WHY CHURCH MANUAL?

why church manual?
Key points from the chapter:
I.                    The need of church manual
II.                  How to use the church manual
III.                Terms used in the church manual
IV.                How and who changes the church manual
God is a God of order as evidenced in his works of creation and redemption. Order belongs to the essence of his Church in the World. Order may achieve only through principles and regulations that guide the Church in its internal operations and in the fulfillment of its mission to the World. In order to be a successful ecclesiastical organization at the service of the Lord and humanity, it needs order, rule, and discipline. The Seventh- Day Adventist Church observing order, having rules, principles and regulations which are put together in the book called ‘’a Church manual’’.
The Church manual was published in the year 1932 after General Conference committee voted to publish it in the year 1931. As the Church Worldwide grew rapidly in the early twentieth century, it increasingly recognized the need for a manual for worldwide use by its pastors and lay members. ‘’It has become increasingly evident that a manual on Church government is needed to set forth and preserve our denominational practices.
NEW INSIGHT: To know the year of first publication of the Church manual, this was the year 1932
The Church manual describes the operation and functions of local Churches and their relationship to denominational structures in which they hold membership. The Church manual also expresses the Christian’s understanding if Christian life and Church governance and discipline based on biblical principles and the authority of duly assembled General Conference session.
It is the only General Conference which have mandate of making changes of the Church manual, this happen through his session after five years regularly. In the year 1948 the General Conference vote that ‘’ all changes or revisions of policy that are to be made in the Church manual shall be authorized by the General Conference session’’ General conference report, no. 8, p 197 ( June 14, 1946)
If a local Church, Conference, or Union wishes to propose a Church manual revision, it should submit its proposal to the next constituent level for counsel and study. If the level approves the proposal, they submit the suggested revision to the next level for additional evaluation. If the various levels approve the proposal, it eventually comes before the General Conference Church committee, which considers all recommendations. When the General Conference Church committee approves a revision, it prepares it for presentation at an Annual Council and then in General Conference session.
CRITIQUE: The Church manual show how the Seventh- Day Adventist Church is so organized as one Church in the worldwide, this is very clear when there is need of changes, the process of changes is not simple because it must involves all churches in the world.
TWO NEW INSIGHTS: The process of making changes in church manual is a new insight to me.
Also the second new insight is the arrangement of the meetings of from the local Church, Conference/field, Union Conference or Mission, General Conference Committee, General Conference annual Counsel and then the General Conference session after five years.
APPLICATION: I am going to teach in my field of work the important of reading and following the Church manual.

CHAPTER 4
PASTORS AND OTHER CHURCH EMPLOYEES
Key points from the chapter
I.                    The call of God for all men and women
II.                  The conference president and the church authority
III.                The Pastor/minister
IV.                The Conference Departmental Directors
I.                     The call of God for all men and women.
God called pastors and other men and women for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. ’’ Men appointed of God have chosen to watch with jealous care, perseverance, that the church may not be overthrown by the evil devices of Satan, but that she may stand in the World to promote the glory of God among men’’.
II.                   The Conference president and the church authority 
In the Seventh - day Adventist church in the level of the Conference, the president of the Conference is an ordained pastor, who act or stand as the head of the gospel ministry in the Conference, and is the chief elder, or overseer of all the churches. The President work in cooperation with the Conference Departmental Directors under the general direction of the Conference committee.
III.    The Pastor and his work
Pastors in the church are divided into two categories, ordained pastors and non-ordained pastor. By virtue of ordination, the pastor is qualified to function in all rites and ceremonies. The pastor should be the congregation’s spiritual leader and adviser. Pastors should instruct the officers in their duties and plan with them for all lines of the church work and activity. The Pastor serves as chairmen of the church board, assisted by elders. A Pastor should officiate at the communion service and baptism. Pastors are not nominated or elected by the local church, but they appointed by the Conference committee.
