Triennial Matters: How can the Statement of Faith and Declaration of Principles be changed?
This “Triennial Matters” series seeks to highlight some of the important items that will be considered at the 2023 ACGC Triennial Convention. The opinions expressed here are the author’s own and do not represent the views of the bodies he serves. All business items can be found here.
As mentioned in the first article of this series, denominational leaders learned in 2017 that adding a distinctive to the Declaration of Principles is not a straightforward affair. As things currently stand, there is no defined procedure by which the Statement of Faith and Declaration of Principles could be changed without entailing several Triennial conventions (many years).
Making changes to these documents should not be taken lightly, but we should nonetheless desire a clear and timely process for considering any changes. The current proposal is as follows (for sake of space I have consolidated the proposals into one since the wording is the same for the SOF and DOP respectively):
Any action which would effect change of the Advent Christian Declaration of Principles/Statement of Faith must be submitted to the Executive Council by an Advent Christian church, conference,
or region or member of the Executive Council. The Executive Council shall receive such proposals and shall appoint a Task Force to consider the biblical basis of the proposal as well as its impact upon and implication for the polity and unity of the Advent Christian denomination. The Task Force shall work in consultation with the originator of the proposal and the Executive Director. They will bring their recommendation to the Executive Council for action no later than one year after the proposal is first brought to the Executive Council. If approved by a three-fourths vote of the Executive Council at the meeting at which the recommendation is presented, the proposed change shall then be brought to the delegates at the next regular General Conference session. A three-fourths vote by ballot of the delegates shall be required for ratification of the recommended change. Notice of the recommended change shall be stated in the call to meeting and communicated throughout the denomination six months, three months and one month immediately preceding the meeting of the delegate body.
I see multiple merits in this proposal:
Clarity - This proposal lays out a clear process for pursuing changes to the SOF/DOP. We lack such clarity right now, making this a basic improvement of the status quo.
Inclusivity - This is a process that invites proposed changes from all corners of the denomination: church, conference, and region. The officers of the Executive Council are either members because they were regionally elected to their positions or elected by the General Conference delegate body. It makes sense that proposals would be welcome from these bodies and representatives.
Expedience - A clear timeline is laid out in a such a way that proposals could be processed in a timely fashion between Triennial conventions. This prevents proposals from getting “marooned” in committee.
Diligence - When the Executive Councils receives a proposal duly submitted, they must duly examine it by appointing a task force - it can’t be canned upon receipt. The appointment of a task force is a fitting expansion of voices and wisdom in considering such changes insofar as it might bring in persons from outside the Executive Council. That this task force would work with the originator(s) of the proposal and the Executive Director will ensure that due consideration is given to the proposal as presented; that if it moves forward, it is not twisted beyond recognition as to its original purpose.
Elevates the Triennial Convention - The decisive nature of this process, quickly culminating in a decision by the general conference body rather than meandering about the denomination, elevates the importance of the Triennial Convention. Given our current size (244 churches), we should all the more be acting as a unified whole rather than provincially. If we will expect people to travel from many miles around and spend a week away from home and sometimes family, the business of the general conference ought to be of great import and not a fait accompli, an expensive rubber stamp.
As an aside - if you doubt the relevance of sorting this out, I would humbly suggest that you consider my article regarding Advent Christian Identity for the 21st Century. Again, only speaking personally, it seems to me that our Declaration of Principles is well overdue for a facelift. The first DOP was formed in 1881 and it received a complete facelift in 1900 (see both here, courtesy of Robert Mayer’s book). If Advent Christians of that time were at liberty to make such changes a mere 19 years later, we should enjoy the same liberty over 120 years later.
In whatever ways we might agree or disagree on possible changes, we should all desire a clear and honest process for considering such proposals. I believe this amendment fits the bill.
READ NEXT - Triennial Matters: The Present and Future Executive Director
