Learn more about the upcoming Quinquennial Constituency Session
The upcoming Central California Conference Quinquennial Constituency Session will be taking place in November of this year. You’ve probably heard that it is happening, or maybe you’ve read announcements about the town hall meetings. For many people who attend an Adventist Church, the term constituency session has been seen or heard many times, but you still do not know what it means. It could be something that sounds like it is necessary for leadership, but not relevant to you.
Even if a constituency session sounds like something that doesn’t impact you, the truth is it will have a direct impact on you. And this is why it is helpful to pay attention to this event and know what is happening.
What is a constituency session?
A constituency session brings together the leaders of your local church and the conference to make decisions about the future. This is about the future of the conference, which directly impacts the future of your local church. Officers and department directors are elected, amendments to the constitution and bylaws are reviewed, and committees are created.
The authority for choosing positions of leadership in the Adventist Church is given to church membership — it is given to you. Your church has a nominating committee selected by the members. This committee recommends people for the leadership roles of your church. In the same way, a constituency session brings together the church leadership to recommend and vote on the positions of leadership within the conference.
Ronald Rasmussen, executive secretary of the Central California Conference, explains that the constituency session is a time to get together with the conference and church leadership to hear reports, get a sense of direction on how God has been blessing, and discuss church and conference opportunities. “And in our case,” he explains, “it is to elect a president, executive secretary, treasurer, vice president for ministries, associate executive secretary, directors of ethnic ministries (which, in our case, we have three: African American Ministries, Asian Pacific Ministries, and Hispanic Ministries). And then also to elect members of the executive committee and the members of the bylaws committee.”
The executive committee consists of 30 members - 14 of which are conference employees and 16 who are not employed by the conference. This committee meets at least nine times a year to provide guidance and governance for the conference throughout the five-year term. The committee receives reports from the executive officers, participates in strategic planning for ministry within the conference territory and beyond, and makes decisions about the allocation of financial and personnel resources.
The bylaws committee consists of 11 members who meet to determine whether the bylaws of the conference properly reflect current Seventh-day Adventist denominational policies. This committee also makes recommendations for changes to the bylaws that can enhance the ministry of the conference. The proposed changes to the bylaws are presented to the constituency meeting delegates, who determine if the amendments will be adopted.
Why does it matter to you?
The purpose of being involved in the conference’s constituency session is to be involved in the direction of your local church, and helping to sense where God is leading us as a church. “Church life isn't just a top-down decision,” explains Rasmussen. “It is organic, growing from the local members.” This means that if shared, your thoughts on what direction to go as a church will directly impact the leadership in the conference.
Rasmussen also adds that it is important for all members to be involved. “Young adults can be very influential. We need to advocate for balance — in ethnic diversity and gender — but also in age. This is their church.” The constituency session is not about bringing together one age, gender, or race to make decisions for everyone. It needs to include everyone who is being impacted by the decisions.
How do you become involved?
The first and most important step is becoming involved with your local church and its leadership. There will be town hall meetings scheduled in August and September where you can help guide your church and conference decisions. Watch for announcements on when and where these will be taking place.
Learn more about what a constituency session is and how it impacts you at www.nadadventist.org/adventist-church-101.
A review and report of the constituency session will be available online at www.cccsession2024.org.
Notice: The Central California Conference Thirty-fifth Constituency Meeting is
called to convene as follows
Date:
November 24, 2024
Location:
Fresno Adventist Academy
5397 E. Olive Avenue
Fresno, CA 93727
Time:
Registration: 8:00 a.m.
Meeting Begins: 10:00 a.m.
The purpose of the meeting is to receive reports; to elect a president, an
executive secretary, a treasurer, a vice president for ministries, an associate
executive secretary, and any other such officers as deemed necessary by the
delegates; to elect such director(s) for ethnic ministries as deemed necessary by
the delegates; to elect members of the Executive Committee and the Bylaws
Committee; and to transact such other business as may come before the meeting.
LAST DAY TO RECEIVE CHANGES OF DELEGATES
August 26, 2024 – All changes for persons serving as delegates must be received at the Office of the Executive Secretary. Changes made or received after this date will not be accepted.
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
September 8, 2024 – The Organizing Committee, which selects the Nominating Committee, will meet in the sanctuary of the Clovis Church at 1:30 p.m. The address is 2370 Helm Avenue, Clovis, CA. This meeting is only for the delegates who have been selected to serve as members of the Organizing Committee.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
September 22, 2024 – The Nominating Committee will begin its work in the Executive Board Room at the Conference Office at 10:00 a.m. The address is 2820 Willow Avenue, Clovis, CA. This meeting is only for those delegates that have been elected by the Organizing Committee to serve as members of the Nominating Committee.
Town Hall Meetings
As part of the preparations for our upcoming Central California Conference Constituency Meeting, held at Fresno Adventist Academy on November 24, 2024, our Conference Administration will conduct eight (8) Town Hall meetings. All church members are invited to attend. You will hear reports and have the opportunity to dialogue with the Conference leaders.
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