PROTOCOL GUIDELINES FOR CHURCH LEADERS The Seventh-day Adventist Church has a mission to connect with people at all levels in society. To reach leaders of communities and nations, church leaders and members must follow certain universally acceptable behavior and principles of civility known as protocol. The practice of protocol may vary in different places; titles of officials and manner of addressing them may also vary. It is therefore important to be aware of the protocol practices in your community. The following are general guidelines of protocol. DEFINITIONS OF PROTOCOL “The term protocol comes from a Greek word meaning ‘the first glue.’ It can be understood as the glue which holds together official life in society. Whether on the local, state, national or international level, proper protocol is vital in assuring that relations between the officials of organizations and governments are conducted with minimum friction and maximum efficiency”1 Protocol is “the system of rules and acceptable behavior used at official ceremonies and occasions”2 “Protocol is commonly described as a set of international courtesy rules. These well-established and time-honored rules have made it easier for nations and people to live and work together. . . . Protocol rules are based on the principles of civility.”3 PROTOCOL IN RANK/HIERARCHICAL STANDING “Part of protocol has always been the acknowledgment of the hierarchical standing of all present”4 The Bible also recognizes rank or standing amongst persons. It teaches its adherents to respect state and community authorities, and organizational and institutional leaders. Romans 13:7; 1 Peter 2:17. PROTOCOL AND NATIONAL / COMMUNITY OFFICIALS From time to time the church (at different the levels) invites national and community officials to functions/occasions; or the officials of their own accord may attend. “At times it is acceptable for government officials or civic leaders to address a congregation.”5. How do we address those officials? “The spirit of formality among diplomatic representatives usually means not addressing others by their first names. One should rely on courtesy titles until invited to do otherwise.”6
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How to Address Officials Note when “Your” and “His/Her” may be used in addressing certain officials. 1. The President or Governor General of the country: • When addressing directly: “Your Excellency . . .” • When speaking about: “His/Her Excellency, (Sir) . . .” 2. The Prime Minister o Addressing directly: “Mr/Madam Prime Minister;” or simply “Prime Minister.” o When speaking about: “The Honorable Name;” Or The Right Honorable Name; or Dr., The Honorable Name;” (or other official forms of address). 3. Members of Parliament / Senate § Addressing directly: “Honorable Name . . . § When speaking about: “The Honorable Name” 4. Ambassador © Mr./Madam Ambassador; or Ambassador Name; or Honorable Name. . . © British ambassador who is a knight: “Sir First Name (generally); or Dame First Name (woman). © Ambassador who is a Barron: “Lord Surname” 5. High Court Judge ü Directly: “Your Honor;” or “Your Worship;” or . . . ü When speaking about: “His/Her Honor;” “His Worship;” or . . . 6. The Spouse • Of the President, Governor General, or one Knighted (British): “Lady Surname” • Of an ambassador or Parliamentarian: “Mr./Mrs. Surname.7 National Anthem Generally, the national Anthem is played on the arrival of (or at the presence of) the head of state. In many places the anthem is not played for the head of government (such as a Prime Minister) or other politicians. If the head of state and head of government are one and the same person then the anthem is played. On the Arrival of the Head of State On the arrival of the head of state the program commences. The President or Governor General of the nation must not be kept waiting before the program to begins. Meeting National, Community, and Church Officials on Arrival The highest ranking church officer/official present should meet and welcome national, community, or church officials/leaders on their arrival at a church service/event. A person with rank should sit with, or behind the official, depending on the protocol in the particular country. The head of state sits on the front/center row, with her/his official party only.
