Master Guide Requirements

Prerequisites

1. Be a baptized member, in regular standing, of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
2. Have a written recommendation from your local church board.
3. Be at least 16 years of age to start the Master Guide curriculum and at least 18 years of age at completion.
4. Be an active staff member of an Adventurer or Pathfinder Club.
5. Complete a Basic Staff Training Course 1 and be involved for a minimum of one year in one of the following ministries:
   
   1. Adventurer Ministries
   2. Pathfinder Ministries

Additional Prerequisite Notes

1. The Master Guide curriculum must be completed in a minimum of one year and a maximum of three years.
2. Those completing the Master Guide curriculum do so under the supervision of the Conference/Mission Youth Ministries Director or his/her designated Master Guide. 

II. Spiritual Development

1. Read or listen to the book "Steps to Christ" and submit a one page response focusing on the benefits of the reading.
2. Complete the devotional guide "Encounter Series I, Christ the Way", or complete another year long Bible reading plan that covers the four Gospels.
3. Read or listen to the book "Desire of Ages".
4. Do one of the following:
   
   1. Keep a devotional journal for a minimum of four weeks, summarizing what you learned in your devotional time and outlining how you are growing in your faith.
   2. Complete the "Steps to Discipleship Personal Spirituality Curriculum"
5. Be involved in one or more evangelistic or community based outreach programs.
6. Prepare a one page point form (bullet point) summary on each of the 28 fundamental beliefs.
7. Develop and give a presentation on four of the following beliefs, making use of visual aids if possible.
   
   1. Creation
   2. The Experience of Salvation
   3. Growing in Christ
   4. The Remnant and its Mission
   5. Baptism
   6. Spiritual Gifts and Ministries
   7. The Gift of Prophecy
   8. The Sabbath
   9. Christ's Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary
   10. The Second Coming of Christ
   11. Death and Resurrection
8. Enhance your knowledge of church heritage by completing the following:
   
   1. Earn the Adventist Church Heritage Award.
   2. Read a book about SDA youth ministry such as:
      1. "The Pathfinder Story" 
      2. "We are The Pathfinders Strong: The First Fifty Years" by Willie Oliver with Patricia Humphrey. 
      3. Another book that is approved by your supervising Conference/Mission Youth Ministries Director.
   3. Reading a book about church heritage such as:
      1. "Anticipating the Advent" by George Knight.
      2. "Tell It to the World" by Mervyn Maxwell
      3. "Light Bearers to the Remnant" by Richard W. Schwarz and Floyd Greenleaf
      4. "The Church Heritage Manual" produced by the General Conference Youth Department.
      5. Another book that is approved by your supervising Conference/Mission Youth Ministries Director.
9. Complete a two page (minimum) research paper about a standard temperament analysis program and complete the affiliated temperament inventory. 

III. Skills Development

1. Attend and complete a seminar in each of the following 12 subjects:
   
   1. Leadership
      1. How to be a Christian leader
      2. Vision, mission, and motivation
      3. Risk Management for Adventurer and Pathfinder Ministries
      4. Discipline
   2. Communication
      1. Communication theory, listening skills,
      2. Practical communication practices
      3. Understanding and teaching to learning styles
   3. Creativity and resources
      1. How to prepare effective creative worship
      2. Understanding and using creativity
   4. Child evangelism
      1. Principles of youth and children's evangelism
      2. How to lead a child to Christ
      3. Understanding your spiritual gifts
2. Have or earn the following honors:
   
   1. Christian Storytelling
   2. Camping Skills I-IV
   3. Drilling & Marching (if this Honor is not applicable in your country's culture, suggest an alternative to your supervisor)
   4. Knots
3. Earn two additional honors or awards of your choice, not previously earned.
4. Hold a current Red Cross First Aid and Safety certificate or its equivalent.
5. Supervise participants through either an Adventurer or Pathfinder Class level or teach a Sabbath School class for at least one year to a group of children ages 6 to 15.

