A General Conference Session always presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (well, once every five years) to connect to a local community. It's an unusual connection (how often do you have 70,000 people descend on your neighborhood?) but it definitely makes an impression. What kind of impression will we leave in St. Louis?
As nice as we like to think we are, it is actually quite easy to leave a negative impression on a town. We are often known for our thriftiness (“They come to town with ten commandments and ten dollars and break neither.”) and we don't boost the local economy in usual ways of conventions. Bars, clubs, and casinos don't see any bump in their bottom line when we come to town which, in the hometown of Anheuser-Busch, is a significant statement. If restaurants stock up on clam chowder or pork chops, they're in for a rude awakening.
The General Conference staff is working with St. Louis to ensure their expectations match what we will and will not deliver. The necessary information is being shared so they are ready for our lifestyle choices. But there are also things each of us can do as a guest of St. Louis that will leave a positive impression of Seventh-day Adventists in that community.
We will have a prime opportunity to mingle with the community during the first weekend of the Session when the city celebrates the American Independence holiday, the 4th of July. It's a three-day event called “Fair St. Louis” that will involve thousands of people milling around downtown Saturday through Monday. Some of it takes place during our Sabbath hours, but remember that part about doing good on Sabbath? Friendliness is a two-way street. We are known for being polite, nice, and smiling, but we can also take time to listen and receive from people of St. Louis. It can do a world of good.
Reger Smith, Jr., news writer for GC Session News, the official bulletin issued by the General Conference Communication Department in cooperation with the Session Planning Committee. For additional information visit www.gcsession.org.
