Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Mar/67

Contributor - John Moerman

Title - A Guide For Consistory Members

Topic - Consistory

I. A Consistory Member is a Leader.

A. A leader gives leadership.

B. A leader is a person who is followed by others.

C. A leader therefore must be an example for the good.

1. A Consistory member must be an example in Bible Study.

2. Faithful in attending both Worship, Services - to not do so should be the exception, not the rule.

3. Faithful in the exercise of all stewardship responsibilities.

4. Faithful in attending all Congregational Meetings.

D. The only way to be a good leader and example is to continuously walk in the footsteps of your Redeemer, Saviour, and Lord.

E. We all must be one in the Lord Jesus Christ.

1. No one should seek his own honor or interest.

2. We all must seek the honor of God, the extension of His Kingdom, the strengthening of the saint.

3. We all must have a passion for souls. Jesus had!

F. Sometimes when there is unrest, gossip, misunderstanding, lack of co-operation, the best service a consistory member can give is to be an example in word and deed of love, faithfulness, understanding, patience, forgiveness, reconciliation, and humility.

II. Materials.

A. Constitution.

B. Ordained Layman.

C. Books on Family Visitation.

1. Purchase your own.

2. Borrow freely from Church Library.

D. Pamphlets and stencils on Prayer, Family Visitation, Sacrificial giving, etc.

E. See Vice-President of Consistory for these materials.

F. Constitution and Ordained Layman are to be returned when term expires.

III. Meetings.

A. Leaders of the Church deal with our Father's Business. Surely this is the most important business to be engaged in.

B. When new on Consistory it is wise to listen and observe for some time.

C. Consistory Business is confidential.

1. It will take time to become familiar with organizational set-up and procedure.

2. The first half year is a time of learning.

3. New members are encouraged to ask questions about points under discussion or when procedures are not understood.

D. Every Consistory member is responsible, separately and combined, for the efficient and good order of the Business of our Lord.

1. The president and Committee Chairman may overlook an item of business, but when all members together are alert this is not likely to happen.

2. If your item of business is of far reaching importance, inform the president or chairman before the meeting what your item of business is, preferably a week or more.

3. Always address yourself to the president or committee chairman.

4. Always stay on the point under discussion and speak on the motion.

5. Know your Constitution.

E. The length of the meeting does not always and only depend on the president.

1. All members are equally responsible to have every meeting start on time (remember, a quorum is needed to conduct business).

2. When motion has been made and seconded, discussion ought to be on motion only.

3. Endeavor to understand the points under discussion.

4. Business like procedures will make for shorter meetings.

5. At all times carry out the responsibility which has been assigned or assumed.

a. Not to do so hampers our Father's Business.

b. Places an unfair amount of work on some other members.

c. Make a note of your assignments.

d. Serving the Lord is just as much a matter of devoting time as having time.

F. Every member has the moral obligation to attend all meetings.

1. Quorum is required to transact business.

2. Notify president or chairman when unable to attend. If possible one or two days in advance.

G. President or Chairman is riot responsible to inform absent member about motions, discussions, actions, dates, etc.

1. Inquiry has to be made by member who has been absent

2. Same holds true as to information and notes in church bulletin. When member has been unable to attend church service, president or chairman is not responsible to inform absent member about date or hour of meeting. Inquiry has to be made by the member who has been absent.

H. Every member is to prepare for each meeting.

1. Prayer for guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit.

2. What business is to be discussed and what actions are to be taken.

IV. Files are indispensable for efficient business.

A. Consistory Meetings.

B. Elders' Meetings.

C. Deacons' Meetings.

D. Committee Meetings.

E. Always take your file with materials along to the meeting.

V. Committees.

A. Members.

1. Committee members are charged with special assignments.

2. If you do the work well you save Consistory time. Instead of all Consistory members working and studying on this or that matter, only a few members are charged with the special task.

3. Consistory trust their recommendation because these committee members have made the assignment their special work.

B. Committee Responsibilities can be assigned to church members. The main point is that the work shall be done.

C. Committee chairman.

1. He must know what his Committee's responsibilities are.

2. Receives and studies the plans and suggestions of the other Committee Members.

3. Calls and presides at the meetings.

4. He reports to Consistory.

5. He must see to it that what has been decided is carried out.

6. When term of chairman expires the Committee File must be passed on in full to next chairman.

VI. Responsibilities of Chairman of Board of Deacons.

A. Deacon Meetings.

B. Schedules.

1. Receive offerings in Church both Mornings and Evenings.

2. Twice per month count money. (Does not necessarily need to be done by deacons.)

C. Needy families.

1. Deacons must contact family in person.

2. Evaluate Report of visiting Deacons.

3. Act upon Report.

D. Possible Budget Shortage.

1. Regularly consult treasurers and be up to date on all offerings.

2. Be also up to date on possible mounting shortage.

3. When shortage accumulates call amount to attention of Deacons and/or Consistory.

4. Initiate plan for improvement on offerings.

E. New Budget.

1. Call meeting for drafting of Budget proposals.

2. Have Budget proposals ready by Oct. 1 when Family Visitation, E.M.C. commences.

F. Every Member Canvass.

1. Materials must be available when Family Visitation commences.

2. Materials to be distributed to teams prior to visitation.

a. Financial picture of forgoing 8 - months.

b. Proposed Budget for the new year.

c. Pledge Cards.

d. Stewardship pamphlets.

G. Offering Envelopes.

1. Order sufficient number in plenty of time. (Consult treasurers.)

2. Must be available to Congregation by December 15-31.

H. Keep up to date list of all regular (working) worshippers.

1. Full Communicant members.

2. Baptized members.

3. Adherents.

I. Deacons Communication, Correspondence, Appeals, etc.

1. Consult fellow Deacons.

2. Decide what need to de done: Action, no action.

J. Remuneration of Guest Ministers.

K. Special days.

1. How many offerings?

2. For what purpose?

3. Inform Pastor.

L. Special Speakers.

1. Will offering be taken up for particular purpose?

a. If so, what about scheduled offering?

b. If not, will any offering/monies be sent for this purpose?

2. What about speakers' remuneration?

VII. Visitation.

A. Regular Family Visitation is Constitutional requirement.

B. Special Visitation.

1. Delinquent worshipper.

a. District Elder should call when family or member has not attended church for one month.

b. When upon this first visit there appear to be no change. This second call shall be made within three months after the first call.

c. How to proceed when the second call does not produce any visable result: - the third call, fourth, fifth, sixth, etc. should be in even periods of five months.

- during one of these calls the family should be informed that the elders will need to place their name on the inactive list in the near future if the family fails to give heed to any of these repeated calls.

- once the family has been placed on the inactive list it shall be the duty of the clerk to inform the family of this action.

- hereupon the two district elders shall call upon them at least once during the two following successive years.

- when hereupon the family still does not show any sign of change the elders must proceed with actions such as the R.C.A. Constitution requires.

- the clerk must immediately inform the family of this action, stating the elders' regret and also their readiness to receive them again in the Fellowship upon repentance and faith.

- if for any reason the family refuses to receive the district elders the pastor will visit the family.

d. During the course of these four years the pastor shall call upon the family at regular intervals too.

2. Lord's Supper.

a. When member or family celebrate "unworthily".

b. Never participate.

c. Irregularly.

d. Censura Morem.

C. Others.

1.Illness 2.Marriage 3.Bereavement 4.Family Problems

5.Shut-in 6.Widows 7.Others

D. New Members.

E. Evangelism.

1. Responsibility List.

2. Prospective members.

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