July 14, 2010

​Tenth Business Meeting

DELBERT BAKER: [Called session to order.]

JONAS ARRAIS: [Prayer.]

DELBERT BAKER: At this time we call the GC corporation member meeting, which will be chaired by President Ted Wilson.

[GC corporation member meeting.]

DELBERT BAKER: Now we are moving on to the
Church Manual.

Pastor Miranda and Harald Wollan will lead in the discussion.

ARMANDO MIRANDA: Item 413 is referring to the way deacons are trained and who is responsible for the training of the deacons and deaconesses.

Last year the Annual Council took an action to approve that the Ministerial Association is in charge of the training of deacons and deaconesses. In order to reflect this, we propose to you the section that has to do with the training of the deacons and deaconesses, and we are inserting this into the
Church Manual.

HARALD WOLLAN: Item 413, lines 41 to 43.

I need to make a correction of what we brought to you previously, because by mistake we have added on line 41 “of the conference.” We need to delete that.

The purpose with deleting it is to make it clear that it is the Ministerial Association that is responsible for providing training material.

I move that we read from line 41 to 43 as follows: “The Ministerial Association, in connection with the departments, promotes the training and equipping of deacons. However, the pastor, in conjunction with the elder(s), has the primary responsibility for training the deacons.”

DELBERT BAKER: It has been moved and seconded.

Discussion on the item now.

HARALD WOLLAN: The three words after “conference” will be deleted because it means that the Ministerial Association at all levels has the responsibility.

JONAS ARRAIS: By doing that, we will see the same that appears in the
Church Manual, page 75, when it talks about the elders. Over there it says “the Ministerial Association” but does not mention “conference.” So it eliminates the idea that only on the conference level do we have people in charge to train, to equip the deacons and deaconesses in our church. My suggestion is also to include in this moment what is written on page 106 regarding deaconesses, because the same phrase appears there.

ARMANDO MIRANDA: We agree with that.

HARALD WOLLAN: We are talking about the training of the deacons in order to take care of all aspects of the church. There are various departments that deal with various sections of the mission of the church, and they cooperate together with the elders and the pastors where there is a need. The training material is provided and produced by the Ministerial Association. Sometimes the material comes from the General Conference; sometimes from the union; sometimes from the conference. But the primary contact for the pastor to get the training material will be the local conference.

DELBERT BAKER: We are ready for the vote.

Those in favor, please uplift your card.

Those opposed, same.

It is carried.

HARALD WOLLAN: On the next page we have deleted the difficult English word “ordinance” which is an old expression.

The statement now reads: “Deacons are not authorized to preside at the Lord’s Supper, baptism, or business meetings and are not permitted to perform the marriage ceremony or officiate at the reception of transfer of members.”

JUSTIN LYONS: The word “baptism” has been inserted. When I read in Acts 6 that Philip was a deacon and baptized the eunuch, I’m wondering if we’re putting ourselves at odds with Scripture.

HARALD WOLLAN: We have never practiced that individuals of the church can baptize unless they’re ordained elders or pastors.

GERARD DAMSTEEGT: I call your attention to the substitution of the word “ordinance” with “service.” In the New Testament we have three sacred ordinances. It’s a little different than service.

DELBERT BAKER: Thank you.

ARMANDO MIRANDA: We received this recommendation from one of the divisions. And one of the reasons they presented to us is that the word “ordinances” is a difficult word to translate into different languages. If there is another word that can replace it and be easily translated into different languages, we have no objection against it.

JONAS ARRAIS: I support this motion as it is. The word “service” is not describing the ordinance. It is just describing the service of foot washing.

DELBERT BAKER: That’s very helpful. Same microphone. We have Finn Eckhoff.

FINN ECKHOFF: The
Church Manual does not explain what is meant by the word “ordinance,” and to leave it in without explaining makes confusion.

MEGEN MOLÉ: I move the previous question. [The previous question was voted. Then the main motion was approved.]

HARALD WOLLAN: We move to one item dealing with the deaconesses. [Some changes have been suggested.]

I’d like to move the amendments here.