The non-ordained pastors or licensed minister are granted ministerial by the conference confers the opportunity to develop the ministerial gift. Licensed are authorized to preach, to engage in evangelism, to lead out in outreach (missionary) work, to assist in all church activities. The Conference committee directs all employees, such as pastors, Bible instructors, and departmental directors who receive their credentials and are responsible to the Conference, not the local church. The Conference Committee may change employee or to remove whenever it believes they are needed. Official credentials and licenses are issued to all authorized full-time church employees and are granted by controlling committees for limited periods.
IV.                The Conference Departmentals
Departmental Directors their relation to local churches is advisory and not vested with administrative or executive authority.
NEW INSIGHT: To understand that, the ordained pastor is one who qualified to function in all rites and ceremonies in the entire Church.

CHAPTER 5
ORGANIZING, UNITING, AND DISSOLVING CHURCHES AND COMPANIES
Key points from the chapter:
I.                    How to organize a company and a church.
II.                  Uniting and dissolving churches
III.                Care of members, Records and Fund
I.     How to organize companies and churches
The great work and only the commission of the Church is to preach the gospel and ensuring the welfare of those who accept that message. When a company of baptized believer is prepared to assume the responsibility of an organized Church, the procedure for organizing the Company to be a Church should take place. The Church pastor should consult the President of the Conference or Field and obtain approval from the Conference Executive Committee prior to seek a date for organization to take place.
The procedure of organizing the company to be the Church include to make a call of names of all who are in agreement with the principles of all who  desire to unite in Church fellowship to come forward. The name of each person should be recorded.
Three members preferably established Sabbath keepers among those present should be selected as a nucleus. They may be asked some questions according to what they believe, and then the names of other members of the Company are called one after another. Each person asked the question listed in the preceding paragraph.
After the Church is complete, then the members of new Church should nominating committee for the procedure of electing the new officers of the Church. After election and ordination of the Elders and Deacons, the Church is fully organized and ready for the service.
COMPANIES: When a number of isolated believers reside near one another or where they belong to a small group they should form a company of believers for fellowship and worship with the objective of growing into an organized Church. Church members who are part of small groups may form the nucleus of a new company. The district pastor shall preside at such meeting.
                        II.    Uniting and dissolving churches
When it is advisable to unite two churches, the conference committee should recommend such a course. When favorable action has been taken by both churches, a joint meeting of the two churches should be arranged, with the conference president presiding or in his absence an ordained pastor appointed by the conference. A carefully written statement of agreement should be prepared setting forth the reasons for uniting and stating any special matters or conditions involved, such as the disposal of property and responsibility for financial obligations. It should provide for the new name of the united church and for the release from service of all officers of the two churches. Members of the new congregation then should choose a nominating committee to nominate officers to serve for the remainder of the current year. A copy of the agreement should then be filed with the conference. The united body becomes responsible for the order and discipline of all members. Members under discipline should be dealt with as provided elsewhere in this man ual. All records of both churches become a part of the records of the united body. The local conference should be notified so that it may take suitable actions at its next session.
IV.                Care of members, Records and Fund
 Loyal members of a dissolved or expelled church may desire to retain their memberships in the Church. To ensure their welfare, their memberships shall be provisionally held for up to one year in the conference church to allow opportunity for those who desire to have their memberships in the conference church confirmed or transferred to another church. Their standing shall be evaluated by the conference committee, and, if satisfactory, the conference committee may recommend them for membership in the conference church or churches of their choice.
Loyal members of a dissolved or expelled church may desire to retain their memberships in the Church. To ensure their welfare, their memberships shall be provisionally held for up to one year in the conference church to allow opportunity for those who desire to have their memberships in the conference church confirmed or transferred to another church. Their standing shall be evaluated by the conference committee, and, if satisfactory, the conference committee may recommend them for membership in the conference church or churches of their choice. The names of members of a dissolved or expelled church who are under discipline shall be referred to the conference secretary for early attention by the conference committee as set out in “Loss of Members,” above.
