Christianity: Details about 'Structure And Polity Of The Seventh Day Adventist'
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Adventist Church polity (governance), is a mixture of hierarchical (or episcopal) and presbyterian elements. Each of these local churches has its own elected governing body and office. Almost everything is decided by either elected committees, through vote of members, or representatives from the local churches. Each organization holds a general session at certain intervals. This is usually when general decisions get voted on. The president of the General Conference, for instance, is elected at the General Conference Session every five years. Churches are governed by a church board formed by members of that church, with the pastor of that congregation. Church property is owned by the conference corporation though, and so this differs from congregational polity. Ministers are ordained by ministers as are lay elders and lay deacons (which is presbyterian rather than congregational or episcopal). The church has a number of extra-church organisations associated, these come under the umbrella of independent ministries.
Church officesThere are a number of church offices that are elected by the church body as specified by the Church Manual. Positions must be filled by baptised members who attend regularly and the position is held for a 12 month term, except in special circumstances where the church chooses to elect offices once every 24 months. Offices are never elected permanently, although persons my be reelected. PastorThe most prominent church office is that of the pastor or minister. Adventists believe that pastors have a divinely called to ministry and they are ordained by the church for their ministry. The position of church pastor is not elected by the local church, but rather appointed by a local conference. Adventists believe in clerical marriage and not a celibate priesthood. Women may serve as ministers, however they may not be ordained as pastors. In the majority of cases the pastor works in accordance to the head elder (see below) of the church and is responsible for guiding the church's spiritual direction, chairing the chuch board and leading out in services. ElderWorking with the pastor in the local church is the elder who is appointed by the local church and ordained by the local pastor. Female elders may also be ordained. The elder is seen as a religious leader in the local church and is able to conduct ordinances. The elder, or elders in some cases (who are led by a "head elder"), is largely responsible for the running of the church and the distribution of responsibility in the church. DeaconThe deacon, like the elder, is an elected and ordained role. The deacon's primary roles are the assistance in running of services, the visitation of members, the care of the sick and the maitenance of church property. DeaconessThe deaconess holds a similar position to a deacon, however no provision is given for their ordination. The duties of a deaconess are very similar to the deacon, with particular emphasis placed on assistance in running services and the care of the sick. Church ClerkThe clerk is an elected position, and is responsible for the keeping of church records. The clerk facilitates the addition and removal of members from church records at the request of the church and helps with the generation of church reports to be presented to the conference. TreasurerThe treasurer is an elected position responsible for the keeping of church funds. The treasurer is responsible for keeping accounts and the safeguarding of the money.
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