SABBATH SCHOOL
The Sabbath School Department communicates the good news with the objective to win, hold, and train men, women, youth, boys and girls for Jesus Christ throughout the world. The Department provides Sabbath School Bible Study Guides, supplies materials for Sabbath School programming, offers a spiritual study environment for teachers and members, promotes the support for world missions, and provides resources to help those areas of the world where church growth is limited.
Sabbath School Department provides the following divisions:
- Adult Sabbath School Class (Ages 21 and above)
- Young Adult (Ages 15-21)
- Early Teen Classes (ages 12-15)
- Primary Classes (ages 5-9)
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Little Friends (Ages infant-4)
FAMILY LIFE MINISTRY
Family Life Ministries focuses on the family as a whole and on each individual that comprises the unit. Through its partner ministries - Youth/Young Adults, Men, Women, Children and Singles - the Family Life Ministries is focused on strengthening the relationships between the individuals in the family - the relationship that connects husband and wife in marriage, parent and child in a unique parent-child bond, family to family in the community of faith and each individual - male, female, youth, single - who are all essential to the effective functioning of the family and in the wider society.
Dating Around
HEALTH MINISTRY
By adopting the most healthful lifestyle with adequate exercise, rest, and a healthy diet, by abstaining from things that harm our mind and body, by nurturing healthy interpersonal relationships, by maintaining a positive outlook and hopeful attitude, and by seeking to know God deeply and trusting in His leading of our lives, we can begin to experience an abundant life today while also making a positive impact in the lives of those around us.
YOUTH MINISTRY
The story of the Seventh-day Adventist Youth Ministry began over 125 years ago along with a dusty country lane in Michigan with two young boys kneeling in prayer.
Today that dusty lane has become a world-wide web of highways that links over 10 million Seventh-day Adventist young people in nearly every political entity on every continent of the globe. The Seventh-day Adventist Youth Ministry comes in every hue of the rainbow; it is filled with extremes of exhilaration and mountaintop experiences, as well as deep sadness and unfulfilled dreams.
Yet in all these "good and bad" experiences of youths, there is a constant thread - our youths are faithfully leading a fascinating army down through the battles of the great overarching conflict that is life as we know it now.
WOMEN MINISTRY
VICTORY’S WOMEN’S MINISTRY TV - REAL ISSUES FOR WOMEN
The purpose of the local church Women’s Ministry is to provide opportunities for women to grow in the daily devotion to Jesus Christ by offering small groups for prayer, Bible study, accountability, ministry activities, assist women to put God’s love into action, and special events for spiritual renewal in order to be godly influences in our homes, church, community and world.
CHILDREN MINISTRY
Children’s Ministries department looks and works to equip our church, families, and every other person that may have any spiritual influence on the children, with resources and training to connect children to a lifelong, loving relationship with Jesus. To get such goals the Children Ministries seeks to provide ideas and activities for parents and their children that will lead them to Jesus and disciple them in their daily walk with Him. Its main wish is that every child may encounter Jesus as personal Saviour and best Friend.
CHILDREN'S SABBATH SCHOOL
Each Sabbath morning, Sabbath schools for each age group welcome children to an hour of active learning geared to their stage of faith development. These classes:
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Children's Sabbath Schools
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Beginners: birth–2 years old
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Kindergarten: 3–5 years old
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Primary: 6–9 years old (grades 1–4)
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Juniors: 10–11 years old (grade 5–6)
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Earliteen: 12–13 years old (grades 7–8)
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Youth: grades 9–12
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provide faith-shaping experiences for newborns through adolescents.To learn more about GraceLink, the Christ-centered, Bible-based, child-friendly Sabbath school curriculum produced by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, click here.
PRISON MINISTRY
Prison ministries in the local church fall under the umbrella of the personal ministries department, so communication between the leaders of these areas The power of Christ can break every yoke of bondage and deliver the soul of every inmate from the iron grip of Satan. The prison ministries coordinator is responsible for overseeing all aspects of prison ministries, including relations with Corrections Department personnel, selection of programs and staffing of key positions, communication with church leaders and members, and volunteer training.
Any person who has a real concern for lost humanity can become a successful coordinator of prison ministries. True conversion and dedication are the only prerequisites. These qualities, followed by an abounding love for individual souls, will be manifested through a desire to serve, and through patience and perseverance. The coordinator should also have faith in God’s promises and a steadfast prayer life. Tact, wisdom, and genuineness are also desirable traits.
MEDIA & COMMUNICATION
The multi-faceted roles of the Media and Communication Ministries are to disseminate and gather information to and from the church's constituents, ministries, leadership, conferences, public and its community — either directly or indirectly through its local church communication leadership—and serve as a resource for pastors, local church leaders, ministries, conferences and community
COMMUNICATION RESOURCES.
