General Conference Session: How Much Will It Cost?

General Conference Sessions are probably the most expensive meetings held by the Church on a regular basis and yet, at the same time, one of the least expensive means of helping to keep a united church. They certainly are not the only factors contributing to the unity of the worldwide Church, but they go a long way in keeping us together as a denomination and give an opportunity for wide input in the selection of leadership, setting of Church polices and review of progress toward fulfillment of the gospel commission.

The General Conference budget bears the costs of the Session facilities and programming, as well as travel and accommodation expenses for most GC Executive Committee members and support staff. It also covers major costs for media coverage, including the audiovisual and technical support to provide image magnification for those in attendance at the SkyDome as well as uplinking reports and programs for satellite and Internet transmission around the globe. This technology allows major sectors of our world membership to participate in the Session experience even if they cannot be present in Toronto.

The General Conference has set aside approximately US$5.5 million in its budget over the past five years to cover the costs for the Session. Although US$5.5 million is a large sum of money and must be spent wisely, it represents approximately ten cents per member per year over the five-year period.

The SkyDome will be a blessing in that it will allow seating on the weekends for approximately 65,000 delegates and visitors; however, it was not designed with an event such as the GC Session in mind. It requires a major outlay of funds to provide image magnification, satisfactory sound quality, and satellite uplinks of the programs.

* The facility rental for both the SkyDome and the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, as well as facility services such as cleaning, ushering and security, which must be provided by contract, total a little over US$900,000.

* The delegate expense, including travel and accommodations, of the GC Executive Committee members, for which the General Conference is responsible, totals approximately US$510,000.

* The cost for equipment and furniture rental, stage design and stage construction is approximately US$470,000.

* The cost related to image magnification, audio and lighting in the SkyDome, as well as the production costs for the crew and management to operate the cameras and audio system, is just under US$1,000,000.

* The cost for broadcast production, facilities and crew is approximately US$640,000 while the satellite rental to enable our members around the world to downlink the reports and programs will run around US$400,000.

* Providing sound systems and image magnification in the larger halls for the women's meetings, youth meetings, children's programs and in over 70 other rooms will cost over US$280,000.

* Support staff and services, including travel and accommodations, costs over US$250,000.

* Programming and materials run close to US$235,000.

* There is a budget of US$85,000 for simultaneous interpretation into 12 languages.

* It will cost over US$140,000 for printing of the extra issues of the Adventist Review which serves as the official minutes of the GC Session.

There are also additional costs to the Divisions which are not reflected in the above figures. These costs include travel and accommodation expenses for their delegates, as well as preparation of their Division reports and exhibits.

We pray that all who participate in this GC Session experience will be greatly blessed and as they return to their homes, churches and institutions, they will have a greater resolve to complete the mission of the church so we will have no need for further GC Sessions. [Robert Lemon]