The office of pastor is the church’s call to shepherd: to lead our church in its mission of sharing the good news of Jesus, making disciples, and preparing a people for His return. Through this office the congregation is fed from the Bible and every member is equipped for ministry, because the work of the church belongs to all of us.

And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
— Jeremiah 3:15 (KJV)

The minister should not feel that it is his duty to do all the talking and all the laboring and all the praying; he should educate helpers in every church.
— Ellen G. White, one of our church’s founders, in Gospel Workers, p. 197

The work of the office

• Preaching and teaching the Bible, and planning the preaching with the elders.
• Preparing people for baptism and welcoming them into membership.
• Leading the Communion service, which Adventists hold each quarter, beginning with foot washing after Jesus’ example in John 13.
• Visiting members at home and in hospital, and counseling people through hard times in confidence.
• Officiating at weddings and funerals.
• Training and encouraging members so that the whole church shares in its ministry.

Those who serve

You are appointed by the conference, the regional body that unites the Seventh-day Adventist churches of an area, and you serve our congregation on its behalf. You are not asked to carry the work of the church alone: the church asks you to lead, to teach, and to raise up helpers in every member.

Elders are the spiritual leaders of the local church. They stand next to the pastor. Together they care for worship, teaching, and the people in the congregation.

If the church has a pastor, the elders share the work with him. They take turns in the pulpit. They visit members. They help plan.

If the church is in a district, or the pastor is away, an elder steps in. The elder leads worship. The elder runs the church business meeting. The elder makes sure the members are cared for and taught.

Most churches have more than one elder. Together they form a team. One elder is chosen to lead the team. This person is called the head elder, or in some churches, the first elder. The head elder works closely with the pastor and helps the other elders do their work well.

A small church may have only one elder.

The Church Manual says elders should be:
- Known in the church and the community as good, trustworthy people
- Able to lead worship
- Ordained to the office by an ordained pastor
- The church's leaders when the pastor is not there

Elders may not baptize people or do other pastor's duties unless the conference has arranged for it.

The office of deacon exists so that the church can give itself to its mission. The office began in Acts 6, when the first Christians chose seven men to care for those in need, so that the apostles could give themselves to prayer and to preaching. Today the office cares for the people, the worship and the building of our church.

Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
— Acts 6:3 (KJV)

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.
— Ellen G. White, one of our church’s founders, in The Acts of the Apostles, p. 89

The work of the office

• Opening and caring for the building and grounds, and keeping the sanctuary ready for worship.
• Welcoming and ushering people, and receiving the offering.
• Preparing for baptisms, which Adventists perform by full immersion, and assisting the men being baptized.
• Preparing and serving at Communion, including the foot washing for the men.
• Visiting the sick and helping members and neighbors in need.

Those who serve

You are elected by the church through its nominating committee for a term the church sets, and ordained, once, by an ordained pastor. You serve with the other deacons under the head deacon, and beside the deaconesses. The church asks of you what it asked of the first seven: an honest name, a heart full of the Holy Spirit, and wisdom.

The office of deaconess shows the care of Christ in practical ways: looking after the sick, the grieving and the needy, and preparing for baptism and Communion. The office follows women such as Phoebe, whom Paul calls a servant of the church in Romans 16.

Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
— Galatians 6:2 (KJV)

Visit the sick and suffering, and show a kindly interest in them. If possible, do something to make them more comfortable. Through this means you can reach their hearts and speak a word for Christ.
— Ellen G. White, one of our church’s founders, in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 36

The work of the office

• Welcoming visitors and looking after anyone who needs help during a service.
• Preparing the bread and grape juice for Communion and the basins and towels for the foot washing, and serving the women.
• Assisting women and girls being baptized, and caring for the baptismal robes.
• Visiting the sick, the grieving and the lonely.
• Helping families in need with meals and other practical care.

Those who serve

You are elected by the church through its nominating committee for a term the church sets, and you may be ordained by an ordained pastor, as deacons are. You serve with the other deaconesses under the head deaconess, and beside the deacons. Much of your work is quiet and unseen, and through it many in our church feel the care of Christ.

The office of clerk keeps the record of our church’s life: the names of those who join by baptism or by profession of faith, the decisions the church makes together, and the reports we send to our conference. Every name on our membership list is a person who has given their life to Christ, and the office keeps that record accurate, faithful and confidential.

