September 6, 2019—Itú, Brazil
Another day of work started with a message presented by Brother B. Minamo of Ethiopia. We could feel the presence of the Lord as we sang together the song, “When Peace Like a River” for the opening of the morning worship. Brother B. Minamo presented a message on the topic, “Moral and Spiritual Perfection Promised.” In the book of Colossians, the Apostle Paul gave some really important lessons for those who rightly represent the Saviour on this earth. If these lessons are heeded and seen in one’s life, it is proof that the person is ready to work for others. God does not limit the advancement of such persons, and He wishes that they will, through prayer and watchfulness, grow to spiritual perfection. Brother Minamo made an appeal to all to submit to the will of God not only during these meetings, but every day of our life that we may reach moral and spiritual perfection.
The business of the day started with yet another short spiritual message given by Brother Rolly Dumaguit with the focus that we do not have any goodness in us. Anything good that we show forth is God working in us and through us. We have no merits of our own. If we are aware of this and let God work through us during the business of the day, God will guide us and our work will bring glory to Him rather than to men.
The minutes of the previous day’s work were read and accepted and 206 delegates started their work in their various committees.
DOCTRINAL COMMITTEE'S PARTIAL REPORT
The points presented were referred back to the Committee and tabled.
BYLAWS COMMITTEE'S PARTIAL REPORT
After some recommendations by several committees and the outgoing administration, the Bylaws Committee brought to the floor a resolution to change the GC Session intervals from four to five years. It was
RESOLVED, that the interval between two General Conference delegation sessions be amended to five (5) years (quinquennial interval) instead of four (4) years (quadrennial interval).
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the applicable amendments reflecting the change in the intervals between two General Conference sessions be also reflected in the GC Bylaws and Working Policy.
As today is a preparation day, the Session adjourned with a prayer. The Session will resume at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday.
The Sabbath was opened with an encouraging message from Brother Josias Almeida, Assistant Director of the Missionary school in the South Brazilian Union Conference. After welcoming the Sabbath with a song and prayer, the delegates gathered for their first Sabbath evening meal together. It was a blessed opportunity for fellowship and to be treated to delicious native fruits from Brazil. Among them were starfruit, jackfruit, passion fruit, jaboticaba, and loquats.
