As the work of the church has grown and spread into many lands, it has become increasingly evident that a Manual on church government is needed to set forth and preserve our denominational practices and polity. An ever-increasing number of men are being called into positions of responsibility as ministers and church officers. To all these a work of this kind should prove helpful in the administration of church work.
Previous efforts have been made by different writers to meet the long-felt need by publishing books or pamphlets on the work of the church and the duties of church officers. These efforts have been helpful. Some of the material thus produced has been utilized in preparing this volume.
This Manual has been prepared at the request of the General Conference Committee by Elder J. L. McElhany, vice-president of the General Conference for North America. Over a period of several years, by extended correspondence, by attendance at scores of workers' and church officers' meetings, presidents' councils, and general meetings, he has gathered the material and put it into this form. This book has been carefully edited by a committee especially chosen for their fitness and experience in such matters.
Both the Bible and experience teach that order and system are necessary in carrying on the work of the church. "God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." 1 Cor. 14: 33. "Let all things be done decently and in order." Verse 40.
To this agree also the following quotations from the Spirit of prophecy: "We want to hold the lines evenly, that there shall be no breaking down of the system of regulation and order. In this way license shall not be given to disorderly elements to control the work at this time. We are living in a time when order, system, and unity of action are most essential." Testimonies to Ministers," p. 228.
"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. Union and confidence are essential to the prosperity of the church. If each member of the church feels at liberty to move independently of the others, taking his own peculiar course, how can the church be in any safety in the hour of danger and peril? The prosperity and very existence of a church depend upon the prompt, united action and mutual confidence of its members." —"Testimonies for the Church," Vol. Ill, p. 445. In the hope that this Manual will prove a blessing to all our churches, it is sent forth as a guide in matters of church administration.
GENERAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.
From the beginning, the Church Manual was explicit regarding the relationships between the various levels of organization and where ultimate power within the denomination resided.
“General Conference Action Regarding Relationship Between Organisations.—‘The General Conference is the highest organization in the administration of our worldwide work, ofttimes creating subordinate organizations to promote specific interests in various sections of the world; it is therefore understood that all subordinate organizations and institutions throughout the world will recognize the General Conference in session, and the Executive Committee between sessions, as the highest authority, under God, among us. When differences arise in or between organizations and institutions, appeal to the next higher organization is proper till it reaches the General Conference in session, or the Executive Committee in full council.’” (Church Manual, 1st Edition, p.9)
It has also been clear from the beginning that while a certain amount of regional adaptation was acceptable in order to meet unique local needs, such adaptation was to be duly approved and consistent within the given area.
“Division Committees May Modify Plans to Meet Local Conditions.— In mission lands it sometimes becomes advisable for certain modifications in general plans and methods of church work to be adopted to meet local conditions. Where this seems necessary, the division committee should pass upon such modifications, and recommend the same to their respective fields, so that in each division unit there may be uniformity of procedure.” (Church Manual, 1st Edition, p.16)
And what of the content of the Manual? The subjects it covers have remained largely the same, though what it says about them has changed in some particulars from time to time. For example, the first edition specified that only ordained ministers could perform weddings. That has since been enlarged to include licensed ministers and ordained local elders. The first edition also refused to sanction divorce for any cause other than adultery. Today’s Manual also recognizes abuse as a legitimate reason for divorce, as it also breaks the covenant of trust between spouses. Most sections of the first edition were largely a succession of quotes from the Spirit of Prophesy on the various subjects. Later Manuals spend more space explaining how the Church applies the quoted statements.
Adjustments such as these can be made from time to time because the Manual was designed to be a document that could change. At the time it was created it represented the best practices of church operation from the 70 years of the denomination’s existence, and it grows as that body of experience grows. At each General Conference Session a new edition of the Manual is approved which incorporates the worthy recommendations for additions or adjustments made since the previous Session. This means that the process provided for changing the Church Manual is more of an evolution than a revolution.
The Church Manual is not the Bible. It is a rulebook. Like the rules or laws of any society it can be changed through proper processes as the society sees fit to make such changes. But, also like the laws of any civil society, the members of the Adventist Church are expected to adhere to those rules as they exist at any given moment, unless they can be shown to conflict with the Bible.
Next: The Current Worldwide Situation
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