CHURCH ORDER
OF THE
UNITED REFORMED CHURCHES IN NORTH AMERICA
(Second Edition, 1997)
Introduction
We as a federation of churches declare complete subjection and obedience to the Word of God delivered to us in the inspired, infallible, and inerrant book of Holy Scripture. We believe, and are fully persuaded that the Reformed Creeds do fully agree with this Word of God and therefore do subscribe to the Beigic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Canons of Dort. We acknowledge Jesus Christ to be the supreme and only Head of the Church. This headship is exercised in the churches by His Word and Spirit through the God-ordained offices. The churches of the federation, although distinct, voluntarily display their unity by means of a common confession and church order. This is expressed as they cooperate and exercise mutual concern for one another. Since we desire to honor the apostolic command that in the churches all things are to be done decently and in good order (1 Cor. 14:40), we order our ecclesiastical relations and activities in the following articles covered under the following divisions:
I. The Offices of the Church (Articles 1-15);
II. The Assemblies of the Churches (Articles 1 6-36);
III. The Functions and Tasks of the Church (Articles 37-50); and
IV. Ecclesiastical Discipline (Articles 51-66);
The Offices of the Church (Articles 1-15)
Article 1
Christ has instituted three offices in the church: minister of
the Word, elder and deacon.
Article 2
The duties belonging to the office of minister of the Word
consist of continuing in prayer and in the ministry of the Word,
administering the sacraments. Catechizing the youth, and
assisting the elders in the shepherding and discipline of the
congregation.
Article 3
Competent men should be urged to study for the ministry of the
Word. A man who is a member of a church of the federation and who
aspires to the ministry must evidence genuine godliness to his
Consistory, which shall assume supervision of all aspects of his
training, including his licensure to exhort, and assure that he
receives a thoroughly reformed theological education. The council
of his church should ensure that his financial needs are met.
(See Appendix 1.)
Article 4
At the conclusion of such training a student must approach his
Consistory to become a candidate for the ministry of the Word,
which shall arrange for his examination at a meeting of the
classis of which his Consistory is a participants. No one shall
be declared a candidate for the ministry until he has sustained
an examination at a meeting of this classis, in the presence of
his Consistory, of his Christian faith and experience, of his
call to the ministry, of his knowledge of the Holy Scriptures,
both in the original languages and in English translations, of
the Three Forms of Unity, of Christian doctrine, Christian ethics
and church history; of the Church Order, and of his knowledge and
aptitude with regard to the particular duties and
responsibilities of the minister of the Word, especially the
preparation and preaching of sermons. Upon sustaining this exam
in the presence of his Consistory and with the concurring advice
of the delegates to this meeting of classis, his Consistory shall
declare him a candidate for the office of minister of the Word.
(See Appendix 2.)
Article 5
A man who is not a member of a church of the federation who seeks
candidacy shall place himself under the supervision of a
Consistory which shall make provision for his candidacy
examination. (See Appendix 2.)
Article 6
The lawful calling to the office of minister of those who have
not previously been in that office consists of:
First, the election by the council of one who has been declared a
candidate according to the regulations prescribed herein, after
having prayed and received the advice of the congregation;
Second, the examination of both doctrine and life, which shall be
conducted to the satisfaction of the delegates to the classis of
which the calling church is a participant, according to the
regulations adopted by the federation; (see Appendix 3)
Finally, the public ordination before the congregation, which
shall take place with appropriate instructions, admonitions,
prayers and subscription to the Three Forms of Unity by signing
the Form of Subscription, followed with the laying on of hands by
the ministers who are present and by the elders of the
congregation, with the use of the appropriate liturgical form.
Article 7
Those who are already ordained ministers within the federation
may be called to another congregation in a manner consistent with
the above rules, without the examination or the laying on of
hands. Any minister receiving a call shall consult with his
current council regarding that call. He may accept the call only
with their consent. Upon receipt of proper credentials from the
church he last served. He shall be installed with the use of the
appropriate liturgical form and shall subscribe to the Three
Forms of Unity by signing the Form of Subscription.
Article 8
A minister who has been ordained in a church outside the
federation shall not be admitted to serve in a church within the
federation without an examination conducted to the satisfaction
of the classis, according to the regulations adopted by the
federation, whereupon he may be declared by classis eligible for
call by his sponsoring Consistory. (See Appendix 4.)
