Union Session May 2017 | Kerkgenootschap der Zevende-dags Adventisten

From Rough Start to Smooth Finish: A Personal Report from Two Delegates

The 2017 Union Session, held from 4-8 May, was our first Session as delegates—and our first time representing Alphen DC. Rumours were rampant, and the first day was rough, but to everyone’s surprise the atmosphere soon turned around completely. By the end of the weekend, we were able to look back on a blessed meeting.

Text by Farida en Jeroen de Jager (Alphen DC)

The job of a Union Session delegate is far from enviable. It takes time—a lot of time. You also run the risk of coming in contact with fellow believers who live quite differently in the faith than yourself, even though you are both technically part of the same church. You need to be brave enough to step outside your comfort zone, and that can get pretty exciting.

The whole thing starts with the selection of delegates in the local churches. This is not a job most members are standing in line for. If the church is ‘lucky’, there will be volunteers. Otherwise it becomes necessary to appeal to people’s sense of civic responsibility. Sadly, this was not successful in every church, and some groups were not represented at the Session. We hope and pray that they will be able to send delegates next time.

Rough Start

The Session got off to a rough start on Thursday evening. First Bill Knott (head editor of Adventist Review and Adventist World) delivered a wonderful sermon. He spoke about God’s call, and whether we say yes or no (Matthew 21:28-32). After that we observed two minutes of silence for national Remembrance of the Dead day. There was some consternation about this in part of the hall, because a few people saw the act as worship of the dead. Fortunately, this misconception was quickly corrected.

At the meeting itself it became clear that everyone needed time to settle in. There was a kind of unrest in the hall, and not every delegate was the paragon of brotherly love. The evening ended abruptly, and several points were pushed to the next day’s agenda.

Friendly Friday

Thankfully Friday went much more smoothly. In the morning, we made history by assuming the status of a ‘Union of Churches’. Our use of digital voting was another first. It hasn’t yet worked for the House of Representatives, but it worked for the Adventist church—every delegate could vote with a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, and it ran perfectly. The results were delivered in record time, and it saved a great deal of manual counting work.

By the afternoon we were on the fast-track, and new officers were quickly voted through. In the evening we voted a large part of the Executive Committee, and also the Constitution and Bylaws Committee. The only thing that remained a concern, and which should continue to concern us, is the Dutch Union’s precarious financial position. Our tithe is not increasing at nearly the same pace as one would expect from our membership. This remains a challenge for all of us, because the Dutch church cannot carry out its evangelisation work without funds.

Interactive Sabbath

On Sabbath we celebrated ‘active believers’, both in Bill Knott’s morning sermon and in the presentations given by new churches and church plants about their local activities. Afterwards we held a brainstorm session, which inspired us all to reach out to non-believers in our own communities.

If we disagree with our leaders we need to let them know directly, not share our opinions behind their backs on social media.

Raafat Kamal (president of the TED) made the greatest impression by far, delivering an emotional speech. He thanked the old officers and welcomed the new. Loosely translated, his message was this: ‘We burn through leaders with unacceptable speed. We need to pray for our leaders, and if we disagree with them we need to let them know directly, not share our opinions behind their backs on social media. In short, we need to stand behind our leaders and embrace them. They need our support, our love, and our prayer, because it’s a tough calling’. The full speech (viewing tip!) can be found at: bit.ly/peptalk-kamal.

Smooth-Sailing Sunday

The meetings on Sunday went extremely well. The plans committee delivered a complete and solid framework that the Dutch union can implement for the next five years. Despite a high number of motions and amendments, our very capable chair led us to the finish line with a healthy sense of humour—and sometimes a strong word. Before the last day started we had expected the meetings to spill over into the evening hours, but we were finished by the end of the afternoon.

Of course, for the officers, the Executive Committee, and the various other boards, the real work starts after the meetings. If the positive atmosphere at the Union Session was a sign of what’s to come, then our goal (set with a wink and a more serious undertone) of baptising five thousand new Adventists in the coming years is well within our sights.

Thanks

We would like to thank everyone who made this Session possible: so many that it would take too much space to name everyone by name. Nevertheless, we want to make special mention of our kind brothers and sisters from Almere Bethanië, who were our hosts during the Session. Our accommodation was amazing, as were the food and drinks they worked so hard to prepare. We also want to thank our heavenly Father. Without his guidance and his Holy Spirit this Session could not have been so blessed!

Jeroen de Jager is the chairman of Advent’s editorial board. He and his wife Farida were delegates at the Union Session, representing Alphen DC.

From the President

After his nomination, the new president, Pastor Rob de Raad, addressed the Session. This was his message:

‘I believe in this church.

I believe that church creates a community where we can all feel at home. A church is someplace you are safe.

I believe in this church, where we may differ in opinion, but still dare to enter into dialogue, and listen to each other with respect. At the same time, we are aware of what binds us and inspires us, because what brings us together is greater than what divides us.

In believe in this church—a place where we can grow in faith and knowledge of God. A place where we encourage each other to be more like Jesus.

I believe in this church, where people use their gifts and talents to give back to a world in flames.

I believe that we have the power to reveal what it is that moves us, as believers and as Seventh-day Adventists: the love of Jesus Christ. We reveal this not just to each other, but to the world around us. We rally behind our Lord, because we have good news to share: God loves you, and wants to bring you into his kingdom.’

Nominating the Executive Committee

The members of the Executive Committee that were voted at the Union Session are:

Officers

• Pastor Rob de Raad, president
• Pastor Enrico Karg, executive secretary
• Istrahel Schorea, treasurer

District ‘Noord’

• Christel van Maarsseveen
• Richard Esenkbrink
• Muco de Jongh
• Jessica Knopper

District ‘Zuid’

• Rozita Panneflek
• Berry Quack
• Colvin Overdiep
• Christel Gossens

Pastor

ADRA

• Willem van Rhenen, president

The Netherlands Union Conference will choose two district chairs and two department heads at a later date.

Constitution and Bylaws Committee

• Zippora Anson
• Ingrid Wijngaarde
• Pastor Henk Koning

The executive secretaries of the Trans-European Division (TED) and the NUC are also members of this committee.

Commissioned

On Sabbath, the third day of the Union Session, Pastor Tabitha Cedenio-Cummins was ‘commissioned’. This means the Adventist church recognises that God has called her to fulfil the role of pastor. She will now be authorised to baptise, administer communion, and bless marriages.

‘I thank God for this moment of blessing’, said Pastor Cedino. ‘My family and I are thankful that the Dutch church, and Pastor Audrey Andersson, have made this such a special event. With this blessing, I look forward to continue serving God in his churches’.

Women’s Ordination

A commissioning is not an ordination: a commissioned pastor may not found or disband a church. A commissioned pastor is also not allowed to be the president of a conference or higher levels of management, because to fill these positions a person must be ordained.

Before the 2017 Union Session, the departing officers decided to wait until (at least) the General Conference’s end-of-year meetings to continue ordaining women. This is because the subject is still under discussion among the divisions, including the TED and the GC.

This text is a translation from the pages in Advent 2 of 2017 that were dedicated to the Union Session.