Roman Catholics

[Gregory Matthews]

I have decided to share some basics of the Catholic religious practice.  My comments will generally reflect the Western tradition.  The Eastern tradition may have some differences.  If I do not finish my posting, I will lock this tread until I do.  NOTE:  i will welcome any  correction that Gustave might want to make.

Magisterium: is the living teaching office of the Church, or to put it another way, the valid teaching of the Word of God, whether it is found in Scripture, or in tradition.

Sacraments: are signs of grace from Christ that are dispensed by the Priests to the members.

Deacons: assist the priests in performing their duties.  they are ordained to the Holy Orders, but to a lessor degree than a priest.

Priests: teach the faith and provide the Sacraments to the members and are ordained to the Holy Orders, but to a lessor degree than a Bishop.

Bishops: are considered to to embody the fullness of the Holy Orders, members of the Episcopal College, a successor to the Apostle Peter and their function is to:  Determine the faith and supervise its teaching and the provision of the sacraments by the Priests.

Cardinals:  These are Bishops whose function is to assist the Bishop of Rome in his duties.

The Pope:  is the person who is elected as the Bishop of Rome.  As Rome is considered to be the center (the headquarters) of the Christian Church today, the Bishop of Rome is thus considered to be the head of the Christian Church today.  This is thought to date back to a time when Peter was in Rome.

[Gustave]

Yes, and from my understanding the most important thing was Jesus giving us the Mass - an ordered Liturgy with the Apex being the Lord's Supper. In each Mass the Gospel is affirmed multiple times and we publicly acknowledge our sins - both of omission and commission. There is more but yes, this in my view is accurate. 

[Gregory Matthews]

Some of the differences in the Seventh-day Adventist Chruch:

Deaconesses:  Historically these have been women who were not ordained and provided services related to the Church that were generally not of a spiritual nature.  But, they have a place in preparing to celebrate the Lor's Supper.  Presently, some SDA congregations ordain them.  However, their services have generally not changed.  They are not considered to be clergy.

Deacons:  Historically these have been males who were ordained and provided services related to the Church that were generally not of a spiritual nature.  But, they have had a place in conducting the Lord's Supper.   Presently, some SDA congregations allow women to become a Deacon.  Seventh-day Adventists do not consider Deacons to be clergy.

Local Elder:  Major differences exist between how Local Elders are used in the United States and in other nations in the World.  They are always ordained, but in general are not considered to be SDA Clergy.  As an exception to this, SDA pastors spend several years in pastoral relationships prior to being fully ordained as a SDA pastor.  In that situation they are ordained as a Local Elder.  Most Local Elders will never become a fully ordained SDA pastor.  However, they may be in charge of the local congregation in the absence of the SDA pastor.  In that role, the Conference President may allow them to perform certain functions related to the function of an SDA pastor.  Again, this is more common in places where A SDA pastor may serve 13 congregations, which in not true for the United States.

SDA Pastor:  In the United States, the SDA pastor, with occasional exceptions, will have a degree in theology/religion beyond the college level, will have spent 3-5 years   in pastoral ministry prior to being fully ordained as a SDA pastor.  The SDA Church in the United States is divided on the role of women as pastors.  In some places in the United States, women are fully ordained as clergy.  In other places they are not so ordained and are Commissioned.  This is considered to be a lower level that is Ordination.   In any case, women who are Commissioned serve as SDA Congregational pastors.  However, in some places Commissioned women are not allowed/recognized to service in higher positions of leadership.  However, in some places, ordained women are so elected to positions of leadership, but not recognized by others in high positions of leadership.  The SDA congregation that I attend, has a woman who has been ordained.  That ordination is not recognized in some parts of the United States.  NOTE:  The above comments were focused on the United States and may not be accurate in other places in the world.

 

[Gregory Matthews]

Some may have wondered as to why I have placed SDA information in a thread devoted to Catholics.  My reason for doing so has been in part to inform as to differences that we may have with our Catholic friends.  I am not going to  discuss Regional Conferences, as they are type of Local conference;  But, I will mention the difference between a Mission and a Conference.

Missions: are an organized group within Adventism that are not able to operate independently due to typically reasons of finance or of politics and therefore, are controlled by a higher administrative level of the SDA Church.

Conferences: report to  higher levels of the SDA Church, but are able, both financially and otherwise to operate independently.

NOTE:  The Seventh-day Adventist Church has formally stated that it is organized on three administrative levels that are above that of the local congregation.  Most business people and many SDA members consider the SDA Church to administratively organized on four levels.  In my comments below I am listing the four levels.  NOTE:  On a formal basis, the Division is not considered to be a separate administrative level. 

Local Conferences: supervise the local congregations and are the first level of administration over the local congregation. They hire, assign and fund the local pastors.  California is divided into four Local Conferences.  Nevada and Utah constitute one Local Conference.

Union Conferences: consist of several Local Conferences.  They generally, in the United States, have the authority to decide who is to be  ordained as a SDA pastor.  This is the basis for women being ordained in some places, as the General Conference is not   considered to have the authority to decide that issue.

Divisions: are formally considered to be a part of the General Conference.  The United States is a part of the North American Division.  Divisions typically have their headquarters located in the geographic area that they serve, and not at the General Conference headquarters.

General Conference:  This is actually a small group of people situated in the United States.  They generally consider themselves to have supreme administrative authority, when not meeting at the 5-year session.  Some Adventists disagree with  that position.  NOTE:  Our next Session will meet in July of 2025 with some 2,800+ delegates, as I understand it.  That body is generally considered to have supreme authority in Adventism.  However, much of what the SDA Church does is delegated and never considered by that body.

NOTE:  My attempt has been to report the actual facts related to our organizational structure, as I understand them to ge.  Some will likely differ with me on some points.  So, be it.  My intent is to report and not be critical.

 

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