The Seventh-day Adventist Church General Conference executive committee voted to postpone the 2020 General Conference Session until May 2021. The 2021 General Conference Session will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is currently scheduled from May 20 through May 25. It was originally scheduled from June 25 through July 4, 2020.
“After taking into account both the rapid spread of COVID-19 around the world and the uncertain nature of how it will develop over the next few months, the crisis management committee considered postponement the safest and most prudent route to take,” says Geoffrey Mbwana, crisis management committee and the session planning committee chair.
“The church consulted with senior representatives of the World Health Organization, and we are recommending that the church take a careful approach to large gatherings including the General Conference Session,” says Peter Landless, GC health ministries director. “We also recommend that each region adhere to the proclamations of their local health organizations to find ways to maintain local church operations and mission through alternative means.”
For the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the GC Session, held every five years, is its largest and most important business meeting. During the session, delegates elect officers and handle clarifications to the church’s fundamental beliefs, discuss adjustments to the constitution and bylaws, and vote changes to the Church Manual.