Tweets are flying at the Alamodome in San Antonio as delegates, attendees, and media share insights about the proceedings. Here is our Twitter roundup from Day 5:
Monday in the Alamodome revolved around two things - editing the Fundamental Beliefs and nominating officers/leaders of the World Church.
Right off the bat, delegates requested a larger font to better see the edits on screen. Their request was passed and people were pleased.
@sethjpierce Someone heard your cry for a bigger font. They even got it in the GC session colors. #GCSA15 #GC15NW
— Benjamin Orian (@benorian) July 6, 2015
at the new font and size that they’re using on the screen. #GCSA15
— Anthony Kern (@afkern47) July 6, 2015
As motions were made to change certain wording in the Fundamental Beliefs, Twitter users had some comments to share about the conference.
"I can't understand why people are frightened by new ideas. I'm frightened by old ones." ~ John Cage Thoughts relevant to #GCSA15
— Jason Salyers (@jason_salyers) July 6, 2015
There needs to be an extra day for delegates to educate on rules of order, and how to work electronics. #GCSA15
— Kevin James (@Krjtwit) July 6, 2015
"That is not a point of order!" seems to have replaced "Arise! Shine! Jesus is Coming!" as the official theme of #GCSA15
— Alisa Williams (@AWWritesStories) July 6, 2015
Request for brief summary of rules of order for business meetings. Apparently not all delegates know what they're doing. #GCSA15
— TheHaystackTV (@TheHaystackTV) July 6, 2015
On the floor, a motion was made to enforce a two-minute time limit on delegates at the microphone. Speeches that required translation got three minutes.
Motion to limit extended debate. The chair is thrilled. #GCSA15
— TheHaystackTV (@TheHaystackTV) July 6, 2015
One significant change that impacted the Adventist LGBTQ community was the update to Fundamental Belief 23 (Marriage). The motion to make it even more clear that marriage is solely between a man and women was met with overwhelming support after President Ted Wilson stood up and made his opinion on the topic clear.
Wilson: we want no ambiguity regarding that marriage is between man and a woman only #GCSA15 #GC15NW
— seth pierce (@sethjpierce) July 6, 2015
Amendment says "the term 'partners' could be misused by those promoting homosexuality" #GCSA2015 pic.twitter.com/To1f2CQu8z
— ELIEL CRUZ (@elielcruz) July 6, 2015
#FB23 changes passed. Definition of marriage now even more narrowly defined. "Partners" replaced with "man & woman." #Heartbroken #GCSA15
— Alisa Williams (@AWWritesStories) July 6, 2015
Wilson also spent time encouraging delegates to use the yellow voting cards for “easy” votes instead of asking for secret ballot.
Wilson REALLY adamant about using voting yellow paper cards for simple votes. Does anyone know if @Staples is sponsoring this event? #GCSA15
— Rachel Logan (@ItsRachelLogan) July 6, 2015
How will the women and young ever know how to vote if done with secret ballot? *sarcasm* #DramaInTheDome #GCSA15
— Brenton Reading (@breading) July 6, 2015
While discussion continued on the floor, commentaries about the GC proceedings continued on Twitter.
Keeping up with #DramaInTheDome instead of focusing on this stats lecture #GCSA2015
— Lucy (@whovian1001) July 6, 2015
Reading through my timeline of what's going on in the business session *sips tea* ☕ #Gcsa15 carry on church!
— Bethany Hope (@VintageNaturale) July 6, 2015
I went to Adventist Ed from preK - Univ, but I have learned all I know about the SDA political structure on Twitter since Friday #GCSA15
— Saba (@SabaSaysSo) July 7, 2015
Motion to stream the meetings! This obsessive refreshing of my twitter every 30 seconds is killing me.. #GCSA2015 #tobeupdatedornot
— Christle91 (@Christle91) July 6, 2015
Some individuals tweeting at home expressed their desire to be a delegate; others were not as sure.
@danielwahlen @ItsRachelLogan Not me. I'm actually glad I'm not there for this hot mess. I'm frustrated enough following it here. #GCSA15
— Matt Shallenberger (@mjshally) July 6, 2015
I would love to be a delegate for GC one day. A young perspective combined with a seasoned one would be great! #GCSA15 #GC60
— Xavier Joseph (@metbaritone_06) July 6, 2015
In the afternoon, the nominating committee presented a list of names to be voted on by the delegates. One notable nomination was for the re-election of Dan Jackson for North American Division President.
Congratulations to Elder Dan Jackson, NAD President, on getting to use the @NADpres handle for five more years! #GCSA15
— SPECTRUM (@spectrummag) July 6, 2015
At the end of the day, a few offered a summary of events.
My Social Media Recap of #GCSA15 thus far: Selfies, Skepticism and Sleeping Delegates. Did I miss anything, @sethjpierce @ItsRachelLogan?
— Saba (@SabaSaysSo) July 7, 2015
Between President Wilson's appeal, VP Cooper's calm officiating, and a healthy dose of prayer, we had a much better session today. #GCSA15
— David Hamstra ن (@djhamstra) July 6, 2015
Rachel Logan is a SpectrumMagazine.org Intern, and a member of the General Conference reporting team in San Antonio, Texas.