Let all things be done decently and in order.
— 1 Corinthians 14:40 (KJV)

New fields of work must be opened, souls are to be added to the faith, new names will appear on the church records,—names that will appear in the immortal records in heaven.
— Ellen G. White, one of our church’s founders, in Counsels on Stewardship, p. 299

The work of the office

• Keeping the membership list, which changes only by a vote of the church.
• Handling the transfer of membership when members move to or from another Adventist church.
• Recording new members received by baptism or by profession of faith.
• Writing and keeping the minutes of business meetings and church board meetings.
• Sending the conference its reports and the names of the delegates the church elects.
• Keeping the records in eAdventist, the membership system of Adventist churches in North America.

Those who serve

You are elected by the church through its nominating committee for a term the church sets. You hold the church’s records in trust: what you keep is confidential, and you share it only as the church directs. Your care with each name honors the person behind it.

The treasury receives, records and safeguards the gifts that carry the good news to the world. Adventists return a tithe, a tenth of their income, which supports pastors and ministry across the wider church, and give offerings for our own church and for missions around the world. The treasury makes sure each gift goes where the giver intended.

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
— 1 Corinthians 4:2 (KJV)

The tithe is sacred, reserved by God for Himself. It is to be brought into His treasury to be used to sustain the gospel laborers in their work.
— Ellen G. White, one of our church’s founders, in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 249

The work of the office

• Counting and recording every gift, always with two people present.
• Giving members receipts for their giving, and keeping what each person gives confidential.
• Sending the tithe and mission offerings on to the conference each month.
• Paying the church’s approved expenses and keeping its accounts.
• Reporting on the church’s finances each month, and opening the books to the conference’s auditors.

Those who serve

The church elects the treasurer and any assistant treasurers through its nominating committee for a term the church sets. You handle what members have given to God, and the church asks of you faithfulness above all: honesty in every count, and silence about what anyone gives.

What Safety Is For

The safety office takes care of two things: the people who come to church, and the building they come to.

This means the exits stay clear. The fire extinguishers stay charged. The children are cared for by people who have been screened and trained. Everyone knows what to do if there is a fire, a medical emergency, or bad weather. And if something does go wrong, someone writes it down and reports it.

When the safety office does its work well, the rest of the church does not have to worry.

Who Holds This Office

One person usually holds this office. This person is called the safety officer.

The safety officer often works with a small team. This team may include deacons, children's leaders, and anyone in the church with medical or security experience.

Where This Office Comes From

The Church Manual does not have a section on a safety officer. Instead, it gives the care of church property to the deacons and the church board. The conference sets the child protection rules that the church follows.

The safety office, as described on this page, is how many North American Adventist churches handle safety in practice. Adventist Risk Management, the church's own insurer, is the usual guide for how to do it well.

What This Office Does

The communications office tells the church's story.

It tells the story to the members. It does this through the bulletin, the website, email, and the announcements.

It also tells the story to the community. It does this through social media, the local news, and the church's public face.

When a visitor looks up the church on a phone on Friday night, what they find is this office's work.

When something like a baptism or a food drive happens, this office makes sure people outside the church hear about it too.

Who Holds It

Usually, one person holds this office. They may be called the communication secretary or the communication director.

In a larger church, a committee may help. The committee can cover the website, social media, the bulletin, and the media.

What the Church Manual Says

The Church Manual has a section on the Communication department. Here is what it says:

• Every church should elect a communication secretary.
• Larger churches should also elect a communication committee.
• This office gathers and shares the church's news.
• This office keeps good relations with local media.
• This office works with the conference communication director.
• This office reports to the church.

The pastor is primarily responsible for this work. The pastor works closely with the secretary as an advisor.

The Community Service ministry follows the way Jesus served: by meeting people’s needs, whatever they believe. Through this ministry our church feeds the hungry, clothes those in need and helps after disasters, and through that care people see the love of Christ. Across North America this work is known as Adventist Community Services, and grew out of the Dorcas Societies, named for the woman in Acts 9 who made clothing for widows.

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
— Matthew 25:40 (KJV)

Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, “Follow Me.”
— Ellen G. White, one of our church’s founders, in Christian Service, p. 119

The work of the office

• Providing food, clothing and other help to individuals and families.
• Responding to fires, floods and other disasters with Adventist Community Services’ disaster response.
• Visiting and befriending people who are isolated.
• Organizing members to volunteer in the community.
• Welcoming the people we help into the life of the church when they want to come.

