One authorized to conduct the various functions of pastoral work within the Seventh-day Adventist Church. As noted in the Seventh-day Adventist Minister’s Manual ( pp. 17–19), a call to the gospel ministry is a uniquely personal call from Christ.
The divine call to ministry does not make pastors more important than other members, nor is ministry the only vocation to which people are “called.” The grandest work in the world is the work of service, and God calls every member to some ministry of service.
Actually, in most places of the world, local church elders serve as volunteer pastors, working under the general supervision of a salaried district pastor. Without these dedicated lay leaders, many Seventh-day Adventist members would not have immediate access to a spiritual shepherd.
The demands of the gospel ministry are many, and thus the scriptural requirements are rigorous: “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” ( Acts 20:28 , NKJV ).
Ministers need many gifts: moral earnestness, leadership, intelligence, common sense, relational skills, and teaching ability. The requirements are high, but those who are truly called by Christ will be empowered by Him. Paul proclaimed, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who was enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry” ( 1 Tim. 1:12 , NKJV ).
Not all Seventh-day Adventist pastors are in the same ministerial category. Ordained ministers are those fully authorized to perform every pastoral function. Licensed ministers, on the other hand, are limited in performing pastoral functions. However, “the responsibility and authority” of licensed ministers “may in certain circumstances be extended to include the performance of specific functions of the ordained minister” in the churches to which they are assigned. “The authority for extending this responsibility belongs to the division committee which shall clearly outline for its territory the ministerial functions which may be delegated to licensed ministers” ( GC Working Policy [1994–1995], pp. 308, 309).
For example, the North American Division has the following provision: Licensed ministers are “authorized by the conference to perform substantially all the functions of the ordained minister for the members in the churches or companies” to which they are “assigned and elected” as church elders, and for the communities they serve ( NAD Working Policy [1994–1995], pp. 311, 312). Licensed ministers, however, are excluded from presiding over organizing churches, uniting churches, and ordaining local elders and deacons ( ibid. , p. 312).
“The conference/mission executive committee shall authorize, in harmony with the division policy, which functions of the ordained minister the licensed minister may perform” ( GC Working Policy [1994–1995], p. 309).
Minimum requirements to be met by licensed ministers before being given extended ministerial functions include: completion of the ministerial training program, holding a current ministerial license, appointment to a ministerial or pastoral responsibility, election as a local elder in each church to which they are assigned, and ordination as a local elder ( ibid. ).
Another type of pastor is the commissioned minister. Although the General Conference Working Policy does not specifically designate a commissioned minister credential, the various world divisions are free to bestow such a credential if they choose. The North American Division, for example, does grant the commissioned minister license and credential as follows: “To associates in pastoral care; Bible instructors; General Conference, division, union, and local conference treasurers and departmental directors including associate and assistant directors; institutional chaplains; presidents and vice presidents of major institutions; auditors (General Conference director, associates, area and district directors); and field directors of the Christian Record Services” ( NAD Working Policy [1994–1995], p. 101).
When the commissioned minister credential is granted, an appropriate commissioning service may be conducted. At that time the pastor receives a commissioned minister license. This license is granted to commissioned ministers who have fewer than five years’ experience. It is not the normal practice to ordain an individual holding this license ( ibid. ). Ordinarily an associate in pastoral care is granted a commissioned minister credential after four years of denominational service ( ibid. , p. 313).
Pastors in training are known as interns. They receive a license rather than a credential, not only because they are new in the ministry, but also to designate that their ministerial training is not complete until after their internship. Granting a ministerial license is not a commitment that ordination is ultimately assured. It merely provides the opportunity for licentiates to prove their calling.
Ministerial internship “designates a period of service spent in practical ministerial training, to be entered upon after the completion of the prescribed ministerial training course, this training period to be served under supervision in a local conference/mission, at a limited wage, for the purpose of proving the divine call to the ministery” ( GC Working Policy [1994–1995], p. 303).
While internship limits the beginning minister in some ways, it does provide experience in all phases of ministry: “Local conferences/missions shall place ministerial interns in the conference/mission where there is prospect for well-rounded development in all the phases of the ministry—evangelistic, pastoral, teaching ( i.e. , personal and group instruction), and various departmental activities” ibid. , p. 304).
When a conference gives an individual a ministerial license, “it should be recognized as a pledge on the part of the conference leadership to foster that employee’s growth” ( ibid. , p. 315). A special financial plan makes it possible for the conference to fulfill this pledge.
Preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ is the highest privilege and the most fascinating adventure ever given to humankind. “The greatest work, the noblest effort,” in which individuals can engage “is to point sinners to the Lamb of God. True ministers are colaborers with the Lord in the accomplishment of His purposes” ( GW 18).