Organizional Structure and Church Governance forms two phases where the church of Christ has formed and operated for the delivery of the Gospel to humanity and the receiving of humanity into the fold of Christ in preparation for his second coming. It is God’s divine plan to function separate and apart from worldly structure and governance that it be a bacon of administration for humanity

2. {a} Organizional Structure and Church Governance forms
two phases where the church of Christ has formed and
operated for the delivery of the Gospel to humanity and the
receiving of humanity into the fold of Christ in preparation
for his second coming. It is God’s divine plan to function
separate and apart from worldly structure and governance
that it be a bacon of administration for humanity.
“Behold I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as
the Lord my God commanded me, that you should do so in
the land whither ye go to possess it.[6] Keep therefore and
do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding
in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes
, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and
understanding people.[7] For what nation is there so great,
who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in
all things that we call upon him for?[8] And what nation is
there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so
righteous as all this law which I set before you this
day?[Deut.4:5-8].

3. From the pen of inspiration, it states, “As a
people we should study God’s plan for
conducting his work. Wherever he has
given in regard to any point we should
carefully consider how to regard his
expressed will. This work should take
special attention.” Tes.Min.pg.342.
{b} In observing this mission as God’s plan
for his work and giving it the special
attention it needs, for if the opposite is
administered, the plan will not be God’s
plan, but man’s plan. We have the right
doctrines and message, but these alone are
not sufficient. We must also have the right
way to implement them.

4.  {1} Organizional Structure and Church Governance
began in heaven:
 “And God said, Let {us} make man in our image, after
our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish
of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the
cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping
thing that creepeth upon the earth…and the Lord came
down to see the city and the tower, which the city of
men builded .[6] And the Lord said, behold the people
is one, and they have all one language; and this they
begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from
them, which they have imagined to do.[7] Go to, Let
{us} go down, and there confound their language, that
they may not understanding one another’s speech.
Gen.1:26, 11:5-7.
 [a] “US” represents Will-{father}, Word-{Christ},
Creative Agent-{Spirit}: “For there are three that bear
witness in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy
Ghost: and these three are one.”1Jn.5:7.

5.  {2} God never intended that Organizional Structure and Church
Governance be headed by one man only: Exo.18:1,9,13-17, 19-
27, Deut.1:9-14,
 Spirit given: “And the Lord said unto Moses, gather unto me
seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the
elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto
the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there
with thee.[17] And I will come down and talk with thee there:
and I will take of the spirit which is upon
thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall
bear the burden of the people with thee, that
thou bear it not thyself alone.” [Num.11:16,17].
 [a] Church pioneer James White states, Review and Herald Dec.
1,1874 “Moses was simply a faithful servant in the Jewish
house, while Christ is the son over his own house. Moses was not
a lord in the Jewish house, he was a servant, while Christ was
Lord…Christ then is the leader of his people in all
ages…But here we wish it distinctly understood that officers
were not ordained in the Christian church to order , or to
command the church, and to “Lord it over God’s
heritage”…Christ will lead his people, if they will
be led.”

6. [b] The idea of humanity exercising lordship over another is
a paganistic knowledge received from the tower of Babel
whose leader was nimrod and has filtered down through
civilization, even to our time. It is not God’s plan for the
church; it’s an act of rejection of God by his people:
[1Sam.8:1-22, 10:17-27].
[c]Lording over God’s heritage presents the individual
image to be possessing an egotistic sense of self-
importance, the same trait possessed by lucifer in heaven:
“Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast
corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will
cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they
may behold…For thou has said in thine heart, I will ascend
into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I
will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides
of the north:…I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I
will be like the most high.”[Eze.28:17,Isa.14:13,14]

7. [d]These traits of character exhibits the person as a human
idol, and the followers thus places the person before [in
place of]God, thus committing the sin of spiritual adultery
against YHWH: “Thou shalt have no other gods before[in
place of]me…For all the gods of the people are idols: but
the Lord made the heavens…As concerning thereof the
eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice to idols,
we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that
there is none other God but
one.”[Exo.20:3,1Chr.16:26,1Cor.8:4]
From the pen of inspiration, it states, “The heavenly
teacher enquired, what stronger delusion can beguile the
mind than the pretence that you are building on the right
foundation and that God accepts your works, when in
reality you are working out many things according to
worldly policy and are sinning against Jehovah.”8T.249.

