SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST MINISTER’S

1 SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST minister SHANDBOOKPRODUCT SAMPLESEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST minister S HANDBOOK Prepared and Published by The General Conference of SEVENTH-DAY Adventists Ministerial Association12501 Old Columbia PikeSilver Spring, Maryland 20904, USAP hone + Printed in USAU nless otherwise noted, Bible texts in this book are from the New King James Version. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights credited to NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other), except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the 2009 by the Ministerial Association General Conference of SEVENTH-DAY Adventists.

2 ADVENTIST , SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST , ADRA , ADVENTIST World Radio , Ministry , Liberty , ADVENTIST Community Services , ellen g . white , and ADVENTIST Book Center are the registered trademarks of the General Conference Corporation of SEVENTH-DAY Adventists .ISBN 1-57847-081-1 The Manual for Ministers has, for most of the past century, been a valued tool for instruction and quick reference for the SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST pastor. In 1992 the title of this work was changed to the minister s Manual, and it was again renamed as the minister s Handbook at the 1994 Annual Council. Floyd Bresee, General Conference Ministerial Association secretary (1985-1992), served as the principal writer of the 1992 edition, which has contributed, in a significant way for nearly two decades, to the world ministry of the SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST Church. Given the rapid pace of change in society and technology, as well as the growth of the church during this time, the General Conference Ministerial Association has elected again to edit, revise, and update the previous edition to reflect the present needs of pastoral ministry.

3 We gratefully acknowledge the help of those who contributed to the preparation of this Ministerial secretaries from the world divisions sought counsel from pastors in their fields who contributed ideas for inclusion in the handbook. Past issues of Ministry magazine were researched. The former handbook was studied, along with the Church Manual and the General Conference Working Policy, in order to address issues of interest and concern to Working from the 1992 edition, Gary Patterson wrote this manuscript, with the assistance of Rae Patterson. Myrna Tetz did the principal The manuscript was sent to a worldwide reading committee of pastors, ministerial secretaries, and administrators for ACKNOWLEDGMENTS suggested changes, with special mention due to Israel Olaore, Ranieri Sales, and Bonita Shields. Final approval was made by the in-house Ministerial Association staff at the General Conference office: Jonas Arrais, James A.

4 Cress, Sharon M. Cress, Willie E. Hucks II, Anthony R. Kent, Cathy Payne, Peter J. Prime, and Nikolaus Cathy Payne directed the design process, James Cavil copyedited the manuscript, Erika Miike served as designer, and the General Conference Ministerial Resource Center coordinated the printing and distribution of the others gave their counsel and time in the process of preparing this handbook. We extend to each our heartfelt calls all His followers to ministry, and every Christian has the privilege and duty to serve in ministry as part of a Christian lifestyle. But some hear an additional call to full-time ministry* as a vocation, both to serve the needs of the church specifically and to lead the church in service to the broader needs of the world in general, giving witness, loving care, and saving grace to a dying world. For these ministries, specifically, this handbook has been ministry falls primarily into three categories:1.

5 Pastoral ministry provided both for individuals and for the church Evangelistic witness and proclamation of the Administrative leadership in the church order to function efficiently and effectively in these areas of ministry, the ADVENTIST pastor needs to be well versed in the following four primary resources the church provides for ministerial and church The Church Manual, as voted by the General Conference in session. 2. The minister s Handbook, which gives guidelines for the work of the minister . *The words ministry and pastoral ministry are often used interchangeably in this The Elder s Handbook, which assists the minister in training local elders as associates in the church work and ministry. 4. Pastoral Ministry, a compilation from the writings of ellen g . white , which specifically addresses the work of the an effort to provide these materials for the pastor and to give emphasis to the importance of their use in ministry, the Ministerial Association has published these four volumes in the same size and format in order to form a matched set for convenience in this handbook assumes that the pastor has access to the Church Manual, quotations from it will be limited in length.

