what month is it?" or, "who is the president?." Yet, when asked what music she enjoyed playing on the piano she replied "hymns," and then the Dr. inquired, "What is your favorite hymn?" to which she replied immediately, with clarity of voice and mind, without hesitation, "What a friend, we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!" There was not a dry eye in the congregation.

Day 5 and 6

Each year the report from NAD Education is both inspiring, and sobering.  Inspiring, because some great things are happening in our schools and in the lives of our students.  Sobering, because the statistics continue to demonstrate a drop in both the number of schools, and, overall enrollment. True not only in the k-12 level, but, the impact is being felt on the Collegiate level.  Only one college in North America had an enrollment increase this year:  Union.

A couple of slides illustrate the challenges:

Despite the down-turn, SDA education continues to be viewed as a very important part of SDA mission, and in fact, in some of the data shared yesterday regarding mission, many believe that nothing is more important than the education part of the church.

Monday's worship was given by Elder Ted Wilson, who, in making his final devotional point, presented his "driveway sealing" clothes that he has used for years for the dirty job of maintenance on his driveway.  The picture doesn't do justice to how ripped and filthy the garments were.

He then took out another outfit, given to him from the church in India.  It was a beautiful embroidered silk outfit.  Illustrating how the righteousness of Jesus covers our sins, Elder Wilson placed the beautiful garment in front of the old one.  The "new" beautiful one, as Ellen White observed, does not have "a single thread of self" in it.

Elder Honore, the President of North Eastern Conference, was the devotional speaker Friday night. An outstanding sermon on "the Rock" taken from Moses in the Wilderness journey and the experience of water from the rock.

The business sessions on  Sunday and Monday have proven to be very interesting.  Some of you may recall an historic meeting conducted over a year ago at Dulles Airport where administrators from all over North America convened for the purpose of reviewing NAD initiatives and to review whether the time has come to consider re-organization.  I think many were unsure whether anything substantive would emerge from that meeting where the consensus was to review options, and the means by which the mission of the church could be advanced, more efficiently.  The goal is to build the Kingdom with less expense and less duplication of administrative oversite.  Since the Dulles Meeting, a committee comprised of pastors, lay people, and administrators have been meeting and the report was shared Monday in the form of a significant 40 page book, filled with analysis and various options which would potentially result in significant cost savings to the denomination. 

 A number of delegates addressed the issue from the microphone and some of those speeches were shared by those who believe that One, any modification to organizational structures would possibly harm the mission rather than enhance it, and Two, particularly from the mid-west where consolidation has happened on both union and local levels, the belief seems to be consolidation  serves to embitter the constituency, and does not enhance the mission.

However, when it was time for the delegates to vote on 13 specific considerations regarding further study of re-organization, every option was supported by a majority of delegates.  The vote simply means "please continue to give study to this." Some of the ideas are quite radical: a "union of churches" where the union level disappears, to consolidation of smaller conferences.

Why was there such wide support for giving further study? Because in the words of Elder Jackson, "We either become pro-active, and give study to becoming "leaner and more efficient" OR . . . given time . . .  and perhaps not a lot of time, this will become a crisis that like a bomb is dropped on us."  I agree.  The reason is that there are very clear 'data points' - and some were presented yesterday - that illustrate the increasing decline of tithe support across the NAD.  While NAD largely has gains in tithe, there is significant 'erosion' in value of those dollars in the sense of keeping pace with inflation, and, the number of members actually contributing. As the WW II generation passes away, and the baby boomers retire, the 'trend' of tithe support is not promising.  A few pictures that reflect some of the realities.

 

On another topic: The slide below illustrates the proposed NAD 2016 Budget and it gives you a little glimpse of the areas that NAD funds.

Nominee for SAU President . . . Finally, for those of you actually reviewing this Blog, I suggested that I would pass on, if I could, the name of the individual being "nominated" to succeed Dr. Gordon Bietz at Southern, upon his retirement next Spring.  The Search Committee, reporting last night in a tele-conference SAU Board meeting, resulted in the  Board voting to continue to "explore" the name of Dr. John McVey presently serving as President of Walla Walla University.  The next step in this process is that Dr. McVey will be invited to visit SAU and engage with various interest groups; students, staff, etc.