IV. Child Development

1. Read or listen to "Education" and submit a one page response focusing on the benefits of your reading.
2. Read or listen to either "Child Guidance" or "Messages to Young People" and submit a one page response focusing on the benefits of your reading.
3. Attend three seminars dealing with child development or educational theory relating to the age of your primary ministry group.
4. Observe for a period of two hours a group of Adventurers or Pathfinders and write a reflection on their interaction with each other and with the staff.

V. Leadership Development

1. Read a current book on your choice of topic under the general category of "Leadership Skill Development". These are some suggestions:
   
   1. "Positive Church in a Negative World" by John Arrias.
   2. "Take The Risk" by Ben Carson.
   3. "Ellen White on Leadership" by Cindy Tutsch.
   4. "Help! I'm being Followed" by Clinton Valleyn.
   5. Other book recommended by your supervising Conference/Mission Youth Ministries Director.
2. Demonstrate your leadership skills by doing the following:
   
   1. Develop and conduct three creative worships for children and/or teenagers.
   2. Participate in a leadership role with your local church children's/youth group in a Conference sponsored event.
   3. Teach three Adventurer Awards or two Pathfinder Honors.
   4. Assist in planning and leading a field trip for a group of Adventurers, Pathfinders, or Sabbath school class for children ages 6 to 15.
   5. Be an active Adventurer, Pathfinder, or Sabbath school staff member for at least one year and attend at least 75% of all staff meetings.
3. Write goals that you would like to accomplish in your ministry.
4. Identify three current roles in your life, at least one of which is spiritually oriented, and list three goals or objectives for each.

VI. Fitness Lifestyle Development

1. Participate in a personal physical fitness plan by completing one of the following:
   
   1. The physical components of the AY Silver Award. If you already have the AY Silver Award, then move on to the AY Gold Award.
   2. A school physical fitness program.
   3. A personal physical fitness program based on a fitness book of your choice or a workout program in consultation with your local supervising Master Guide or authorized instructor.

VII. Documentation

1. Compile a portfolio documenting all of your work related to completing the Master Guide curriculum.

Notes

1. Seminars should be of at least 90 minutes in length. All the seminar facilitators must be approved by the Conference youth director or the church pastor.
2. It would be advantageous for a Master Guide to have working knowledge of both Adventurers and Pathfinders ministries.
3. Suggested themes, questions and subjects are given in the "Master Guide Curriculum Manual."
4. The "Steps to Discipleship Personal Spirituality Curriculum" can be found and download at the General Conference website: www.gcyouthministries.org

Uniform

The uniform makes the organization real and visible. It represents an ideal and a standard. One of the ways to set up a standard and bring the members of an organization up to that standard is through the uniform. It should stimulate loyalty toward that standard by building morale and binding members into closer fellowship. It also appeals to those not already members to join. The uniform strengthens club spirit. The uniform should always be clean and neat. Wearing one that fits properly will go a long way to make it look sharp. The uniform should be worn with “humble pride.”
We should remember that it acts as a visual announcement of Pathfinder ministry, and should draw questions from observers concerning the meaning of each patch and symbol.
Not from the North American Division?  You should see General Conference Pathfinder Uniform Specifications

NAD Pathfinder Uniform (PDF) -- Official placement of Pathfinder insignia, apparel, and accessories.  This PDF is the official voted uniform guidelines and supersedes all prior guides, including those in the 2007 Pathfinder Staff Manual. 

NAD Master Guide Uniform - Official information for Master Guides

Uniform Should Be Worn

It is recommended that those having uniforms wear them on the following occasions.

• At Pathfinder meetings
• At special programs (Pathfinder Day, Induction, Investiture, etc.)
• At any public gathering when any or all act as
• Messengers
• Ushers
• Guards of honor
• First-aid details
• Color guards
• On occasions as specified by Pathfinder staff 
• While engaging in missionary outreach activities, such as Ingathering, distributing food baskets, gifts, literature, or church announcements, and while visiting nursing homes, shut-ins and community organizations.

