Important Resolutions for the Churches by J. H. EVANS

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 28, 1916

Important Resolutions for the Churches

By J. H. EVANS

It is essential for an efficient organization to have uniform regulations and a working polity for all its parts. At the late Autumn Council, a strong committee of some of our leading men worked out a series of resolutions, which are submitted herewith as adopted by the council, to be followed by all the churches in the North American Division Conference. It would be well for the officers of each church to have these recommendations preserved in some form for reference whenever they are needed in the future. These church regulations have not been in print for some years, and many will be glad to read and preserve them.

We trust that all our churches will follow these recommendations regarding the election of officers, the transfer of church membership, the keeping of church records, and the handling of funds, so that all will be working on the same plan.

The recommendations are as follows:—

“WHEREAS, There are some questions of church order, in regard to which there has grown up a difference of opinion, because of the passing out of memory of actions taken long ago by the General Conference, we offer the following as a suggestive plan to be followed in church order:—

“1. That the church officers be elders, deacons, deaconesses, clerk, treasurer, missionary secretary, Sabbath school superintendent and secretary, with such additional officers as may be called for on account of the size of the church.

“2. That the elders, deacons, and such other persons as may be chosen by the church, constitute the church board.

“3. That these officers be elected by the church on the following plan:—

“That the church appoint a committee on nominations, or authorize the church board to make such appointment, to suggest to the church names for these offices; that the vote of the church elect the officers; and that they serve for one year in all cases except the Missionary Volunteer officers, who shall hold their offices for six months.

“4. That officers requiring ordination be ordained as soon after the election as possible; that they do not administer the ordinances until they are ordained.

“5. That the jurisdiction of a local elder, or his authority to administer the ordinances, be confined to that church which elected him elder, except where the conference committee under special circumstances deems it advisable to instruct him to go to another church.

“6. That if he be reelected, or properly elected elder of another church, his ordination shall stand good; he need not be reordained.

“7. That in case of his removal to another conference, the fact that he has acted as elder over one church should not be considered a ground for calling him to act as elder again. The church should consider his qualifications just as they would if he had never been an elder; and if there be any doubt, inquiry should be made of the officers of the conference

from which he came, to ascertain whether he filled the office acceptably; and if he has been faithful to his church covenant, he need not be reordained.

“8. That all offerings taken in the church be handed each week to the treasurer, who shall keep an account of them; that the treasurer remit all foreign and general offerings to the conference treasurer at the close of each month; that he pay over to the missionary secretary the offerings for the local missionary work; that he disburse the church expense fund as he may be directed by the church board.

“9. That all expenditures from the expense fund and the poor fund be considered by the church board and authorized before being made.

“10. That members be transferred on the following plan:—

“a. That letters of transfer received from other churches, and requests to join on profession of faith, as a general rule, be presented to the church one week before being acted upon.

“b. That members transferring be received only by letters of transfer sent direct from the church clerk issuing them to the clerk of the church to which they wish to be transferred; that personal applications from members for letters be made to the clerk of the church which they wish to join.

“11. WHEREAS, For some years there has been a tendency on the part of many of the members of our churches to remove from the church to which they belong without transferring their membership, thus causing confusion in the matter of keeping accurate records of membership; therefore,—

“We urge all the members of our churches everywhere to be more careful in respect to the transfer of their membership to the church where they reside; and, further,—

“We believe it would be advisable, in cases where members do not report to their church for a period of two years, that after due efforts have been put forth by the home church, their names be dropped from the church record.

“12. That we discourage the disbanding of churches in order to discipline unfaithful and troublesome members, but urge that the Bible plan of dealing with unworthy members be followed; that by patience and love, many prayers and earnest entreaties, we put forth untiring and persevering efforts to reclaim those who may have lost their spiritual perception; and that in cases where, after following the plain instruction laid down by the Master, members refuse to respond to the efforts put forth, they be disfellowshipped by vote of the church.

“13. That before a church is organized, those expecting to join be carefully and thoroughly instructed in all matters of doctrine, and in the relation which should exist between members; that the organization of churches be effected in counsel with the executive committee of the conference; and that, if possible, the president of the conference be present and assist in the organization.”

J. H. EVANS.