Organization

The Seventh-day Adventist® Church is organized with a representative form of church government. This means that the members vote for the leaders and the leaders represent the church.

The local church is made up of individual believers.  The source of authority in the SDA Church comes from the local churches. So  leaders and paid workers are expected to serve and be accountable to God and local churches. 

The local conference, or local field/mission, is made up of a number of local churches in a state, province, or territory.

The union conference, or union field/mission, is made up of conferences or fields within a larger territory (often a grouping of states or a whole country).

The General Conference, the most extensive unit of organization, is made up of all unions/entities in all parts of the world. Divisions are sections of the General Conference, with administrative responsibility for particular geographical areas.

The General Conference view itself as the highest earthly authority in the entire community of local churches. However, this authority should not be misinterpreted. No popes nor human councils are above the Scriptures or the conscience of members. Their authority is limited to establishing order, planning and executing policies for the advance of the gospel. The General Conference must always remember that the source of authority comes from local churches and they are only delegates of such authority.