Why does the Seventh-day Adventist Church have a Church Manual?

God is a God of order as evidenced in His works of creation and redemption. Consequently, order belongs to the essence of His church. Order is achieved through principles and regulations that guide the Church in its internal operations and in the fulfillment of its mission to the world. In order for it to be a successful ecclesiastical organization at the service of the Lord and humanity, it needs order, rule, and discipline. Scripture affirms that “all things be done decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40).

Ellen G. White pointed out such needs in 1875: “The church of Christ is in constant peril. Satan is seeking to destroy the people of God, and one man’s mind, one man’s judgment, is not sufficient to be trusted. Christ would have His followers brought together in church capacity, observing order, having rules and discipline, and all subject one to another, esteeming others better than themselves.”—3T 445.

This resource is useful for every:

Church Library
Pastor
Church secretary
Lay persons involved in church leadership

The Church Manual describes the operations and functions of local churches and their relationship to denominational structures in which they hold membership. The Church Manual defines the relationship that exists between the local congregation and the conference or other entities of the Seventh-day Adventist church.

It also expresses the church’s understanding of Christian life and church governance and discipline based on biblical principles and the authority of the duly assembled General Conference Sessions. The principles, based on Holy Scriptures and underscored by the Spirit of Prophecy, are to be followed in all matters pertaining to the administration and operation of local churches.

Why a Church Manual