WHAT IS THE CHURCH’S POSITION ON WOMEN BEING ELECTED AS LOCAL CHURCH ELDERS? DOES THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH HAVE A DOCUMENT WITH INSTRUCTION ABOUT THIS ISSUE?
On October 14, 1984, during Annual Council, the General Conference Committee prepared the following statement about the election and ordination of women as local church elders.
WOMEN (LOCAL CHURCH) ELDERS - ELECTION AND ORDINATION
Voted:
1. To reaffirm the Spring Meeting action of the General Conference Committee of 1975, Role of Women in the Church (GCC 75-153).
2. To advise each division that it is free to make provision as it may deem necessary for the election and ordination of women as local church elders.
3. To suggest that the following guidelines be used in the selection and ordination of women as local church elders:
a. The concept should be carefully examined, discussed, and properly accepted at the local church level.
b. If a church contemplates such an action, the entire matter should be discussed and approved by the conference committee after the conference administration has sought counsel from the union leadership. The negotiation between the church and the conference should occur in advance of the final decision and vote by the local church.
c. The action to elect and ordain a woman as a local church elder must not be taken unless a clear consensus exists that the ministry of a woman elder is desirable and even essential to the spiritual well-being of the local church family. It should also be the consensus of the church that a woman elder will be respected as a spiritual leader and soulwinner. The church should also express its belief that there are dimensions of spiritual service and counsel which cannot be properly fulfilled by a male elder.
d. A clear majority of the voting members of the local church must be in favor of the action. The matter should be considered at a specially-called church business meeting. Every church member should be given the opportunity to vote on this issue rather than only the few who might be present at a regular meeting where routine items of business are on the agenda. Although preliminary study could be given to this question by the church board, any final action should be taken by the church in a business meeting.
e. Whatever the decision of the church, it should result in unifying the members and not be the source of divisiveness or alienation. The body of Christ, the Church, must not be tarnished in any way. In this important issue, as in all things, the name of our Lord and Savior must be exalted.
General Conference Ministerial Association