Today - Tuesday - we are hearing reports from Christian Record Braille, Pacific Press, both in its report and in voting its new quinquennium board, has absorbed most of the morning session.

New Resource for Media and the Public Announced

In light of the huge media interest in SDA's generated by the candidacy of Ben Carson for President, the SDA Church in North America (NAD) has wisely put together a web-resource, whoaretheadventists.org. I reviewed the site this morning and it seems very well done.  It provides a quick/easy to read review of SDA statistics and highlights our mission in the context of 150 years of ministry in addressing the needs of the world with the invitation to live a life of health, wholeness and truth within the context of the Gospel.

Check out the site and pass it on to others! Today's agenda at Y.E.M. (Year End Meetings) includes a "parade of reports" from Refugee Ministries, Education, and continued updates from the NAD Nominating Committee. Following the GC Session last July, and the election of the three NAD Executive Officers, (President, Secretary, Treasurer), an additional 40 individuals/positions are reviewed and recommended to the delegates for election.  The nominating committee has now convened three times; quite a bit more than five years ago when I served on the same committee.  At that time, our entire report was completed in one single three hour block.

One of the differences would be that over the 1st five year term of Elder Jackson, changes in personnel are recommended and are not unusual in consideration of how many positions are offices that require being voted.

I have just received word that the SAU (Southern Adventist University) Presidential Search Committee is prepared to offer/nominate to the SAU Board the name of an individual to succeed Dr. Gordon Bietz.  The Board (of which I'm a member) has been invited to convene and join in a tele-conference meeting tomorrow night.  I believe I know who the individual is that the committee is nominating.  It is 'rumored' to be one of the present serving Executive Administrators currently serving at SAU.

I will share this information following our conference tomorrow night via this blog.  Grace and Blessings in Him! 

Year End Meetings, Days One and Two

Coming to the Washington D.C. area for Year End Meetings allows opportunity for me to visit a little of my family who are still left in this area. I had a chance to visit with my Mother and nephew who live outside Richmond, VA and I spent a little time singing old hymns with my Mom, something we both enjoyed!

Each year Year End Meetings adopts a theme, and this year's is "The Great Collaboration," focusing on the wonderful plan of God to partner with humans for the purpose of building the Kingdom.

The Thursday afternoon agenda included some analysis of current NAD employees/pastors who, according to present 'stats,' one-half of all NAD pastors, meaning over 2,000, are eligible for retirement within the next 10 years.  That is important for a couple of reasons:  One, the work force is of course aging, and, tending to work longer than in the past, and second, we're facing the possibility of having "too few" eligible, trained workers to enter pastoral ministry in the coming decade.

The NAD leadership suggested that one initiative is to continue to identify  and hire more women who presently make up no more than around 2% of the pastoral work force in North America.  The NAD is putting additional resources into incentivizing and promoting the hiring of qualified women and hope to double the present number (just over 100) in the next five years.

Friday included a number of interesting reports including  that of Dr. Les Pollard,(below left) President of Oakwood University's who highlighted the schools "StandUp" program which represents a comprehensive health and lifestyle strategy that embraces all facets of University life.  Students at Oakwood are required to participate on some level with the initiatives which includes health screening, programs to assist in managing factors which impact health risk,  particularly in the African American Community (diabetes, etc.,).  The plan has gotten major media exposure and is a one-of-a-kind comprehensive/campus wide effort to champion the SDA Health Message for students, faculty, and the greater Huntsville Community.  The picture below is one student given testimony of the positive impact of the program for her personally.

Another fascinating report was presented by Chris Holland, Speaker/Director of It Is Written Canada, who told of the mission and outreach of the Canadian Union to reach the unreached Indian people groups of the newest Canadian Province, Nunavut. 

 Formerly part of the N.W. Territories of  Canada, Nunavut comprises a major portion of Northern Canada,  and most of the Canadian Arctic.  It's huge territory makes it the 5th largest country/ geographic area in the world,  as well as the 2nd largest in North America (after Greenland).

Only 25,000 people call this stark and vast land 'home' and many of them are completely untouched by the Gospel.  The picture below left,  is of Chris Holland and Sean Boonstra, of It Is Written "America" and a citizen of Canada, speaking with a recent convert in one of the towns in the province.  The plan of the Canadian Union is to focus resources, including Bibles and materials translated into the native language, and perhaps sponsor a  'church plant' in one of the major towns.