Those who serve

The church elects the leader through its nominating committee for a term the church sets, and the leader gathers volunteers from among the members. You serve people as Jesus did: first meeting their needs and winning their confidence, and then, when they are ready, inviting them to follow Him.

The Personal Ministries office equips every member of our church to share their faith. Jesus gave the work of telling the world about Him to all His followers, not to pastors alone, and this office helps each member find their own way to share Him: in conversation, in Bible studies, with literature and through the church’s outreach.

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
— Acts 1:8 (KJV)

Every true disciple is born into the kingdom of God as a missionary. He who drinks of the living water becomes a fountain of life. The receiver becomes a giver.
— Ellen G. White, one of our church’s founders, in Christian Service, p. 9

The work of the office

• Training members to give Bible studies and to talk about their faith.
• Providing books, magazines and other literature to share.
• Organizing outreach: small groups, evangelistic meetings and community events.
• Following up with people who want to learn more.
• Coordinating the church’s outreach ministries so that they work together.

Those who serve

The church elects the leader and the secretary through its nominating committee for a term the church sets, and they lead the Personal Ministries Council, which brings the church’s outreach together. You are not asked to do all the witnessing yourself, but to help every member become a witness.

Possibilities Ministries makes sure that everyone can take a full part in the worship, fellowship and mission of our church. The ministry serves people who are deaf or blind, people living with physical or mental-health challenges, orphans and vulnerable children, widows and widowers, and caregivers. Across the Adventist world church, the ministry’s watchword is that everyone is gifted, needed and treasured: every member has a part in God’s work.

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
— 1 Corinthians 12:27 (KJV)

Those who have the spiritual oversight of the church should devise ways and means by which an opportunity may be given to every member of the church to act some part in God’s work.
— Ellen G. White, one of our church’s founders, in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 116

The work of the office

• Finding the barriers that keep people from taking part, and working to remove them.
• Arranging help such as large-print materials, hearing support and accessible seating.
• Supporting caregivers and their families.
• Inviting members with disabilities to lead and serve, not only to be served.
• Helping the whole church understand and welcome people of every ability.

Those who serve

The church elects the coordinator through its nominating committee for a term the church sets. You notice who is missing and why, and you work with the church’s leaders so that every member, of every ability, has a part to act.

Youth & Children’s Ministries nurtures the faith of the young people of our church, from infants to young adults, and gives each of them a real part in the church’s mission. Children and youth are not only the church of tomorrow: they worship, serve, lead and share their faith today.

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
— 1 Timothy 4:12 (KJV)

Let not the youth be ignored; let them share in the labor and responsibility. Let them feel that they have a part to act in helping and blessing others.
— Ellen G. White, one of our church’s founders, in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 435

The work of the office

• Overseeing the children’s and youth classes of Sabbath School, the Bible study hour on Saturday morning.
• Running Vacation Bible School, camps and mission trips.
• Leading Adventist Youth programs and youth-led worship services.
• Working with the Adventurer Club, for ages 4 to 9, and Pathfinders, the club for ages 10 to 15.
• Making sure everyone who works with minors is screened and trained.

Those who serve

The church elects the leader and the committee through its nominating committee for a term the church sets. You are trusted with the church’s children and youth, so you are screened and trained before you serve. The church asks you to give young people real work to do, and to be an example to them in word, in love and in faith.

The Adventurer Club is our church’s club for children ages 4 to 9 and their parents. Through hands-on activities, nature study and Bible stories, children learn that Jesus loves them, that they belong in the church, and that they can help others. The club prepares them for Pathfinders, the club for ages 10 to 15.

But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
— Mark 10:14 (KJV)

Fathers and mothers, teach your children of the wonder-working power of God. His power is manifest in every plant, in every tree that bears fruit. Take the children into the garden and explain to them how He causes the seed to grow.
— Ellen G. White, one of our church’s founders, in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 326

The work of the office

• Holding regular meetings with crafts, songs, nature study and Bible stories.
• Guiding children through classes and awards for their age.
• Planning field trips and service projects.
• Involving parents in what their children learn.
• Recruiting and training the club’s counselors and instructors.

Those who serve

The church elects the director through its nominating committee for a term the church sets, and the director chooses the club’s staff with the church. You are screened and trained before you work with children. You teach as much by who you are as by what you say, and you help parents show their children God in what He has made.

