Elder Harold Batiste, who has been secretary for the North American Division (NAD) for the past 12 years, has just accepted a position as a vice-president of the General Conference. He has been particularly effective, well liked, and able to work well with everyone. He will be missed. Incidentally, his wife recently retired as Kofi Annan's (head of the UN) personal secretary for some thirty years!

Elected in Batiste's place was Roscoe Howard, who has been secretary of the Mid-America Union.

Larry Evans, recently, as of six months ago, president of the Georgia-Cumberland Conference, and presently assistant to Don Schneider, president of NAD, has accepted a call to serve as under-secretary of the General Conference (GC). No replacement has as yet been named.

Principal actions taken are:

-- An increase in the "wage factor" by 1.1percent, effective next July 1... And as it can be afforded by individual Unions and Conferences.

-- Increase in the Retirement Fund Assessment from 9 percent to 9.5 percent for 2003, with another .5 percent increase in 2004.

-- A change in the manner which all salaries will be calculated stated to not actually reflect any change in pay, using a "100" as the norm rather than the present "150" scale. It will have the effect of a slight increase for those "over" the 100 mark (examples are: president of the GC--115, NAD--112, Union-- I (believe) 110, with ordained ministers being pegged at 100. (This scale was recommended by the study commission as being in the long run a more practical way to evaluate and deal with pay issues.)

In any case, regardless of future changes, none of those now receiving COL allowances--almost all pastors/administrators-would have their assistance lowered from that amount presently being received.

-- Calculation of retirement pay (as well as payments into Retirement Fund), will be based on both pay and Cost of Living allowances (COLA). COLA will be based on ERI calculations, which would be open for reevaluation yearly.

-- Changes made to the health plan include increases in deductibles... essentially across the board. Coverages would otherwise remain the same.

There were discussions on many issues, but the vast majorities were "housekeeping" issues related to the items above.

Reflections: The morning worship hours were truly inspiring. Juan Pestol, NAD treasurer, presented the Monday morning devotional entitled "Business Christians," which was truly powerful. Elder Batiste was the presenter on Tuesday, and the newly elected secretary of the NAD, Roscoe Howard, was Wednesday morning's presenter.

Don Schneider, NAD president, has the ability to lead without seeming effort, yet moves the agenda smoothly along. Even when thorny items were at issue, there was a spirit of goodwill overall.

Whatever the immediate future for our church, I can truly say it was a privilege to be part of this group.