Alberto R. Timm, PhD (Andrews University), former Director of the Brazilian Ellen G. White Research Center and Rector of the Latin-American Adventist Theological Seminary, is currently an Associate Director of the Ellen G. White Estate, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. He and his wife, Marly L. Timm, have three children: Suellen, William, and Shelley.
WHY DID SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS ORGANIZE THEMSELVES INTO A FORMAL DENOMINATION?
\After the October 1844 Great Disappointment, there were just a few Sabbath-keeping Adventists. But in 1860, groups of believers were scattered throughout New England and as far West as Iowa and Wisconsin, USA. The numerical growth and geographical expansion of the movement brought about the need of an organizational structure. In Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 26 we read: “As our numbers increased, it was evident that without some form of organization there would be great confusion, and the work would not be carried forward successfully. To provide for the support of the ministry, for carrying the work in new fields, for protecting both the churches and the ministry from unworthy members, for holding church property, for the publication of the truth through the press, and for many other objects, organization was indispensable.”
HOW DID THE ORGANIZATIONAL PROCESS HAPPEN?
Three major steps were taken in the original organizing process. First, in the 1850s, congregations organized themselves, electing their own leadership. Then, in the early 1860s, state conferences were established to integrate the congregations within their respective territories. Finally, in May 1863, the General Conference was organized with John Byington, as president; Uriah Smith, as secretary; and E. S. Walker, as treasurer. Under a representative ecclesiastic model, delegates from various churches elected their state conference officers, and delegates from the various state conferences elected the General Conference officers.
Four decades of significant growth and expansion led to a reorganization in the 1900s and 1910s. With the establishment of union conferences and union missions (1901) and divisions (1913, revised in 1918), the organizational structure ended up consisting of (1) local churches/companies, (2) local conferences/missions, (3) union conferences and union missions, (4) divisions, and (5) the General Conference. The current officers of the General Conference are Ted N. C. Wilson, president; G. T. Ng, secretary; and Robert E. Lemon, treasurer.
WHAT IS CONGREGATIONALISM AND WHY WOULD IT NOT BE A GOOD ALTERNATIVE FOR THE CHURCH TODAY?
Congregationalism grants local congregations a freedom of action similar to a member that functions independent of its body (see 1 Cor. 12:12-27). It is highly utopic, and promises in theory a spontaneous Christ-centered unity that does not always happen in practice. By accepting congregationalism, the church would open itself to pluralism, which erodes the doctrinal uniqueness of any denomination, and would jeopardize its unity and mission.
The organizational structure of the Seventh-day Adventist Church exists with the double purpose of keeping its doctrinal unity (message) and facilitating its mission (outreach strategies). If the church would ever lose sight of its unique message to the world (as summarized by the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14:6-12), then there would be no more reason to keep such a well-integrated organizational structure. After all, other denominations with a popular/pluralistic message have prevailed with a much more simple organizational structure, while sacrificing what we highly value—the concept encompassed by our historic maxim, “United for Mission.”
SOME PEOPLE CLAIM THAT EVENTUALLY THERE WILL BE NO CHURCH ORGANIZATION TO HOLD US TOGETHER. WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT IT?
In Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, pp. 257-258 we read, “Oh, how Satan would rejoice if he could succeed in his efforts to get in among this people and disorganize the work at a time when thorough organization is essential and will be the greatest power to keep out spurious uprisings and to refute claims not endorsed by the word of God! We want to hold the lines evenly, that there shall be no breaking down of the system of organization and order that has been built up by wise, careful labor. License must not be given to disorderly elements that desire to control the work at this time.
“Some have advanced the thought that, as we near the close of time, every child of God will act independently of any religious organization. But I have been instructed by the Lord that in this work there is no such thing as every man’s being independent. The stars of heaven are all under law, each influencing the other to do the will of God, yielding their common obedience to the law that controls their action. And, in order that the Lord’s work may advance healthfully and solidly, His people must draw together.”
Undoubtedly, the time will eventually come when, through opposition and persecution, our denominational institutions and formal organizational structure will be dismantled. But this should not be used as an excuse to dismantle our church organization before that time actually comes.
