The Epic, Pt. 17

The Adventist grapevine is a fearful and wonderful thing, and this next part of the story we owe entirely to the grapevine. Without any action or knowledge of any Group member another Adventist who had heard about the issues Takoma Park was facing got in touch with the secretary of the Church Manual Committee at the GC. This third party asked the committee secretary to render an opinion on the legitimacy of the new governance proposed at Takoma Park. He responded with the following letter, which the third party forwarded to a very surprised member of the Group:

“To Whom It May Concern

“Monday, April 21, 2008

“Re: Takoma Park Church Proposal

“It has just been brought to my attention that the Takoma Park Church in Maryland is considering moving away from the prescribed form of church governance approved by the World Church and which is recorded in the Church Manual.

“There are two levels of instruction recorded in the current Church Manual. The main body of information in each chapter, which the World Church has agreed is mandatory, is recorded for every church in the world to follow. And then there are the “Notes,” at the end of chapters seven, eight, and nine, which are for guidance purposes only.

“There are two new sections, which the current Church Manual Committee has approved for recommendation to the General Conference Session in 2010 which read as follows.

“The Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual describes the operation and functions of local churches and their relationship to denominational structures in which they hold membership… The worldwide family of Seventh-day Adventists, through the Church Manual, expresses the principles and practices that are to characterize the existence of local Seventh-day Adventist congregations.

“We will also be including a statement from Testimonies to Ministers, p. 26, which reads,

“As our numbers increased, it was evident that without some form of organization there would be great confusion, and the work would not be carried forward successfully. To provide for the support of the ministry, for carrying the work in new fields, for protecting both the churches and the ministry from unworthy members, for holding church properly, for the publication of the truth through the press, and for many other objects, organization was indispensable.

“The section on the role and function of the Church Board is recorded in the chapter of the Church Manual where it is required practice for every church. There is no alternative structure for the Church. The Church Manual does not allow for any alternatives.

“The highest body in church governance is the Church Business Meeting. This body of believers delegates authority to the Church Board. The Church Board is the committee which oversees most of the day to day activities of the church but in major issues the Church Business meeting must give approval.

“Our lawyers have advised us that when a local Seventh-day Adventist church adopts administrative practices that are contrary to the Church Manual, there is no protection for them in the courts of this country.

“I would urge the leaders of the Takoma Park Church and its members to maintain the representative form of government outlined clearly in the Church Manual which requires the institution of a regular Business Meeting and the election of a Church Board. The General Conference does not support any other form of governance.

“With Christian Greetings,

“Elder Vernon B Parmenter
“Associate Executive Secretary
“Secretary, Church Manual Committee”

Next: A Hardened Heart

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