The picture below right, is of a group who traveled all the way from Alberta, Canada, and are from the Mamawi Atosketan Native School, in Ponoka, Alberta.  The school has an enrollment of over 200 students in grades K thru 12, and serves the population of four Indian tribes.  The students are of course almost completely non-SDA, but stories of baptisms, lives being changed, and the impact on the greater population of native Indians who face huge challenges socially etc., was amazing.  If interested in knowing more, here is the schools web-site.  http://www.mamawiatosketan.ca

One of the great highlights of these meetings is the Sabbath worship, and today was no exception. The brother and sister violinists are from here in the community and were absolutely incredible!

The next picture is of my friends Andrew and Sheila LaPierre (Andrew with the beard, and just a "little" part of Sheila's face beside him) who once worked for Georgia Cumberland Conference, and who I had the privilege of marrying about five years ago.  Sheila is from the Manchester, KY area and has recently accepted a position with the NAD.

\This final picture is of our worship speaker, which is traditionally Elder Dan Jackson.  His sermon, in keeping with this years theme was "The Grand Collaboration."  His sermon began with the illustration depicted in the famous picture behind him.  It is called "The Helping Hand," painted in the late 19th century by a French artist, and it depicts a little girl, with her hands on the enormous oars of a fisherman's rowboat. To the right of her is likely her grandfather,  with a kindly smile on his face, is actually the one giving the strength and power to the oar, though the little girl is doing her small part. 

The spiritual application to we who serve in ministry is clear:  our small part, and God's great strength gives success to our endeavors!

Family Stuff

Will be on my way to Maryland and NAD Year End meetings this Wednesday. Before leaving, thought I'd - with pride - post a picture of my son Christopher  - the taller of the two boys - who had the rare privilege last week of assisting in the "Laying of the Wreath" Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Together with his classmates from Highland Academy, they are on their Junior Class American History trip and as class president, he got to join in the honor.  He was thrilled to do so, and, appropriately, took it very seriously!

While in Southern California  and Loma Linda two weeks ago for "Medical/Dental" recruiting, I enjoyed having lunch with my friend, Pastor Injong "John" Moon, who once pastored here in KTC at the Louisville Korean Church.  John is pictured here with his son Samuel.

While flying to California, I had a connection in Houston, and while waiting for my next flight, I met this gentleman, also flying into the L.A. area. He is a WWII vet, and a member of the famous Tuskegee Airmen, who comprised a African American Bomber and Fighter squadron and performed with great courage and skill during a time when the armed forces were segregated.  This man was a mechanic with the airmen and I thanked him for his service to our country.

Speaking of patriotism, this intimidating bird was present at a sporting event I attended last Sunday.  I would have gotten my picture with him but he's a little menacing up close!

When your kids become adults, you all the more appreciate those family times together. This is "our gang" taking a  Sabbath hike at Bledsoe Creek.

\

Those who know me best, know I really love American history.  A couple of weeks ago I convinced Malinda to join me in a tour of the Sam Davis plantation just outside Nashville. Sam Davis was the courageous Confederate "operative" (he disdained the label 'spy') who was captured by the Union and rather than reveal the names of those who were his comrades he chose death. "I would rather die a 1000 deaths than betray a friend!" were his reported last words when offered freedom from the gallows. He is buried behind his boyhood home within the beauty of acres of cotton fields and the humble sad little slave cottages near the mansion.

 

Final Day of Business

First, sorry . . . I have no more pictures!  Just a lot of words.

Today, Friday, represented the last day of official session business, and, as true for most of the week's sessions, it was interesting!  I attended the Atlanta GC Session in 2010 as a delegate, but, for some reason, perhaps owing to the drama of the women's ordination issue, this one has proved more engaging in terms of the 'business' side of things. This session also seemed to have a longer list of revisions to the fundamental beliefs and to the Church Manual then in Atlanta.

Yesterday, it was shared that the last of the Nominating Committees work was over, but, indeed, that was not the case as today, the committee had to return to work - briefly - and present an officer in the Japan area of the world field for the delegates voted support.  That passed easily.

