The National Service Organization (NSO) is the military relations office of the Seventh-dayAdventistChurch; its main office is located at the church world headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland. Originally organized in 1918 as the War Service Commission, NSO has served as a link between our active duty members and the church.
The Seventh-dayAdventistChurch does not encourage its young people to join the armed forces; nevertheless, it is a fact that many Seventh-day Adventist youth and young adults join the different branches of our military. When this happens the Seventh-dayAdventistChurch must continue to minister, love, and support, the Adventist soldier.
DEDICATION CEREMONY FOR ADVENTIST SOLDIERS
Whenever a young man or a young woman from one of our churches joins the military, the local church must conduct a small dedication service on his/her behalf. The dedication could take place during the worship service; following you can see a sample of the service:
The Pastor/Elder calls the young soldier to the podium.
The Pastor/Elder expresses words of encouragement and thanksgiving to the soldier for committing to serve the country. A few words regarding the faithfulness to God and God’s protection in times of crisis are very appropriate at this time.
The Pastor/Elder presents the National Service Organization Kit* to the soldier.
The Pastor and the Elders of the church surround the soldier and have a special prayer of dedication and protection for him/her.
*The National Service Organization Kit can be obtained at the Adventist Youth Ministries Department of the Greater New York Conference. The Kit contains a small pocket size: Bible, Bible Textionary, and Steps to Christ. It also contains a NSO Subscription card, which if filled out, entitles the soldier to receive two Adventist publications plus the Sabbath School Quarterly and the Adventist Review while he/she is on active duty.
Religious Convictions of Adventists in the military
The following information is provided to assist military officers in dealing with problems arising from the religious convictions of members of the Seventh-dayAdventistChurch in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
Seventh-day Adventists are proud of their country and its government, and they are loyal to its flag and the principles for which is stands. They are ready to serve their nation faithfully, even, if necessary, to give their lives in such service. They ask only that they be allowed to serve in harmony with their deep religious convictions.
Seventh-day Adventists believe and teach that God established both the church and civil government. Therefore, they believe that the Christian has a dual loyalty. The church has to do with religious and spiritual matters while the government or state deals with civil affairs and social order. This principle of separation of church and state is set forth in the First Amendment to the Constitution. Religious liberty is recognized as one of the basic principles of the American way of life.
CONTACT THE NATIONAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION DIRECTORS
Greater New York Conference: Pastor Jose H Cortes Jr.
GNYCYOUTH@aol.com
Atlantic Union Conference: Pastor Bill Wood
wwood@atlanticunion.org
North American Division: Pastor Martin W. Feldbush
acm@gc.adventist.org
To get more information on Adventists in the Military, please visit: http://www.adventistchaplains.org/national.htm
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