Article 9
A minister of the Word is bound to the service of the churches
for life and may change the nature of his labor only for weighty
reasons, upon approval by his supervising council with the
concurring advice of classis.
Article 10
Each church is to provide adequately for the minister of the Word
and his family while he is serving that church, and should
contribute toward the retirement and disability needs of its
minister. Those who have retired from the active ministry shall
retain the title and dignity of the office of minister of the
Word.
Article 11
If, for reasons other than such as warrant ecclesiastical
discipline, either a minister of the Word or the congregation he
is serving desires to dissolve their pastoral relationship, that
dissolution shall occur only upon mutually satisfactory
conditions and only with the concurring advice of the classis. If
the released minister desires to receive a call to serve another
congregation, the council from whose service he is being released
shall announce his eligibility for call, which eligibility shall
be valid for no more than two years, whereafter he shall be
honorably released from office. If the minister released from his
congregation desires to leave his office in order to seek
non-ministerial labor, he must receive the approval of the
classis before doing so.
Article 12
The council shall present to the congregation nominations for the
offices of elder and deacon. Only male confessing members who
meet the biblical requirements for office and indicate their
agreement with the Form of Subscription shall be nominated by the
council. Prior to making nominations, the council may give the
congregation opportunity to direct attention to suitable men.
Article 13
Elders and deacons shall be elected to a term specified by the
Consistory, and upon subscribing to the Three Forms of Unity by
signing the Form of Subscription, shall be ordained or installed
with the use of the appropriate liturgical form before entering
upon their work.
Article 14
The duties belonging to the office of elder consist of continuing
in prayer and ruling the church of Christ according to the
principles taught in Scripture, in order that purity of doctrine
and holiness of life may be practiced. They shall see to it that
their fellow-elders, the minister(s) and the deacons faithfully
discharge their offices. They are to maintain the purity of the
Word and Sacraments, assist in catechizing the youth, promote
God-centered schooling, visit the members of the congregation
according to their needs, engage in family visiting, exercise
discipline in the congregation, actively promote the work of
evangelism and missions, and insure that everything is done
decently and in good order.
Article 15
The duties belonging to the office of deacon consist of
continuing in prayer and supervising the works of Christian mercy
among the congregation; acquainting themselves with
congregational needs; exhorting members of the congregation to
show mercy, gathering and managing the offerings of God's people
in Christ's name, and distributing these offerings according to
need; and encouraging and comforting with the Word of God those
who receive the gifts of Christ's mercy. Needs of those outside
the congregation, especially of other believers, should also be
considered as resources permit. The deacons shall ordinarily meet
every month to transact the business pertaining to their office,
and they shall render an account of their work to the Consistory.
The Assemblies of the Churches (Articles 16-36)
Article 16
Among churches belonging to the federation, three assemblies
shall be recognized, the Consistory, the classis and the synod.
Classis and synod are broader assemblies that exist only when
meeting by delegation. Only the Consistory is a continuing body.
Article 17
In all assemblies only ecclesiastical matters shall be
transacted, only in an ecclesiastical manner.
Article 18
The proceedings of all assemblies shall begin and end with
prayer.
Article 19
In every assembly there shall be a chairman, assisted by a
vice-chairman. It is the chairman's duty to state and explain
clearly the matters to be dealt with, and to ensure that the
stipulations of the Church Order are followed and that every
delegate observes due order and decorum in speaking. In all
delegated assemblies the above named functions shall cease when
the assembly adjourns.
Article 20
In every assembly there shall be a clerk whose task it shall be
to keep an accurate record of the proceedings. In the broader
assemblies, the clerk shall serve for a term to be specified by
the body. Between broader assembly meetings, the clerk shall
perform his duties under the supervision of the next convening
Consistory.
Article 21
In each congregation there shall be a Consistory composed of the
minister(s) of the Word and the elders, which shall ordinarily
meet at least once a month. The Consistory is the only assembly
in the church(es) whose decisions possess direct authority within
the congregation, since the Consistory receives its authority
directly from Christ, and thereby is directly accountable to
Christ.
Article 22
When a congregation is organized within the federation, this
shall take place under the supervision of a neighboring
Consistory and with the concurring advice of the classis.
Article 23
When the deacons meet together with the Consistory, the body is
referred to as the council. The council shall exercise such
duties described in the Church Order or such duties delegated to
it by the Consistory. The council shall operate under the
authority of the Consistory.