On dissolution or expulsion of a church for loss of members or for disciplinary reasons, all offerings, financial accounts, and all property real or personal, whether held in the name of the local church or the conference or other denominational legal association, are held in trust for the conference.
The conference therefore has the right, the authority, and the duty to administer, protect, or dispose of such property and funds.
 All records of the on dissolution or expulsion of a church for loss of members or for disciplinary reasons, all offerings, financial accounts, and all property real or personal, whether held in the name of the local church or the conference or other denominational legal association, are held in trust for the conference. The conference therefore has the right, the authority, and the duty to administer, protect, or dispose of such property and funds. All records of the


NEW INSIGHT: To know that, the person who is a member of the company and not participate in the day of organizing the Company to be a Church, he must apply for transfer of his name from the mother church.
CRITIQUE:  The good procedure of how the Company is organized to fully organized Church.
APPLICATION; Because the commission of Jesus Christ to the Church is preach the gospel and ensuring the welfare of those accepted the message, for the grace of God i promise to take an active part to the work of the Church, to do what i can in order to establish companies and Churches.





CHAPTER 6
MEMBERSHIP:  Key points from this chapter
The members of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church are those who are called out of darkness into his marvelous light, are the only those giving evidence of having experienced the new birth and enjoying the spiritual experience in the Lord Jesus, prepared for acceptance into membership. The only way of becoming the member of the Church is through baptism. Pastors should instruct candidates in the fundamental teachings and related practices of the Church so they will enter the Church on sound spiritual basis.
Jesus instructs the followers to go and make disciples of all nations, with baptism serving as the symbol of joining the kingdom of God. Two commitments are experienced at the rite of baptism: Commitment to Christ and his church, and the commitment to loving, befriending, and enfolding the people into the church.
The Seventh - day Adventist church believes in baptism by immersion and accepts into membership, only those who have been baptized in this manner will have the right to be acceptable as the Church members. Before baptism the baptismal candidates shall receive baptismal vow and commitment to affirm their acceptance of the fundamental beliefs in the presence of the local congregation or other properly appointed body. Those who reply all 13 questions by verbal assent, raising the hand or other culturally appropriate method will be allowed to be baptized and acceptable in the membership of the church.
The individuals from other Christian communions on Biblical ground, who have embraced Seventh - day Adventist Church beliefs, and who have previously been baptized by immersion, rebaptism may not be required. This rebaptism is a subject which each individual must conscientiously take his position upon the fear of God.
NEW INSIGHT: How is not necessary for the an individual from the other Christian Church who have been be baptized by immersion, who need to join in the Seventh- Day Adventist Church and not need to be baptized again, rebaptism is not required. Then the duty of urging belongs to no one but God though Ellen G White supports rebaptism as the spirit leads the new believer to request it. –Ev 373.
When a member move to another locality for long than six months should make immediate applications for letters of transfer. Members moving to an isolated area with no Church within a reasonable distance should apply to join the Conference church
NEW INSIGHT: How the membership of the one who not known where he or she was, shifted from the local Church where it was to the Conference Church, when he or she come back he or she has to apply for his Church membership from the Conference Church. The letters of transfer performed by the Church clerk with the members desire to unite the receiving Church, after the whole process of passing the letter to the Pastors, elders, Church boards, and the congregation for the vote of receiving or allowing to go and join the new Church.
CHAPTER 7
DISCIPLINE:
Key points from the chapter The Seventh- Day Adventist Church used the Bible and the spirit of prophet to maintain the purity, integrity, and spiritual fervor of the members of the church.
Church discipline requires a delicate balance between standing for principle and extending forgiving, loving kindness.’’ There is need of showing Christ like patience and love for erring one, but there is also danger of showing so great toleration for his error that he will look himself as undeserving of reproof, and will reject it as uncalled for and unjust’’. The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 503, 504
 Discipline is essential for preserving the integrity of the church. Discipline should be considered, not an act of punishment, but an attempt to restore people to discipleship. Discipline functions as safeguard in the church while preserving the purity of doctrine and behavior in its members.