ED GALAN: For the sake of clarity I would implore that the GC leaders offer some form of a glossary. I’m not asking that every jot and tittle and period and “T” to be crossed.

I agree with what Elder Miranda: it’s impossible to provide all details in every section, but a glossary of definitions for ordinance, license, credentials, etc., will go a long way to helping all laypeople and workers of all divisions.

MEGEN MOLÉ: I move to replace the word “ordinances” with the phrase “the Lord’s Supper,” comma, “baptism,” and also that we replace the word “cannot” with the phrase “are not permitted.”

I’d like to move this amendment.

DELBERT BAKER: I have a second.

[The amendment was seconded and approved.]

There is a change of name of the Adventist Youth. Instead of Adventist Youth it’s now called Adventist Youth Ministries. Then the additional change of Advent-ist Community Services or Dorcas Society, instead of Community Services/Dorcas Society.

I move this change.

DELBERT BAKER: It’s been moved and seconded.

Those in favor, uplift card.

Those opposed, same sign.

It is carried.

HARALD WOLLAN: Item 416 is a brief addition in which we outline who might be helpful in counting offerings to make sure that it is done in a proper fashion. To make sure that we do not forget our deacons and deaconesses, we have included that on line 12.

I move this addition.

DELBERT BAKER: It is moved and seconded.

Those in favor, uplift card.

Those opposed, same sign.

It is carried.

HARALD WOLLAN: Number 417 deals with the Community Services/Dorcas Society leader. As I mentioned previously, we have found it necessary to redefine the services there.

On line 9: “Adventist Community Services Leader or Dorcas Society Leader——The church elects the Advent-ist Community Services leader or Dorcas Society leader, assistant leaders (as needed), and secretary-treasurer of Adventist Community Services, which in some areas is known as the Dorcas Society.”

Then we refer to the note section, Chapter 14. “This organization gathers and prepared clothing, food, and other supplies for those in need and works closely with the Adventist men, deacons, deaconesses, and other church departments in community outreach. Adventist Community Services or Dorcas Society ministry, however, includes more than giving material aid. It focuses on identifying needs and responding with services based on these specific needs. Examples are educational seminars, community development, visiting, counseling, and other services relevant to the community.”

HARALD WOLLAN: On lines 25 and 26: “The Adventist Community Service leader or Dorcas Society leader is a member of the Personal Ministries Council and the church board.” And then on line 28: “. . . who is a member of the council as well as the church board.”

I move these changes.

DELBERT BAKER: It’s been moved and seconded.

Now for discussion on this item.

QEDUMUSA MATHONSI: Is Community Services synonymous to Dorcas? And if that’s the case, is the Adventist Men organization excluded in Community Services?

MAY-ELLEN COLON: In many parts of the world the Dorcas Society is doing identical work with Adventist Community Services. And in the manual it appears that sometimes they can coexist. In some parts of the world that has caused confusion.

DELBERT BAKER: All those in favor, uplift the card.

Those opposed, the same sign.

It’s carried.

HARALD WOLLAN: By common consent we can agree that even in the heading we use Adventist Community Services or Dorcas Society leader; that we have the same word there on line 3 as we have on line 9.

DELBERT BAKER: All those in favor, say “Aye.” All those in favor, say “Aye.”

Those who are opposed.

It is agreed.

ARMANDO MIRANDA: The next is item 418.

This is referring to the Youth Ministries. We accepted a new program in the Youth Ministries Department. I’m referring to Public Campus Ministries. It was accepted and voted during the 2014 Annual Council and is not included in the
Church Manual.

We have also the suggested change of name of Adventist Youth Society to Adventist Youth Ministries. This is more inclusive.

The secretary will introduce the suggested changes and deletions of this section.

HARALD WOLLAN: This whole section we are starting on is actually a total rewrite. We will see at the end of the document on this agenda item there is a lot of cross-outs.

On page 111 you have some definitions from line 24. You have Adventist Youth Mission, you have the motto, and the AYM. Then on lines 31, 32, and 33, various levels of the Youth Ministries are described.

From line 31, “The youth ministries program of the church comprises three broad categories, namely: Junior Youth,” specified here in parentheses; “Senior Youth” is also specified in parentheses; “and Public Campus Students,” and that is specified as well, as ages 16 to 30-plus.

