Minister's Bible

Minister’s Bible

OLD

TESTAMENT

EXODUS ORIGINAL TITLE: Shemoth (Hebrew). “And these are the names,” which corresponds to the first two words of the original text and keeps on the ancient tradition of naming a literary work after its first words.

CURRENT TITLE: Exodus comes from the Greek Septuagint translation of the Bible and it means “departure.”

OUTLINE:

1. The history of the origins (1:1-11:32) 2. The history of the patriarchs (12:1-50:26) a. Abraham (12:1-25:34) b. Isaac (26:1-35) c. Jacob (27:1-36:43) d. Joseph (37:1-50:26)

AUTHOR AND DATE: Written by Moses

sometime in the fifteenth century B.C. (around 1450).

LANGUAGE: Written in Hebrew.

CONTENT Exodus is the narration of the fulfillment of God’s promises to the patriarchs that He would make their descendants a great nation. It describes the self-revelation of God, who invites Israel to believe in Him and follow Him toward liberty. With His mighty power He destroys through ten plagues the principal gods of the great superpower of the time, Egypt. Then the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt begins, a journey full of miracles that shows the Hebrews that nothing can stop the advance of God’s people: neither Pharaoh’s army nor the Red Sea nor any kind of obstacle. The giving of the law on Mount Sinai is an important moment when God reveals His holiness, but Israel fails to understand its role as chosen people by worshiping a golden calf, complaining against Moses and asking to return to Egypt. The book of Exodus also contains the building instructions for the tabernacle.

How God Is Portrayed and Jesus Is Typified in the Book of Exodus The God of your Fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob (3:6, 15, 16; 4:5); Lord God of the Hebrews (3:18; 7:16; 9:1, 13; 10:3); the Lord our/your God (3:18; 8:10, 27, 28; 10:16, 17); I am the Lord/your God (6:2, 6-8, 29; 7:5; 8:22; 10:2; 16:12; 20:2, 4); God Almighty (6:3); my strength and song (15:2); my salvation (15:2); my God (15:2); my father´s God (15:2); glorious in holiness, fearful in praises (15:11); The Lord Is My Banner (17:15); greater than all the gods (18:11).

Jesus is portrayed as the Angel of the Lord/of God (3:2; 14:19; see Jude 9; 1 Thess. 4:16; John 1:18; 1 Tim. 6:16); the I AM WHO I AM (3:14; see John 8:58); also typified in the life of Moses— as the deliverer (5:22, 23; 6:1-13; see Heb. 3:5, 6); in the pillar of cloud (13:21, 22; 14:19, 24; 33:9, 10; see 1 Cor. 10:1-4); in the Passover lamb (12:3-5; 13:13; 29:39-41; see John 1:29, 36; Rev. 5:6, 9; 13:8); in the bread and manna from heaven (16:4, 15, 31-35; see John 6); in the rock struck at Horeb (17:6; see 1 Cor. 10:4).

Ex

49

NEW

TESTAMENT

MATTHEW 23

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The first died after he had married, and having no offspring, left his wife to his brother.

26 Likewise the second also, and the third, even to the seventh.

27 Last of all the woman died also.

28 Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her.”

29 Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of Goda in heaven.

31 But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’ ?b God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”

33 And when the multitudes heard this, they were astonished at His teaching.

The Scribes: Which Is the First Commandment of All?

But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together.

35 Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”

37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’c 38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’d 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

34

Jesus: How Can David Call His Descendant Lord?

41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?” They said to Him, “The Son of David.”

43 He said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying: 44

‘ The LORD said to my Lord, “ Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool” ’ ?e

45 If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his Son?” 46 And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him anymore.

Woe to the Scribes and Pharisees

Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and 23 to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit 2

in Moses’ seat. f 3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.

4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.

6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’

8 But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ,g and you are all brethren.

9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.

10 And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ.

11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.

12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.

14 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.h 15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.

16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.’

17 Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifiesi the gold?

18 And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.’

19 Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift?

