The Epic, Pt. 63

The following letter was written by Armando Miranda, General Conference vice president and chair of the Church Manual Committee. He was asked to clarify whether the Church Manual is a set of guidelines or if it is the intent that the Church Manual be followed by all churches around the world.

From: Miranda, Armando
Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 4:43 PM
Subject: RE: Authority of the Church Manual

To Whom It May Concern:

In order to respond to your question I would like to share with you some quotes from the Church Manual itself.

The Chapter 1 "Authority of the Church and the Church Manual", page 2, says,

1. "Resolved, that the highest authority under God among Seventh-day Adventists is found in the will of the body of that people, as expressed in the decisions of the General Conference when acting within its proper jurisdiction; and that such decisions should be submitted to by all without exception, unless they can be shown to conflict with the word of God and the rights of individual conscience." - RH, vol. 50, No. 14, P.106.

2. "The Church of Christ is in constant peril. Satan is seeking to destroy the people of God, and one man's mind, one man's judgment, is not sufficient to be trusted. Christ would have His followers brought together in church capacity, observing order, having rules and discipline, and all subject one to another, esteeming others better than themselves." - Testimonies, vol.3, p.445.

3. In these inspired words, in the 1877 General Conference action (and ratified every five years in GC Sessions), and in the need for well-defined rules that are requisite to good order is found a basis for this Church Manual and its rightful claim upon us all, both ministry and laity.

4. The Content of the Church Manual is the expression of the Seventh-day Adventist Church's understanding of Christian life and church governance and discipline based on biblical principles. It expresses the authority of a duly assembled General Conference session. "God has ordained that the representatives of His church from all parts of the earth, when assembled in a General Conference, shall have authority." - Testimonies, vol.9, p.261.

On page xxi, the first paragraph states, ....."The content of this Church Manual, as it is presented in chapters and sections within the chapters, is divided into two types of material. The main content of each chapter is of worldwide value and applicable to every church."

As you can see the Church Manual is not a set of guidelines, it is the way that the church has to operate. I hope that this material may help in solving some doubts in regard to the Church Manual.

May the Lord bless you.

Armando Miranda
GC General Vice President
Church Manual Chair

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