The day started with worship and an observance of the Seventh-day Adventist Health message:
Thousands of people gathered before 9:30 a.m. & not one coffee cup in sight--must be at #GCSA15 @spectrummag #adventistproblems
— Rachel Logan (@ItsRachelLogan) July 2, 2015
Almost immediately after the business meeting began, the question of women’s ordination came up from the floor, unexpectedly and unbidden.
Delegate takes to the mic to raise women's ordination issue on Day 1. Lowell Cooper says his comments are not germane #GCSA15
— Alisa Williams (@AWWritesStories) July 2, 2015
Delegate asked why women are on the platform. Does this mean they're ordained? If not, why are they up there? Things getting heated. #GCSA15
— Alisa Williams (@AWWritesStories) July 2, 2015
Lowell Cooper walked delegates through the new electronic voting system. However, the voting devices began malfunctioning almost immediately.
Equipment malfunction #1 for #GCSA15: During voting device test this morning, only 300 votes recorded. Devices ditched for yellow cards.
— SPECTRUM (@spectrummag) July 2, 2015
The change back to yellow voting cards was met with mixed reviews:
@AWWritesStories to be fair, those neon voting cards in the air are gonna look great on Instagram! #GCSA15
— SDAYouthOntario (@SDAYouthOntario) July 2, 2015
While troubleshooting occurred on the floor to correct the problems with the voting system, we did some data reporting on women’s representation in past, present, and future General Conference sessions.
Only 16% of the delegates at the G.C. in 2010 were women. Five years later that percent has only increased by 1%. @spectrummag #GCSA15
— Rachel Logan (@ItsRachelLogan) July 2, 2015
If the current trend continues of a 1% increase every 5 yrs, women & men will have = representation in the year 2180 #GCSA15 @spectrummag
— Rachel Logan (@ItsRachelLogan) July 2, 2015
Delegates were regaled with a screening of the short film, “What Might Have Been,” produced by the General Conference.
We're now watching the "What Might Have Been Video" that suggests that it is our fault Jesus hasn't come. See http://t.co/HSaHk7DSyw #GCSA15
— SPECTRUM (@spectrummag) July 2, 2015
"What Might Have Been" showing on the big screens right now. Waiting for Millennials to highjack the system with "The Record Keeper" #GCSA15
— Alisa Williams (@AWWritesStories) July 2, 2015
Immediately afterward, Elder Ted Wilson took to the stage to make an appeal.
Wilson: God is in control but he does not force of will. I speak for myself that our incorrect actions have delayed the 2nd coming. #GCSA15
— David Hamstra ن (@djhamstra) July 2, 2015
Wilson just made this appeal and is asking delegates to agree to it. #GCSA15 pic.twitter.com/dW4LYj6k5L
— SPECTRUM (@spectrummag) July 2, 2015
"This @gcsession could be the last if we act according to God's will." - Ted Willson, @adventistchurch president #GCSA15 #ColumbiaUnion
— ColumbiaUnionVisitor (@VisitorNews) July 2, 2015
During lunchtime, local businesses tried to take advantage of the influx of tourists in San Antonio.
San Antonio thrilled for #GCSA15, expects $41m. Restaurants go #vegetarian. @adventistchurch http://t.co/qLKVBoslEt pic.twitter.com/m8daNiFfWD
— Andrew McChesney (@ARMcChesney) July 1, 2015
Not everyone invested time into researching Adventist vegetarian practices...
For the @adventistchurch members in #SanAntonio for #GCSA15, here are some lunch suggestions http://t.co/vZJWo876yj pic.twitter.com/JDETYsEUyb
— mySA (@mySA) June 30, 2015
After lunch, delegates convened again. Technical issues with the electronic voting devices continued.
Delegates lining up to express displeasure with the voting system. Saying that head count needed too. #GCSA15 pic.twitter.com/G7oo8lx3gI
— Alexander Carpenter (@carpenterale) July 2, 2015
Some questioned the accuracy of electronic voting.
Wonder if procedures are in place to prevent device hacking and jamming... #GCSA15
— Adrian Zahid (@adrianzahid) July 2, 2015
Wifi completely down in Alamodome. GC VP Cooper says wifi signal interferes with electronic voting signal. That means no wifi. #GCSA15
— Andrew McChesney (@ARMcChesney) July 2, 2015
There were also issues viewing the names of delegates displayed on the overhead screens.
Delegates asked for gender, age breakdowns. Another says they scrolled them too fast for his old eyes. #GCSA15 pic.twitter.com/p3SAbU5dG7
— Alexander Carpenter (@carpenterale) July 2, 2015
At last, the nominating committee was revealed. Kind of.
Nominees: 34 female, 218 male. Age: Under 30, 5; 30-39, 10; 40-49, 63; 50-59, 102; 60-69, 66; 70+, 6. #GCSA15
— Adventist Today (@AdventistToday) July 2, 2015
218 male and 34 female on proposed nominating committee list. Only 5 under 30 years old. #Hmm #GCSA15 #SomethingsGottaChange
— Brandon Mowry (@miamimusicman) July 2, 2015
218 male and 34 female on the nomcom for #GCSA15 #unacceptable #adventfail
— seth pierce (@sethjpierce) July 2, 2015
Closing of debate over the nominating committee delegates has now been voted, electronically might I add. #GCSA15
— GC Session (@gcsession) July 2, 2015
Nom. Comm voted. Committee meets tomorrow. First person to be voted will be the GC president. #GCSA15
— The Compass Magazine (@TheCompassMagaz) July 2, 2015
After dinner, the evening session began with music.
#GCSA15 first evening session starts off with very pronounced drums. Quite surprised! Pleasantly of course ;-)
— Stephen Eastwood (@stepheneastwood) July 2, 2015
And Elder Wilson gave the President's Report.
Up Next at the GC Session: President's Report from Ted Wilson. http://t.co/uObDeqEUkW #GCSA15 pic.twitter.com/sL4Jz0H9XS
— 3ABN (@3abn) July 3, 2015
Despite some varying reviews of the day, many expressed their pleasure in seeing so many different cultures and peoples gathered together.
Incredible to see all the different folks from different parts of the world in @VisitSanAntonio for @gcsession. All of them smiling. #GCSA15
— Richard Oliver (@RichardCOliver) July 2, 2015
Different cultures, different aspects, One hope, One Church @gcsession #GCSA15
— ADEKEYE MOYINOLUWA S (@moyinoluwa_s) July 2, 2015
Pr @Jccarvacho junto a delegados de #Hawai en #GCSession2015 #GCSA15 en San Antonio, TX @gcsession @iasdsudamerica pic.twitter.com/C8sf3348lv
— Igl Adventista Ñuñoa (@inunoa) July 2, 2015
We love seeing how wide the Church reaches around the world during! #GCSA15 https://t.co/KleSpPa2G2
— Adventist Church (@adventistchurch) July 2, 2015
Rachel Logan is a SpectrumMagazine.org Intern, and a member of the General Conference reporting team in San Antonio, Texas.