Article 24
Although congregations are distinct and equal and do not have
dominion over each other, they ought to preserve fellowship with
each other because they are all united with Christ, the spiritual
and governing Head of the church. Congregations manifest this
unity when they meet together in the broader assemblies.
Article 25
Those delegated to the broader assemblies shall be seated only
with properly signed credentials, and each delegate shall have
only one vote. In the broader assemblies only those matters that
could not be settled in the narrower assemblies, or that pertain
to the churches of the broader assembly in common, shall be
considered. All such matters shall originate with a Consistory
and be considered by classis before being considered by synod. No
broader assembly shall have the power to depose an office-bearer
or otherwise exercise church discipline, since these powers
belong to the Consistory.
Article 26
A classis shall consist of neighboring churches whose
Consistories delegate two of their membership proper credentials
to meet at a time and place determined at the previous classis
meeting, within the next twelve months. If three Consistories in
the classis deem it necessary that a classis meet earlier than
the regular time determined, the Consistory charged with
convening the meeting shall determine when and where the meeting
is to occur. The churches shall take turns providing a chairman
and acting as the convening church.
Furthermore, the classis shall inquire of each Consistory whether
Consistory and deacons' meetings are held, the Word of God is
faithfully preached, the sacraments are faithfully administered,
church discipline is exercised, the poor are cared for, and
God-centered schooling is promoted; and whether the Consistory
needs the advice and help of the classis for the proper
government of the church.
Each classis shall inform the other classis regarding matters of
mutual concern by forwarding its minutes to them in a timely
manner.
Article 27
Each Consistory of the classis shall invite two experienced
office-bearers appointed by classis, either two ministers or a
minister and an elder, to visit the council once every two years,
who shall give account of their visit to the classis. These
visitors shall inquire whether the office-bearers faithfully
perform their duties, adhere to sound doctrine, observe in all
things the adopted order, and property promote as much as lies in
them, by word and deed, the edification of the congregation,
including the youth, to the end that these visitors may
fraternally admonish those office-bearers who have in anything
been negligent, and may by their advice and assistance help
direct all things unto the peace, edification and greatest profit
of the churches.
Article 28
The churches shall meet as a synod at least once every three
years. Each Consistory shall delegate two of its members to this
meeting. Each synod shall determine a time and place for the
subsequent synod and shall authorize a Consistory to convene that
synod. If a majority of the classes deem it necessary that a
synod meet earlier than the regular time determined, the
Consistory charged with convening the meeting shall determine
when and where the meeting is to occur.
Article 29
If any assembly complains of having been wronged by the decision
of another assembly, it shall have the right to appeal to the
broader assemblies. An individual's appeal must proceed first to
the Consistory, and only then, if necessary, to a broader
assembly. All decisions of a broader assembly are to be received
with respect and submission, and shall be considered settled and
binding, unless it is proved that they are in conflict with the
Word of God or the Church Order. Consistories who are convinced
that they cannot comply with a decision of a broader assembly
because it does not agree with the Word of God cannot be
compelled to do so, provided that they state to the classis the
points at which the decision of the assembly disagrees with the
Word of God. If a Consistory refuses to comply with the final
decision of the synod and a subsequent synod rules by majority
vote that submission in the matter is essential for the unity of
the churches, the congregation is no longer eligible for
membership in the federation.
Article 30
Having availed herself of the avenues for appeal, a church
through its Consistory may withdraw from the federation at any
time by submitting a written statement to the classis to which
the church belongs.
Article 31
If any church member complains that he has been wronged by the
decision of a narrower assembly, he shall have the right to
appeal to the broader assemblies. Until a decision is made upon
such appeal, the church member shall conform to the determination
and judgment already passed.
Article 32
Any church may be admitted into the federation provided that its
officebearers subscribe to the Three Forms of Unity and agree
with this Church Order, and its minister sustains an examination
by the nearest classis, according to the regulations adopted by
the federation. Any such church shall be provisionally accepted
into membership in the federation by the classis, pending
ratification by the following synod.
Article 33
Whereas it is the sole right of a congregation to hold title to
its property, the ownership of all property, real and personal,
held by a congregation of this federation is vested exclusively
in that congregation, and title shall be taken in its name alone.