From line 28 on page 112 you have the Adventist Youth Ministries Committee described.

On line 31, the Adventist Youth Ministries Committee includes the following church-elected officers: young adults, director, Public Campus Ministries director or coordinator, ambassador director, Pathfinder director, Adventurer director.

And then further down we are also changing just a matter of capitalizing “S” in “schools,” Sabbath School. And then we include the children’s ministries leader.

On page 113, line 1, it describes what takes place if there is no Ambassador ministry or youth ministry established in the local church.

Line 5, Pathfinder and Adventure Ministries. It’s described here that they are organized. And if they are not, until such are organized, some plans need to be made for this age group to be taken care of.

From line 9 to line 11 we talk about the Adventist Youth Ministry director, and we refer to the previous name and the description of what he will do.

From line 18 to 20, Young Adults Committee, we describe how that functions. The Young Adults Committee is responsible for the young adults’ activities and so on.

This continues down to line 13, the Public Campus Ministries, and this is an addition.

From line 31: “Strengthening the Youth Ministries of the church, Public Campus Ministries (PCM), in collaboration with the Adventist Ministry to college and university students (AMiCUS), provides vision and strategic planning for ministry to and support for Seventh-day Adventist students (ages 16-30+) who attend public colleges, universities, and tertiary educational institutions around the world.”

Line 37 describes the coordinator or the director of the Public Campus Ministries.

GILBERT CANGY: I just would like to include a couple of points of clarification.

Essentially, in terms of substance, there is no significant changes to the previous document. But there are three elements here that the body would need to be clear on.

First of all, there is a change in nomenclature. Throughout the document the previously known Adventist Youth Society is being changed to Adventist Youth Ministry.

We now have Adventist Youth Ministries that embraces all branches of youth ministry, starting with Junior Youth, which covers Adventurers and Pathfinders; Senior Youth, etc.

The second change is related to the introduction of the Ambassador Ministry, which is a new level of ministry that focuses on the needs of young people between 16 and 21. Because of that we have come up with a relatively new term, “Young Adults,” to distinguish between Ambassadors and the older ones. So under Senior Youth the ages 16 to 30 is now divided in two: Ambassadors, covering 16 to 21; and Young Adults, 22 to 30.

The third category is related to public campuses. The church felt the need for a special ministry for young adults on public campuses.

FRENSLY PANNEFLEK: Can somebody explain the difference between AMiCUS and Public Campus Ministries?

ARMANDO MIRANDA: AMiCUS is the acronym of Adventist Ministries to College and University Students.

AMiCUS is the umbrella that include several departments, including chaplaincy, youth, education, health ministries. Public Campus Ministries is the specific ministry that works and deals with the Adventist students in public colleges and universities.

DAVID TRIM: By restricting Public Campus Ministries to public college/university students, there is a danger of misunderstanding. Many Adventist tertiary students are in private institutions; not Adventist institutions, but private ones. Elder Miranda did indicate that he might be willing to change it. But seeing this is part of the proposed change, then if this is being referred back, perhaps that could be looked at.

The wording I would suggest would be “the special needs of tertiary students on nondenominational campuses,” as I think that would cover everything. And I would request that the committee look at it when it’s taken back.

ARMANDO MIRANDA: We have no objections. It’s accepted.

LANTE THOMPSON: I just want to plead if it’s possible for us to move the Public Campus Ministries from the Youth Department to the Chaplaincy Department.

ARMANDO MIRANDA: The General Conference has approved at the Annual Council that Public Campus Ministries would be under the Youth Department. However, we never took any vote in regard to divisions and unions or local fields. We said that each level will decide under what umbrella Public Campus Ministries will be.

[The statement on Youth Ministries, after a few changes, was voted by the delegates.]

HARALD WOLLAN: We will consider the issue of how to deal with something being referred back to the Nominating Committee, because it’s not very clear.

So the new wording we are suggesting is on page 119, lines 24-26: “After giving due consideration to the objections presented, the committee will exercise its judgment as to whether or not any change is warranted in the committee’s recommendation to the church business meeting.” [This was seconded and voted.]