8.  {3} God’s plan regarding Organizional Structure and Church
Governance was and is to be a Decentralized Organizional
plan, which would mark the second point of God preparing his
people for the end time. Therefore in God’s plan in regard to Church
Governance, all should understand the philosophy of true
leadership as taught by JESUS:
 Philosophy of True Leadership: Mt.20:25-28, “[25] But Jesus called
them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the gentiles
exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise
authority upon them.[26] But it shall not be so among you; but
whosoever shall be great among you, let him be your
minister;[27] And whosoever will be chief among you, let
him be your servant:[28]Even as the son of man came not to be
ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for
many.”
 Mt.23:1,8-12: “Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his
disciples,…[8]But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your master,
even Christ; and all ye are brethren.[9]And call no man your father
upon the earth: for one is father, which is in heaven.[10]Neither be
ye called masters: for one is your master, even Christ.[11]But he that
is greatest among you shall be your servant.[12]And whosoever
shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself
shall be exalted.”
 Mal.2:10: “Have we not all one father? Hath not one God created
us?....

9. “God has made men responsible beings, and placed them in
circumstances favorable to obedience to his will. In the dignity of their
God-given manhood, they are to be governed and controlled by God
himself, not by any human intelligence in our world. Man is ever to
acknowledge that God lives and reigns; men are never to become lords
over God’s heritage. They are to consider that “all ye are brethren.” In
the very fact that men are free moral agents, God teaches us not to forced
or compelled into any course of action, also that as responsible beings in
copartnership with God we are to represent God in character. We are to
have an interest in our brother, in our neighbor, in all around…..The oft
repeated “Rabbi,” was very acceptable to the ear, but Jesus warned
his disciples against this. He said to them, “But be not ye called
rabbi; for one is your master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And
call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father which is in
heaven. Neither be ye called master: for one is your master, even Christ.”
By these words Christ meant no man is to place his spiritual
interest under another as a child is guided and directed by his
earthly father. This has encouraged a spirit to desire
ecclesiastical superiority, which has always resulted in the
injury of the men who have been trusted, and addressed as
“father”. It confuses the sense of the sacredness of the
prerogatives of God.”5B.C.#1098.

10.  {4}JESUS is leader of his church[God’s people in the endtime] and his
disciples having been taught by him aught to educate all who are
followers of Christ Jesus:
 Jn.10:27-30: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they
follow me.[28]And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish,
neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.[29]My father, which
gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out
of my father’s hand.[30]I and my father are one.”
 Heb.12:2: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who
for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the
shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
 Eph.2;13,18-22: “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off
are made nigh by the blood of Christ…[18]For through him we both
have access by one spirit unto the father.[19]Now therefore ye are no
more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and
of the household of God.[20]And are built upon the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner
stone;[21]In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a
holy temple in the Lord.[22]In whom ye also are builded for a
habitation of God through the spirit.”
 1Pet.5:1-3: “The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an
elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of
the glory that shall be revealed:[2]Feed the flock of God which is among
you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not
for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;[3]Neither as being lords over
God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock.”

11. Decentralized Governance

12. Review and Herald, Dec.1,1874; James White states “In the
discussion of the subject of leadership, we propose to bring
out evidence from the words of Christ, and from the
teaching and practices of the early apostles, that Christ is the
Leader of his people, and that the work and office of
leadership has not been laid upon any one person, at any
one time, in the Christian age”.
Test.Min.pg.93: “For years the church has been looking to
man, and expecting much from man, but not looking to
Jesus, in whom our hope of eternal life are centered”….
Test.Min.pg.477,478 :“For years there has been a growing
tendency for men placed in positions of responsibility to
lord it over God’s heritage, thus removing from church
members their keen sense of need of divine instruction and
an appreciation of the privilege to counsel with God
regarding their duty”.

