"All the policies, purposes and procedures of this Union shall be in harmony with the working policies and procedures of the North American Division and the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists."
Vote is to change to:
"In general, the policies, purposes and procedures of this Union will be in harmony with the working policies and procedures of the North American Division and the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists."
Those two words can potentially make a huge difference in what can be allowed in the union.
As has been pointed out elsewhere, changing the practice of women's ordination could be only the beginning.
In contradistinction, the CUC vote was narrowly confined to the issue of WO.
In their full implication, the change of these words is as important as the difference between love and sin, light and dark, saved or lost. Think about it. "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." James 2:10. There can be no half-hardheartedness. There is no such thing as half-loyalty. To stray on one point is to betray one's entire purpose. We are either united or we are not. Unit can only take place when believers are of one mind and one accord, agreed in truth and practice. "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" Amos 3:3.
None would dare tell JEHOVAH that they will be obey Him in most things but in some they will choose to do as they please. And if we wouldn't do this to God, then how dare we do this to His remnant church and corporately choose to say "We shall do as we will" on these certain points, casting away all the light given to us a people, and primarily the Sanctuary Message. Woe unto the conferences, unions, and bodies of believers who dare do this at this hour for they are openly rebelling against the King of the Universe.
O.K. this is a prime example of what I was refering to on another thread.
Suddenly we see this impassioned loyality and total obedience to the GC policies.
Yet, I would wager that most of the conservatives that are now so strong in insisting the GC votes are next to the voice of God, have, in times passed not been all that supportive of the GC at all.
Just take the vote on marriage policies passed by the GC in session, in the year 2000, in Toronto.
I can't even remember the details but I do remember the fury expressed against the vote.
It was some of the same people (not on this forum) who voiced rather "rebellious" thoughts about the vote, that now advocate total obedience "in all things" not "in general" to the GC policies.
Conservatives usually don't show that much support for the General Conference, so it's interesting that in this issue they are ready to make it the "voice of God" in all policies.
On the other side -- there is A LOT of things going on in this beloved denomination, that is out of line with our established beliefs, and that has long ago wonder far afield from total obedience to GOD. This is definitely not "the beginning>'
I do agree we need to follow God all the time.