On July 7, 2025, at the 62nd General Conference Session, delegates voted to replace the word “discipleship” with the word “disciple-making” in the Church Manual. The amendment came to delegates as the world church places an emphasis on total member involvement at the local church level. 

The amendment intends to highlight the idea of active disciple-making efforts and aligns with an earlier vote on redemptive membership review. 

However, some delegates expressed confusion over the word choice as, in their view, it holds a different meaning from the original word. 

“I love definitions, and discipleship and disciple-making are not the same,” said Ingrid Wijngaarde, delegate from the Netherlands Union in the Trans European Division. 

The motion read: 

To approve a directive to amend the Church Manual, by replacing “discipleship” with “disciple-making” or “making disciples,” where appropriate (item 421). 

The motion passed through voting cards. 

For more coverage of the 2025 General Conference Session, including live updates, interviews, and delegate stories, visit adventist.news and follow ANN on social media.