Each congregation shall have exclusive control over all of its
temporalities, nor shall the exercise of its property rights,
through the decisions of its Consistory, be subject to the
supervision of the broader assemblies, nor shall the broader
assemblies have the right to revise those decisions. The broader
assemblies of the federation shall not attempt to secure
possession of the property of any congregation, whether or not
such congregation remains within, chooses to withdraw from, or is
removed from the federation.
Article 34
Churches are encouraged to pursue ecumenical relations with
Reformed congregations outside of the federation, which manifest
the marks of the true church and demonstrate faithful allegiance
to Scripture as summarized in the Three Forms of Unity. Each
church is to give an account of its ecumenical activities to
classis. Fraternal activities between congregations, which need
not be reported to classis, may include occasional pulpit
exchanges, table fellowship, as well as other means of
manifesting unity.
Article 35
The churches of a classis may, as a group, enter into ecumenical
relations with an individual church or group of churches such as
a classis or presbytery. The classis shall keep synod informed of
such ecumenical relations, thereby honoring our federative bond.
Article 36
The federation may enter into ecumenical relations with other
federations by synodical decision. Such a decision must be
ratified by a majority of the Consistories.
THE FUNCTIONS AND TASKS OF THE CHURCH (Articles 37-50)
Article 37
The Consistory shall call the congregation together for corporate
worship twice on each Lord's Day. Special services may be called
in observance of Christmas Day, Good Friday, Ascension Day, a day
of prayer, the national Thanksgiving Day, New Year's Eve and New
Year's Day, as well as in times of great distress or blessing.
Attention should also be given to Easter and Pentecost on their
respective Lord's Days.
Article 38
The Consistory shall regulate the worship services. which shall
be conducted according to the principles taught in God's Word:
namely, that the preaching of the Word have the central place,
that confession of sins be made, praise and thanksgiving in song
and prayer be given, and gifts of gratitude be offered.
Article 39
The 150 Psalms shall have the principal place in the singing of
the churches. Hymns which faithfully and fully reflect the
teaching of the Scripture as expressed in the Three Forms of
Unity may be sung, provided they are approved by the Consistory.
Article 40
At one of the services each Lord's Day, the minister shall
ordinarily preach the Word as summarized in the Three Forms of
Unity, with special attention given to the Heidelberg Catechism
by treating its Lord's Days in sequence.
Article 41
The covenant of God shall be signified and sealed to the children
of confessing Members in good standing through holy baptism
administered by the minister of the Word in a service of
corporate worship, with the use of the appropriate liturgical
form. The Consistory shall properly supervise the administration
of the sacrament, which shall be administered as soon as
feasible.
Article 42
Adults who have not been baptized shall receive holy baptism upon
public profession of faith, with the use of the appropriate
liturgical forms, and be thus accepted as members. They shall be
obliged to persevere in the fellowship of the church, not only in
hearing God's Word, but also in partaking of the Lord's Supper.
Article 43
Baptized members who have been instructed in the faith and who
have come to the years of understanding shall be encouraged to
make public profession of faith in Jesus Christ. Those who wish
to profess their faith shall be interviewed to the satisfaction
of the Consistory concerning doctrine and life, and their public
profession of faith shall occur in a public worship service after
adequate announcement to the congregation and with the use of the
appropriate liturgical form. Thereby baptized members are
accepted into full communion in the congregation and shall be
obliged to persevere in the fellowship of the church, not only in
hearing God's Word, but also in partaking of the Lord's Supper.
Article 44
Persons coming from other denominations shall be admitted to
communicant membership only after the Consistory has examined
them concerning doctrine and life. The Consistory shall determine
in each case whether public profession of faith shall be
required. Their names shall be announced to the congregation two
weeks prior to reception, in order that the congregation may have
opportunity, if necessary, to bring lawful objections to the
attention of the Consistory.
Article 45
The Consistory shall supervise participation at the Lord's Table.
No member shall be admitted to the Lord's Table who has not first
made public profession of faith and is not living a godly life.
Visitors may be admitted provided that, as much as possible, the
Consistory is assured of their biblical church membership, of
their proper profession of faith, and of their godly walk.
Article 46
The Consistory shall ordinarily administer the Lord's Supper at
least every three months in a service of corporate worship, with
the use of the appropriate liturgical form. This administration
shall conform to the teaching of God's Word and the regulations
of ecclesiastical order, in such a manner as is most conducive to
the edification of the congregation.