More interesting, at least to me, was the return today of a number of items that had been sent back to committee for consideration to be revised, AFTER, they had been presented to the delegates earlier in the week.  The delegates had been waiting for this as most were aware that a number of items had, as per delegate vote, been returned to committee for further review.

So . .  how does that take place and why?

The process on the floor - for delegate review - is that revisions to the Church Manual are crafted by the GC's Revisions committee, the proposed wording changes are brought "to the floor," and, the delegates can approve the revision, OR, vote to return it to the committee for further work. If voted to return to committee for revision/review, that work must be accomplished before the last of GC business session ends -  today.  When returned to committee, the committee must convene,  and its members give consideration to whatever  expressed concern or opinion was expressed/ suggested. It can be something as simply as one word, OR, a significant change in the intent and meaning of the original proposal.

Importantly:  No item can be returned to committee without the vote by simple majority of delegates on the floor . . .

(by the way, did I mention that on Sunday, it was proposed by one delegate that NOTHING would be passed except by 2/3rd majority vote?  THANKFULLY that motion DID NOT pass, and had it . . . there may have been many issues that could not have been addressed as on many items brought to the delegates,  there is not a 2/3 majority.  Back to the process of revising issues brought by the committee to the delegates . . . 

What is NOT allowed by GC rules, is revising the document/proposal offered by committee from the floor, or, even making any meaningful "new agenda item" decision from the floor via a motion. 

 I think with wisdom, the GC rules demand that ANY  revisions, or, almost any motion that is something other than a parliamentary procedure issue, MUST be returned to committee.  This prevents 'blocks' of individuals, or single individuals for that matter, proposing some "new initiative" or striking down an old one, directly from the floor without the issue being vetted by the respective committees.

Without this 'safe guard" the potential for extremely problematic and not carefully thought out issues being voted into policy would be the reality.

So . . .  a number of issues were presented to the delegates in todays session that had been 'returned to committee' earlier in the week.  8 issues to be exact!

I'll comment on only two. Several were very minor, but these two, perhaps were more significant.

One has to do with the 'right' or 'process' of a church or organization to appeal to the "next higher level" of organization when the unhappy entity (an organization like a church NOT an individual) feels that their concern, or issue, was not properly addressed by the local field, generally meaning a local conference, or, perhaps a "governing board." This proposed 'new wording' on an already existing policy, was being returned to the floor for a final vote, and this time, as before, was STILL significantly debated, for probably, two hours?  

The parts of this that came up for vigorous debate included, "why can an individual appeal all the way up to the GC, but this wording limits an 'organization' such as a church, to appeal ONLY to the next level in the ecclesiastical structure, and it can never go to the Division or GC UNLESS, those organizations, in successive ascending order, would agree to hear the issue being appealed?" In other words, if the Union Conference replied to an appeal, that they WILL NOT hear the appealed decision of say, a local conference?  Then, that concludes the matter.

What I just wrote may not even make sense to you, but in my view, having been in administration for almost 14 years now in two organizations, I've never seen even ONE church attempt to 'appeal' an issue to the next level of ecclesiastical authority, meaning the Union Conference. IN fact, I never saw ANY church desire to appeal anything even to the local conference (that's not to say that we have not had congregation/church issues that needed to be brought to Executive Committee)!

Some concerns expressed today included, IF you opened up the appeal process too broadly, the GC could be flooded with frivolous appeals .  Again, not seeing how that's possible as an "appeal" from a  church, a school, an institution, that feels it's issues were not handled appropriately by the local organization, with this policy,  as in the past, can "appeal"  ONLY one level up, IF, that next level agrees to hear the appeal.  GC reps., had already expressed that they are NOT inundated with appeals.

Not sure why this was so widely debated though I suspect that in the world field, this is perhaps more common than in the U.S., and, it has certainly happened here in the States possibly with media ministries, publishing houses, and occasionally, even local congregations. 

I learned many things this week, including . . . "Hot topic" issues, as reflected a number of times this week, issues when individuals/delegats feel their 'rights' are being marginalized or ignored . .  when that feels like its happening?   GREAT debate usually follows!

The 2nd item that I'll mention, which was voted on right before we closed the morning session today before lunch, was, quite frankly, a surprising but welcome outcome.  In a previous post, on the 2nd day of business (last Sunday), I mentioned an item that was being presented for revision that would have deleted the "male exclusivity" language and used more "gender neutral" wording,  in the context of recognizing BOTH men AND women pastors.

