Government of The Seventh-day Adventist Church - Criticism and Affirmation

Criticism and Affirmation

Critics of Seventh-day Adventist church governance have frequently pointed out that the denomination has a superfluity of church structure, and spends a great deal of its resources maintaining four levels of administrative structure—a structure which is frequently redundant, and per member costs more than that of any other Protestant denomination. Meanwhile local churches may struggle for funds. Pastors named to denominational positions beyond the local congregation may achieve a virtual sinecure in administrative posts, some of which have few defined duties. Members' appeals for the denomination to simplify its structure have generally been poorly received, resisted by leaders in administrative posts, and others hesitant to change established tradition.

George Knight has argued for change. Raymond Cottrell has argued for a truly international General Conference with an independent North American Division.

On the other hand, Clifford Goldstein has claimed the General Conference shows much grace to its employees.

An estimated 75% of Adventists support items relating to the "cohesiveness of organization" of the church, according to a 2002 worldwide survey of local church leaders. This statistic is composed of the following four individual items:

• Question "39. Members have a responsibility to give 10% tithe to the local conference and additional offerings as able" – an estimated 81% agree
• "40. The Adventist church financial structure is a fair and proper way to support the world work of the church" – 79%
• "41. The Adventist world church organization was inspired by God" – 87%
• "43. Different world divisions should be allowed to have different church standards in order to meet differing needs" – 50%

William G. Johnsson has forecasted future changes in the church, including a decreased role of structures and formal leaders in favor of initiatives by ordinary church members. He also argues that maintaining certain church institutions (like schools, hospitals, publishing houses, and health food factories) may in some cases not be worth the resources spent.