The Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church has voted a recommendation encouraging all unions, local conferences, missions, and institutions to conduct review and seminar sessions on the newly revised Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual, 21st Edition (Revised 2025) and the General Conference (GC) Working Policy.
The action underscores the importance of keeping church leaders informed and aligned with current denominational policies and procedures. The Church Manual and Working Policy serve as foundational documents for the governance, organization, and discipline of the global church. Both resources reflect the fundamental beliefs, structure, and identity of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, guiding its operations in harmony and mission.
Recognizing the updates and clarifications introduced in the latest editions, the SSD emphasizes the need for pastors, elders, and local church officers to deepen their understanding and strengthen leadership effectiveness through these reviews. “Consistency and unity in church practices are vital in preserving the Adventist identity,” the recommendation noted.
To ensure effective implementation, the SSD Secretariat, Field Secretary, Leadership office, Ministerial Association, and the Nurture, Discipleship, and Retention - Integrated Evangelism Lifestyle (NDR/IEL) are tasked to collaborate with local unions. In coordination with each union, these departments will develop appropriate materials and facilitate training programs throughout the division.
Pastor Ian Felicitas, SSD Field Secretary, highlighted the importance of this initiative in shaping informed and mission-driven leadership. “Understanding the principles and policies of the Church is more than administrative—it is spiritual stewardship,” he said. “When our leaders are well-grounded in the Church Manual and Working Policy, they are better equipped to lead God’s people with faithfulness, clarity, and unity in purpose.”
The initiative aims to promote the faithful application of church principles and strengthen the Adventist identity across administrative organizations, institutions, and local congregations. Through the upcoming seminars, church leaders are expected to gain a clearer understanding of their roles in governance and mission, helping ensure that every level of the organization operates with faithfulness, integrity, and unity.