THE CHURCH CLERK

Ensuring accurate documentation and smooth church administration.

The Role of 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, and 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 - This information is not only for the sake of the church family. The information also constitutes the history of the local church.
  • Minuting Board and Business Meetings.
  • Reporting to the Conference, as and when required, i.e., providing yearly officers list, providing attendance figures for the 2nd and 7th week of each quarter.
  • 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 what is going on in the Church.
  • In Erdington, the church clerk is also responsible for communication. Communications from NEC and other churches are all passed to the congregation, during the announcements section of divine worship and by email to those who have provided their email address.
  • When provided by Department Heads, the Clerk will send off event write-ups/photos to the Messenger for publication.


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.


Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4


Energy – This provides the clerk with a gift that enables them to be “not slothful in business” as they serve the Lord.


For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13


Orderliness – The ability to keep orderly records and submit reports in a timely manner.


But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner. 1 Corinthians 14:40