PRACTICAL AGENDA

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PRACTICAL AGENDA
By Jonas and Raquel Arrais General Conference
Ministerial Association
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• Ideas you can use to cooperate
• with your spouse

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WELCOME TO THE NEW PASTOR

• 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 pastors spouse.

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• 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.

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TEACHING

• Privately teach practical tasks to those who are
  appointed for the first time

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• Suggest the reading of the books of Ellen G.
  White when you give your advise, such as. . .

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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.

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BAPTISMAL CEREMONY

• Check if the baptismal clothes are in good
  condition.
• Be the first ones to welcome the new members.

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CHILD DEDICATION

• 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.

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THE LORDS SUPPER

• To help in the ceremony is a privilege.

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• 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.

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• Help in the foot-washing ceremony fostering an
  environment of reverence and songs.

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FUNERALS

• 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.

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DISTRIBUTE RESPONSIBILITIES

• 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.

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SUGGESTIONS

1. Read the Seventh-Day Adventist Elders Handbook.
2. Be aware of the church schedule.
3. Take advantage of the regular elders 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.

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• There is no taskeven the bestthat can be
  overawed by words of appreciation, friendly hugs,
  and show of affection.
• When Christ abides in the heart, the whole
  nature is transformed. Christs Spirit, His love,
  softens the heart, subdues the soul, and raises
  the thoughts and desires toward God and heaven.
• Steps to Christ, p. 73