BY NATHAN BROWN, editor of Signs Publishing Company in Australia

As I sit in my comfortable delegate's seat (perhaps becoming a little less so after a week of sitting), millions in London and-as the news updates bounce around the world-countless more are reeling with the shock of another deadly terrorist attack. The story will continue to unfold over the next few hours and days, so any details I might give here would likely be out of date by the time this appears in print. But that these bombings are tragic was quickly realized as beyond question.

And so it was appropriate that, as the morning's business session was called to order, a statement responding to the London bombings was read, and Pastor Cecil Perry, president of the British Union Conference, prayed for the injured, the families of the victims, his homeland, and our world.

It almost goes without saying that there was no dissent, objection, or points of procedures raised. As such, this moment was one of the exceptions.

After a week of General Conference business sessions, one thing that has become obvious is the deep difficulties and frustration that come with trying to make decisions at such an international church level. While we speak of unity, on many issues the worldwide church is less than one.

Perhaps some would claim this is simply part of the natural interaction amid a dynamic spiritual movement. But at times it seems the session processes and governance are groaning under the weight of a church that has experienced dramatic growth and draws delegates from a myriad of nationalities, languages, and cultures.

Yet the pause at the beginning of yesterday's business highlighted the real unity among this diverse group: It's about people. Our unity of purpose is found in reaching out to hurting people, seeking to connect them with the love of God in practical and spiritual ways. As the statement read to delegates put it, "Seventh-day Adventists are people of peace and compassion."

While not wanting to endorse the tragedies of our world, it's perhaps in these life-shaking moments that our message and acts of compassion and hope make most sense. While we all struggle to explain the horrific absurdity of such evil acts, I'm proud to belong to a church that steps up with some answers amid the tragic headlines. I'm proud that Adventist churches in the London region are open as places of prayer, and that Adventists are seeking to assist in whatever way they can in response to these attacks.

These are the most recent examples of the worldwide work of a people of hope, represented by the thousands of delegates and visitors at this session. While we probably all have our disappointments, our frustrations, and our divergent views on where the church should go on various issues, we are united in our mission to help and love others. And together-to borrow again from the statement shared by delegates-"we look forward to the time when all sin, death, and suffering are no more, when Jesus returns."