DELBERT BAKER: Page 123.

HARALD WOLLAN: We now deal with the definition of the business meeting of the church. It hasn’t been clearly understood that the business meeting is actually the constituency meeting of the local church. [Changes on the business meetings were voted.]

On page 128 we are defining the Finance Committee. It reads: “Each church should have a mission-driven, broad-based consultative financial planning and budgeting process with a committee structure that can give detailed review to the ongoing financial planning and budgeting. In some cases, this may take the form of a finance committee. In other cases, in smaller churches, this process may be handled directly by the church board. If the church establishes a separate Committee for this purpose, the responsibilities should include reviewing budget requests and the review of the annual operating budget as well as a review of the financial position of the church as reflected in the financial statements. The approval of the budget and the review of the financial statement shall then be recommended to the church board and onward to the business meeting of the church for action.” [This was approved by the delegates.]

HARALD WOLLAN: On page 124 we are dealing with the operation of the church board.

[Additions and deletions were made.] [On page 125 emphasis was placed on the primary functions of the board, which is “to ensure that members are nurtured and mentored in a personal dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ.”]

[Another emphasis was on retention. On page 125 it reads: “The church, individually and collectively, shares responsibility for ensuring that every church member remains part of the body of Christ.”]

On page 126, one of the responsibilities of the board is to “study membership lists and initiate plans for reconnecting (reclaiming) members who have separated from the church.”

[The recommended changes were discussed.]

DELBERT BAKER: At this time we have a report from the Nominating Committee.

HOMER TRECARTIN: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We have a report. It’s still not our last report, but we are making progress. And our secretary, Dr. Leslie Pollard, will read that to us.

LESLIE POLLARD: We will present the slate of names, and we’d like, per yesterday’s desire of the delegates, to vote the entire slate.

Publishing, director, Almir Mauricio Marroni (new to this position).

Treasury, associate treasurer, Mr. Delbert Pearman (new to this position).

Education, associate director, Dr. Mike Lekic (incumbent).

Education, associate director, Dr. Hudson Kibuuka (incumbent).

Education, associate director, Dr. John Wesley Taylor (incumbent).

Education, associate director, Dr. Julian Melgosa (new to this position).

Sabbath School and Personal Ministries, associate director, Dr. Ramon Canals (new to this position).

Public Affairs and Religious Liberty, director, Dr. A. Ganoune Diop (new to this position).

Public Affairs and Religious Liberty, associate director, Dr. Nelu Burcea (new to this position).

Public Affairs and Religious Liberty, associate director, Dwayne Leslie (incumbent).

Women’s Ministries, associate director, Mrs. Racquel Arrais (incumbent).

Children’s Ministries, associate director, Dr. Saustin Mfune (incumbent).

Ministerial Association, associate director, Mr. Jonas Arrais (incumbent).

Ministerial Association, associate director, Dr. Robert Costa (incumbent).

Ministerial Association, associate director, Dr. Derek Morris (incumbent).

Ministerial Association, associate director, Dr. Willie Hucks II (incumbent).

Ministerial Association, associate director, Dr. Anthony Kent (incumbent).

This is the slate of names representing the recommendations of the Nominating Committee. I so move them.

DELBERT BAKER: Is there a second? Seconded.

We’re ready for a vote of the slate.

All those in favor of as read, please show by the uplifted card.

It’s very clear.

Those opposed, same sign.

Excellent.

HOMER TRECARTIN: Mr. Chairman, Could we could bring them out to be introduced?

[Applause.]

DELBERT BAKER: Thank you. We welcome the new persons.

DELBERT BAKER: Thank you for the report. We’ll just continue on with the items with the
Church Manual for the next few minutes. Let’s give them a hand. Thank you.

[Applause.]

LORRAINE QUESTEL: I’d like to say how encouraged I am by the emphasis on retention and following up on the interests that are in harmony with our mission.

HARALD WOLLAN: We have gotten a lot of good input. And I think it is necessary that the
Church Manual Committee will re-evaluate the document in line of some of the input we have gotten. So I will take it back to the Church Manual Committee.

