The 62nd General Conference Session 2025 is only a few weeks away. It will be held in St Louis, USA, from July 3 to 12, and the worldwide Church will gather to elect new leaders for the next quinquennium (five years). With the General Conference (GC) Session looming so close, church members may be wondering what it is, what happens there and what relevance the event has for a local church context.
What is the GC Session?
The GC Session is a global spiritual gathering where representatives of the Seventh-day Adventist Church meet to discuss and make decisions regarding the governance of the Church. It is a constitutionally required business meeting (like those in your local church and conference), the purpose of which is to vote on global leadership, set the direction of the worldwide Church for the next five years, and vote on any changes to the Constitution, Fundamental Beliefs and Church Manual. This includes nominating and voting for a president of the General Conference, as well as the president of the South Pacific Division (who is a representative or vice-president of the GC).
Who is involved in GC Sessions and how does it work?
Anyone can attend the worship, mission and business times of the GC Session and gain an understanding of the world Church and how it operates. However only delegates can vote at the session. These delegates have been recommended and voted by the 140 unions and the 13 divisions. In the lead up to the GC Session, delegates from each union of the Church are appointed to represent their regions. The number of delegates chosen is proportionate to the population size of the Church in that region, as well as taking into account the self-sufficiency of the region’s administration as either a mission or as a union conference. At least 50 per cent of delegates must be laypersons, pastors, teachers and non-administrative employees, of both genders, and representing a range of age groups and nationalities.
For the 62nd session, 2804 delegates have been approved to attend, vote on business matters, and elect leaders for the General Conference and its 13 global divisions. From the SPD, there will be 102 delegates and 21 special guests. It is anticipated that up to 100,000 attendees will visit across the 10-day session to observe the proceedings and exhibitions.
What topics will be discussed at the GC Session?
The GC Session will vote an agenda which will have opportunity for prayer and discussion on broad mission topics that everyone can participate in. The world divisions also report to the GC with a visual presentation and a written report that showcases mission growth, challenges and opportunities. The session ends with a parade of nations where people wear national dress and carry flags, and the number of Adventists in that region is highlighted. The parade is a reminder that although the Church has reached many people there are thousands more people groups and billions of individuals who need to hear God’s last day message and be given the opportunity to respond to His love.
Why do we have GC Sessions and how did they start?
Seventh-day Adventist leaders first met on May 20, 1863, in Battle Creek, Michigan, for the purpose of organising a General Conference. During this first General Conference Session, the delegates drafted a Constitution and bylaws and established a leadership structure of President, Secretary and Treasurer. The same officer structure remains today at all levels of church administration.
Delegates for this initial meeting originally came from the regions around the Midwest and Northeastern United States where the Adventist Church originated. Today, however, about one-third of the Church’s membership resides in Africa, and another third in Central and South America—a diverse and worldwide representation.
There is always some change of leadership at the GC Session but what does not change is the global commitment to participating in God’s mission. The cultural differences in the world Church will be evident but the gathering for the one purpose and sharing what God is doing unites and inspires His people. The GC Session is a great opportunity to be reminded of the unity of our mission. It is a chance to connect with fellow church members on a global scale, to remember our origins as a Church, and to renew our purpose as disciples and disciple-makers for Christ.
Olivia Fairfax is an assistant editor for Adventist Record.