13. “Our bodies are built up from what we eat and drink; and the character of our spiritual
experience depends on what our minds feed upon and assimilate. By continually
dwelling upon the mistakes and defects of others, many become religious dyspeptics. . .
. Those who are so busy in dissecting the words and acts of others, to discover all that is
objectionable, fail to discern the good and pleasant things. They do not eat of the proper
food to promote spiritual vitality and healthy growth The Lord is not pleased with His
people when they neglect to criticize their own soul, criticizing others instead. This is
Satan's work. When you do this work, remember that the enemy is using you as a
means of tempting others, in order that those who should be united in harmony and joy,
building up one another in the most holy faith, shall be warring and complaining
because some one else is sinning. Christ has not made you a sin bearer. You cannot even
bear your own sin.
Therefore be very careful not to take up any reproach against your neighbor. God wants
His people to be free. . . . Shall we not remember that by the words we speak we may
either wound or heal? Shall we not remember that as we judge, so we shall be judged,
we who perhaps have had many more opportunities than those whom we judge?
Our hearts must be melted into tenderness and love for one another. We may criticize
ourselves just as severely as we please. The one who criticizes another gives evidence
that he is the very one who needs to criticize himself. Pray God to show you what you
must remove from yourselves in order that you may see the kingdom of God....
There is a crown for the overcomer. Do you want it? Do you want to run the race with
patience? Then do not seek to find something to condemn in your neighbor, but look
right to Jesus Christ. Behold His purity, and you will be charmed and will reflect His
likeness”. Our Higher Calling.pg.233.

14. God’s plan regarding Organizional Structure and Church
Governance was and is to be a Decentralized
Organizional plan, which would mark the second point of
God preparing his people for the end time.
There are FOUR forms of Church Structure and Governance that
exist today in the Christian world, and as we examine them, we
will see where we fit as an organization, created by God to fulfill
his will, to present the final message. Three of the four forms
hold the structure of One Man at the top having the final say in
all matters relating to the church, and only one holds the
structure as required by God in scripture and spirit of prophecy.
These are as follows:
[a]Hierarchal or Papal [b]Episcopal [c]Congregational
[d]Representative or Decentralized

15. Pope/Bishop/Elder/Past
or
1Man/Small
Group
Member
s/
Groups
Centralized Church
Governance

16. Hierarchal/Papal
:
Built upon 1 individual or small
Committee[college of cardinals]
:
Roman Catholic Church is the
archetype of this type of governance
structure
:
Pope has absolute authority, leader
makes decisions
:
Pope’s directives are expected to be
accepted without modifications,
additions, or deletions

17. Episcopal Form
:
Anglican Church of England developed this form
:
Reigning Monarch is the Leader of the Anglican
Church
:
Archbishop of Canterbury is called the Primate
Great Britain
:
Possess some elements as the hierarchal form,
but is less centralized; each bishop is almost a
law to himself in terms of authority; the running
of the dioceses are largely in their hands

18. Congregational Form
:
Every Church has its own
authority/autonomy
:
The Congregations has the rite to hire
or fire its own pastor
:
Church handles its own finances
:
Accepts missionary projects

19. Decentralization is the antithesis of hierarchialism, therefore the endtime church is
not to show itself any resemblance of a hierarchical system. There is a history of
this system creeping into the S.D.A.Church[General Conference/SDA
Organizations], thus let us briefly examine such:
[a] The concept of decentralization is intimately linked with the issues of Religious
Liberty, Justification by Faith, and Church Governance;
“Now it has been satan’s determined purpose to eclipse the view of JESUS and
lead men to look to man, and trust in man, and be educated to expect help from
man. For years the church has been looking to man and expecting much from
man, but not looking to JESUS, in whom our hopes of eternal life are centered.
Therefore God gave his servants a testimony that presents the truth as it is in
JESUS, which is the 3rd Angel message, in clear, distinct lines”. T.M.#93.
“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, which the Holy Ghost
hath made thee overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchase with
his own blood.[29]For I know this, that after my departing, shall grievous wolves
enter in among you, not sparing the flock.[30]Also of your own selves shall men
arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.[ 31]Therefore
watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I cease not to warn every
one night and day with tears.”Acts.20:28-31.