20 Therefore he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it.

21 He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwellsj in it.

22:30 aNU-Text omits of God. 22:32 bExodus 3:6, 15 22:37 cDeuteronomy 6:5 22:39 dLeviticus 19:18 22:44 ePsalm 110:1 23:3 fNU-Text omits to observe. 23:8 gNU-Text omits the Christ. 23:14 hNU-Text omits this verse. 23:17 iNU-Text reads sanctified. 23:21 jM-Text reads dwelt.

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TOPIC INDEX

I. Biblical Tools for Ministers ........................................................................................................1117 1. Coregencies and Rival Reigns in Israel and Judah ............................................................. 1119 2. Periods of the Kings of Judah and Israel ........................................................................... 1120 3. Contrasts between the Beginning and the End of the Bible.............................................. 1121 4. Revelation Chain ............................................................................................................. 1122 5. Parables of Jesus .............................................................................................................. 1123 6. Miracles of Jesus ............................................................................................................. 1124 7. Trinity Is a Unity .............................................................................................................. 1126 8. 24 Attributes of the Holy Spirit ....................................................................................... 1126 9. Trinity Attacked in Revelation .......................................................................................... 1127 10. Jewish Calendar............................................................................................................... 1129 11. Measurements and Weights ........................................................................................... 1130 II. Special Resources for Ministers ...............................................................................................1131 A. The Unique Role of a Minister ............................................................................................... 1133 1. Prayer Group Ideas .......................................................................................................... 1135 2. God’s Power Unleashed! .................................................................................................. 1138 3. Statements on Prayer and Empowered Ministries ............................................................ 1140 4. Death to Self ................................................................................................................... 1143 5. The Six Elements of Visitation ......................................................................................... 1145 6. How God Trains His Workers ........................................................................................... 1154 7. Witnessing for Jesus in a Practical Way ............................................................................ 1155 8. Ministering to Non-attending and Former Members ........................................................ 1168 9. Twelve Steps for Preparing and Delivering Powerful Biblical Sermons ............................. 1175 10. Spiritual Leadership ........................................................................................................ 1179 B. Life’s Tough Questions ........................................................................................................... 1181 1. All about Cosmetics.......................................................................................................... 1183 2. Beer and Wine: The Bible’s Counsel ................................................................................. 1185 3. Do Adventists Believe in the Gift of Healing? ................................................................... 1189 4. Rituals and Ceremonies in the Old Testament .................................................................. 1191 5. Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage: Old Testament Foundations and New Testament Implications ...................................................................................... 1193 6. What Does the Bible Say about Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOS)? ............................... 1199 7. Coal, Oil, Fire, Volcanoes, and Earthquakes: A Review of an E. G. White Statement on the Flood ...........................................................1201

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C. Great Lessons from the Book of Daniel ....................................................................................1207 1. Lessons from Daniel 1 ...................................................................................................... 1208 2. Lessons from Daniel 2 ...................................................................................................... 1211 3. Lessons from Daniel 7 ...................................................................................................... 1215 4. Lessons from Daniel 8 ...................................................................................................... 1220 5. Lessons from Daniel 9 ........................................................................................................1224 III. Good Shepherd Bible Studies .................................................................................................1229 A. Jesus and the Bible ................................................................................................................. 1231 1. Is the Bible Trustworthy and Reliable?.............................................................................. 1233 2. Who Is This Man Jesus?.................................................................................................... 1236 3. God’s Plan of Salvation ..................................................................................................... 1238 4. Sin—An Outdated Concept? ............................................................................................ 1242 5. God’s Love and the Problem of Suffering.......................................................................... 1244 6. Certainty in an Uncertain World? ..................................................................................... 1246 7. Five Principles of Spiritual Growth ................................................................................... 1248 B. Death and Future ................................................................................................................... 1251 8. The Last Enemy ................................................................................................................ 1253 9. Immortality? ..................................................................................................................... 1255 10. In Quest for Meaning ....................................................................................................... 1258 11. Watch Out for Hell ........................................................................................................... 1262 12. Christ’s Second Coming ................................................................................................... 1265 13. Signs of the Times ............................................................................................................ 1267 14. The Last Message for this World ...................................................................................... 1270 15. Is Death the End? ............................................................................................................. 1274 16. The Final Judgment (Rev. 20) ........................................................................................... 1276 17. A New Paradise ................................................................................................................ 1279 C. Life with Jesus ....................................................................................................................... 1281 18. Hotline to God ................................................................................................................. 1283 19. The Church of Jesus Christ .............................................................................................. 1286 20. Attending Church............................................................................................................. 1289 21. Why Baptism? ................................................................................................................... 1292 22. A Commemoration and Its Secret ..................................................................................... 1295 D. Christian Life and Teachings .................................................................................................. 1297 23. The Owner and the Steward............................................................................................. 1299 24. Our God ........................................................................................................................... 1302 25. Is Jesus God? .................................................................................................................... 1305 26. The Holy Spirit: Divine Friend and Advocate .................................................................... 1308 27. The Creation .................................................................................................................... 1311 28. Stewardship of Time ........................................................................................................ 1314 29. The Law and the Gospel ................................................................................................... 1317 30. The Sabbath: God’s Anti-Stress Program ........................................................................... 1320 31. Sunday or Sabbath? .......................................................................................................... 1322 32. How to Keep the Sabbath Holy? ....................................................................................... 1325 33. Stewardship of the Body ................................................................................................... 1328 34. Scripture and Food ........................................................................................................... 1330 35. The Christian and Alcohol ................................................................................................ 1333 36. The Gift of Sexuality ........................................................................................................ 1335 37. Christian Lifestyle and Appearance................................................................................... 1339

