p. 17 | Some Important Questions by G. B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 9, 1909

Some Important Questions

By G. B. Thompson

A BROTHER from one of our island fields sends in several questions concerning church organization. A few of these we answer briefly:—

1. Question.—What is the minimum number necessary for a church organization?

Answer.—It is difficult to answer this, as it depends somewhat upon circumstances. If all expecting to be organized are converted, consecrated persons, centrally located, capable of filling some office in the organization, a smaller number can be organized than if scattered, and not well fitted for some official position. A church properly organized should have at least an elder, deacon, secretary, and treasurer. The same person may fill more than one office if necessary. There should really be more members than required to officer the church in order to organize properly, though it would be possible to organize with simply enough to fill the necessary offices.

2. Ques.—Can a licensed minister organize churches?

Ans.—No; only ordained ministers can properly organize churches and ordain the officers. Before a company of believers is organized into a church, it would be wise, as a rule, to correspond with the conference president, or director of the mission field, and proceed to organize only after receiving the approval of the conference officers. If possible, it would be a good plan for the president, or some other officer of the conference, to be present and assist, though the organization can be effected without this, by an ordained minister. The organization of a church, however, is a matter of much importance, and should not be done hastily. Nothing will be lost by counseling with the conference. God is a God of order.

3. Ques.—What is the difference between the work of a licensed and an ordained minister?

Ans.—A very extended answer could properly be given in reply to this question. In brief, it is this: a license is simply the sanction, or invitation, of a conference to a young man to go into the field and demonstrate his call to the ministry. The proof of his call is not the license, but the conversion of souls. His work is not to labor among the churches, but to go into new fields as a pioneer, and show by bringing souls to Christ that the Lord has called him to this work. Aggressive work, pioneering in new fields, should be his main work. A license, according to the custom of this denomination, does not entitle a person to baptize, perform marriage ceremonies, or ordain church officers. When a licensed minister has produced sufficient fruit of his labor as a seal of his apostleship, he should be ordained to the work of the gospel ministry. He can then work, when necessary, among the churches, ordain church officers, baptize, and do such other work as belongs to the properly ordained minister.

Confusion has been created in some instances by those who have received only a license assuming that it gave authority to do the full work of a minister. But it should be remembered that those granting any official recommendation are the ones to say how much is included in it, and not the one receiving the recommendation. For any one to read into a recommendation what those granting it never intended, is not to be commended. The usage of the denomination, as the writer understands it, is as stated above.

G. B. THOMPSON.