All Articles For Decency and Order

Rev. Cammenga is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Loveland, Colorado. The elders shall be chosen by the judgment of the consistory and the deacons according to the regulations for that purpose established by the consistory. In pursuance of these regulations, every church shall be at liberty, according to its circumstances, to give the members an opportunity to direct attention to suitable persons, in order that the consistory may thereupon either present to the congregation for election as many elders as are needed, that they may after they are approved by it, unless any obstacle arise, be installed with...

Ronald L. Cammenga is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Loveland, Colorado. To Article 4 of the Church Order, which deals with the lawful calling of ministers of the gospel, four decisions have been appended by our Protestant Reformed Churches. These four decisions concern the method of the election of a minister, the duties of the classical counselor or moderator, and the peremptoir and praeparatoir examination of candidates. Election of a Minister The election of a minister of the Word shall be conducted in the following manner: 1. The consistory shall make a nomination consisting usually of a trio of...

Rev. Cammenga is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Loveland, Colorado. “On the other hand, the consistory, as representing the congregation, shall also be bound to provide for the proper support of its ministers, and shall not dismiss them from service without the knowledge and approbation of the classis and of the delegates of the (particular) synod.” Church Order, Article 11. Article 11 is closely related to Article 10, as the opening phrase indicates: “On the other hand….” Article 10 concerned itself with the responsibility of a minister with respect to his congregation. He may not forsake his congregation....

Rev. Cammenga is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Loveland, Colorado. “Inasmuch, as a minister of the Word, once lawfully called as described above, is bound to the service of the church for life, he is not allowed to enter upon a secular vocation except for such weighty reasons as shall receive the approval of the classis.” Church Order, Article 12. This article speaks of the possibility of a minister of the gospel leaving the office of the ministry. It is to be distinguished from articles dealing with similar matters. Article 10 deals with a minister leaving one congregation...

Ronald L. Cammenga is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Loveland, Colorado. “Ministers already in the ministry of the Word, who are called to another congregation, shall likewise be called in the aforesaid manner by the consistory and the deacons, with observance of the regulations made for the purpose by the consistory and of the general ecclesiastical ordinances For the eligibility of those who have served outside of the Protestant Reformed Churches and For the repeated calling of the same minister during the same vacancy; further, with the advice of the classis or the counselor, appointed by the classis,...

Ronald L. Cammenga is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Loveland, Colorado. Historical Background Originally Article 6 read quite differently from its present form in our Church Order. Persons engaged in the ministry of the Word in the manor of any ruler or baron shall be properly and lawfully called as the others, subscribe to the Confession and the Church Order, and appoint the ablest of the group they serve to the offices of elder and of deacon. Reference is made in the original Article 6 to a “manor.” A manor was a district over which a feudal lord or...

Rev. Cammenga is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Loveland, Colorado. “Ministers, who by reason of age, sickness, or otherwise, are rendered incapable of performing the duties of their office, shall nevertheless retain the honor and title of a minister, and the church which they have served shall provide honorably for them in their need (likewise for the orphans and widows of ministers) out of the common fund of the churches, according to the general ecclesiastical ordinances in this matter.” Church Order, Article 13. This article of the Church Order deals with the subject of emeritation or retirement of ministers, even...

Rev. Cammenga is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Loveland, Colorado. “If any minister, for the aforesaid or any other reason, is compelled to discontinue his service for a time, which shall not take place without the advice of the consistory, he shall nevertheless at all times be and remain subject to the call of the congregation.” Church Order, Article 14. Article 14 is closely connected to the preceding articles of the Church Order. Article 10 deals with dismission from a congregation by a minister who has accepted a call elsewhere. Article 11 deals with permanent dismission from service of...

Rev. Cammenga is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Loveland, Colorado. “No one shall be permitted, neglecting the ministry of his church or being without a fixed charge, to preach indiscriminately without the consent and authority of synod or classis. Likewise, no one shall be permitted to preach or administer the sacraments in another church without the consent of the consistory of that church.” Introduction The principles set forth in this article are deduced from previous Church Order articles. Article 3 specifies that none shall be permitted to administer the Word and sacraments unless he be lawfully called. Article 4 describes...

Rev. Cammenga is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Loveland, Colorado. “The office of the ministry is to continue in prayer and in the ministry of the Word, to dispense the sacraments, to watch over his brethren, the elders and deacons, as well as the congregation, and finally, with the elders, to exercise church discipline and to see to it that everything is done decently and in good order.” Church Order, Article 16. Introduction This article concerns itself with the duties of the minister of the gospel. The article defines the work to which the minister is called, mentioning...