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38. Stewardship and Money ................................................................................................... 1342 39. Stewardship of Gifts and Talents ...................................................................................... 1345 40. The Gift of Prophecy ........................................................................................................ 1348 41. The End-Time Remnant and the Gift of Prophecy ............................................................. 1352 42. Jesus, Our High Priest ..................................................................................................... 1357 43. The Sanctuary .................................................................................................................. 1362 IV. Official Statements of the SDA Church....................................................................................1367 1. Activities with Elements of Competition .......................................................................... 1369 2. Birth Control .................................................................................................................... 1375 3. Call for Peace ................................................................................................................... 1378 4. Caring for the Environment .............................................................................................. 1382 5. Commitment to Health and Healing ................................................................................. 1383 6. Confidence in the Spirit of Prophecy ................................................................................ 1384 7. Creation: The Bible’s Worldview ...................................................................................... 1385 8. Chemical Use, Abuse, and Dependency ............................................................................ 1386 9. Child Sexual Abuse .......................................................................................................... 1387 10. Drugs ............................................................................................................................... 1389 11. Ending Violence against Women and Girls........................................................................ 1390 12. Environment .................................................................................................................... 1391 13. Ethical Considerations Regarding Human Cloning ............................................................ 1392 14. Family Violence ................................................................................................................ 1396 15. Gambling ......................................................................................................................... 1398 16. Home and Family ............................................................................................................. 1399 17. Homosexuality ................................................................................................................. 1400 18. Holy Scriptures ................................................................................................................ 1401 19. Human Relations .............................................................................................................. 1402 20. Marriage .......................................................................................................................... 1403 21. Mission Statement of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.................................................. 1404 22. Pornography ..................................................................................................................... 1405 23. Racism ............................................................................................................................. 1406 24. Religious Liberty, Evangelism, and Proselytism ................................................................. 1407 25. Same-Sex Unions ............................................................................................................. 1408 26. Smoking and Tobacco....................................................................................................... 1409 27. Sexual Behavior ................................................................................................................ 1410 28. Statement on AIDS ........................................................................................................... 1411 V. Seventh-Day Adventist Minister’s Handbook ............................................................................1413 1. The Calling ...................................................................................................................... 1421 2. Spiritual Formation .......................................................................................................... 1423 3. Interpersonal Relationships .............................................................................................. 1426 4. Time Management .......................................................................................................... 1429 5. Personal Health ............................................................................................................... 1431 6. Personal Appearance ....................................................................................................... 1433 7. Personal Finance .............................................................................................................. 1435 8. Family Life ...................................................................................................................... 1437 9. Pastoral Ethics ................................................................................................................. 1439 10. Professional Growth ......................................................................................................... 1443