20. “…It has been proven in the preceding chapters that the idea of a
primacy is unknown in the scriptures, and that the primacy which
was established, was only accomplished by unholy ambition and
an unchristian seeking for spiritual supremacy, entirely foreign to
the spirit and teachings of Christ and the Apostles. We have also
seen that it was accomplished after long centuries of plotting and
scheming, and especially the union of this then-apostate with the
Roman State and many other states under the control of the
church; that a large part of the Christian church always protested
against it; and that the separation between churches of the east
and west in the 11th century was to some extent over this question;
for the Eastern Church never accepted the supremacy of the
Bishop of Rome. Since that time, numerous bodies of Christians
have denied the doctrine of the primacy. The great Reformers of
the 16th century made the denial of the primacy a cardinal feature
of their work, and it is held none but the Roman Catholic Church.
This church firmly maintains this doctrine as a fundamental
portion of its creed”. M.E.Kellogg, The Supremacy of
Peter#259,260.

21. “….There is to be no primacy. The Gospel is designed
for all the world. Churches are to be raised everywhere,
but there is no provision in the Christian system
whereby one man, or a conclave of men in continual
session is to take the charge of the work of the Gospel
in all the world. Such a task would be entirely beyond
the capacity of man. The world is large; and the idea
that one man, or one body of men, could take into
consideration the spiritual needs of all believers in
Christ, or the spiritual needs of many thousands of
believers in Christ, which are scattered throughout the
world is preposterous.” M.E.Kellogg, The Supremacy
of Peter pg.260

22. Ministerial Humility
Psa.11:3:- “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the
righteous do?”

23. In the organization of the early church structure and governance, Jesus himself
performed the functions which was followed by the disciples, and which should
continue until he returns;
Acts.1:1-11, Mt.24:14: “And this Gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the
world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come”.
[a] Jesus himself ordained the first workers of the christian church:
Mk.3:13-15: “And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he
would: and they came unto him. [14]And he ordained twelve, that they should be with
him, and that he might send them forth to preach,[15]And to have power to heal
sicknesses, and to cast out devils:”
[b] Their mission as is with all ministers of Jesus today is to address physical and
spiritual needs of humanity, returning humanity back to God:
Mt.10:5-8: “The twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them saying, Go not into
the way of the gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not;[6] But go
rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.[7]And as ye go, preach saying, the
kingdom of heaven is at hand.[8]Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the out devils:
freely ye have received, freely give….”
Lk.9:1-6: “….[3]And he said unto them, take nothing for your journey, neither
staves, nor script, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.[4]And
whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.[5]and whosoever shall
not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for
a testimony against them.[6]And they departed and went through towns, preaching
the Gospel, and healing everywhere.”

24. [c]Jesus therefore gave ministers then as also today his own ministry:
Mk.1:14,15: “Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into
Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the kingdom,[15]And saying, The time is
fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the Gospel.”
Mt.4:23: “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and
preaching the Gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all
manner of disease among the people.”
“The Gospel plan is a better way than this; it allows a greater degree of freedom
and independence to the members of the church, and also provides for such
concentration of effort as will carry the Gospel to the world, and furnish pastoral
care to the churches already established. This may be seen by referring to the Acts
of the Apostles. As the apostles went forth proclaiming the Gospel, churches were
raised; and after these had been sufficiently proved and elders had been ordained
in every city(Tit.1:5), these
churches took their places as
independent parts of the church of Christ. Not that they were
independent of the advisory power of the general council, if anything among them
needed to be considered by that body upon its convention, but aside from
that they were independent. These churches would naturally form into
associations for mutual council and cooperation, but in them existed no arbitrary
authority more than exists in every separate church for the correction and discipline
of its members.” M.E.Kellogg, The Supremacy of Peter pg.265,266.