Uniform Should Not be Worn

• If not a member
• For work or play
• When engaged in selling for personal profit, in selling for commercial or political purposes, or in personal solicitation
• At any time or place when its wearing discounts the organization, or casts any reflection upon the uniform, lowers its dignity and esteem, and makes it commonplace
  

 NAD Pathfinder Uniform (PDF) -- Official placement of Pathfinder insignia, apparel, and accessories

 Ordering Uniforms
Uniforms are ordered through AdventSource, 5120 Prescott Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68506. Call 800-328-0525 or visit or web site at www.adventsource.org. Investiture items including honor patches Investiture Achievement insignia, MG insignia and AYMT pins are ordered from the local conference Youth Ministries Department, unless they have made arrangements for local clubs to order directly from AdventSource. Check with your conference for their procedures.

NAD Class A Uniform Standards

Each division is authorized to establish uniform standards for their division based on the guidelines provide by the General Conference. Policy prohibits unauthorized changes to logos and insignia without expressed written permission. This generally does NOT include limits on translation of words or acronyms, or the modification of logos into three dimensional representations etc. 

Shirt/Blouse – Stocked by AdventSource.

• Tan long sleeve or short sleeve shirt with two pleated patch pockets with flaps on the chest and shoulder epaulets. 

Pant/Skirts etc.

Females Standard – Stocked by AdventSource.

• Slacks – Black, straight leg, pleated front, belt loops, no cuff.
• Skirt – Black, A-line, pleated front, belt loops, hem should be at midknee or below.

Authorized options – Not stocked by AdventSource. Must be consistent in conference or club as noted.

• Slacks5 – Black, straight leg, flat front, belt loops, no cuff.
• Shorts – Black, Bermuda style and length, pleated front, belt loops.
• Shorts – Black, Bermuda style and length, flat front, belt loops.
• Skort – Black, belt loops, hem should be at mid-knee or below.
• Culottes – Black, belt loops, hem should be at mid-knee or below.

Males Standard – Stocked by AdventSource.

• Slacks – Black, straight leg, pleated front, belt loops, no cuff

Authorized options – Not stocked by AdventSource. Must be consistent in conference or club as noted.

• Slacks – Black, straight leg, flat front, belt loops, no cuff
• Shorts – Black, Bermuda style and length, pleated front, belt loops
• Shorts – Black, Bermuda style and length, flat front, belt loops

Belts and Buckles Standard – Stocked by AdventSource.

• Black web belts with Pathfinder buckle – Stocked by AdventSource. The location of the belt buckle should be adjusted so that about one inch of the tail of the web is visible once it has been passed through the buckle.

Authorized options – Stocked by AdventSource.*

• Plain, all black leather belt with no ornamentation.*
• Conferences, clubs and individuals may wear a non-standard issue Pathfinder or Master Guide logo’d Buckle.

Neckerchief and Slide Standards – Stocked by AdventSource.
The sash is worn over the collar.

• Pathfinders and non-Master Guide staff - Yellow Pathfinder Neckerchief with black trim stitching and the Pathfinder World logo. The neckerchief is secured with the black fabric Pathfinder Slide.
• TLT’s - Yellow Pathfinder Neckerchief with red trim stitching and the Pathfinder World logo. The neckerchief is secured with the black fabric Pathfinder Slide.
• Master Guides - Yellow Master Guide Neckerchief with red trim stitching, six color Master Guide ribbon and the Master Guide logo. The neckerchief is secured with the blue fabric  Master Guide Slide.

Authorized Options – Not stocked by AdventSource.

• Individuals may secure their neckerchief with a non-standard issue or legacy Pathfinder or Master Guide slide.

Necktie
Female Staff Standard – Stocked by AdventSource.

• Plain black tuxedo tie

Authorized options – Not stocked by AdventSource. Consistent by club.

• Ascot / cravat

Male Staff Standard – Stocked by AdventSource.

• Plain black tie

Authorized Options – Consistent by club. Not stocked by AdventSource.