DELBERT BAKER: In light of this it’s being suggested that we refer the document back to the committee.

ANDREI MOLDOVANU: [Prayer.]

DELBERT BAKER and TED N. C. WILSON,
Chairs
JOHN H. THOMAS, Secretary
NILTON D. AMORIM, GARY B. PATTERSON,
and CLAUDE SABOT
, Proceedings Editors


Session Actions

Sixtieth General Conference Session
July 7, 2015, 2:00 p.m.

DEACONS - CHURCH MANUAL AMENDMENT

VOTED, To amend the Church Manual, Chapter 8, Local Church Officers and Organizations, pages 76 to 78, Deacons, to read as follows:

Deacons

The New Testament identifies the office of deacon with the Greek word diakonos, from which the English “deacon” is derived. The Greek word is variously interpreted as “servant, minister, writer, attendant” and in Christian circles has acquired the specialized meaning now attached to “deacon.”

The men who came to be known as the seven deacons of the apostolic church were chosen and ordained to attend to the business of the church. (See Acts 6:1-8.) Their qualifications, slightly less exacting than those of elders, are listed in 1 Timothy 3:8-13.

“The fact that these brethren had been ordained for the special work of looking after the needs of the poor did not exclude them from teaching the faith. On the contrary, they were fully qualified to instruct others in the truth, and they engaged in the work with great earnestness and success.”— AA 90.

“The appointment of the seven to take the oversight of special lines of work proved a great blessing to the church. These officers gave careful consideration to individual needs as well as to the general financial interests of the church, and by their prudent management and their godly example they were an important aid to their fellow officers in binding together the various interests of the church into a united whole.”—AA 89.

Today appointment of deacons through election brings similar blessings in church administration by relieving pastors, elders, and other officers of duties that deacons may perform well.

“The time and strength of those who in the providence of God have been placed in leading positions of responsibility in the church should be spent in dealing with the weightier matters demanding special wisdom and largeness of heart. It is not in the order of God that such men should be appealed to for the adjustment of minor matters that others are well qualified to handle.”—AA 93.

The Ministerial Association, in connection with the departments, promotes the training and equipping of deacons. However, the pastor, in conjunction with the elder(s), has the primary responsibility for training the deacons. (See Notes, #3, p. 167)

Board of Deacons—Where a church has a number of deacons, it should - No change

Deacons Must Be Ordained—Newly elected deacons cannot fill their - No change

Deacons Not Authorized to Preside—Deacons are not authorized to preside at any of the ordinances of the church the Lord’s Supper, baptism, or business meetings and are not permitted to cannot perform the marriage ceremony or officiate at the reception or transfer of members.

If a church has no one authorized to perform such duties, it the church leader shall contact the conference for assistance.

Duties of Deacons—The work of deacons involves a wide range of services for the church, including:

1. Assistance at Services and Meetings—Deacons are usually - No change

2. Visitation of Members—In many churches visitation is arranged - No change

3. Preparation for Baptismal Services—Deacons make necessary - No change

4. Assistance at Communion Service—At the celebration of the ordinance service of footwashing, the deacons or deaconesses provide everything needed, needed for the service, such as towels, basins, water, and buckets. After the service they see that the utensils and linen are washed and properly stored.

Remaining bread and wine should not be consumed, but disposed of in a respectful manner by deacons and deaconesses following the Lord’s Supper.

5. Care of the Sick and Aiding the Poor and Unfortunate—Deacons - No change

6. Care and Maintenance of Property—In churches where the - No change

DEACONESSES - CHURCH MANUAL AMENDMENT

VOTED, To amend the Church Manual, Chapter 8, Local Church Officers and Organizations, pages 78 and 79, Deaconesses, to read as follows:

Deaconesses

Deaconesses were included in the official staff of the early Christian churches.

“I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church [deaconess] in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also” (Rom. 16:1, 2).

Deaconesses should be chosen for their consecration and other qualifications that fit them for the duties of the office.