The act of discipline ought to be a way back for someone who has wandered; discipline show how the church cares, love precedes chastening. God says, ‘’as many as I love I rebuke and chasten’’. (Rev. 3:19)
The church manual provides counsel in addressing the process of discipline in the church, represents both the Adventist understanding of the biblical principles of discipline and its wisdom, developed through practice and discussion. To ignore the church manual means to go contrary to the official position of the church in World.
 Any act of discipline must be accompanied by an emphasis on forgiveness.’’ If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sin against you seven times in a day returns to you, saying, I repent, you shall forgive him’’ (Luke 17:3, 4).  The words of Jesus recorded in Matthew 18:15-17 outline the procedure to be followed in dealing with sin in the church of God.
 While the goal of Christian discipline includes drawing an erring member back into the community of the church, at that time a rebellious heart may reject the kindest of efforts at reconciliation. The church members should maintain contact, and let former members know that they are remembered and missed.
New insights: It is danger when a pastor or church leader showing so toleration with errors without rebuke.
Critique: To remove the name of a wrongdoer from the church books
Application: The church discipline is the one which I must apply in my field work because it is responsibility to all pastors and congregation in the business meeting.
Two new insights: Discipline requires a delicate balance between standing for principle and extending forgiving chapter

CHAPTER 8
LOCAL CHURCH OFFICERS AND ORGANIZATION
Key points from the chapter: In order for the Church to have prosperity it need qualified Church officers which should exercise the greatest care when calling men and women into position of sacred responsibility. The Bible says that ‘’ Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens’’ (Ex 18:21).
Members in regular standing are eligible for election to leadership position in the Church where they hold membership. The officers of the local Church shall be one year, except where the Church in business meeting votes to have election every two years in order to facilitate continuity and development of spiritual gifts and eliminate the work involved in having yearly elections.
Elders are the religious leaders of the local Church; they must be recognized by the Church as strong spiritual leaders and must have good reputations both in the Church and community. In the absence of the Church pastor, elders are the spiritual leaders of the Church and by precept and example must seek to lead the Church into a deeper and fuller Christian experience. Ordination is required before an elder has authority to function. The elder may function as a Church leader before be ordained after election.
NEW INSIGHT: The information that, between election and ordination, the elder may function as Church leader and not Church elder.
The office of deacon as mentioned in the New testament with the Greek word diakonos, interpreted as ‘’servant, minister, writer, attendant’’ and in Christian circle has acquired the specialized meaning now attached to ‘’deacon’ ’After election Deacon must be ordained if they elected to the first time. The work of the deacon involves a wide range of the service for the Church, such as: Assistance at services and meetings, visitation of members, preparation for Baptismal service, Assistance at communion service, Care of the sick and aiding the poor and unfortunate, and care and maintenance of property.
Deaconesses were also included in the official staff of the early Christian Churches as we read to the book of Roman 16:1,2. Deaconesses should be chosen for their consecration and other qualifications that fit them for the duties of the office.
CHURCH CLERK: The function of Church clerk in the local Church is one of the important, because of those specialized functions of this office, it is wise to choose one who can be reelected to provide continuity in recording and keeping and reporting. Large Churches may need assistant clerks as needed. The Church clerk has no right to add or remove the names from the Church book without a vote of the Church, which must always vote to add or remove a name, except in the case of the death of a member.
The responsibility of Church clerk includes; Transferring members, corresponding with members, Notice of delegates for conference sessions, Reports to be furnished promptly, and Church records.
TREASURER: The treasurer can be one who can be greatly encourage faithfulness in the returning of tithe and deepen the spirit of liberality on the part of the members. Because of the important functions of the treasurer, it is wise to choose the one who can be reelected to provide continuity in recording keeping, and reporting. The treasurer is the custodian of all funds in the Church include; Conference funds, Sabbath school funds, Local Church funds, Funds of Auxiliary organization, and also Church treasurer is the Safe guarder of the purpose of funds.