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Start Programs/Services on Time Visiting officials should not be kept waiting. When an invitation is accepted by an official, secure an emergency number for him/her just in case there is a delay in his/her arrival. PLATFORM PROTOCOL “Protocol promotes orderly procedure following the rules of etiquette. Personal friendships, likes, and dislikes must not be considered. The office is being honoured not the person.”8 Platform Seating In seating persons on a platform, place the first/ranking officer or platform member at the right of the principal speaker; the second ranking platform member at the left of the principal speaker; the third ranking platform member at the second right; the fourth ranking platform member at the second left; the fifth ranking platform member at the third right, etc. This order should be observed at all times for seating, introductions, etc. However, common sense sometimes dictates slight deviations.9 FLAG PROTOCOL ON PLATFORM For a speaker on stage, either standing or sitting, the National flag is usually placed to the speaker's right (also known as stage right or house left); while other flags are placed to the speaker's left.10 RELATING TO PREACHERS/KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Speakers should be given advance written information: 1. Time, date, place of meeting 2. Time allowance for presentation 3. Should fees be required for a presentation, complete understanding should be reached at time of making arrangements 4. Dress (formal or informal depending on the occasion). Note: It is never courteous to keep a speaker waiting.11 INTRODUCTION OF THE SPEAKER a) A person known to the audience is presented; a stranger is introduced. b) The purpose of an introduction is to acquaint the audience with the speaker’s background, qualifications, and subject. c) The introduction should be brief. Do not give the speech yourself. d) Be factual; it should not be overdone. Put both the speaker and the audience at ease. e) Mention the speaker’s name at the end of the introduction.12
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THE PRACTICE OF PROTOCOL IN THE CHURCH The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a highly structured organization with clearly outlined principles of conduct. The expression of those principles is contained in the Church Manual (2010 edition, p. 18). Deference to be shown to Organizational Officers and Pastors The Church Manual calls for deference to be shown to leaders of the Church organization and pastors (Church Manual 2010, p. 69). Rank Expressed in Titles The titles attributed to certain officers indicate rank and the way such officers should be recognized and addressed. At the constituent levels of the local Conference/Mission, Union, and General Conference the ranking officers are: a) President - - first officer at each level. b) Secretary or Secretary-Treasurer - - second ranking officer at each level. c) Treasurer - - third ranking officer at each level. d) Other positions may include Vice-president, Associate Secretary, Associate Treasurer, Field Secretary, etc. • At the College/University level the ranking officer carries the title of President. Local Church. At the constituent level of the local congregation, title also expresses rank: 1) Pastor/Minister -- the ranking officer in the local church (Church Manual 2010, p. 72). 2) First Elder or Leader -- second in rank in the local Church (Church Manual 2010, p. 7275). Authority of the Rank of President. The President is the chief pastor/elder or overseer of all churches in the territory; and is leader of the work of the church in the territory (Church Manual 2010, p. 32). Authority of the Ranking Officers in a Conference/Mission/Field. The president, secretary and treasurer, or their designee, in a Union Conference or local conference, may attend any church business meeting within the conference/mission/field territory (Church Manual 2010, p. 124). CONCLUSION The final word on protocol has not been said. But protocol, the glue that holds official life in society together, is of vital importance to church life. It is vital for assuring that relations between leaders of the church and the general church body; and the relations between the church and national/community leaders are conducted with minimum friction and maximum efficiency. We follow protocol because “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace . . . in all the
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churches of the saints. [Therefore] let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:33, 40). References 1. International Council of Voluntary Agencies/Centre for International Support http://www.icvacis.org/pdf/Training%20in%20Protocol%20&%20Social%20Etiquette.pdf 2. Cambridge Dictionary (n.d.). Retrieved from http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=63647&dict=CALD 3. Dr. P.M. Forni on behalf of the International Association of Protocol Consultants and Officers. In Wikipedia, the free online Encyclopaedia. 4. Dr. P.M. Forni on behalf of the International Association of Protocol Consultants and Officers. In Wikipedia, the free online Encyclopaedia). 5. Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual. (2010, p. 116). Review and Herald Publishing Association, Hagerstown, Maryland. 6. Protocol for the Modern Diplomat. (2013, July). Retrieved from http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/176174.pdf 7. Ibid. 8. Wisconsin Hospital Association (n.d.). retrieved from http://www.wha.org/partners/pdf/iProtocol.pdf 9. Ibid. 10. UCLA Flag Protocol for Special Events. Retrieved from http://www.specialevents.ucla.edu/documents/UCLA%20Flag%20Protocol%20for%20 Special%20Events.pdf 11. Wisconsin Hospital Association (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.wha.org/partners/pdf/iProtocol.pdf) 12. Ibid. _______________ James F. Daniel (PhD) Field secretary & Associate Director of Stewardship Ministries Inter-American Division