The Ministerial Association, in connection with the departments, promotes the training and equipping of deaconesses. However, the pastor, in conjunction with the elder(s), has the primary responsibility for training the deaconesses. (See Notes, #3, p. 167)

Board of Deaconesses—If a church elects several deaconesses, it should - No change

Ordination Service for Deaconesses—Such a service service, like the ordination of deacons, would be carried out by an ordained pastor currently credentialed by the conference. The ordination service should be characterized by simplicity and performed in the presence of the church.

If they retain church membership, deaconesses do not have to be ordained again if they move their memberships to other churches. When the term for which they were elected expires, they must be reelected if they are to continue to serve as deaconesses.

Deaconesses Not Authorized to Preside—Deaconesses are not authorized to preside at any of the services of the church or business meetings and cannot perform the marriage ceremony or officiate at the reception or transfer of members.

If a church has no one authorized to perform such duties, the church leader shall contact the conference for assistance.

Duties of Deaconesses—Deaconesses serve the church in a wide variety of activities, including:

1. Greeting and Visiting Guests and Members—In many - No change

2. Assistance at Baptisms—Deaconesses ensure that female candidates - No change

3. Arrangements for the Communion Service—Deaconesses and deacons arrange for everything needed for this service and see that everything used is cared for afterward. (See p. 121.)

Before the communion service begins, deaconesses make arrangements for set the communion table, including preparing the bread and wine, arranging the ordinance table, pouring the wine, placing the plates of unleavened bread, and covering the table with the linen provided for that purpose.

Deaconesses assist in the ordinance service of foot-washing, giving special aid to women visitors and new members.

4. The Care of the Sick and the Poor—Deaconesses assist deacons in - No change

5. Care and Maintenance of Property—In churches where the - No change

FUNDS OF AUXILIARY ORGANIZATIONS (TREASURER) - CHURCH MANUAL AMENDMENT

VOTED, To amend the Church Manual, Chapter 8, Local Church Officers and Organizations, pages 81 and 82, Funds of Auxiliary Organizations, to read as follows:

Funds of Auxiliary Organizations—Auxiliary organization funds include such funds as church outreach programs, family life, Adventist Youth Ministries, Adventist Community Services or Dorcas Society, Society, Community Services/Dorcas Society, Sabbath school expense, and that portion of the health ministries funds belonging to the church, and may include church school funds. All money received by and for these organizations is turned over promptly to the church treasurer by the secretary of the organization, the deacons, or whoever has received the funds. Thes
e funds belong to the auxiliary organizations of the church. They may be disbursed only by order of the auxiliary organization to which they belong.

The treasurer shall give receipts for all funds received. On receiving money from the treasurer, the secretary of the auxiliary organization shall give a proper receipt to the treasurer.

RECEIPTS TO MEMBERS (TREASURER) - CHURCH MANUAL AMENDMENT

VOTED, To amend the Church Manual, Chapter 8, Local Church Officers and Organizations, page 83, Receipts to Members, to read as follows:

Receipts to Members—Receipts should be issued promptly for all money received from members, no matter how small the amount, and a strict account of all receipts and payments should be kept by the treasurer. All general offerings not in envelopes should be counted by the treasurer in the presence of another officer, preferably a deacon or deaconess, deacon, and a receipt given to such officer.

ADVENTIST COMMUNITY SERVICES LEADER OR DORCAS SOCIETY LEADER – CHURCH MANUAL AMENDMENT

VOTED, To amend the Church Manual, Chapter 8, Local Church Officers and Organizations, page 98, Community Services/Dorcas Leader, to read as follows:

Adventist Community Services Leader or Dorcas Society Leader—The church elects the Adventist Community Services leader or Dorcas Society leader, assistant leaders (as needed), and secretary-treasurer of Adventist Community Services, which in some areas is known as the Dorcas Society. (See Notes, #14, p. 170.) This organization gathers and prepares clothing, food and other supplies for those in need and works closely with the Adventist Men, deacons, deaconesses, and other church departments in community outreach. Adventist Community Services or Dorcas Society ministry, however, includes more than giving material aid. It focuses on identifying needs and responding with services based on these specific needs. Examples are educational seminars, community development, visiting, counseling, and other services relevant to the community. Community Services/Dorcas Society Leader—The church elects the Community Services/Dorcas Society leader, assistant leaders (as needed), and secretary-treasurer. This organization gathers and prepares clothing, food, and other supplies for those in need and works closely with the deacons and deaconesses. Community Services/Dorcas ministry, however, includes more than giving material aid. It encompasses adult education, visiting, homemaking, home nursing, counseling, and other services.

