The General Conference (GC) Session began late Thursday afternoon and among the very first tasks were the caucuses in each of the 13 world divisions where the members of the nominating committee were selected. As the evening session began, with Dr. Ella Simmons, the first woman to serve as a GC vice president, in the chair, the delegates voted to appoint the 200-plus names that were put forward in the caucuses.

The major item of the Thursday evening session was the President's Report. Part video documentary and part sermon, Dr. Jan Paulsen summarized the broad themes which he has repeatedly addressed throughout the decade he has served as world leader of the Adventist denomination-unity of a diverse movement, centering on Christ and treating the world and one another with humility and compassion. The video interviews showed him in personal conversation with local churches, pastors, young people, women, immigrants and lay leaders in many different cultures on each continent.

His strongest plea was for understanding and unity; that cultural tolerance is necessary to unity in a movement that will be "40 million adherents in ten years." He emphasized that the conditions within which the Adventist faith exists today is significantly changed from the past. "We are no longer small and inconsequential to the world in which we live." Europe, North America and Australia face unprecedented secularism. Urbanization is moving rapidly in Africa and Latin America.

He was open and honest about the challenges faced by the denomination. "All is not well," he stated. He referred to the deep conflicts between educated young adults who have grown up in the faith and older generations, the tensions between immigrants who make up the majority of the church in many lands, and the big dropout problem that faces the church.

At nearly 75 years of age he evidently felt that he had to deal with the questions about whether he plans to retire at this session. "I have not given an answer," he said to the delegates. He indicated that he has been in prayer for some time, seeking an indication from God as to whether he should continue. "If some of you get a word from the Lord in the next day or so, please let me know," he said with a smile. He knows that the nominating committee will consider this issue on Friday morning.

"Maybe this is the time to leave. We have struggled with this. We are not ready to give an answer." It is very likely to no GC president since James White in the 19th century has been so open with a GC Session on this topic. It was a golden example of Paulsen's gentle, quiet, open and kind style. And another reason why he should continue to serve. I will confess to you that I hope he is re-elected. I believe that none of the likely successors will bring as much wisdom, compassion and authenticity to the job as Paulsen does.

Tomorrow will tell the tale. Probably the single most important decision at this session should be completed by lunch time. Look for the first report of the nominating committee by the time the delegates reconvene after lunch, around 1:30 or 2 p.m. If the chairman goes on to other items and there is no nominating report, then it means that the committee is having as much difficulty dealing with this decision as Elder Paulsen evidently is.

One of the most curious elements of his presentation was the closing "Irish Blessing." It clearly displayed his European background. It was so different from the kind of closing that American administrators have traditionally given to such presentations. It had a wistful feel to it. Perhaps the tone of this poem says more about what he has decided than anything else.

"May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sunshine warm your face,

The rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of his hand."

I confess. The tears rolled down my cheeks. I am afraid it is the end of an era; an era of progress, relative internal peace and the strongest strides forward in the history of the church.

We shall see.