Men’s Ministries brings the men of our church together to grow as followers of Jesus and to serve. Through this ministry men encourage one another to lead their families in faith, to build friendships that strengthen them, and to put their skills and strength to work for God at church and in the community.

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity.
— 1 Corinthians 16:13–14 (KJV)

Men who are not called to the ministry are to labor for their Master according to their several ability.
— Ellen G. White, one of our church’s founders, in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 128

The work of the office

• Holding Bible studies and prayer groups for men.
• Organizing breakfasts, retreats and other times of fellowship.
• Mentoring boys and younger men.
• Leading service projects, such as repairs for widows and older members.
• Encouraging men to use their gifts in the life of the church.

Those who serve

The church chooses the leader, through its nominating committee or its church board, for a term the church sets. You lead by example: by your faithfulness at home, your friendship with other men, and your readiness to serve.

Women’s Ministries nurtures the women of our church in their walk with God, helps them discover and use their gifts, and reaches out to other women with the love of Jesus. Women can reach hearts and homes that others cannot, and this ministry helps them do so.

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
— Proverbs 31:26 (KJV)

They can do in families a work that men cannot do, a work that reaches the inner life. They can come close to the hearts of those whom men cannot reach. Their labor is needed.
— Ellen G. White, one of our church’s founders, in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 117

The work of the office

• Leading Bible studies, prayer groups and retreats for women.
• Pairing younger women with mentors.
• Offering a safe place to talk about the hardships women face, including abuse.
• Planning the church’s Women’s Ministries emphasis day and day of prayer each year.
• Organizing outreach to women in the community.

Those who serve

The church elects the leader and the committee through its nominating committee for a term the church sets. Women bring you what they carry, so the church asks you to listen with kindness, to keep confidences, and to speak with wisdom.

Stewardship teaches the church one simple truth: everything belongs to God. We do not own our time, our abilities, our health, the earth, or our money. We only manage them for Him.

Tithe and offerings are part of this. The stewardship leader is the one who keeps faithful giving in front of the church. But this office is about more than money. It is about living all of life in trust.

The church elects a leader for this office. Sometimes a small committee helps. The Church Manual calls this work Stewardship Ministries. It helps members partner with God in their lives and in their giving. The leader works with the pastor and the church board. Together they plan stewardship education. They also encourage faithfulness in tithe and offerings.

The treasurer handles the money itself. The stewardship leader's job is to teach and encourage. The stewardship leader never handles or sees anyone's giving records.

The Health & Temperance ministry shares good health as part of the good news of Jesus, who healed people in body, mind and spirit. Temperance means avoiding what harms, such as alcohol, tobacco and drugs, and using good things in moderation. Through health programs open to everyone, this ministry serves our members and opens doors in our community.

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
— 3 John 2 (KJV)

The work of health reform is the Lord’s means for lessening suffering in our world and for purifying His church. Teach the people that they can act as God’s helping hand by co-operating with the Master Worker in restoring physical and spiritual health.
— Ellen G. White, one of our church’s founders, in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 112

The work of the office

• Running cooking classes, health talks and health screenings.
• Offering programs to quit smoking, manage stress and improve fitness.
• Supporting members living with illness.
• Upholding the church’s stand for freedom from alcohol, tobacco and harmful drugs.
• Reaching the community through health programs open to everyone.

Those who serve

The church elects the leader and the council through its nominating committee for a term the church sets. You teach by example and with compassion, never with judgment, as a helper with Christ in restoring health of body and of spirit.

What this office is for

The Interest Coordinator keeps the church from losing people.

An "interest" is any name that reaches the church. It could be:

• A visitor who signs the guest book.
• Someone who asks for Bible studies through a media ministry.
• A card sent back from a piece of literature.
• Someone who came to a cooking class and asked about the church.

Each of these is an interest. You keep a record of every one. You make sure someone follows up with that person. You keep following up until the person either joins the church family or asks to be left alone.

How the office works

Usually, one person holds this office. You work closely with the pastor and with the Personal Ministries leader.

The Church Manual describes the Interest Coordinator this way:

An elected member of the Personal Ministries Council who keeps an organized record of all the interests the church receives — from media ministries, literature, Bible correspondence courses, evangelistic meetings, and visitors — sees that each one is handed to the pastor, a Bible worker, or a member for follow-up, and reports regularly to the council.

The office of Prayer Coordinator keeps prayer at the center of our church’s life and mission. Everything we do depends on God, and prayer is how we bring Him our needs, our thanks and the people we are reaching, together, every week.