• Ascot / cravat

Pathfinders

• Pathfinders are not encourage to wear neckties. If a club elects to wear them, they should match the standards outlined for staff.

Shoes

• All black dress shoes or boots with fully closed toe and heels. Heels of no more than 2 inches. If the shoes have laces, the laces must also be all black. (It is noted that style variations should be allowed by a director if financial hardship plays a significant role.)

Hosiery

• All black socks, stockings or knee highs. No designs or patterns.

Sash
The sash is the personal club history of the Pathfinder. It is worn over the right shoulder, under the neckerchief and preferably under the epaulet.

• Black fabric, may be wide enough for up to 3 honors and as long as the fingertips on the left hand when standing at attention.
• Only one sash is to be worn as part of the uniform. 
• Items to be worn on the sash include optional name plate, honors, camporee and fair patches, Pathfinder pins, Adventurer level pins (but not Adventurer Awards).

Head wear
Optional, style determined by club and consistent within the club.
Options – Stocked by AdventSource.

• Pathfinder baseball cap — Worn with the bill squarely over the front of the face.
• Black beret – The slope of the beret slants down to the right and should be on an angle such that a continuation of the arm and hand would be in line with the slant while rendering a proper salute. The beret is worn so that the headband (edge binding) is straight across the forehead and level, 1 inch above the eyebrows. The emblem, known as the “flash,” is positioned level over the left eye and the excess beret material is draped over to the right ear. The adjusting ribbon should be secured with a knot and tucked inside the edge binding at the back of the beret once proper size is obtained.
• Pathfinder Triangle flashes are also available from AdventSource.

Jacket
There is no official uniform jacket for staff. Master Guides who are working with Pathfinders may choose to wear a black uniform jacket with their Class A Pathfinder Uniform or to go without. They may also choose to wear traditional green uniform jacket with green slacks or skirt. They may also forgo the green jacket. All standard Pathfinder Insignia should be in place on the jacket. The Master Guide Neckerchief and Slide is worn in place of the standard Pathfinder Neckerchief and Slide.

Notes 1

1. Color Guards or other distinctive groups might choose to use BDU’s (Battle Dress Uniform) or some other (kilt, sarong, etc.) style as approved by the appropriate leadership.
2. PBE policy states that at Union and Division level PBE events, adherence to the team’s home conference Class A uniform policy satisfies the PBE uniform requirement.
3. Drill events often have their own set of uniform rules. Check with the event officials to make sure you are in compliance.
4. NAD authorizes the recognized local conference Pathfinder leadership organization to determine which authorized style of pants, skirt, etc., is approved for use in their conference. Conferences also have the right to delegate this authority to their local clubs, allowing each club to set its own policy based on their needs. It should be noted that often females are given the personal choice of slacks or skirts based on their own personal belief as to what is appropriate wear, especially in a church sanctuary.
5. Slacks have internal pockets, so this precludes jeans, cargo pants, BDU’s, athletic pants, and sweatpants. In addition, modesty precludes leggings, yoga pants, and other tight fitting clothing that society might label as slacks. 

Class B, Class C ...
NAD only defines a Class A Uniform. Many conferences establish other levels of uniform dress. Check with your local conference and inquire about their additional uniform classes. These may include the following or variations of the following:
Modified Class A Standard Class A, minus the sash. This allows for less constriction during activities.
Class B Class A Uniform shirt, with the neckerchief and slide, but worn with jeans or other nonuniform pants, shorts etc.
Class C or Field Uniform A conference or club specified T-shirt worn with jeans or other non-uniform pants, shorts etc.

Guidelines for Patch Placement on Pathfinder Uniform - There are a lot of variations based on Insignia placement.  See PDF
NAD Insignia - This topic is very detailed and specific with a lot of details -  See PDF


Conference authorized insignia etc.
Conferences may issue Drill Awards, Drum Corp Awards, or any number of other insignia. In general, Conferences are authorized to make additions to the current list of insignia, but not to alter NAD approved insignia or standard placement.