Article 47
The church's missionary task is to preach the Word of God to the
unconverted. When this task is to be performed beyond the field
of an organized church, it is to be carried out by ministers of
the Word set apart to this labor, who are called, supported and
supervised by their Consistories. The churches should assist each
other in the support of their missionaries.
Article 48
Consistories shall instruct and admonish those under their
spiritual care who are considering marriage to marry in the Lord.
Christian marriages should be solemnized with appropriate
admonitions, promises and prayers, under the regulation of the
Consistory, with the use of the appropriate liturgical form.
Ministers shall not solemnize marriages which would conflict with
the Word of God.
Article 49
A Christian funeral is neither a service of corporate
ecclesiastical government, but is a family matter, and should be
conducted accordingly.
Article 50
The Consistory shall maintain accurate membership records which
include names and dates of baptisms, professions of faith,
marriages and deaths of members of the congregation.
ECCLESIASTICAL DISCIPLINE (Articles 51-66)
Article 51
Since Christian discipline is spiritual in nature and exempts no
one from trial or punishment by the civil authorities, so also
besides civil punishment there is need of ecclesiastical censure,
that God may be glorified, that the sinner may be reconciled with
God, the church and his neighbor, and that offense may be removed
from the church of Christ.
Article 52
In case anyone errs in doctrine or offends in conduct, as long as
the sin is of a private character and does not give public
offense, the rule clearly prescribed by Christ in Matthew 18
shall be followed.
Article 53
Secret sins, from which the sinner repents after being admonished
by one person in private or in the presence of two or three
witnesses, shall not be made known to the Consistory.
Article 54
If anyone has been admonished in love by two or three persons
concerning a secret sin and does not repent, or it he has
committed a public sin, the matter shall be brought to the
Consistory.
Article 55
Anyone whose sin is properly made known to the Consistory, and
who then obstinately rejects the Scriptural admonitions of the
Consistory, shall be suspended from all privileges of church
membership, including the use of the sacraments. After such
suspension and subsequent admonitions, and before proceeding to
excommunication, the impenitence of the sinner shall be publicly
made known to the congregation, the offense explained, together
with the care bestowed upon him and repeated admonitions, so that
the congregation may speak to him and pray for him. This shall be
done in three steps. In the first the name of the sinner need not
be mentioned, that he be somewhat spared. In the second, the
Consistory shall seek the advice of classis before proceeding,
whereupon his name shall be mentioned. In the third, the
congregation shall be informed that, unless he repents, he will
be excluded from the fellowship of the church, so that his
excommunication, if he remains impenitent, may take place with
the full knowledge of the church. The interval between the steps
shall be left to the discretion of the Consistory.
Article 56
If these steps of discipline, having been carried out in a loving
manner, do not bring about repentance, but rather harden the
sinner in his ways, the Consistory shall proceed to the extreme
remedy, namely, excommunication, in agreement with the Word of
God and with the use of the appropriate liturgical form.
Article 57
The restoration of a sinner whose sins are public, or have become
public because the admonition of the church was despised, shall
take place upon sufficient evidence of repentance, in such manner
as the Consistory shall deem conducive to the edification of the
church. Whether in particular cases this should take place in
public shall, when there is a difference of opinion about it
within the Consistory, be decided with the advice of two
neighboring churches of the classis
Article 58
Whenever anyone who has been excommunicated desires to become
reconciled to the church by way of penitence, it shall be
announced to the congregation in order that, insofar as no one
can allege anything against him to the contrary, he may, with
profession of his repentance, be publicly reinstated with the use
of the appropriate liturgical form.
Article 59
Mature members by baptism who are delinquent in doctrine or life
shall be admonished and, if they persist, shall be excluded from
the church of Christ The advice of classis must be sought before
proceeding to such exclusion.
Article 60
Members by baptism who have been excluded from the church and who
later repent of their sin shall be received again into the church
only upon public profession of faith.
Article 61
When a minister, elder or deacon has committed a public or gross
sin, or refuses to heed the admonitions of the Consistory, he
shall be suspended from his office by his own Consistory with the
concurring advice of the Consistories of two neighboring
churches. Should he harden himself in his sin, or when the sin
committed is of such a nature that he cannot continue in office,
he shall be deposed by his Consistory with the concurring advice
of classis.