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
— Matthew 18:20 (KJV)

Prayer is the breath of the soul. It is the secret of spiritual power.
— Ellen G. White, one of our church’s founders, in Gospel Workers, p. 254

The work of the office

• Organizing the midweek prayer meeting and other times of prayer.
• Running the prayer chain, which passes urgent requests to people who pray right away.
• Making sure requests shared at church are prayed for during the week.
• Leading the church in the seasons of prayer the wider church sets each year.
• Encouraging members to pray at home and in their daily lives.

Those who serve

The church chooses the coordinator, through its nominating committee or its church board, for a term the church sets. You hold in confidence what people ask you to pray for, and you lead first by praying yourself.

The hospitality ministry welcomes everyone who comes to our church, so that a first visit leads to a second. Jesus welcomed everyone, and for many visitors a warm welcome is the first way they see His love in us.

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
— Hebrews 13:2 (KJV)

A kind, courteous Christian is the most powerful argument that can be produced in favor of Christianity.
— Ellen G. White, one of our church’s founders, in Gospel Workers, p. 122

The work of the office

• Arranging greeters at the doors each Sabbath (Saturday).
• Making sure visitors are noticed, welcomed and helped to find their way.
• Organizing the fellowship meal after the worship service, a shared meal that is traditionally vegetarian.
• Passing visitors’ details to the Interest Coordinator for follow-up.
• Introducing newcomers to the pastor.

Those who serve

The church chooses the leader, through its nominating committee or its church board, for a term the church sets, and the leader gathers greeters and hosts from among the members. Your kindness at the door may be the first sermon a visitor hears.

The audio/video ministry helps everyone hear and see the message of our services, in the sanctuary and online. Clear sound, the right slides, a steady livestream and live captions carry our worship to people far beyond our walls, including those who cannot be with us in person.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
— Romans 10:17 (KJV)

The humblest workers, in co-operation with Christ, may touch chords whose vibrations shall ring to the ends of the earth, and make melody throughout eternal ages.
— Ellen G. White, one of our church’s founders, in Christian Service, p. 257

The work of the office

• Running the sound desk and the microphones.
• Showing the slides for hymns, scripture and announcements.
• Running the cameras and the livestream.
• Running the live captions for people who read the service rather than hear it.
• Looking after the equipment and training new operators.

Those who serve

The church chooses the leader, through its nominating committee or its church board, for a term the church sets, and the leader trains a team to run each service. When you serve well, nobody notices you: they notice the message, carried further than any voice in the room could carry it.

The music ministry leads our congregation in praising God together. Singing is worship, as much as prayer is, and the hymns we sing teach the truths of the Bible and lift our hearts to God.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
— Colossians 3:16 (KJV)

Singing, as a part of religious service, is as much an act of worship as is prayer. The heart must feel the spirit of the song to give it right expression.
— Ellen G. White, one of our church’s founders, in Counsels for the Church, p. 172

The work of the office

• Choosing the hymns for each service with the pastor.
• Leading the song service, a time of congregational singing at the start of worship.
• Directing the choir and arranging special music.
• Scheduling the church’s musicians.
• Working with the pianist, the singers and the Audio/Video team.

Those who serve

The church elects the music coordinator, and any music committee, through its nominating committee for a term the church sets. You lead worship, not a performance: the church asks you to choose music that helps the whole congregation sing to God with understanding.

The office of pianist leads our congregation’s singing from the keyboard and accompanies the music of our worship. The music before, during and after the service is an offering to God that prepares hearts to hear His word.

Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
— Psalm 33:3 (KJV)

Call to your aid, if practicable, instrumental music, and let the glorious harmony ascend to God, an acceptable offering.
— Ellen G. White, one of our church’s founders, in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 71

The work of the office

• Playing the hymns the congregation sings.
• Playing the prelude, the offertory and the postlude: the music before the service, during the offering and after it.
• Accompanying the choir and soloists.
• Sharing the schedule with the church’s other pianists and organists.
• Rehearsing with the music coordinator and the singers.

Those who serve

The church elects you through its nominating committee for a term the church sets, or the music coordinator names you from among the church’s musicians. Your gift serves the congregation: a steady tempo and a clear lead help everyone sing.

The Children’s Story & Scripture ministry looks after two moments in our worship service. In the children’s story, the children come to the front to hear a story told for them, so that every week they hear of Jesus’ love in words they understand. In the scripture reading before the sermon, God’s word is read aloud to the whole congregation, clearly and reverently.

