The Church Clerk
Whilst one could be inclined to think that the Clerk role is one of administration, it is more than that. Whilst skills in administration are definitely required; the role also has a spirit of helpfulness, care and nurture.
The Clerk, like every other church officer, is a ministering servant of God. In Eph. 4:11-12 we are advised that every Christian believer is called to ministry, gifted by the Holy Spirit, and in baptism ordained for ministry.
Here in Erdington we have a Church Clerk and an Assistant Church Clerk.
The role of the Church Clerk in the Seventh-day Adventist church sits in the Secretariat department, together with such roles as the Designated Safeguarding Person, DBS/Disclosure Clerk, Health & Safety Officer.
Although the role may vary somewhat from church to church, because not all churches have the same needs, in the main, in the Seventh-day Adventist Church the duties of the Church clerk will include:
Being the custodian of Church records
All church records, minutes of business meetings and board meetings, the church officer list, and the list of church members are maintained by the church clerk. Special events, initiatives and occasions should also be noted.
This information is not only for the sake of the church family. The information also constitutes the history of the local church.
Portions of this information are also sent on to the local conference office for its use in statistical reports.
Maintaining details of membership
The clerk is responsible for ensuring that procedures for joining or leaving membership of the church are followed and that robust, accurate records are maintained.
Keeping in contact with the membership
The clerk should take a keen interest in keeping track of each member, especially those who can no longer attend due to sickness or age, to nurture a sense of belonging by keeping them up to date with activities, sending copies of the church bulletin, notices and our Conference publication the Messenger.
What Spiritual Gifts help us do this role:
Helps– The clerk, as keeper of church records is a source of information on many items and is a great help in supplying statistics, history, and church procedures.
Philippians 2:4
Let each of you look not only to his own interest, but also the interests of others.
Energy– This provides the clerk with a gift that enables them to be “not slothful in business” as they serve the Lord.
Philippians 2:13
For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
Orderliness– The ability to keep orderly records and submit reports in a timely manner.
1 Corinthians 14:40
But all things must to done properly and in an orderly manner
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