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11. Relationship to Church Organization ................................................................................ 1445 12. Departmental Services ..................................................................................................... 1447 13. Church Policy .................................................................................................................. 1460 14. Credentials and Licenses ................................................................................................. 1462 15. Ordination and Commissioning ....................................................................................... 1465 16. Ordination and Commissioning Services ......................................................................... 1468 17. Church Planting, Organizing, Uniting, and Dissolving ..................................................... 1472 18. Church Leadership .......................................................................................................... 1475 19. Ministry for All Members ................................................................................................. 1479 20. Large Districts .................................................................................................................. 1482 21. Church Growth ................................................................................................................ 1484 22. The Worship Service ....................................................................................................... 1487 23. Fellowship and Visitation ................................................................................................ 1492 24. Counseling ...................................................................................................................... 1495 25. Church Community ......................................................................................................... 1497 26. Church Finance ............................................................................................................... 1501 27. Church Facilities ............................................................................................................. 1504 28. Church Discipline ........................................................................................................... 1507 29. Church Schools ............................................................................................................... 1510 30. Baptism ........................................................................................................................... 1512 31. Communion .................................................................................................................... 1515 32. Weddings ........................................................................................................................ 1519 33. Child Dedication ............................................................................................................. 1525 34. Anointing and Deliverance .............................................................................................. 1528 35. Funerals .......................................................................................................................... 1531 36. Church Opening, Dedication, and Groundbreaking ......................................................... 1537 37. House Blessing ................................................................................................................ 1543 38. Pastoral Installation ......................................................................................................... 1547 39. Retirement ...................................................................................................................... 1550 Dictionary-Concordance ...............................................................................................................1553 Maps .............................................................................................................................................1585

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CONTRASTS BETWEEN THE BEGINNING AND THE END OF THE BIBLE GENESIS 1-4

REVELATION 19-22

1. God created the heavens and the earth (1:1)

1. God makes a new heaven and a new earth (21:1)

2. The light was created (1:3)

2. The Lamb is light (21:23)

3. Darkness and night created (1:5)

3. There shall be no night (22:5)

4. Waters gathered into seas (1:10)

4. No more sea (21:1)

5. God made the sun and the moon (1:16)

5. No need of the sun and the moon (21:23)

6. All Creation declared concluded (2:1)

6. New creation declared concluded (21:6)

7. Man’s first home beside a river (2:10)

7. Man’s eternal home beside a river (22:1)

8. Death by eating the fruit of a tree (2:17)

8. Life by eating the fruit of a tree (22:2)

9. Adam’s marriage (2:18-23)

9. The Lamb’s marriage (19:6-9)

10. Eve, Adam’s wife (2:22-25)

10. The New Jerusalem, Christ’s wife (21:9-10)

11. Deceived by the serpent (3:1, 13)

11. The serpent deceives no more (20:3)

12. Satan’s first attack against man (3:1)

12. Satan’s final attack (20:7-10)

13. Satan appeared in a Garden (3:1)

13. Satan disappears in a fire lake (20:10)

14. A contaminated Garden (3:6-7)

14. A city that shall not be contaminated (21:27)

15. Communion with God interrupted (3:8-10) 15. Personal communion with God (21:3) 16. Initial triumph of the serpent (3:13)

16. Final triumph of the Lamb (20:10)

17. First Coming of the Savior promised (3:15)

17. Second Coming of the Savior promised (22:20)

18. Pain multiplied (3:16)

18. No more death, nor sorrow, nor crying (21:4)

19. Curse over man and nature (3:14-19)

19. No more curse (22:3)

20. The judgment of the serpent promised (3:15)

20. The judgment of the serpent consummated (20:10)

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LESSONS FROM DANIEL 9

If employees want to achieve something with their bosses, they have a number of options: They may file a petition, collect signatures, curry favor with the bosses, or even threaten or bribe them. Daniel uses a different approach with God. He prays. He speaks openly and freely with the Lord.

I. STRUCTURE OF THE CHAPTER • Prologue (1) • Daniel’s Study of Scripture (2) • Daniel’s Prayer (3-19) • Confession of sins (3-14) • Request for restoration of Jerusalem and the temple (15-19) • God’s Reaction (20-27) • Appearance of Gabriel (20-22a) • Gabriel’s speech (22b-27) • Connection to the previous chapter (22b) • Appreciation of Daniel as a person (23) • The 70 weeks for Israel (24-27)

II. SURVEY OF THE CHAPTER While the chapter is cast in a narrative framework and contains insights in the practical life of a believer, namely how to relate to God, it also contains one of the most fascinating biblical prophecies.

