Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - June/95

Contributor - John H. Muller

Title - I Believe: Church Order

Topic - Church

FOLLOWING a discussion of the true Church, the next three articles of our CONFESSION deal with the government and order of the church. As Calvinists we have usually emphasized order. A favourite verse of ours has been 1 Corinthians 14:40: "Let all things be done decently and in order."

The church is organized, and is governed. ARTICLE 30 states that "there should be ministers or pastors to preach the Word of God and administer the Sacraments. There should also be elders and deacons along with the pastors, to make up the Council (Consistory) of the church". In CALVIN INSTITUTES he says: "Some form of organization is necessary in all human society, not only for dividing up the work, but also for general peace and concord."

In this polity ministers are servants and stewards (1 Cor. 4:11), and pastors are shepherds of the flock, imitating "the Great Shepherd of the sheep" (Heb. 13:20). Since our Lord is not visibly present with His Church, He uses the ministry of men. The office of the minister is to preach the Word and administer the sacraments. The elders are expected to be spiritual overseers. With the minister they are responsible for the teaching and the maintenance of discipline in the church. The deacon's office is that of servant of the church. They concern themselves with the temporal portion of the church's work. They promote stewardship and evaluate requests for benevolence, and carry on a ministry of service for Christ.

DeBres summarizes the activity of these offices thus: "By this means true religion is preserved; true doctrine is able to take its course; and evil men are corrected spiritually and held in check, so that also the poor and all the afflicted may be helped and comforted according to their need."

ARTICLE 31 goes on to state that all church officers must be chosen by a legitimate election of the church, "with prayer in the name of the Lord, and in good order, as the Word of God teaches." In medieval times offices were bought and sold. We are warned that "everyone must be careful not to push himself forward improperly, but he must wait for God's call." It is not right to "run" for an office. One must feel in his heart that God has called him, and then he must wait for the call of the church.

This article continues to discuss the equality of the ministers. "They all have the same power and authority - since they are all servants of Jesus Christ." They are on a par. There is no hierarchy. The minister presides at consistory meetings, but only votes in case of a tie. The Bible makes it clear that Christians in general are to serve, and not seek to lord it over others. We all stand in need of God's mercy. The universal priesthood of all believers applies here.

The ARTICLE concludes on the note of giving proper esteem to those who hold office "because of the work they do, and to be at peace with them." Respect and esteem are words which seem to have escaped the vocabulary of many today. When it is given, there will be peace.

ARTICLE 32 deals with good order in the church. Canon law had become a burden in the Middle Ages, so that Martin Luther burned the BOOK OF CANON LAW publicly at the end of 1520. Something had to take its place. Every denomination today has its book of church order. DeBres approves of that as long as it does not "deviate from what Christ, our only Master, has ordained for us."

The last statements are that church order should not "bind and force our consciences in any way." 'So we accept only what is proper to maintain harmony and unity and to keep all in obedience to God."

In the final analysis, that which compels our obedience is the Word of God.

Please click the "Back" button of your browser to return to previous page.