MEN'S MINISTRY
Men's Ministry is the active pursuit of men in order to connect them to God, His Word, and other men for the purpose of winning, growing and training God's man in Christ. It is to disciplining and equipping the men of Victory in their roles as men of God, whether married, single, older, younger. It seeks to provide a venue for modeling the life of Christ to men. It does this through teaching, fellowship, and service; providing an opportunity for fostering spiritual friendships and developing disciplining relationships, so men can grow in conformity to Christ, specifically in their roles as men.
SINGLES MINISTRY
Balancing life as a single adult and faithfulness to God's Word can be the most challenging and gratifying human experience. It can be in the form of staying genuinely joyful and expectant while circumstances seem adverse or meeting professional and personal demands yet maintain the sense of wholeness. It is our hope and desire that our site will help you find whatever information you need in your quest to develop for yourself and for those you are in a relationship with.
PERSONAL MINISTRY
The mission of Personal Ministries is to provide resources and train church members to unite their efforts with the ministry and church officers in the final proclamation of the gospel of salvation in Christ.
Personal Ministry is a facet of the church whose origin can be traced to the beginning of Seventh-day Adventist® history in the 1860s. It endeavors to inspire, motivate, equip, train, and mobilize all members for dynamic Christian service with the conviction that “The church of Christ is organized for service” (Ministry of Healing, p. 148) and “Every son and daughter of God is called to be a missionary; we are called to the service of God and our fellow men” (The Ministry of Healing, p. 395)
ADVENTIST COMMUNITY SERVICES (ACS)
Throughout Jesus’ ministry there is evidence of a genuinely holistic approach toward humanity; especially people who were marginalized, disadvantaged, and disenfranchised from society. These included the poor, the sick, the unclean, the prostitutes, and tax collectors—all outcasts as sinful people.
Through its local Seventh-day Adventist Churches, Adventist Community Services (ACS) provides services such as disaster response, crisis care, community development, elder care ministries, youth & young adults empowerment ministries, Hope for Humanity and tutoring and mentoring programs globally.
STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY
A local church stewardship secretary or finance committee chairperson, like any other church officer, is a minister. Every Christian believer is called to ministry, gifted by the Holy Spirit, and in baptism ordained for ministry. God supplies each person in the church with the resources for ministry—scripture, spiritual power, God’s character, and spiritual gifts. The recognition of God’s ownership leads to financial faithfulness.
This faithfulness is manifested in returning an honest tithe and thank offerings to God for His abundant provision and His sustaining power.
Duties of the Local Church Stewardship Leader
The ministry to which a person is called when he or she becomes the stewardship leader of a congregation, whether the title is finance committee chairperson or stewardship secretary, can best be described in the following ways:
1. Education.
The systematic sharing of stewardship principles with church members is the most important phase of the stewardship leader’s responsibilities. This involves the planning and implementation of a stewardship education program, assisting the pastor on World Stewardship Day in December, planning and/or conducting stewardship classes, tithe and offering education during worship, and teaching stewardship concepts during Sabbath School, in new member classes, midweek meetings and on other occasions.
2. Planning and budgeting.
As a member of the church board, the stewardship leader should be knowledgeable concerning the overall plans of the church and assist in helping to develop funding resources to achieve the local church growth strategy. He or she should also take a key role in the planning and budgeting process, either as a general coordinator or an active participant. It is vital that church plans and the church budget be one connected whole, not two separate activities.
3. Finance committee meetings.
Although it is best in smaller congregations for the stewardship leader to chair this committee, it is essential that he or she be an active member. .4. Visitation.
The stewardship leader is usually the coordinator of any visitation committees organized in conjunction with stewardship education. This includes sitting with the pastor and church board to set up the schedule of visits, determine who the visitors will be and the purpose of their visits. It also involves the actual follow through, overseeing preparations for visitor training and orientation, the creation of name cards, obtaining materials, and communicating with all involved.
5. Conference representatives.
The stewardship leader represents the local conference in the development program of the sisterhood of churches, as well as any offerings that involve a wider sphere than that of the local church. The congregation will look to you for information, answers to questions and honest reporting on the results of their giving to the world mission of the Adventist Church.
See How Your Stewardship Supports Ministries
RESOURCES.
TREASURY
The work of the church treasurer is sometimes not recognized as a ministry because it is done behind the scenes. Nevertheless, it is a specialized, vital ministry in which the treasurer exercises his or her spiritual gifts. The whole congregation benefits indirectly from the work of the treasurer.
The history of church treasurers goes back at least to 457 B.C. when Ezra appointed guardians for the funds given for the work in Jerusalem. To those given the care of the Lord’s goods Ezra commanded, “Ye are holy unto the Lord; the vessels are holy also; and the silver and the gold are a freewill offering unto the Lord God of your fathers” (Ezra 8:28).Finances are an integral part of the ministry of the laity.