25. Princess Cunupia Chase
La Malabar Caijual
May Town Vlg. matlot
Horquetta Kelly
aro
Vlg.
Sangre Chaguanas Toco
South Arima
Grande
Zebach
S.D.A.
Acts.1:8: “But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:
and you shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in
Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

26. [d]Then came the time for the disciples to go to the world with the Gospel message,
but they must as was the nation of Israel, have an upper room experience to share the
work with Moses, their upper room experience came preparing them for the world:
Acts.1:12-14:- “Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet,
which is from Jerusalem a Sabbath day’s journey.[13]And when they were come in,
they went up into an upper room, and abode both Peter, and James, and John and
Andrew, Phillip and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alpheus,
and Simon Zelotes and Judas the brother of James.[14]These all continued with one
accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus,
and with his brethren.”
Acts.2:1-8: “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one
accord in one place.[2]And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing
mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.[3]And there
appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each one of
them.[4]And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other
tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.[5]And there were dwelling there at
Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.[6]Now when this
was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that
every man heard them speak in his own language.[7]And they were all amazed and
marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak
Galileans?[8]And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were
born.”

27. “The time has come when we must expect the Lord to do great things for us. Our
efforts must not flag or weaken. We are to grow in grace and in the knowledge of
the Lord. Before the work is closed up and the sealing of god’s people is finished,
we shall have the out-pouring of the Spirit of god. Angels from heaven will be in
our midst….The present is the fitting up time for heaven, when we each must
walk in full obedience to all the commandments of God…I know that a work
must be done for the people, or many will not be prepared to receive the light of
the angel sent down from heaven to lighten the whole earth with his glory. Do not
think that you will be found as vessels unto honor in the time of the latter rain, to
receive the glory of God, if you are lifting up your souls unto vanity, speaking
perverse things, in secret cherishing roots of bitterness brought from the
conference at Minneapolis. The frown of god will certainly be upon every soul
who cherishes and nurtures these roots of dissension, and possesses a spirit so
unlike the spirit of Christ…. Brethren we have little time in which to work.
Certainly we need to stop complaining about each other, and lay our whole hearts
open before God, that we may receive the Holy Spirit. Years ago the time came for
the Holy Spirit to descend in a special manner upon God’s earnest self-sacrificing
workers. The Lord will greatly bless his tried and chosen ones if they will
cooperate with him. When the Holy Spirit came down in the day of Pentecost, it
was like a rushing mighty wind. It was given in no stinted measure; for it filled all
the place where the disciples were sitting. So will it be given to us when our
hearts are prepared to receive it.” Manuscript Releases Vol. 1 pg.175-176.

28. [e]The work of evangelizing the world became enormous and thus the apostles
needed a support group, so as churches were formed, leaders were ordained and
called Elders:
Acts.14:23:- “And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had
prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.”
*To “Ordain” means, Gk. “Cheirotonesantes”: “To elect or to appoint.”
Tit.1:5 “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things
that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee.”
*The word “Elder or Bishop” means Gk. “Presbuteroi or Episkopos”; “One
appointed to teach and overseer. These two words describes the office and maturity
of the same person.
[f]The qualifications of these offices are outlined in scripture:
Tit.1:6-9:- “If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not
accused of riot or unruly.[7]For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God;
not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy
lucre;[8]But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy,
temperate;[9]Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be
able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”

29. [d]The next group of ministers that were formed in the church are recognized as a
support staff of the church are called “Deacons” and their qualifications:
Acts.6:1-7 “And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied,
there arose a mumuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their
widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
[2]Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is
not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.[3]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.[4]But we will give
ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.[5]And the saying
pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a men full of faith and of the
Holy Ghost, and Phillip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas,
and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch.[6]Whom they set before the apostles: and
when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.[7]And the word of God
increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a
great company of priests were obedient to the faith.

