Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual for 2005 - Adventist Archives

282 Pages·2006·1.62 MB·English

Seventh-day
Adventist

CHURCH
MANUAL

Revised 2005
17th Edition

Published by the Secretariat
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Copyright © 2005 by the Secretariat,
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible texts are from the King James
Version.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are from the New American Standard
Bible, copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975,
1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Texts credited to NEB are from The New English Bible. © The Delegates
of the Oxford University Press and the Syndics of the Cambridge
University Press 1961, 1970. Reprinted by permission.

Texts credited to NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International
Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society.
Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

Bible texts credited to RSV are from the Revised Standard Version of the
Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, 1971, by the Division of Christian
Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the
U.S.A. Used by permission.

Texts credited to RV are from The Holy Bible, Revised Version, Oxford
University Press, 1911.

Printed in U.S.A.

09 08 07 06 5 4 3 2 1

ISBN 0-8280-1947-9 hardcover
ISBN 0-8280-1948-7 paperback

Printed and distributed by the
Review and Herald® Publishing Association
Hagerstown, Maryland 21740
Table of Contents

Introduction ...................................................................................... xix
Historical Development of the Seventh-day Adventist Church ... xix
Historical Development of the Church Manual .......................... xix
Content of the Church Manual...................................................... xxi
Procedure for Changes in the Church Manual ............................. xxi
Clarification of Meaning .............................................................. xxii
Use of Terms in the Church Manual ............................................ xxii
The Present Edition ..................................................................... xxiii

CHAPTER 1
Authority of the Church and the Church Manual ......................... 1
Church Authority in the Early Church .......................................... 1
Church Authority in the Seventh-day Adventist Church ............... 1

CHAPTER 2
Church of the Living God ................................................................ 3
No Wall of Partition ...................................................................... 3
Supreme Object of Christ’s Regard ............................................... 4
Opposition of the Enemy ............................................................... 5
Church Complete in Christ ............................................................ 6

CHAPTER 3
Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists ............................ 9

CHAPTER 4
Organization Founded on Divine Principles .................................. 21
Biblical Basis for Organization ..................................................... 21
Vital Importance of Organization .................................................. 22
Divine Purpose in Organization .................................................... 23

CHAPTER 5
Form of Organization in the Seventh-day Adventist Church 25
Forms of Church Government ....................................................... 25
Four Constituent Levels in the Seventh-day Adventist
Organization ....................................................................... 26
Church’s Institutions ..................................................................... 26

v
vi CHURCH MANUAL

General Conference the Highest Authority .................................. 27
Authority of the Church and the Church Manual .................. 28

CHAPTER 6
Church Membership ........................................................................ 29
Membership on a Spiritual Basis ................................................... 29
Baptism a Gospel Requirement ..................................................... 29
Baptism a Prerequisite to Church Membership ....................... 30
Mode of Baptism ...................................................................... 30
Ministers Thoroughly to Instruct Candidates Previous
to Baptism ........................................................................... 30
Public Examination .................................................................. 31
Baptismal Covenant ................................................................. 31
Baptismal Vow and Baptism ......................................................... 32
Baptismal Vow ........................................................................ 32
Vow ..................................................................................... 32
Vow (Alternative) ................................................................ 33
Certificate of Baptism and Commitment .................................. 34
Commitment ........................................................................ 34
Welcoming Candidates ............................................................ 35
Receiving Members Who Are Not Known ................................ 35
Baptismal Ceremony ................................................................ 35
Regular Standing ........................................................................... 36
Transferring Members ................................................................... 36
Transferring Church Members ................................................ 36
Method of Granting Letters of Transfer ................................... 36
Clerk to Prepare Letter ............................................................ 37
Alternative Method for Membership Transfer ......................... 37
Membership During Interval of Transfer ................................. 37
Receiving of Members Disturbed by World Conditions ........... 37
Counted in Statistical Reports .................................................. 38
If Member Is Not Accepted ....................................................... 38
No Letters to Members Under Discipline ................................ 38
Church Letters Granted Only to Those in Regular Standing ... 38
Not to Vote Letter Without Member’s Approval ...................... 38
Church Boards Cannot Grant Letters ...................................... 39
Conference/Mission/Field Church ................................................. 39
Organized Companies ................................................................... 40
Queries Concerning Receiving and Removing Members .............. 40
Receiving Members on Profession of Faith ............................. 41
Removing Names ...................................................................... 42
No Retired Membership List .................................................... 42
TABLE OF CONTENTS vii

