Role of a Department Director in Church Organization
The role of a department director in a church organization holds significant responsibility in overseeing various ministries and ensuring cohesive functioning within the organization. Through a historical review and insights into ministerial silos and church reorganization, the importance of ordained workers in specialized ministries is highlighted for effective service to the world church.
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THE ROLE OF A DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR IN THE CHURCH ORGANIZATION Abner De los Santos, March 15, 2023 LEADERSHIP GC OF SDA
A BRIEF REVIEW OF THE HISTORY The first conference to be organized was that of Michigan in 1862. In 1863, delegates from six of these conferences formed the General Conference of Seventh- day Adventists. By 1874 they had created the Health Reform Institute and Battle Creek College in Battle Creek, Michigan. 1875 The Seventh-day Adventist Pacific Publishing Association was organized in Oakland, California. In the 1890s, the pattern of creating publishing, educational, and health institutions similar to those in Battle Creek was repeated in Australia. Societies were created to, among other things, publish and distribute tracts and books, organize Sabbath schools, promote temperance, advocate religious liberty, and establish missions.
MINISTERIAL SILOS For at least two decades this organization worked well. But by the 1890s the church was almost divided by two contentious areas: 1.The General Conference had little (horizontal) authority to change the independent corporations and associations that controlled most of the church's ministries. 2. The General Conference had too much (vertical) authority to coordinate how the ministry of churches and conferences around the world was carried out. (Gerry Chudleigh).
CHURCH REORGANIZATION In 1901, a reorganization process began that was completed by 1904. In that process, the existing societies were dissolved and replaced with General Conference departments, giving way to a single organizational structure that included all parts of the organization. In 1901, an additional organizational layer, the conference union, comprised of the conferences in a given geographic area, was also established and became the constituent body of the General Conference. Over time, conferences and unions developed departments similar to the General Conference.
WORKERS WHO ARE ORDAINED TO THE GOSPEL MINISTRY ARE SET APART TO SERVE THE WORLD CHURCH, PRIMARILY AS PASTORS AND PREACHERS OF THE WORD, AND ARE SUBJECT TO THE DIRECTION OF THE CHURCH IN REGARD TO THE TYPE OF MINISTRY AND THEIR PLACE OF SERVICE. IT SHOULD THEREFORE BE UNDERSTOOD BY THOSE ACCEPTING ORDINATION AND WHO ARE ENGAGED IN SPECIALIZED MINISTRIES SUCH AS ADMINISTRATION, TEACHING, AND DEPARTMENTAL LEADERSHIP, THAT THEY MAY BE REASSIGNED BY THE CHURCH TO PASTORAL, PREACHING AND EVANGELISTIC DUTIES. 2022-2023, GCWP, 492.
TERM OF OFFICE: PERSONS ELECTED AT THE CONSTITUENCY MEETING AND THOSE APPOINTED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE NORMALLY SERVE UNTIL THE NEXT REGULAR CONSTITUENCY MEETING. HOWEVER, THEIR PERIOD OF SERVICE MAY BE SHORTER DUE TO RESIGNATION, VOLUNTARY RETIREMENT, RETIREMENT IN SITUATIONS WHERE A MANDATORY RETIREMENT AGE POLICY IS IN EFFECT, OR REMOVAL FROM OFFICE, FOR CAUSE, BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OR A SPECIAL CONSTITUENCY MEETING. 2022-2023, GCWP, 234.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF A DEPARTMENTAL DIRECTOR
It may be that walking with God doesn t make things easier, but it will make them possible. Because everything is possible with God. COMMIT YOUR WAY TO THE LORD, TRUST ALSO IN HIM, AND HE SHALL BRING IT TO PASS. (PSALMS 37:5).
CONSECRATE YOURSELF TO GOD IN THE MORNING; MAKE THIS YOUR VERY FIRST WORK. LET YOUR PRAYER BE, TAKE ME, O LORD, AS WHOLLY THINE. I LAY ALL MY PLANS AT THY FEET. USE ME TODAY IN THY SERVICE. ABIDE WITH ME, AND LET ALL MY WORK BE WROUGHT IN THEE. THIS IS A DAILY MATTER. EACH MORNING CONSECRATE YOURSELF TO GOD FOR THAT DAY. SURRENDER ALL YOUR PLANS TO HIM, TO BE CARRIED OUT OR GIVEN UP AS HIS PROVIDENCE SHALL INDICATE. THUS DAY BY DAY YOU MAY BE GIVING YOUR LIFE INTO THE HANDS OF GOD, AND THUS YOUR LIFE WILL BE MOLDED MORE AND MORE AFTER THE LIFE OF CHRIST. Steps to Christ, 70.
MAKE ROOM IN YOUR SCHEDULE FOR FAMILY TIME.
For this to work, everyone in your family must prioritize this time. Everyone needs to be on the same page. AND IF IT SEEMS EVIL TO YOU TO SERVE THE LORD, CHOOSE FOR YOURSELVES THIS DAY WHOM YOU WILL SERVE, WHETHER THE GODS WHICH YOUR FATHERS SERVED THAT WERE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER OR THE GODS OF THE AMORITES, IN WHOSE LAND YOU DWELL. BUT AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD. (JOSHUA 24:15). BUT IF ANYONE DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR HIS OWN, AND ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE OF HIS HOUSEHOLD, HE HAS DENIED THE FAITH AND IS WORSE THAN AN UNBELIEVER. (1 TIMOTHY 5:8).
FOSTER HIS LINES OF DENOMINATIONAL WORK UNDER THE GENERAL DIRECTION OF THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CONFERENCE PRESIDENT. (CHURCH MANUAL).
THE DEPARTMENTAL NEEDS Access to the churches to present and develop your plans. Consider all church plans, even those unrelated to your service areas. Be aware that you are not vested with administrative or executive authority. Your relationship with local churches is advisory. Cover the entire conference in promoting your specific areas of work. Remember that you do not advise churches regarding elections, other administrative duties, or any other line of service unless specifically requested by the conference president. (Church Manual).
YOUR WORK IS IMPORTANT You work primarily with the pastors, training them, motivating them, and providing them with work tools. Promote discipleship and provide work tools and resources in accordance with your areas of service. Encourage the involvement of all members (TMI). You lift the social image of the Church through the different activities and services you do. Train the Church for the fulfillment of the mission.
Apply the strategic plan of the worldwide Church to your department. Work closely with the Director of your department at the next organizational level. Make your plans considering the needs of the local Church and the strategic plan of the Superior organization. Create an evaluation model in coordination with the Director of your department in the higher organization. Evaluate the results. Periodically report on the results of your departmental work.
THE DEPARTMENTAL DIRECTOR Educates. Inspires. Models. Communicates. Trains. Produces. Updates. Promotes. Organizes. Serves. Challenges. Enjoys.
IMITATE JESUS Jesus did not promote Himself (Mark 1:11). Jesus was obedient to the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:12, 13). Jesus shared His vision with clarity, simplicity, and directness (Mark 1:15). Jesus was a strategic team builder (Mark 1:17). Jesus was a relationship builder (Mark 1:19). Jesus showed control and authority as a leader when necessary (Mark 1:23-25). Jesus addressed the crisis head-on (Mark 1:30, 31). Jesus prayed daily (Mark 1:35). Jesus was always trying to empower others (Mar 1:40-45).