The Adventist Community Services Leader or Dorcas Society Leader is a member of the Personal Ministries Council and the church board. If the church operates a Community Services center, the personal ministries council is its governing committee. The Council appoints the director of the center, who is a member of the Council as well as the church board. council.

YOUTH MINISTRIES - CHURCH MANUAL AMENDMENT

VOTED, To refer Youth Ministries, Church Manual Amendment, back to the Church Manual Committee.

YOUTH MEETINGS - CHURCH MANUAL AMENDMENT

VOTED, To amend the Church Manual, Chapter 10, Services and Other Meetings, pages 127 and 128, Youth Meetings, to read as follows:

Youth Meetings

Leaders of the church’s various youth groups should schedule regular meetings that involve the church’s young people in meaningful activities that will tie them closer to the church and train them for useful service. (See also pp. 100-105.)

Senior Youth Ministries Meetings (Ambassadors and Young Adults)—Senior Youth Ministries meetings should convene on a regular schedule and focus on developing the spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical characteristics of the church’s youth. Meetings also provide Christian social interaction and witnessing programs supporting the soul-winning plans of the church. For resources, see Notes #9, p. 177.

Public Campus Ministries Meetings—Where the church has appointed a Public Campus Ministries director/coordinator, meetings should be organized to care for the special needs of public college/university students in consultation with and support of the Adventist Youth Ministries Committee.

Junior Youth Ministries Meetings (Adventurers and Pathfinders)—Junior Youth Ministries meetings are similar in purpose to Senior Youth Ministries, but involve junior youth. Adventurer Club meetings provide specialized programs for primary/early school-age children designed to complement and strengthen parental involvement in early childhood development, while Pathfinder Club meetings provide specialized indoor and outdoor activities for the holistic development of children from 10 to15 years old. Meetings and other activities are to be carried out according to conference policies as outlined in the club manuals and in coordination with other youth-related and family-related organizations of the church.

Adventist Youth Society Meetings—Adventist Youth Society meetings should meet on a regular schedule and focus on developing the spiritual, mental, and physical characteristics of the church’s youth. Meetings also provide Christian social interaction and witnessing programs supporting the soul-winning plans of the church. The Adventist youth ministries committee encourages and coordinates Adventist Youth Society activities and those of other youth organizations. (See p. 102.) For resources, see Notes, #9, p. 177.

Adventist Junior Youth Society Meetings—Adventist Junior Youth Society meetings are similar in purpose to Adventist Youth Society meetings but involve junior youth. If there is a church school, the Adventist Junior Youth Society is usually a part of the school’s spiritual curriculum. (See Notes, #10, p. 177.)

Ambassador Club Meetings—Ambassador Club meetings provide specialized programs to meet the needs of youth, ages 16 through 21, and promote their involvement in the Church. Its meetings and other activities are to be carried out according to conference policies and in coordination with other youth/young adult ministries of the local church.

Pathfinder Club Meetings—The Pathfinder Club meetings provide specialized programs for junior youth and in some areas have replaced the Adventist Junior Youth Society meetings. Churches where both function should coordinate their activities. Pathfinders will meet according to conference departmental policy.

Adventurer Club Meetings—Adventurer Club meetings provide specialized programs for primary/early school-age children designed to complement and strengthen parental involvement in early childhood development. Meetings and other activities are to be carried out according to conference policies as outlined in the club manuals and in coordination with other youth-related and family-related organizations of the church.

OBJECTIONS TO THE REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE - CHURCH MANUAL AMENDMENT

VOTED, To amend the Church Manual, Chapter 9, Elections, page 109, Objections to the Report of the Nominating Committee, to read as follows:

Objections to the Report of the Nominating Committee—Members may object to the nominating committee’s report and should present their objections in person to the committee before the second reading of the report by making an appointment through the chairperson or pastor. Or, at the time of the second reading of the report, a member may request that the whole report be referred without discussion to the committee for further consideration. It is the usual procedure for the chairperson to accept the referral. However, if the request becomes a motion, it is nondebatable and is decided by majority vote.