A person with integrity and business skills are elected as church treasurer with the important responsibility for local church finances.
The Church Treasurer is responsible for:
1. Record of all receipts and disbursements of funds - tithe and offerings and receipt and recording of church departments funds.
2. Security of all financial funds and records.
3. Preparation of monthly financial reports to the local church and conference
4. Works closely with the pastor, FinanceCommittee, and Stewardship ministries.
5. Strategic financial planning and support
Resources:
> Moneywise
DISABILITIES MINISTRY
This position is an important part of your church’s outreach efforts. Disabilities Ministries is designed to educate and sensitize all church members as they reach out to people with disabilities. The goal is to share the gospel and empower individuals in all areas of church life so they can evangelize others, inviting them to accept the love and saving grace of Jesus Christ. People with disabilities within the community and even the congregation are often spiritually neglected.
As Disabilities Ministries personnel, you, along with others of like passion, will discover the privilege of making your church a welcoming environment to those with disabilities. Members with disabilities are waiting to share the gospel with others, and Disabilities Ministries can give equal opportunities to all who desire to serve and participate in the church of the Living God. You can help create those opportunities with a Disabilities Ministries program that embraces the motto, Including All…Omitting None.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Welcome to the finance committee, an important volunteer group within a church. The committee carries a sacred responsibility and plays a significant role in churches where the size of the congregation or the amount of funds makes it effective to have a finance committee. Every church must have effective fiscal leadership if it is to fulfill its mission. The finance committee can help to provide this leadership.
The finance committee should:
• Meet regularly and keep accurate minutes for the church board to review.
• Review financial statements compiled by the treasurer on a monthly basis and ensure that statements are complete and accurate, and comply with established expectations.
• Review the church’s current financial internal control policies and procedures, and make recommendations for improvements.
• Analyze, construct and present a proposed yearly budget.
• Review banking relationships, deposit services and debt obligations (when applicable).
• Review the financial audit report prepared by the local conference auditor.
• Work closely with the stewardship leader to educate members regarding financial giving as an act of worship.
• Communicate clearly and regularly with the pastor(s) and church board regarding financial matters.
EDUCATION
The Seventh-day Adventist Church recognizes God as the ultimate source of existence, truth, and power. In the beginning, God created in His image a perfect humanity, a perfection later marred by sin. Education in its broadest sense is a means of returning human beings to their original relationship with God.
The aim of true education is to restore human beings to the image of God as revealed by the life of Jesus Christ. Only through the guidance of the Holy Spirit can this be accomplished.
An education of this kind imparts far more than academic knowledge. It fosters a balanced development of the whole person—spiritual, physical, intellectual, and social-emotional—a process that spans a lifetime.
Working together, homes, schools, and churches cooperate with divine agencies to prepare learners to be good citizens in this world and for eternity.
CORE CURRICULUM GOALS
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Learners will choose to accept God as the Creator and the Redeemer.
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Learners will grow in their knowledge and understanding of God’s creation.
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Learners will creatively apply their spiritual, physical, intellectual, and social-emotional knowledge.
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Learners will demonstrate their commitment to the Creator through service to others.
The aim of true education is to restore human beings to the image of God as revealed by the life of Jesus Christ. Only through the guidance of the Holy Spirit can this be accomplished.
An education of this kind imparts far more than academic knowledge. It fosters a balanced development of the whole person—spiritual, physical, intellectual, and social-emotional—a process that spans a lifetime.
Working together, homes, schools, and churches cooperate with divine agencies to prepare learners to be good citizens in this world and for eternity. CORE CURRICULUM GOALS
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Learners will choose to accept God as the Creator and the Redeemer.
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Learners will grow in their knowledge and understanding of God’s creation.
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Learners will creatively apply their spiritual, physical, intellectual, and social-emotional knowledge.
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Learners will demonstrate their commitment to the Creator through service to others.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
The advocacy of the Religious Liberty Ministry takes many forms—fighting against laws that would inhibit an individual’s religious freedoms, working to obtain the release of individuals imprisoned for religious reasons and supporting the rights of individuals fired from their jobs for following their conscience, to name a few. The local church religious liberty leader has the opportunity to serve the church and community by alerting them to developments that may impact religious freedom.
DEACONS & DEACONESSES
Traditionally, the work of a deacon and deaconess includes greeting and ushering, upkeep of church property, security, assisting with baptisms and communion, and generally caring for the physical needs of the congregation.
Many churches are now expanding the roles of the deacon and deaconess to include using their spiritual gifts in a variety of innovative ways to minister to the emotional and social needs of new members, people in crises, families with small children, and the pastoral staff.
