Questions and answers about church manual

Questions and answers
about church manual

How is the administration of the office of elder changing?

The most recent changes (explained fully in the manual) build on changes that began some time ago. Early on in our journey of transformation we eliminated our former multi-tiered system for titling elders. Whereas we once had local church elders, local elders, preaching elders, pastor-rank elders, evangelists and an apostle, today we have only one title granted through the ceremony of ordination—that of elder.

The denomination, through ordination, appoints appropriately qualified male members to the biblical office of elder. Elders serve as spiritual overseers within congregations and denominational offices. All appropriately supervised elders are authorized to officiate at church ceremonies and worship services and to perform certain church management responsibilities (as defined in the manual). The title of elder is transferable between all WCG congregations and continues to be valid unless the elder resigns the office or unless the church revokes the ordination for disciplinary reasons.

The ordination of an elder is approved in advance by the denomination and is acknowledged through an ordination certificate issued by the denomination. The denomination is involved in these ways because elders serve as the official “clergy” of the Worldwide Church of God.

In addition to ordination that involves appointing elders to these general responsibilities, appropriately qualified elders are appointed to additional, specific spiritual leadership responsibilities. These appointments are confirmed and administered through the granting of an elder license. Licenses are normally valid for five years and may be renewed upon expiration. These licenses are location and position specific and thus may not be transferred between congregations.

Some elders are licensed to serve as senior pastors of congregations. Others are licensed to serve as administrative elders within various denominational offices where they are granted descriptive job titles such as superintendent of U.S. ministers or district superintendent. Many of our elders in congregations are licensed as associate and assistant pastors, partnering with the senior pastor to form a pastoral leadership team. In accordance with our leadership ethos, it is our desire and intent that our congregations, as they develop, be led by a team of pastoral leaders under the overall direction of the senior pastor.

The Church Administration department has sent a letter to all WCG elders in the United States informing them of our new ordination and licensing procedures and inviting them to submit an application for initial licensing and for re-issuance of their ordination certificate in accordance with our new Church Administration policies and procedures. We deeply appreciate the service of our elders and look forward to more fully and effectively establishing their essential leadership office within our congregations and denominational offices.

How is the administration of the office of deacon changing?

In the past we appointed deacons and deaconesses through ordination. The title was fairly permanent and was generally seen as transferable between congregations. We are now changing the way we administer this important office.

With publishing of the manual, the title of deacon will be granted to appropriately qualified male and female members who are commissioned by their pastor to serve as a ministry leader within the congregation (note that at local discretion, female deacons may be referred to as deaconesses).

The title of deacon in this new system is both time and location specific: The ministry leader retains the title so long as they are actively serving as a ministry leader in the congregation where the appointment was made. The title is thus not transferable between congregations.

What happens to deacons and deaconesses who were ordained under our old system?

We deeply appreciate the service that has been rendered by so many of our faithful, long-term deacons and deaconesses. Many of them now serve as ministry leaders and will, under the new system, be granted the new title of deacon (ministry leader).

Others who have served in years past as ordained deacons and deaconesses do not now serve as ministry leaders and thus will not be granted the new title, but may retain their former title in an “emeritus” status. Any questions about the transition from the old system of appointing deacons/deaconesses to the new system should be directed to your pastor or district superintendent.

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