III. DISCUSSION OF THE CHAPTER 1. Prologue V. 1

With Daniel 9 we have come to the time of the Medes and Persians.

For years Daniel had thought about the previous chapter (Dan. 8) and especially the time element that he could not understand.

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2 WHO IS THIS MAN JESUS? Many people have heard about Jesus. Some believe that he was a good man, others that he was a prophet, still others that he was the founder of a new religion. And some accept him as their Savior and Lord. Already in the times of Jesus the opinions varied (Matt. 16:13-14).

I. JESUS’ CLAIMS In the New Testament many amazing claims about Jesus are found. But Jesus himself made also some interesting statements about himself.

John 5:25-27

•

He is the Son of God and the Son of Man and will raise the dead

John 6:47-48

•

He provides eternal life for those who believe in him.

John 10:30-33

•

Jesus is one with God the Father

John 14:6

•

Jesus is the only way to God, truth personified, and life

John 17:5

•

Jesus lived with God before creation

John 18:37

•

Jesus is King.

Mark 14:61-62

•

Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah. He sits at the right hand of God and will come back on the clouds.

Matthew 28:19-20

•

Jesus is with us always, even to the end of the age.

This is not a comprehensive list. But it tells us: Although Jesus was a human being, he claimed to be God’s Son, who became man in order to save us. He is God and creator (John 1:1-3), judge and king, and will come again.

II. REACTIONS OF HIS AUDIENCES While Jesus and his claims were rejected by a number of his contemporaries (John 7:4649), there were others who believed in him: Mark 15:39

•

A Gentile, namely a Roman centurion

Matthew 16:16

•

Peter, one of his disciples

John 11:27

•

Martha, a woman who followed him

John 20:25-28

•

Thomas, a skeptic

Romans 9:5, Col 2:9 •

Paul who had persecuted the Christians and denied the Lordship of Jesus

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ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS* We, the members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, speak up and join with others to bring an end to violence against women and girls. Global statistics indicate that in all societies women and girls are more frequently the victims of violence. Actions or threats likely to result in physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering are incompatible with biblical ethics and Christian morality. Such actions include, but are not limited to, family violence, rape, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), honor killings, and dowry murders. Manipulation, denial of personal liberty, and coercion are also acts of abuse and violence. To such behaviors the Seventh-day Adventist Church says, “Let’s end it now!”

Seventh-day Adventists recognize that creation in God’s image bestows dignity and worth on every individual. The measure of that worth is seen in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ to provide eternal life for everyone. The love and compassion that characterized the earthly life of Jesus sets an example for all His followers in their relationship with others. Christ-like behavior leaves no room for violence against family members or persons outside the family.

The Bible counsels Christians to view the body as the temple of God. Bringing intentional harm to another person desecrates that which God honors and is therefore sinful behavior.

Seventh-day Adventists commit themselves to being leaders in breaking the cycle of violence perpetrated against women and girls. We will speak out in defense of victims and survivors through teaching, preaching, Bible study, and advocacy programs.

The Seventh day Adventist Church seeks and welcomes partnerships and collaboration with others in addressing this global issue. The collective voice of many can save tens of thousands of women and girls from the harm and suffering that result from abuse and violence.

*This statement is supported by the following Bible references: John 3:16; Genesis 1:26; Isaiah 61:1-3; Ephesians 5:2-3; 1 John 3:10, 15-18, 4:11; 3 John 1:2; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 6:19; Romans 12:1-2.

(See also the “Statement on the Nurture and Protection of Children”.)

This statement was approved and voted by the Executive Committee of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists on June 23, 2010, and released at the General Conference Session in Atlanta, Georgia, June 24-July 3, 2010.

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CHURCH POLICY

T

he church, in its broadest sense, exists when people individually respond to the call of God. But God does not call His people to isolation—He calls them to community, “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,” as Scripture states (Heb. 10:25). In this mode of assembling together, the church as structure comes into existence.

