PRACTICAL AGENDAPRACTICAL AGENDA

By Jonas and Raquel Arrais General Conference Ministerial Association

Ideas you can use to cooperate with your spouse

• Give a warm welcome to the spouse of

the new pastoral family.

• Give appropriate gifts to their children on

behalf of the church.

• Express an appropriate recognition and

appreciation to the pastor’s spouse.

1. WELCOME TO THE NEW PASTOR

An appropriate reception will benefit the church and the pastoral family

Remember that the church lost a significant family unit that for years was part of their

support system as extended family, friends, and counselors. Members will need to adopt

the new ministerial family as soon as possible. They also left their friends and members behind. This kind of treatment and expressions of love are important for

them to fill their emptiness.

Privately teach practical tasks to those who

are appointed for the first time

2. TEACHING

Suggest the reading of the books of Ellen G.

White when you give your advise, such

as. . .

1. Welfare Ministry: for the Dorcas Society and community Service.

2. The Adventist Home: for family life and counseling.

3. Child Guidance, Messages to Young People, and Education: for youth organizations and guidance.

4. Counsels on Sabbath School Work: for the teachers of the various Sabbath School classes.

5. Counsels on Diet and Food: for the preparation of cooking classes.

• Check if the baptismal clothes are in good

condition.

• Be the first ones to welcome the new

members.

3. BAPTISMAL CEREMONY

• Greet the parents and invite them to bring the new baby to the Sabbath School for Beginners.

• Give flowers to the parents after the child dedication as a memento of the occasion.

4. CHILD DEDICATION

• To help in the ceremony is a privilege.

5. THE LORD’S SUPPER

• Check with the deaconesses if the bread is

ready as well as the wine, the table, the

towels, and everything that involves the

decoration of the table.

• Help in the foot-washing ceremony

fostering an environment of reverence

and songs.

• A ministry of consolation is important in those

times.

• A word of love and affections can give comfort.

• Your presence at those times can help to solve

some problems and incidentals such as:

• Caring for a child.

• Prepare some food.

6. FUNERALS

• Always keep good communication with

the other elders’ spouses.

• Carefully do not get involved where you

are not called.

• Provide your help with the approval of the

pastor, and work in conjunction with his

wife.

7. DISTRIBUTE RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Read the Seventh-Day Adventist Elder’s Handbook.

2. Be aware of the church schedule.3. Take advantage of the regular elder’s

meetings with the pastor to meet with their wives, exchange ideas, and have lunch together.

4. Try to assist in the supervision of the various aspects of the church plant such as cleaning and decorations.

5. Offer to help in the church ceremonies.

SUGGESTIONS

There is no task—even the best—that can be overawed by words of appreciation, friendly hugs, and show of affection.

“When Christ abides in the heart, the whole nature is transformed. Christ’s Spirit, His

love, softens the heart, subdues the soul, and raises the thoughts and desires toward God

and heaven.”—Steps to Christ, p. 73