The second day of the 2025 Spring Meeting of the General Conference (GC) concluded with the Executive Committee voting to approve guidelines for House Groups.

The conversation about House Groups began at the 2024 Annual Council. It was then decided to refer the term to the Church Manual Committee to develop official guidelines for such groups.

Gerson Santos, associate secretary of the GC, presented the Church Manual’s new guidelines on House Groups, noting that while the terms 'House Groups' and 'House Churches' will be used interchangeably within the manual, 'House Groups' will be the preferred term.

Santos explained that the guidelines are intended to reach as many people as possible with the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s proclamation of the Three Angels’ Messages, acknowledging that church gatherings may vary based on regional context.

“In New Testament times, early Christians gathered in homes, and today a similar house group relational approach can create disciples in regions where open worship is prohibited,” said Santos.

Richard McEdward, president of the Middle East and North Africa Union, affirmed the decision, emphasizing the necessity of House Groups in that region.

Discussion among delegates prompted the assertion that the Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual works to distinguish House Groups from small groups. According to the manual, a small group is a group of believers that meet during the week, but come to a local church to worship. A House Group meets in an agreed-upon location by the members to have a worship service.

The Executive Committee voted 132-1 in favor of the guidelines.

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