Rebaptism ...................................................................................... 42
Individuals From Other Christian Communions ..................... 43
Apostasy and Rebaptism .......................................................... 43
Inappropriate Rebaptism ......................................................... 43

CHAPTER 7
Church Officers and Their Duties .................................................. 45
Their Qualifications ....................................................................... 45
Moral Fitness ........................................................................... 45
Religious Fitness ...................................................................... 45
Church Must Be Guarded and Fed .......................................... 46
Respect and Deference Due to Ministers and Officers
of the Church ...................................................................... 47
Not to Be Hurried Into Office .................................................. 47
Those Opposed to Unity Not Suitable for Office ...................... 48
Unsafe to Choose Those Who Refuse to Cooperate
With Others ......................................................................... 48
Membership Required for Election ............................................... 49
Term of Office ............................................................................... 49
Church Elder ................................................................................. 49
Office an Important One .......................................................... 49
A Religious Leader of the Church ............................................ 50
Capable of Ministering the Word ............................................. 50
Term of Office .......................................................................... 50
Ordination of Local Elder ........................................................ 50
Training and Equipping of Local Elders ................................. 51
Work of Church Elder Is Local ................................................ 51
To Foster All Lines of Church Work ........................................ 51
Relationship to the Ordained Minister .................................... 51
Conduct of Church Services ..................................................... 52
Baptismal Service ..................................................................... 52
Marriage Ceremony ................................................................. 52
To Cooperate With the Conference/Mission/Field ................... 53
To Foster Worldwide Work ...................................................... 53
To Foster Tithing ..................................................................... 53
To Distribute Responsibility ..................................................... 54
First Elder ................................................................................ 54
Elder Not a Delegate Ex Officio .............................................. 54
Limitation of Authority ............................................................. 54
Church Leaders ............................................................................. 54
Deacon ........................................................................................... 55
Importance of the Office .......................................................... 55
Board of Deacons .................................................................... 56
viii CHURCH MANUAL

Deacons Must Be Ordained ..................................................... 56
Deacons Not Authorized to Preside ......................................... 56
Duties of Deacons .................................................................... 57
Assistance at Services and Meetings................................... 57
Visitation of Members ......................................................... 57
Preparation for Baptismal Services .................................... 57
Assistance at the Communion Service ................................ 57
Care of the Sick and the Poor ............................................. 57
Care and Maintenance of Church Property ....................... 57
Deaconess ...................................................................................... 58
Duties of Deaconesses ............................................................. 58
Assistance at Baptisms ........................................................ 58
Arrangements for the Communion Service ......................... 58
Care of the Sick and the Poor ............................................. 58
Board of Deaconesses .............................................................. 59
Church Clerk ................................................................................. 59
An Important Office ................................................................. 59
No Names Added or Removed Without Vote of the Church ..... 59
Transferring Members ............................................................. 59
Corresponding With Members ................................................. 59
Delegates’ Credentials for Conference/Mission/Field Session 59
Reports to Be Furnished Promptly ........................................... 60
Church Records ....................................................................... 60
Church Treasurer ........................................................................... 60
A Sacred Work ......................................................................... 60
Church Treasurer the Custodian of All Church Funds ............ 60
Conference/Mission/Field Funds ............................................. 61
Sabbath School Funds .............................................................. 61
Adventist Youth Society Funds ................................................. 61
Local Church Funds ................................................................ 61
Funds of Auxiliary Organizations ............................................. 62
Safeguarding the Purpose of Funds ......................................... 62
Money for Personal Literature Orders .................................... 62
Proper Method for Payment of Money by Members ................ 63
Receipts to Church Members ................................................... 63
Proper Method of Remitting Funds to the Conference/
Mission/Field ...................................................................... 63
Preservation of Financial Documents ..................................... 63
Books Should Be Audited ......................................................... 63
Relations With Members Confidential ..................................... 64
Interest Coordinator ....................................................................... 64
A Church Officer Removed From Church Membership ............... 64
Induction Service ........................................................................... 65
TABLE OF CONTENTS ix

