A General Conference

What is a General Conference? The expression “General Conference” is self-explanatory. It is not one person, or a small group of people.

As we will learn in this issue of The Reformation Herald, the words of a few persons are not to be considered as the voice of God, yet we are told that the “decisions of a General Conference composed of an assembly of duly appointed, representative men from all parts of the field, should be . . . respected,”1 and further, that “the representatives of [God’s] church from all parts of the earth, when assembled in a General Conference, shall have authority.”2

No GC officer should be considered as being the “General Conference.” Even a small group of GC officers should not be considered as being the “General Conference,” but “an assembly of duly appointed, representative men” “from al parts of the earth,” when acting in harmony with God’s Word, make up the General Conference whose voice must be respected.

When Moses was visited by Jethro, his father-in-law, an interesting conversation took place. Jethro realized that Moses—capable as he was—was undertaking a very heavy burden for one man alone. Therefore he counseled Moses: “Provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: and let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee. If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace” (Exodus 18:21–23).

Moses gave heed to this sage advice—and the governing of God’s people prospered.

In the system recommended by Jethro to Moses, we find four levels of administration: rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

In our system of organization there are: local churches, fields (or conferences), unions, and a General Conference. If the brethren and sisters of all levels fulfill their duties, God’s work will prosper.

Finally, what is a General Conference? It is a general assembly made up of duly elected representatives of God’s church from all the regions of the planet that meet together to decide important matters related to the spiritual progress of God’s children.

In this special issue of The Reformation Herald, we will bring to the knowledge of our readers news and important decisions of the General Conference delegation session held in Porumbacu, Romania, from August 23 to September 13, 2011.