During a televised interview with the president of a large denomination in Brazil, I heard a remarkable comment: “The way the Seventh-day Adventist Church is organized is a model.” The speaker went on to explain how he studies the Seventh-day Adventist Church in detail and incorporates many of our procedures into his denomination. His admiration made me reflect: Do Adventist pastors truly appreciate and understand the gift we have in our church structure?
The Seventh-day Adventist Church was not founded to fossilize over time. It is a prophetic and eschatological movement initiated by God. The church’s theology propels missions and demands effective organization. While our pioneers initially resisted the idea of formal structure, the complexities of growth and mission challenges led them to organize the church officially on May 21, 1863, after much prayer, discussion, and God-inspired advice. This step allowed the church to manage its properties, address theological issues, support itinerant preachers, and fulfill its mission more effectively.
Ellen White was emphatic in defending that decision and its impact on the future of Adventism. “Let none entertain the thought that we can dispense with organization. It has cost us much study and many prayers for wisdom, that we know God has answered, to erect this structure. It has been built up by His direction, through much sacrifice and conflict. Let none of our brethren be so deceived as to attempt to tear it down, for you will thus bring in a condition of things that you do not dream of. In the name of the Lord I declare to you that it is to stand, strengthened, established, and settled.”1
A movement with a mission
In a world increasingly skeptical of institutions, some argue that Jesus founded a movement, not an organization. Yet, it is said that “Jesus founded an organized movement.” The early Christian church relied on some form of organization to accomplish its mission, and the same is true for the Seventh-day Adventist Church today. Without its structure, the Adventist Church could not have grown from 3,500 members in 1863 to nearing 23 million across 212 countries and territories today. History shows that other movements also emerged from Millerism. But lacking strong structures, they failed to develop in the same way.
The blessings of structure
The Adventist Church’s structure is a divine gift. It is comprehensive, balancing local and global needs while investing in the church’s wholistic development through various departments. This structure fosters unity, preventing local isolation and making the church stronger and more representative.
For pastors, one of the greatest advantages is the protection it offers to ministry. The church’s compensation plan eliminates financial disparities and ensures pastors are not dependent on generating their own income. It also safeguards properties and promotes financial transparency. Additionally, our structure is representative, empowering local churches, involving different areas and people in its committees, and regularly evaluating leaders at every level.
More significantly, our structure strengthens fidelity to God’s Word through an integrated care for theology and message. It also facilitates involvement in local and global missions, ensuring that we remain focused on catching fish, not consumed with caring for aquariums.
The challenges of structure
If misused, the benefits of our structure can become liabilities. Distraction is a common challenge, where priorities are inverted and bureaucracy, formalities, events, buildings, and business or personal interests become priorities. Secularization is another danger, where personal opinions and social acceptance take precedence over biblical truth. Finally, institutionalism—a shift from a living movement to a static monument—threatens to destroy the vitality of the church.
To mitigate these risks, our structure must remain dynamic, mission-focused, and firmly grounded in Scripture. Pastors play a crucial role in ensuring this balance.
Embracing unity
Unity is vital, especially in this challenging time. As Paul exhorted, we must move forward “united in thought and purpose” (1 Cor. 1:10, NLT). The allegory of the porcupines offers a valuable lesson in unity. During a harsh winter, a group of porcupines decided to get together for warmth but soon hurt each other with their quills. They moved apart, only to face the cold again. Ultimately, they chose to stay together, learning to live with the small wounds for a greater good. Similarly, as pastors and administrative leaders, we must embrace the minor challenges of working together under a unified structure for the sake of our mission.
The structure of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is a divine gift. It equips us to face the complexities of modern ministry while remaining faithful to Scripture and mission. Let us not take this gift for granted. By understanding, appreciating, and utilizing its potential, we can ensure that our church continues to grow as a vibrant, prophetic movement, preparing the world for Christ’s soon return.
- Ellen G. White, Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press, 1923), 27.