30. 1Tim.3:8-13 “Likewise must the deacons be grave{reverent}, not double-tongued, not
given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre{money},[9]Holding the mystery of the
faith in a pure conscience.[10]And let these also be first be proved; then let them use
the office of a deacon, being found blameless.[11]Even so must their wives be
grave{reverent}, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.[12]Let the deacons be the
husband of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well[13]For they that
have used the office of a deacon well purchased to themselves a good degree, and
great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Ministerial Functions of both
ELDERS and DEACONS
Phil.1:1 “Paul and Timothy, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ
Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops{overseers} and deacons:
There are at least Seven different titles that identifies the responsibilities of Elders:
[1]Elder is used 20 times, emphasizing the person’s wisdom and maturity.
[2]Bishop, emphasizing the person’s administrative function of the office.
[3]Pastor, emphasizing the person’s responsibility in caring for the church.
[4]Preacher, emphasizing the person’s ministry of publicly proclaiming God’s word.
[5]Teacher, emphasizing the person’s readiness in “apt to teach”.
[6]Servant, emphasizing the person is to minister to others.
[7]Steward, emphasizing the person’s responsibility in managing the property of
others(church of Christ).

31. Ministerial Functions of both
ELDERS and DEACONS
Cont’d
The word “Deacon” is derives from a Greek word for “Servant”; hence
deacons are a serving office in the church. Seven men were appointed to
care for the church, therefore there is no “job description“ for a
deacon, hence every christian should act like a deacon in encouraging
church harmony and helping others serve Christ more effectively.

32. Serious Matters
[e] If there were serious matters in any church and other ministers of other
churches counsels are needed, then they would come together to solve such
matters. After the matters are solved, they would return to their respective
churches.
“The thing nearest to universal authority and headship in the church is the action
of a general council. The 15th chapter of Acts of the Apostles will ever stand as
unmistakable evidence that the measure of authority, which primarily belongs to
the church as a whole, is, at special times, and for definite purposes, vested in a
council; that the council may be summoned whenever great questions arise that
threaten division in the church, or at regular intervals if necessary, for the
consideration of questions which affect the interest of the whole church; and that
the decisions of the councils so convened, are advisory rather than actual
obligatory on the church. Stated broadly, actual legislative power is not
committed to the church. All actual legislative power was done by
Christ.”M.E.Kellogg, The Supremacy of Peter,pg.261-262.

33. …”A Christian council is a convention for a limited space of time. When it is in
actual session, it is the repository of all the authority there is in the church, and
therefore its decisions should not be lightly regarded. But when the council is
disbanded, the general and advisory power vested therein is for the time
suspended until the next council; and there is no provision in the christian system
of the church government by which the authority of the general and universal
council may be transferred to any one who shall represent the council between its
sessions, and thus forms a general and continuous head to the church on earth. This
would be an usurpation of the place of Christ, the only true head of the church.
Continuous and general authority over the whole church by men, involves a
responsibility so great that god, in his infinite wisdom and mercy, thought it not
best that it be committed to a man or men.” Ibid.pg.262,263.
… “The churches of Jesus Christ, in any and every country, must have
organization, and men should be elected by free vote of the members to take the
oversight of the affairs of the church; but these men would be heads only for a
limited time over a small portion of the church. The men elected would be quite
well known, probably personally known to all. They would not be removed from
those who gave them their temporary authority by an exaggerated height of
excellence or knowledge, and hence may attempt by them to exert an unauthorized
and arbitrary power would be quickly checked by the body of the church, which is
the superior authority and final arbiter in all matters pertaining to itself.”
M.E.Kellogg, The Supremacy of Peter,pg.261-262.