The chairperson should announce when and where the committee will meet to hear objections. At that time members making objections, or any other member who desires to do so, should appear before the com
mittee. If the election is deferred because of objections, it would be a serious matter for those raising objections to fail to appear before the committee.

The committee should give due consideration to the objections presented. If they are found to be justified, the committee should substitute new names for those to which objection was made. After giving due consideration to the objections presented, the committee will exercise its judgment as to whether or not any change is warranted in the committee’s recommendation to the church business meeting. When the report is again presented, the church proceeds to vote on the report of the committee.

Trivial or groundless objections to any name should never be made, but if there are serious reasons that any nomination should be changed, these reasons should be stated to the nominating committee.

UNAUTHORIZED SPEAKERS - CHURCH MANUAL AMENDMENT

VOTED, To refer Unauthorized Speakers, Church Manual Amendment, back to the Church Manual Committee.

COMMUNION SERVICE - CHURCH MANUAL AMENDMENT

VOTED, To refer Communion Service, Church Manual Amendment, back to the Church Manual Committee.

BUSINESS MEETINGS - CHURCH MANUAL AMENDMENT

VOTED, To amend the Church Manual, Chapter 10, Services and Other Meetings, pages 123 and 124, Business Meetings, to read as follows:

Business Meetings

The local church operates within defined roles in Seventh-day Adventist Church structure. Within the context of those roles, the business meeting is the governing body constituency meeting of the local church. (See p. 29.) Members in regular standing are encouraged to attend and are entitled to vote. A member under censure has no right to participate by voice or vote.

Business meetings shall be held at least once a year. The pastor, or the board in consultation with and support of the pastor, calls the meeting. Business meetings typically are announced a week or two in advance at the regular Sabbath worship service, with detail as to time and place. The pastor, an elder arranged by the pastor, or, in some cases, the conference president, serves as chairperson of the business meeting.

Each church decides what the quorum will be for future meetings. Votes by proxy or letter are not permitted.

Major items should be decided at a regular or specially called business meeting.

The business meeting has authority over the board and may delegate responsibilities to the board in addition to those already assigned by the Church Manual. (See pp. 124-127.)

The business meeting agenda should include reports about the work of the church. At least once a year the agenda should include reports covering church activities. Based on those reports, presentation of a proposed plan of action for the next year year, including an annual budget, should be presented for approval. When possible, reports and plans for the next year should be presented in writing. (See Notes, #7, pp. 176, 177.)

In order to maintain a spirit of cooperation between the church and conference, the church shall secure counsel from conference officers on all major matters.

Conference and union officers (president, secretary, treasurer) or their designee may attend without vote (unless granted by the church) any business meeting of any church in their territory. An action to allow voting is not required if the officer is currently a member of that congregation.

FINANCE COMMITTEE - CHURCH MANUAL ADDITION

VOTED, To add a new section, Finance Committee, to the Church Manual, Chapter 10, Services and Other Meetings, following Church Board and Its Meetings, on page 127, to read as follows:

Finance Committee

Each church should have a mission-driven, broadly-based consultative financial planning and budgeting process with a committee structure that can give detailed review to the ongoing financial planning and budgeting. In some cases, this may take the form of a finance committee. In other cases, in smaller churches, this process may be handled directly by the church board. If the church establishes a separate committee for this purpose, the responsibilities should include reviewing budget requests and the review of the annual operating budget as well as a review of the financial position of the church as reflected in the financial statements. The approval of the budget and the review of the financial statement shall then be recommended to the church board and onward to the business meeting of the church for action.

CHURCH BOARD AND IT’S MEETING - CHURCH MANUAL AMENDMENT

VOTED, To call for the vote on Church Board and It’s Meeting, Church Manual Amendment.

CHURCH BOARD AND ITS MEETINGS - CHURCH MANUAL AMENDMENT

VOTED, To refer Church Board and It’s Meetings, Church Manual Amendment, back to the Church Manual Committee.

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