The treasurer should always remember that relations with individual members are strictly confidential. The treasurer should never comment on the tithe returned by any member or on the income or anything concerning it, except to those who share the responsibility of the work. Great harm may be caused by failure to observe this rule.
In the local church we have departments and other organizations as follow down:
CHILDREN ’S MINISTRIES:  This department seeks to nurture children from birth to 14 years of age, into loving, serving relationship with Jesus. The department works closely with other ministries to further shared goals. Too much importance should be placed on the early training of children. The lessons that the  child learn during the first seven years of life have more to do with forming his character than all that it leans in future years. –CG 193
COMMUNICATION:  The communication department in the seventh day Adventist church seeks to inform and inspire the church members, as well as connect with the communities served. The communication department builds bridges of hope while endeavoring to create a favorable image of the church and its mission, life, and activities that will encourage people to become followers of Christ.
EDUCATION:  This department responsible for promoting the quality of Christian education program in the local Church. The department assists church and school leaders as they address school board governance issues, strategic planning, and accreditations matters. The source, the means, and the aim of Adventist education are a true knowledge of God, fellowship and companionship with him in study and service, and likeness to him in character development. A church as school association with a home as a school to the Christian school will do the best to the children.

HEALTH MINISTRIES: This is one of the department in the Seventh Day Adventist church,  which revealing to the community the passion and care of our Lord Jesus Christ  through concern for the wellbeing of the whole person. The essence of this ministry reveals Christ in all his beauty. This department provides to the church health seminars, health books, and other materials. Also is concern to take care for the church hospitals and dispensaries. The Church believes its responsibility to make Christ known to the world includes a moral obligation to preserve human dignity by promoting optimal level of physical, mental, and spiritual health. The leader of health ministry in the local Church should be health-oriented and interested in promoting the Church’s standards in healthful living among members and in the community through Church- operated health ministry’s programs.
MUSIC: The Church should take great care in selecting music leaders, choosing only those who are thoroughly consecrated and provide appropriate music for all Church worship services and meetings. Secular music or that of a questionable nature should never be introduced into our services.
The Church must exercise care in selecting choir members and other musicians who will rightly represent Church principles. They should be members of the Church, the Sabbath school, or the Adventist youth society-Because they occupy a conspicuous place in Church services, they should be examples of modesty and decorum in the appearance and dress.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY: The department seeks to promote and defend religious liberty so that the church members have to know their right and the freedom of choice to live according to their conscience and to respect the equivalent rights of other religions. The department involving in knowing the right of an individual before the government organizations in order to upholding religious freedom. The department also supports freedom of belief for all people everywhere.
PUBLISHING DEPARTMENT: This department provides primarily printed material for spiritual nurture and evangelistic outside of the church. The department seeks to encourage the church members to read our books, to distribute to others for soul winning. The department provides literature awareness seminars among members of literature evangelists and church members. Young people in schools are recruited to join in literature evangelism campaigns during the vacation periods
SABBATH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT: Sabbath school focuses in fellowship of church members, outreach, Bible study and mission. The department provides lessons for each age of people in the church. Also Sabbath school provides leadership, resources, training, and inspiration for the members of the local church. Sabbath school has the director of the department from the local church, conference or field, union, division and the General Conference.
The Sabbath school is  an important branch of the missionary work, not only because it gives to young and old a knowledge of God’s word, but because it awakens in them a love for its sacred truths, and a desire to study them for themselves; above all, it teaches them to regulate their lives by its holy teachings. –CSW 10, 11
STEWARDSHIP: Department of stewardship seeks to teach the church members of their spiritual responsibility to be faithful in stewardship, to inform, encourage, to remind the church to return tithe and offerings of gratitude to God as a consequence of their covenant relationship with him. The stewardship department provides resources for church members, to encourage the believers to be faithful for stewardship of time, health, money, talents or gift, and their influence.