34. [f]It is worldly practice to have hierarchal structures and authoritative
leaders. It is not acceptable practice to Christianity. God has called for
leaders who are servants and ministers: those who will counsel and
guide, not rule and dominate.
“Men whom the Lord calls to important positions in his work are to
cultivate a humble dependence upon him. They are not to seek to
embrace too much authority; for God has not called them to a work of
ruling, but to plan and counsel with their fellow laborers. Every worker
alike is to hold himself amenable to the requirements and instructions
of God. Testimonies for the Church, Vol.9,pg.270.
“Those whom God has placed in positions of responsibility should
never seek to exalt themselves or to turn the attention of men to their
work. They must give all the glory to God. They must not seek for
power that they may lord it over God’s heritage; for only those who are
under the rule of Satan will do this.
But the rule-or–ruin system is too often seen in our institutions. This
spirit is cherished and revealed by some in responsible positions, and
because of this God cannot do the work he desires to do through them.
By their course of action those who reveal this spirit make manifest
what they would be in heaven if entrusted with responsibility.
Testimonies to Ministers,pg.279,280.

35. “Let no plans or methods be adopted in any of our institutions that
will bind mind or talent under the control of human judgment; for this
is not in God’s order. God has given men talents of influence which
belong to him alone, and no greater dishonor can be done to God than
for one finite agent to bring another man’s talent under his absolute
control, even though the benefits of the same be used to the advantage
of the cause. In such arrangements one man’s mind is ruled by another
man’s mind, and the human agency is separated from God and
exposed to temptation. Satan’s method tends to one end-make men the
slaves of men. And when this is done, confusion and distrust,
jealousies and evil surmisings, are the result. Such a course destroys
faith in God and in the principles which are to control, to purge from
guile and every species if selfishness and hypocrisy.”
Testimonies to Ministers, pg.360,361.
… “In each country a man should be appointed to work in the general
interest of the cause. He need not be a preacher, and he must not be a
policy-man. He should be unselfish, a man who loves, who honors,
and fears his God. His whole time should be devoted to the work. He
should plan unselfishly, and in the fear of God. Let him be general
agent for that country, and let him be connected with a council
composed of the very best men, that they may counsel together, and
attend to the work within their boarders.” Ibid. pg.321.

36. “It is not in the order of God that any man, or any class of men, should assume that
God has made them conscience for their brethren, or put forth their finite hand in a
patronizing manner to control the Lord’s delegated workers,…God does not confine
Himself to one man, or to a set of men, through whom to accomplish His work, but
says to all “Ye are laborers together with God”. This means that every believing soul
should have a part to act in his sacred work,…they should reveal a depth of
knowledge independent of human inventions…. Let not men prescribe laws to take
the place of God’s law. Never educate men to look to men, to trust in
men;”.Testimony to Ministers & Gospel Workers. Pg.208,209.
“When counsel is given that conflicts with your own personal wishes, you are not to
think that your own wisdom is sufficient for you to give counsel to others, or that
you can afford to neglect the counsel given…It would be well for you frankly to state
your plans to your brethren, that you may know how they [plans] to them when seen
from their standpoint;…Counsel together.”Ibid. Pg.315.
…”We must bar the mind against counsel. In our plans for the carrying forward of
the work, our mind must blend with other minds…It is a mistake to withdraw from
those who do not agree with our ideas. This will not inspire our brethren with
confidence in our judgment. It is our duty to counsel with our brethren, and to heed
their advice. We are not to seek their counsel, and when they give it, we are not to
cast it away, as if they were our enemies. Unless we humble our hearts before God,
we shall not know his will. Let us be determined to be in unity with our brethren.
This duty God has placed on us. Ibid. pg.500.

37. …. “The angels of God are in our world, and satanic agencies are here also. I am
permitted to see the inclination of certain ones to follow their own strong traits of
character. If they refuse to yoke up with others who have had a long experience in
the work, they will become blinded by self-confidence, not discerning between the
false and the true. It is not safe that such ones should stand in the position of leaders,
to follow their own judgment and plans. It is those who accept the warnings and
cautions given them who will walk in safe paths…Our ministers and leaders need to
realize the necessity of counseling together with their brethren who have been long
in the work, and who have gained deep experience in the ways of the Lord. The
disposition of some to shut themselves up to themselves, and to feel competent to
plan and execute according to their own judgment and preferences, brings them into
strait places. Such an independent way of working is not right, and should not be
followed….I am free to say to our brethren who with humility of heart are following
the counsel of the Lord: if you know that God would have you engage in any work,
go forward. Those who have the light and consciousness that God is leading need not
depend upon any human agent to define their work. They are to receive the counsel
of the highest Authority. Safety and peace and calm assurance are to be found only
by following the counsel of the greatest Teacher that ever lived in our world. Let us
not turn away from his unerring counsel….Workers for Christ are to strive for unity.
We are the children of the same family, and have one heavenly father. Let us not put
on garments of heaviness, and cherish doubts and a lack of confidence in our
brethren. ” Ibid. pg 501-502.