Article 62
Included among the gross sins, but not to the exclusion of all
others, which are worthy of suspension or deposition from office
are these: false doctrine or heresy, public schism, public
blasphemy, simony, faithless desertion of office or intrusion
upon that of another, perjury, adultery, fornication, theft, acts
of violence, habitual drunkenness, brawling, filthy lucre, in
short, all sins and gross offenses which render the perpetrators
infamous before the world and which in any other member of the
church would occasion excommunication.
Article 63
The ministers, elders and deacons shall exercise mutual censure
regularly, whereby they exhort one another in an edifying manner
regarding the discharge of their offices.
Article 64
Those who seek membership in another congregation shall request
in writing that their current Consistory send to the receiving
Consistory an official letter including pertinent membership
information and testimony concerning doctrine and life.
Article 65
No church shall in any way lord it over other churches, and no
office-bearers shall lord it over other office-bearers.
Article 66
These articles, relating to the lawful order of the church, have
been so drafted and adopted by common consent, that they ought to
be observed diligently. If it be found that God may be more
honored and the churches better served by changing any article,
this shall require a two-thirds vote of a synod and shall be
ratified by two-thirds of the Consistories prior to the next
synodical meeting, after which meeting they shall take effect.
GUIDELINES FOR A LICENSURE EXAM
1. CREDENTIALS
a. A seminary faculty recommendation
b. A brief statement of personal faith and confessional commitment
2. PROCEDURE
a. The prospective licentiate must apply to his Consistory for the exam, securing the required credentials. At least thirty days before the exam, the council is to announce publicly its intention to examine the prospective licentiate, providing opportunity for other councils to render observation and/or objections.
b. The prospective licentiate must be examined by his council, and the successful completion of the exam will be certified to other councils within the federation.
c. An exhorting license is normally valid for one year, and extension may be requested annually in writing and may require another interview.
3. CONTENT
a. The prospective licentiate must submit two written sermons for review by his Consistory.
b. The oral exam must address the following: first, the licentiate's godly walk; second, his commitment to the reformed faith: third, his understanding of public worship; and fourth, matters of exegetical and homiletical method.
APPENDIX 2
GUIDELINES FOR A CANDIDACY EXAM
1. CREDENTIALS
a. A recommendation from the prospective candidate's council
b. A medical certificate of health
c. A diploma certifying reception of a Master of Divinity degree or an equivalent academic degree
d. A transcript of all seminary grades
e. A statement of testimony from the prospective candidate
2. PROCEDURE
a. The prospective candidate's Consistory must request a meeting of classis for this exam.
b. The inviting Consistory must circulate copies of the required credentials among the Consistories of classis.
c. The inviting Consistory must make known that the candidate has sustained his candidacy exam and is available for call to the churches.
d. If the candidacy exam is sustained, and should the candidate accept a call within the same classis, the ordination exam is ordinarily waived, to avoid duplication of work within the classis. Taking note of this possibility, delegates hearing the candidacy exam should determine whether the performance is sufficient to warrant such a waiver.
3. CONTENT
a. The prospective candidate must submit three written sermons for evaluation. Two of these must be on an assigned Old Testament text and an assigned New Testament text The third sermon must be a catechism sermon on a Lord's Day or question and answer of his choosing. One of these sermons must be preached in a public worship service.
b. The two areas to be covered in this exam are (1) biblical and confessional commitment and (2) ministerial competence. The former regards the prospective candidate's knowledge of and loyality to Scripture and the Confessions; the latter investigates his theological and ministerial knowledge and ability. This exam should, therefore, investigate the following specific areas:
(1) Practica: inquire concerning the prospective candidates personal and spiritual life, his relationship with the Lord, his growth in faith, his background and preparation for ministry, his understanding of ministerial office and his motives for seeking entrance thereto, liturgics, homiletics, pastoral care, evangelism and church polity.
(2) Bible knowledge: inquire concerning the prospective candidate's doctrine of Scripture, canonicity, heimeneutics, etc., and concerning familiarity with the contents of the various books of the Bible.
(3) Biblical exegesis: an Old Testament and a New Testament passage should he assigned to the prospective candidate at least three week in advance (one of them in connection with one of his assigned sermons); the examiner should inquire concerning the meaning of the text and the prospective candidate's ability to work with the original languages and a suitable exegetical method.