WOMEN MINISTRY: The department upholds and encourages the women in seventh day Adventist church as disciples of Jesus Christ and members of his world church, empowering them to become stronger women of God and to serve him. The department provides resources and nurturing the women in the church and community.
YOUTH MINISTRIES: The youth department seeks to help youth, to build on salvation and service. It facilitate and support the ministry in soul winning, holding, and reclaiming .The department prepare the youth for ministry by training them. It provides materials and prepares programs which will equip them to serve God. The functions of various age groups include; Leadership for the Adventurer club, Pathfinder, Ambassador, and the senior youth.
Application: I will work hand to hand with departments as to ensure availability of these resources.
The author challenged my understanding of this Church and how it is well organized.

CHAPTER 9
ELECTIONS
Key points from the chapter;
 Election is an important work in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, when officers of the Church are elected. In order to have officers who will perform their duties prayerfully, seriously, and competently so election is a very important. In local Church officers are elected every one year through an appointed nominating committee. This nominating committee after accomplishment of the work, they bring its report to the Church, which then votes on the names presented. This procedure enables the Church to give careful study to each name prior to election and avoids the competitive element that may arise when nominations are made from the floor.
The nominating committee should be appointed early in the closing quarter of the Church year and should report at least three weeks before the final Sabbath of the Church year. The size of the member of nominating committee depend on the numbers of the Church members, the size will range from five members for small Church to a large number in a large Church.
Who should be members of nominating committee must be only the Church members of the Church and also who have to be elected as the Church officers are those who are the members of that Church. The chairman of nominative committee shall be a Church pastor, assisted with Church elder. The list of the officers to be considered by nominating committee may vary with size of the membership. A large Church may determine it needs more officers.
CRITIQUE: The Seventh - day Adventist Church has a good order of Church election which show that the church is so well organized.
APPLICATION: I am going to use the information which i learn in this chapter, how to perform church election because the development of the Church depend on leadership.

CHAPTER 10
SERVICE AND OTHER MEETINGS
Key points from the chapter;
The general principle for all Church services and meetings is to worship God in spirit and truth, so all those who assemble to worship him should put away every evil thing. The purpose of all services and meetings is to worship God for his creative work and for the benefit of his salvation; to understand his teaching, and his purposes.
In the Church of God the parent they have to teach their children to have the highest reverence for the house of God and to understand that when they enter the Lord’s house it should be with heart that are softened and subdued by such thoughts as these; ‘God is there; this is his house.
God must worshiped in genuine reverence, when the people of God come into the house of God of worship they have to bear in the mind that they are in his presence, there will be a sweet eloquence in silence. The mind should be prepared to hear the word of God, that it may have due weight and suitably impress the heart.
The party of music in the house of God. ‘’ Music should have beauty, pathos, and power. Let the voice be lifted in songs of praise and devotion. Let the glorious harmony ascend to God, an acceptable offering’’ -4 T 71. The singing is not to be done by few. As often as possible, let the entire congregation join.
THE USE OF PULPIT:  No right to any person, any pastor, or other person to make the pulpit a forum for advocating disputed points of doctrine or Church procedure. The only safety for any one of us is in receiving no new doctrine, no new interpretation of the scriptures, without first submitting it to the brethren of experience. Lay it before them in humble, teachable spirit, with earnest prayer, and if they see no light in it, yield to their judgment; for in the multitude of counselors there is safety. -5 T 293
In the Church we have to maintain the unity of the faith as important that we seek to ‘’ keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace’’. Such unity requires caution and counsel with Church leadership. Though we have an individual work and an individual responsibility before God, we are not to follow our own independent judgment, regardless of the opinions and feeling our brethren.
NEW INSIGHT: How to maintain a true spirit of devotion by silent meditation, keeping the heart up lifted to God in prayer that the service may be of special benefit to their own hearts and lead to the conviction and conversion of the souls.
CRITIQUE: Pulpit not a forum, no right to any person to use advocating disputed points of doctrine procedure.