Depending on the size of the congregation one may also be involved with bridal showers and weddings, greeting card ministries, fellowship dinners, baby showers, and caring for people who experience illness or the loss of a loved one.
INTEREST COORDINATOR
The interest coordinator is a member of the church board and personal ministries council. You will work with your pastor and the personal ministries council chairperson to keep track of the names of people interested in your church and make sure they receive follow-up contact. You will regularly report to the board the number of interested people and how you are following up. Duties of the interest coordinator include:
• Tracking the names of everyone who has expressed an interest in some area of the church’s outreach efforts.
• Developing a database of names of interested individuals.
• Consulting with the pastor and others for criteria for inclusion in the database.
• Overseeing the list to ensure all names and personal information are properly used.
• Training church members, particularly greeters, in obtaining accurate contact information.
• Working with the pastor, personal ministries council members, Bible workers, and others to arrange appropriate follow-up.
• Continually encouraging members to submit names of persons interested in the church.
CHURCH CLERK
The role of the Church Clerk is to minister to the congregation by documenting and maintaining the church records. The Church Clerk works in close relationship with the pastor, other church officers, and members, keeps accurate minutes of church business and board meetings, and submits reports to the conference on a quarterly basis.
The role of the Church Clerk also includes ministering to the congregation by documenting and maintaining the church records. You will work in close relationship with the pastor and other church officers and members. You will keep accurate minutes ofchurch board and business meetings and submit information regarding your church to the conference on a regular basis.
USHER (GREETER) MINISTRY
While greeters are members of the church, with the interests of the church in mind, they constantly strive to see things from the guest’s point of view. The ministry is more on behalf of the guest than on behalf of the church. Ushers are there to make guests feel welcome and wanted, to set them at ease, not just to “get them registered.”
Ushers make the effort to learn names and other pertinent information which is important, but this should not be done in a formal or bureaucratic way. Every person is incredibly valuable in God’s sight. And ushers need to create an atmosphere of acceptance and warmth that reflects the value God places on every individual who has chosen to attend your church.
Be particularly aware of your body language and tone of voice; these are major ways of conveying attitudes.
Smile, try to make eye contact and speak warmly, but do not be too intimate or pushy. Taking a half-step back after shaking hands or giving a guest a bulletin is a good way to reassure strangers that there is no threat to their personal space – you are not going to “smother” or “bulldoze” them! First impressions are at times lasting, therefore the usher always conduct his or herself with proper dignity for the responsibility, combined with an appealing sense of genuine warmth and a friendly, welcoming attitude.
ELDERS MINISTRY
The church is a kingdom of priests set free to minister for Christ. Every Christian believer is called to ministry, gifted by the Holy Spirit, and in baptism ordained for ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12).
Duties of the Elder The ministry to which a person is called when he or she becomes an elder can best be described in the following ways: Visitation. The elder can actively visit members in their homes, encourage others to do so, and assist in the training of prospective members. Commitment. It is especially important for the local elder to be committed to the outreach of the church.
The spiritual life of an elder should constantly lead members of the church to seek a deeper spiritual experience for themselves. I Timothy, chapter 3, describes the Christian life of an elder in these words: “. . . above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle.”
An elder should model, by his or her devotional life, Christian personality, and spiritual interest, a higher ideal for each member to reach. The elder should reflect the fruits of the Spirit in his or her relationship with others: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Church administration. An elder often serves in an advisory capacity to various departments, committees, and projects. In doing this, the elder provides unity among the various programs of the church, communicates progress to the church board and encourages a unified mission.
INVESTMENT LEADER
There is no direct mention in the Bible concerning the Investment program. Nevertheless, it has roots in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). “The talents which God has entrusted to us, whether they be large or small, whether they be money or strength or time, are talents for which we are responsible and we should invest them. As we do, God will multiply them for the finishing of His work” (Nash and Parker, Investment: The Miracle Offering). Investment is not simply another offering; it is a plan whereby an individual invests money, time, or effort in a faithful partnership with God for the purpose of supporting His world mission.
DUTIES OF THE INVESTMENT LEADER
The ministry to which a person is called when he or she becomes an Investment leader will include the following duties:
Promote Investment: You, or someone you designate, should promote Investment in each division on a regular monthly schedule.
Investment Materials: Plan far enough ahead so you can have the Investment leaflets and goal devices in hand the Sabbath you introduce your Investment plan.
Setting Goals: At the beginning of the year, you should meet with the Sabbath School leaders to plan for the year’s activities.
Keep Records: Meet with the church treasurer on a regular basis to keep track of the money being turned in for Investment.
Communicate: It is your responsibility to keep the church members informed as to the progress of the Investment plan, and what the funds are used for.
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