(4) Confessional knowledge: inquire concerning the history and content of the Three Forms of Unity, concerning the prospective candidate's willingness to subscribe to them by signing the Form of Subscription.
(5) Reformed doctrine: inquire concerning the teaching of Scripture and the Confessions regarding the six major areas of Reformed doctrine (Theology, Anthropology, Christology Soteriology, Ecclesiology, and Eschatology).
(6) Church history: inquire concerning the flow of church history, in terms of major persons, heresies, etc., with special emphasis on the Reformation and the history of the Reformed churches.
(7) Ethics: inquire concerning the meaning and function of the Decalogue, also in relation to Christian motivation and character, and to various comtemporary moral problems.
APPENDIX 3
GUIDELINES FOR AN ORDINATION EXAM
1. CREDENTIAL: A valid latter of call
2. PROCEDURE
a. Exceptional case: If the ordination exam would occur in the same classis in which the candidacy exam was sustained, then the ordination exam may be waived by the delegates conducting the candidacy exam.
b. The candidate's calling Consistory must invite classis to participate in an ordination exam.
c. The candidate is to preach a sermon in a public worship service which he conducts under the auspices of his calling Consistory.
d. Upon sustaining the exam, the classis shall declare the candidate eligible to be ordained as a minister of the Word and sacraments among the United Reformed Churches in North America.
3. CONTENT
The two areas to be covered in this exam are (1) biblical and confessional commitment, and (2) ministerial competence. The former regards the prospective candidate's knowledge of and loyalty to Scripture and the Confessions; the latter investigates his theological and ministerial knowledge and ability. This exam should, therefore, investigate the following specific areas:
(1) Practica: inquire concerning the prospective candidate's personal and spiritual life, his relationship with the Lord, his growth in faith, his background and preparation for ministry, his understanding of ministerial office and his motives for seeking entrance thereto, liturgies, homiletics, pastoral care, evangelism and church polity.
(2) Church polity: inquire concerning the history and principles of Reformed church polity, and the content of the Church Order.
(3) Confessional knowledge: inquire concerning the history and content of the Three Forms of Unity, concerning the prospective candidate's willingness to subscribe to them by signing the Form of Subscription.
(4) Reformed doctrine: inquire concerning the teaching of Scripture and the Confessions regarding the six major areas of Reformed doctrine (Theology, Anthropology, Christology, Soteriology, Ecclesiology, and Eschatology).
(5) Ethics: inquire concerning the meaning and function of the Decalogue, also in relation to Christian motivation and character, and to various contemporary moral problems.
APPENDIX 4
GUIDELINES FOR A COLLOQUIUM DOCTUM
1 CREDENTIALS: two letters of request and information relating to the background and circumstances of the relationship, one from the examinee and one from the sponsoring Consistory.
2. PROCEDURE
a. The calling Consistory must invite classis to participate in a colloquium doctum.
b. The examinee is to preach a sermon in a public worship service which he conducts under the auspices of his sponsoring Consistory. Upon sustaining the colloquium doctum, the classis shall decree the minister eligible to be called by the sponsoring Consistory as a minister of the Word and sacraments among the United Reformed Churches in North America.
30 CONTENT
The two areas to be covered in this exam are (1) biblical and confessional commitment, and (2) ministerial competence. The former regards the prospective candidate's knowledge of and loyalty to Scripture and the Confessions; the latter investigates his theological and ministerial knowledge and ability. This exam should, therefore, investigate the following specific areas:
(1) Practica: inquire concerning the prospective candidate's personal and spiritual life, his relationship with the Lord, his growth in faith, his background and preparation for ministry, his understanding of ministerial office and his motives for seeking entrance thereto liturgies, homiletics, pastoral care, evangelism and church polity.
(2) Church polity: inquire concerning the history and principles of Reformed church polity, and the content of the Church Order.
(3) Confessional knowledge: inquire concerning the history and content of the Three Forms of Unity, concerning the prospective candidate's willingness to subscribe to them by signing the Form of Subscription.
(4) Reformed doctrine: inquire concerning the teaching of Scripture and the confessions regarding the six major areas of Reformed doctrine (theology, Anthropology, Christology, Soteriology, Ecclesiology, and Eschatology)
(5) Ethics: inquire concerning the meaning and function of the Decalogue, also in relation to Christian motivation and character, and to various contemporary moral problems.
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