For this to occur, it is natural and necessary that some form of agreed-upon structure must and does occur. In order to guide this structure, the Seventh-day Adventist denomination has established policies and procedures for the harmonious operation of the church as institution. Three primary publications address these procedures: the Church Manual, the General Conference Working Policy, and the Minister’s Handbook.

CHURCH MANUAL The Church Manual provides policies for denominational operation. Established and revised by the General Conference in session, the Church Manual serves as the authoritative voice of the church on matters of organization and operation and can be changed only by the General Conference in session. Pastors are responsible for the application of its policies in

churches. “When, in a General Conference, the judgment of the brethren assembled from all parts of the field is exercised, private independence and private judgment must not be stubbornly maintained, but surrendered” (Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 260).

The Church Manual does have flexibility, permitting adaptation to varying cultures and social settings as reflected in the division editions. From time to time it is good and necessary to change these policies as the need becomes clear. Such changes arise out of recognized need in the church, and are passed on to the conference for process through the organizational structure of the church to the General Conference.

GENERAL CONFERENCE WORKING POLICY The General Conference Working Policy (and the division and union adaptations of it) provides policies for operation at the various levels of the church institution. This policy is reviewed, modified, and updated at the General Conference Annual Council and at the division year-end meetings.

SDA MINISTER’S HANDBOOK

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Offering pastoral assistance. — Few have ever had the responsibility of planning a funeral service, and in the immediacy of death, it may be difficult for the bereaved to consider clearly the options and details of a funeral service. If dying has been a lingering experience, perhaps some thought may have been given in advance, yet even in these situations gentle assistance and guidance is needed.

The choice of who will conduct the funeral service may be influenced by attachments to those who have ministered to the family in previous times, particularly if the current pastor has been in the church for only a short time. It should not be considered a personal affront to the pastor if the family chooses someone else for this service. Assistance may be needed in making arrangements and contacts with those who will be called upon to serve as pallbearers, provide music, and assist the minister in the service. When serving as a guest minister in another pastor’s church, the guest should remember the importance of working closely with the pastor while encouraging the family to involve their pastor in the service as well.

Officiating at funerals. — Ordination is not required for the conducting of funerals. In the absence of a minister, an elder may lead out. Frequently a friend or member of the family may be called to assist the minister in the service by giving the obituary, scripture, prayer, or eulogy. Generally the mortician caring for the body of the deceased will care for the details of proper burial and legal documentation needed in the jurisdiction in which the burial takes place. Seventh-day Adventist ministers do not charge a fee for the conducting of funerals. However, it is reasonable to receive reimbursement for travel expenses.

Viewing the body. — The wisdom of the culture should be respected in viewing the body. In some settings family and friends are invited to the funeral parlor for viewing. For some, families keep the body at home, with a wake held in this location. For others, ser-

vices are held around the casket in the evening until the day of the funeral. In whatever way the bereaved plan the viewing, it serves a useful purpose. Death must be faced before recovery can begin.

At the funeral service the body may be displayed so that people may pay their respects as they enter. The casket is then closed, and the funeral service, focused on hope and assurance, is not dampened by a final viewing.

Other cultures and congregations prefer to have a viewing at the close of the service prior to closing the casket and departing to the gravesite.

TYPICAL FUNERAL SERVICE Conducting the funeral. — In settings in which the family chooses the funeral parlor for the service, the funeral director is in charge of funeral arrangements, and the minister takes charge of the religious features of the service. The funeral becomes conducted as a team between the minister and the funeral director. Promptness and planning in the conducting of a funeral service become vital.

Delay and indecision increase tension in an already difficult setting.

Ministering to the bereaved. — The bereaved are typically brought together in a side room before being ushered in to their seats in the funeral parlor. A few words of encouragement, a prayer, and the mutual support of the group help the bereaved brace for the finality of the service. This ministry also serves as a measure of the grief reaction that may be expected from the mourners.

Order of service. — The order of service for a funeral should be straightforward and simple. A suggested order of service, which may be adapted or expanded as fits the situation, follows: Seating of the family. — Participants enter and are seated.