6 However, because the Church Manual remains the authoritative source for church function, this particular reference will be referred to often in some sections of this handbook. ALL MINISTERSThe primary focus of the minister s Handbook is on pastoral ministry. However, it applies broadly to all ministries, and those serving in specialized ministries and administration will also benefit from its use. The SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST Church enjoys the service of both men and women, and in recognition of this inclusive ministry, the handbook seeks to use language that is WITHOUT UNIFORMITYB ecause ADVENTIST ministers are raised, are trained, and serve in a multitude of differing races, cultures, and languages around the world, it is mandatory for the church to work sensitively in the cultures in which it functions. While this handbook must be translatable into many languages and be adaptable to local conditions and customs, there also needs to be reasonable coordination of pastoral plans and programs to create a united ministry throughout the world handbook was first prepared to foster unity throughout the world and is now presented in revised form.

7 Although no set order is established for the various ceremonies of the church, unity should be maintained in the general order of services and forms of worship. Let all things be done decently and in order (1 Cor. 14:40).Because of the diversity of the world church, the handbook does not prescribe a rigid model, but rather provides a general pattern for each given area of ministry. Where culture dictates, divisions may need to include adaptation by adding footnotes or appendices. Bible quotations in the English version of the handbook come from the New King James the emphasis of handbooks tends to be on techniques, the greatest need we as ministers have is a constant relationship with our Lord. Part of the preparation of this handbook was the prayer that its use will strengthen ministry in the ADVENTIST Church both spiritually and A. CressMinisterial Association SecretaryGeneral Conference of SEVENTH-DAY AdventistsJune 1, 2009 CONTENTS 1.

8 The Calling ..15 2. Spiritual Formation ..18 3. Interpersonal Relationships ..22 4. Time Management ..26 5. Personal Health ..29 6. Personal Appearance ..32 7. Personal Finance ..34 8. Family Life ..37 9. Pastoral Ethics ..40 10. Professional Growth ..47 11. Relationship to Church Organization ..50 12. Departmental Services ..54 13. Church Policy ..78 14. Credentials and Licenses ..80 15. Ordination and Commissioning ..85 16. Ordination and Commissioning Services ..90 17. Church Planting, Organizing, Uniting, and Dissolving ..96 18. Church Leadership ..101 19. Ministry for All Members ..107 20. Large Districts ..113 21. Church Growth ..116 22. The Worship Service ..121 23. Fellowship and Visitation ..130 24. Counseling ..135 25. Church Community ..138 26. Church Finance ..145 27. Church Facilities ..150 28. Church Discipline ..155 29. Church Schools ..160 30. Baptism.

9 163 31. Communion ..168 32. Weddings ..174 33. Child Dedication ..185 34. Anointing and Deliverance ..189 35. Funerals ..195 36. Church Opening, Dedication, and Groundbreaking ..205 37. House Blessing ..216 38. Pastoral Installation ..220 39. Retirement ..228 Index ..2321515 CHAPTER 1 THE CALLINGI ndividuals who have received a call to the gospel ministry also receive at the same time a personal call from Christ. In addition, they accept an invitation from the church community who recognizes the call and affirms it, both by employing and credentialing the individual in pastoral ministry. The call comes in both instances from Christ and includes three distinct spiritual COLABORERS WITH CHRIST Ministry a privilege. Preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ must be considered a high privilege granted to humankind by Christ Him-self, because the call comes not from human origin but of divine instigation.

10 The greatest work, the noblest effort, in which men can engage is to point sinners to the Lamb of God. True ministers are co-laborers with the Lord in the accomplishment of His purposes (Gospel Workers, p. 18).Ministry a divine appointment. God has a church, and she has a divinely appointed ministry (Testimonies to Ministers, p. 52). Many avenues of service exist in the employment world and are open to individual choice. Because of ministry s uniqueness in its divine appointment, ministry is more than a profession. It is a calling. And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was (Heb. 5:4).Ministerial training. Having received a call to ministry does not obviate the need for careful training and preparation for service. Rather, it motivates and propels those called to spend both the time 16 16 | SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST minister S HANDBOOKand effort required to fulfill the calling.