Notes ............................................................................................. 67
Involving Every Member in Ministry ....................................... 67
Small Group Ministries ............................................................ 68
Training and Equipping of Local Elders ................................. 71
Marriage Ceremony ................................................................. 71
Preparation for Baptismal Services ......................................... 71
Care and Maintenance of Church Property ............................. 71
An Important Office ................................................................. 72
Corresponding With Members ................................................. 72
Reports to Be Furnished Promptly ........................................... 72
Money for Personal Literature Orders .................................... 72

CHAPTER 8
Services and Meetings of the Church ............................................. 75
General Principles ......................................................................... 75
Spiritual Worship ..................................................................... 75
Purpose of the Services and Meetings of the Church ............... 75
Reverence for the House of Worship ........................................ 75
Children to Be Taught Reverence ............................................ 76
Decorum and Quietness in the Place of Worship ..................... 76
Arrangements for Church Meetings.......................................... 77
Hospitality ................................................................................ 77
Unauthorized Speakers in Our Churches ................................. 77
Place of Music in Worship ............................................................ 78
Place of Music in Worship ....................................................... 78
Sing With the Spirit and the Understanding ............................. 78
Selecting Choir Leaders ........................................................... 78
Providers of Church Music ...................................................... 79
Sabbath Services ........................................................................... 79
Sabbath School ......................................................................... 79
Worship Service ....................................................................... 80
Sacredness of the Sabbath Worship Hour ................................ 80
Form of Service ........................................................................ 80
Announcements ........................................................................ 80
Public Prayer ........................................................................... 81
Communion Service ...................................................................... 81
Ordinance of Foot-Washing ..................................................... 82
Unleavened Bread and Unfermented Wine .............................. 83
A Memorial of the Crucifixion ................................................. 83
A Proclamation of the Second Coming..................................... 83
Announcing the Communion Service ....................................... 83
Conducting the Communion Service ........................................ 84
Length of Service ................................................................ 84
x CHURCH MANUAL

Preliminaries ...................................................................... 84
Foot-Washing ..................................................................... 84
Bread and Wine .................................................................. 84
Celebration ......................................................................... 84
Who May Participate ............................................................... 85
Every Member Should Attend .................................................. 85
Who May Conduct Communion Service .................................. 86
Communion for the Sick ........................................................... 86
Prayer Meeting .............................................................................. 86
Adventist Youth Society ............................................................... 87
Adventist Junior Youth Society ..................................................... 87
Pathfinder Club ............................................................................. 88
Adventurer Club ............................................................................ 88
Church Outreach (Missionary) Meetings ...................................... 88
Times of Meetings .................................................................... 89
Supplying Literature on the Sabbath ........................................ 89
Business Meetings ......................................................................... 89
Church Board and Its Meetings ..................................................... 90
Definition and Function ........................................................... 90
Membership ............................................................................. 90
Officers ..................................................................................... 91
Meetings ................................................................................... 91
Work of the Board .................................................................... 91
Committees of the Board .......................................................... 92
School Board Meetings ................................................................. 93
Home and School Association ....................................................... 93
Notes ............................................................................................. 95
Form of Service ........................................................................ 95
Form of Service ........................................................................ 96
Longer Order of Worship ................................................... 96
Shorter Order of Worship ................................................... 96
Foot-Washing .......................................................................... 96
Bread and Wine ........................................................................ 97
Adventist Youth Society ............................................................ 98
Adventist Youth Society ............................................................ 98
Adventist Junior Youth Society ................................................ 98
Times of Meetings .................................................................... 98
Business Meetings .................................................................... 99
Committees of the Board ........................................................ 100