38. “ the danger of one man controlling another, or indeed, one man looking to another
as his guide and controller, has fearful consequences in terms of the judgment.
Therefore, the divine counsel is to break every such yoke. I write thus fully, because I
have been shown that ministers and people are tempted more and more to trust in
finite man for wisdom, and to make flesh their arm. To conference presidents, and
men in responsible places, I bear this message: break the bands and fetters that have
been placed upon God’s people. To you the word is spoken “break every yoke.”
Unless you cease the work of making man amenable to man, unless you become
humble in heart, and yourselves learn the way of the lord as little children, the Lord
will divorce you from his work. We are to treat one another as brethren, as fellow
laborers, as men and women who are, with us, seeking for light and understanding
of the way of the Lord, and who are jealous for his glory. Testimonies to
ministers, pg.480,481.
Lets see what the Scriptures has to say in this regard:
Jer.10:23:- “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that
walketh to direct his steps.”
Jer.17:5:- “Thus sayeth the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh
flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.”
Psa.118:8:- “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”

39. Summery
The foundations of the past are brought to the present to educate the
church and to take the church into the future to sound the final
message{the loud cry}, and to see Jesus’ return:
Psa.11:3:- “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
[a] The early pioneers of the Advent truth are the righteous who are
responsible for foundations and pillars of Church Structure and
Governance:
Pro.10:25:- “As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the
righteous is an everlasting foundation.”
“We are to repeat the words of the pioneers in our work, who knew what
it cost to search for the truth as for hidden treasure, and who labored to
lay the foundation of our work. They moved forward step by step under
the influence of the Spirit of God. One by one these pioneers are passing
away. The word given me is, let that which these men have written in the
past be reproduced…Let the truths that are the foundation of our faith be
kept before the people…We are now to understand what the pillars of our
faith are,--the truths that have made us a people, leading us on step by
step.”Counsels to Writers and Editors.pg.28,29.

40. [b] The pattern of Church Structure and Governance as set up by Jesus is and
will always be the true foundation:
Isa.28:16:- “Therefore thus sayeth the Lord God, behold, I lay in Zion{the
Church} for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure
foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.”
Acts.4:10-12: “Be it known unto you all, and unto all the people of Israel, that by
the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised
from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.[11] This
is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head
of the corner.[12] Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other
name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
[c] We are to be identified with they that rebuild the true Church Structure and
Governance foundations of the past:
Isa.58:12,11:- “And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places:
thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be
called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.[11]And the
Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat
thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water,
whose waters fail not. ”

41. [d] The truths of Jesus Christ are the only foundation that anyone can build on
regarding the topic discussed{Organizional Structure and Church Governance}:
1Cor.3:5-7,9-11: “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye
believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?[6]I have planted, Apollos watered;
but God gave the increase.[7]So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither is
he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase….[9]For we are laborers together
with God: you are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.[10]According to the
grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the
foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he
buildeth thereupon.[11]For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which
is Jesus Christ.”
“Let not those who have been placed in responsible positions think that God has
given them light to controvert the work of the faithful ones who have died in the
faith. God wrought through these old pioneers of the cause, and no voice or pen
should be brought into action to demerit their labor, which was full of self-denial
and self-sacrifice. Their works were wrought in God….To the church in___I would
say, “Your only safety lies in walking humbly with God.” Let each bear in mind
that he is a thread in the great web of humanity, to act a part with his brethren and
sisters in church capacity. All are to earnestly seek to make an entire surrender to
God.”Manuscript Releases Vol.9, pg.133.
Fin.