Here's the beginning of the old statement "When MEN have given evidence of a call to ministry . . .  (then it goes on).  Thats the old wording.  The NEW wording was proposed, Sunday, to include men and women, recognizing of course that both genders are pastoring, and, we were reminded this week, that in China in particular, women pastors are extremely common, and, possibly with no exception, every Division has women serving in some pastoral capacity, some divisions of course, with more women than others.

Well, in my first post, I mentioned that this 'inclusive' wording was voted down, meaning, to be sent back to committee, after one delegate commented that it was not biblical. I am assuming that his concern was that women should not be authorized to perform pastoral duties?  I don't know as he did not give detail only mentioning "not supported by Scripture." 

After this delegates brief expressed concern on Sunday, the wording was voted to be sent back to committee,  by, I thought,  a rather surprising majority vote, but, it "was what it was."

 I fully expected that today, as this issue was returned to the delegates from committee, with really no revision to the original revised, "gender inclusive" language submission on Sunday, (which is often the result of the committees review; they feel that their original work needs no revision, so, they decide to return the 'proposal' again, the 2nd time, with no changes or, perhaps some small clarifying word change). My concern was we were going to have another contentious debate over this wording today . .  but . .  that's not what happened.

The new wording, again, striking out the old language of "when men give evidence of their calling . . ." was being proposed/changed to "when PASTORS give evidence of their calling .   . ." and, then the rest of the policy changes the word  "ministers" to "pastors."  I suspect the changed wording had some tie to eliminating 'pastoral male exclusivity' language, again, something not all delegates supported.  Back to what happened . . . 

When it was brought to the floor today to be considered the second time . . . it not only passed, but, maybe only a dozen or so"no" ballots were waved in the air as I could see?  Maybe 1900 yes, votes, and maybe, maybe, a dozen or so Nos? . . .  In other words, a 99% supportive vote?  I turned to Elder Don Livesay, president of Lake Union,  and his wife, who were seated beside me and said, "That was unbelievable!"  What happened between Sunday and today?

The only difference in the vote was that it was, today, unlike Sunday,  moved and then given support, by the delegates, to IMMEDIATELY present the item for voting by rather than allow for debate.  No one had a chance to get to the mic. But that was what the delegates seemed to desire. Did that in turn, make the difference? ( I can't imagine almost ANYONE wanted to return to the drama of the speech making on this  issue again today, but, there are some interesting delegates here for sure!)

Were the delegates weary of fighting the "women" in pastoral ministry issue?

Did God simply perform a miracle that avoided the possibly of a very divisive and lengthy debate on the floor  - again - between the delegates over the issue of recognizing women in pastoral ministry?

I don't know.  I do believe, with welcome relief probably on the part of maybe all?  The item was simply voted  as returned by the committee, by an enormous majority, and perhaps, if nothing else, while the ordination issue on Wednesday did not pass, for most of the days' debate, extremely passionate speeches were given sometimes with great emotion, and almost entirely from men, advocating for women to be affirmed in ministry. Did that "soften" some of those most opposed to women serving pastorally?  I really don't know . . .

Again, I just think God, wonderfully, got us past this so that the Sabbath could be welcomed in without another long day of contention over this issue. So, we are coming to the end of the 60th GC Session.  60 sessions, in the past 150 years.  What to make of it? Only time and history will tell.

Thanks for tuning in to my posts . . . while not a LOT of people have read them, I know several of you have expressed appreciation for these personal reviews.

This is my final post as I must return to Nashville before heading out on another week of meetings with the Southern Union.  Appreciate the prayers of many this week; I believe God has been present in a real and meaningful way, these past ten days, in San Antonio.

Gods' church, meeting in world wide session IS amazing, and, I hope my little blogs help you feel as if you were a part of it .  . . . and perhaps you heard?  an 18 million dollar event? But perhaps, every five years, for the purpose of bringing the world church together and hopefully building some sense of mission and unity, money well spent.

God lead and hopefully, w'ere ALL home in the kingdom very soon,  and there will be no more GC constituencies!  (the 2020 event is planned for a return to Indianapolis - instead, may it be in the Kingdom of God!)