While growth in church membership does not directly affect the number of delegates that attend the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s quinquennial meetings, today the church’s leaders voted to change the formula that determines the make-up of the delegation. The former limit of 2,000 has been removed.

The delegation is comprised of lay members, institutional representatives and at-large delegates. The 2,000-member limit meant that a growth in institutions would mean that less delegates would be lay members. Lowell Cooper, a vice president of the world church, projected 50 organizations will be added to the church by 2010.

“This is my first session and I find it [confusing] that we are looking to increase the numbers of delegates,” said Kelvin Peuser from the South Pacific. “Looking back over the past eight days, all I can think of is how cumbersome it has been with so many delegates.”

Despite some protest, a majority of the delegation voted to change the formula.

Another point of contention was an item in the Church Manual about what determines a legal church business meeting or a quorum.

William Niles from North America suggested that a quorum should be a percentage or a pre-determined number of people. He said that will prevent a small number of people from making decisions for the entire church when others are not present.

“A qourum of 10 percent of church membership would be healthier,” said Ray Hartwell.

The final vote, however, called for local churches to make that decision at their board meetings.

The delegation also passed an amendment to the constitution that gave authority to the church’s world regions to conduct their own businesses by setting up an executive committee. 

The church also attempted to avoid a conflict of interest in auditing its institutions by changing some wording to allow for other outside auditors when necessary.

Another minor change to the Church Manual included changing wording on discipline so that local churches cannot unfairly discipline members.