Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.
Synopsis
Scripture and experience both argue for organization. Israel was ordered in divisions, tribes and groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens (Exod. 18:21-22; Num. 10:28); the church is a body of many members under Christ the Head (1 Cor. 12:12-28; Col. 1:18). Adventist pioneers resisted organization until necessity forced the question, and Ellen White wrote that without some form of organization there would be great confusion. The handbook describes four forms of church governance — papal, episcopal, congregational, and representative — and identifies the Adventist form as representative: authority rests with the members and is delegated to representative bodies, reviewed at sessions. Four levels of constituent organization follow: the local church, the local conference/field/mission, the union, and the General Conference, whose session and executive committee constitute the highest authority. Tithe (Mal. 3:10) is the church's main income, shared upward through the levels.
Key points
- Order is a principle of God's own work; organization prevents confusion.
- A group meets as a 'company' under conference oversight until organized as a church.
- The Adventist form of government is representative, not papal, episcopal, or congregational.
- Four constituent levels: local church, conference/mission, union, General Conference.
- The General Conference in session, and its executive committee between sessions, is the highest authority.
- Tithe is the principal income of the church and is shared through the organizational levels.
Key texts
- Exodus 18:21-22
- Numbers 10:28
- 1 Corinthians 12:12-28
- Colossians 1:18
- Hebrews 10:24-25
- Malachi 3:10
- Galatians 3:28
- Comprehension
1. Why did the Adventist pioneers eventually organize, despite early resistance?
- Scripture
2. Read Exodus 18:21-22. What organizational principle did Jethro give Moses?
- Scripture
3. How does 1 Corinthians 12:12-28 argue for structure?
- Comprehension
4. Name the four forms of church governance the handbook describes.
- Doctrinal Clarity
5. What distinguishes representative government from congregational government?
- Comprehension
6. When does a group of believers become an organized church rather than a company?
- Comprehension
7. List the four constituent levels of Adventist organization, in order.
- Contrast
8. Contrast a leader who treats his own judgment as sufficient with one who submits it to the body.
- Scripture
9. Read Malachi 3:10. How does tithe support the whole structure?
- Application
10. Where is your congregation most tempted to act as if it were independent, and what would change if it acted representatively?