CHAPTER 9
Auxiliary Organizations of the Church and Their Officers ....... 101
Personal Ministries Department .................................................. 101
TABLE OF CONTENTS xi

Personal Ministries Council .................................................. 102
Personal Ministries Leader .................................................... 102
Personal Ministries Secretary ................................................ 102
Community Services/Dorcas Society ...................................... 102
Community Services Center ................................................... 103
Adventist Men ........................................................................ 103
Ministry to People With Disabilities ...................................... 103
Bible School Coordinator ...................................................... 103
Sabbath School Department ........................................................ 103
Sabbath School Council ......................................................... 104
Superintendent ....................................................................... 105
Assistant Superintendent ........................................................ 105
Secretary ................................................................................ 106
Assistant Secretary ................................................................. 106
Investment Secretary .............................................................. 106
Vacation Bible School Director ............................................. 106
Music Director ....................................................................... 106
Pianist and/or Organist ......................................................... 106
Sabbath School Division Leaders .......................................... 106
Extension Division ................................................................. 107
Sabbath School Teachers ....................................................... 107
Sabbath School Teachers’ Meeting ........................................ 107
Sabbath School Lessons ......................................................... 108
Sabbath School Offerings ....................................................... 108
Expense Money ........................................................................ 108
Quarterly Report ...................................................................... 108
Adventist Youth Society ............................................................... 109
Mission Statement .................................................................... 110
Objectives ................................................................................. 110
Membership in the Adventist Youth Society ............................. 111
Adventist Youth Ministries Committee ..................................... 111
Adventist Youth Society Committee .......................................... 111
Officers of the Adventist Youth Society .................................... 112
Youth Leader and Associate Youth Leader .............................. 112
Secretary-Treasurer and Assistant ........................................... 112
Adventist Youth Society Sponsor .............................................. 113
Adventist Youth Features ......................................................... 113
Devotional and Educational ............................................... 113
Witnessing ........................................................................... 113
Recreation ........................................................................... 114
Adventist Junior Youth Society ..................................................... 114
Adventist Junior Youth Pledge ............................................ 114
Adventist Junior Youth Law ................................................ 115
xii CHURCH MANUAL

AY Classes ................................................................................ 115
Adventist Youth Honors ........................................................... 115
Pathfinder Club ............................................................................. 115
Adventurer Club ............................................................................ 116
Christian Education and the Church School .................................. 117
Philosophy ............................................................................... 117
Objectives ................................................................................. 117
Education Secretary ................................................................. 117
Home and School Association ....................................................... 118
Purpose .................................................................................... 118
Objectives ................................................................................. 118
Membership ............................................................................. 118
Officers ..................................................................................... 119
Leader ...................................................................................... 119
Secretary-Treasurer ................................................................. 119
Ex Officio ................................................................................. 119
Church School Board .................................................................... 119
Membership ............................................................................. 119
Officers ..................................................................................... 120
Relation of Union School Boards to the Local Churches ........ 120
Term of Office .......................................................................... 120
Meetings ................................................................................... 120
Qualifications ........................................................................... 120
Duties of the Officers ............................................................... 121
Functions ................................................................................. 121
Communication Department ......................................................... 121
Importance of Effective Communication .................................. 121
Organization ............................................................................ 122
Communication Secretary’s Work ........................................... 122
Communication Committee ...................................................... 122
Relation to Other Departments of Church ............................... 122
In Large Adventist Centers ...................................................... 123
Qualifications ........................................................................... 123
Health Ministries Department ....................................................... 123
Health Ministries Leader ......................................................... 123
Associate Health Ministries Leader ......................................... 124
Health Ministries Council ........................................................ 124
Health Ministries Activities ...................................................... 124
Health Ministries Society ......................................................... 124
World Health Ministries Sabbath Offering .............................. 124
Stewardship Department ............................................................... 124
Stewardship Leader ................................................................. 125
Family Ministries Department........................................................ 125