We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
— Psalm 78:4 (KJV)

At every suitable opportunity let the story of Jesus’ love be repeated to the children. In every sermon let a little corner be left for their benefit.
— Ellen G. White, one of our church’s founders, in Gospel Workers, p. 208

The work of the office

• Scheduling the storytellers and the scripture readers.
• Helping them prepare.
• Telling stories that show children God’s love in a way they understand.
• Making sure the scripture is read clearly and well.
• Telling the service planners who is doing what each week.

Those who serve

The church elects the leader through its nominating committee for a term the church sets, and the leader gathers the storytellers and readers. When you tell a story, tell of Jesus’ love; when you read, read as one who believes every word.

The office of Sabbath School Superintendent leads Sabbath School, the hour of Bible study, fellowship and mission that opens our Saturday morning. Seventh-day Adventists keep the seventh-day Sabbath, from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday, and in Sabbath School members of every age study the Bible together in classes, pray for one another and support the church’s mission around the world.

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
— Acts 17:11 (KJV)

The object of Sabbath school work should be the ingathering of souls.
— Ellen G. White, one of our church’s founders, in Counsels for the Church, p. 266

The work of the office

• Planning the Sabbath School program each week.
• Leading the Sabbath School council, which appoints and supports the teachers.
• Overseeing the classes, from the youngest children to the adults.
• Providing the Bible study guides that Adventist churches around the world study together each week.
• Promoting the Sabbath School mission offering, which supports the church’s work around the world.

Those who serve

The church elects you through its nominating committee for a term the church sets. You keep Sabbath School’s aim in view: not only good classes, but people brought to Christ.

The card ministry sends our church’s written kindness: birthday cards, notes of sympathy, get-well wishes and welcomes for new babies. A few kind words at the right time can lift a heavy heart, and each card tells a member that their church family noticed and cares.

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
— Proverbs 25:11 (KJV)

Those who are fighting the battle of life at great odds may be refreshed and strengthened by little attentions which cost nothing. Kindly words simply spoken, little attentions simply bestowed, will sweep away the clouds of temptation and doubt that gather over the soul.
— Ellen G. White, one of our church’s founders, in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 30

The work of the office

• Keeping the list of members’ birthdays.
• Watching for news of illness, loss and new arrivals.
• Sending cards promptly.
• Remembering members who can no longer come to church.
• Working with the deacons and deaconesses who care for the sick and the grieving.

Those who serve

The church chooses you, through its nominating committee or its church board, for a term the church sets. Your work is small and steady, and members remember it: a card that arrives on the right day tells someone they were thought of.

The flower ministry brings the beauty of God’s creation into our sanctuary each Sabbath (Saturday), and then carries that beauty to people who need comfort. The flowers speak of the love of the God who made them; after the service they go, with the church’s love, to members who are sick, grieving or homebound.

Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
— Psalm 96:6 (KJV)

I recognized an expression of the love of Jesus in every shrub, bud, and flower. These things of beauty seemed to speak in mute language of the love of God.
— Ellen G. White, one of our church’s founders, in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 19

The work of the office

• Arranging the flowers for the worship service.
• Keeping the calendar on which members give the week’s flowers, in memory of someone or in thanks.
• Providing flowers for the weeks nobody has signed up for.
• Taking the flowers after the service to members who are sick, grieving or homebound.
• Working with the deaconesses, who care for the sanctuary and the sick.

Those who serve

The church chooses you, through its nominating committee or its church board, for a term the church sets. You offer beauty to God on the Sabbath, and then give it away to someone who needs it.

The Compassion Fund is the church's own way to help people in need. Maybe a member can't pay a utility bill this month. Maybe a family just had a fire. Maybe a stranger comes to the door, hungry. The fund is for times like these.

The money comes from the congregation. The treasurer holds it. This office makes sure the money is used well — wisely, quietly, and quickly.

The Church Manual doesn't use the name "Compassion Fund." That's just what this church calls it. But the Manual does say that deacons and deaconesses care for the sick and the poor. It says the church should set aside money for this. And it says the treasurer holds all church funds. That's as far as the Manual goes. Everything else on this page is simply how churches like ours tend to do this work.

Usually, one person runs this office. It's often the head deacon or head deaconess. But that person never decides alone. Each request for help gets decided together — with the pastor and the deacons.