Church order

We, as the federation of the United Reformed Churches of the Philippines, 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 Confessions do fully agree with this Word of God and therefore do subscribe to the Belgic 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, for the sake of the purity of doctrine and the holiness of life. 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 should be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40), we order our ecclesiastical relations and activities in the following articles covered under the following divisions:

Article 1: The Three Offices

Christ has instituted three offices in the church: minister of the Word, elder and deacon.

Article 2: The Duties of the Minister

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, visiting the members of the congregation in their homes, comforting the sick with the Word of God and assisting the elders in the shepherding and discipline of the congregation.

Article 3: Preparation for the Ministry

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 help him ensure that his financial needs are met. (See Appendix 1 and 2)

Article 4: The Candidacy Examination

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 participant. 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 3 and 6)

Article 5: Candidacy from Outside the Federation

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 and be a member of that church first at least a year. The said Consistory shall make provision for his candidacy examination. (See Appendix 3 and 6)

Article 6: Calling a Candidate

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 4 and 6);

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: Calling a Minister within the Federation

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: Calling a Minister from Outside the Federation

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 delegates to the classis, according to the regulations adopted by the federation, whereupon the classis shall declare him eligible to be called by the sponsoring Consistory. (See Appendix 5 and 6)

Article 9: The Term of Service

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 council with the concurring advice of classis.

In circumstances where a church plant is unable to adequately support the minister financially, the minister is permitted to seek self-supporting employment. This is allowable provided that the nature of the external work does not conflict with his ministerial responsibilities and that the employment does not consume all of his time, thus ensuring that his primary commitment remains to his ministerial duties. Approval for such an arrangement must be obtained from the council and with concurring advice of the classis after a thorough evaluation of the potential impacts on the minister’s ministerial responsibilities.

Article 10: Support and Emeritation of Ministers

Each church is to provide honorably 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. In the event of a minister’s death, adequate provision shall be made for the support of his dependent wife and children.

A minister who has emeritated due to age or who is unable to perform the duties of his office due to age, sickness, or other personal disabilities, shall retain the honor and title of Minister of the Word, and his ministerial credentials shall remain with the church he last served, which shall provide honorably for his support, with the assistance of the churches of classis if necessary.

The emeritation of a minister shall take place with the approval of the council, and with the concurring advice of the classis. After emeritation a minister’s credentials may follow a membership transfer but only with the consent of both councils that are involved.

In the event of a dissolution of the church to which the minister (emeritus or otherwise) is officially bound, the Consistory and the minister shall promptly request the advice of classis for the purpose of having his credentials held by another church of the classis in a manner consistent with Article 7 of the Church Order.

Article 11: Exceptional Release of a Minister

When for weighty reasons and in exceptional circumstances a pastoral relationship has been irreconcilably broken, and a minister of the Word or the council of the congregation he is serving desires to dissolve their pastoral relationship, that dissolution may occur only when all the following conditions have been met:

1. this dissolution shall not occur for delinquency in doctrine or life, which would warrant church discipline;
2. this dissolution shall occur only when attempted reconciliation, with the involvement of both the church visitors and the classis, has been unsuccessful, resulting in an intolerable situation;
3. this dissolution shall occur only with the concurring advice of the classis;
4. the council’s provision for the adequate congregational support of the minister and his family shall require the concurring advice of the classis.

The council of the congregation with which the pastoral relationship is dissolved shall announce his eligibility for call. This eligibility shall be valid for no more than two years, whereafter he shall be honorably released from office.

Article 12: The Appointment of Elders and Deacons

The council shall present to the congregation appointees for the offices of elder and deacon. Only male communicant members who meet the biblical requirements for office and indicate their agreement with the Form of Subscription (Appendix 8) shall be appointed by the council. Prior to making appointments, the council may give the congregation opportunity to direct attention to suitable men. (For guidelines for Appointment-Confirmation System, see Appendix 7)

Article 13: The Confirmation, Term, Extension of Term, Ordination/Installation, Voluntary Resignation, and Sabbatical Leave of Elders and Deacons

Elders and deacons shall be confirmed to a term specified by the Consistory in a formal resolution, 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.

Office bearers who have completed their term may extend the same upon evaluation and recommendation by the Council, and shall undergo the same confirmation process. (For guidelines for Appointment-Confirmation System, see Appendix 7)

An office-bearer who will be unable to fulfill his duty due to any circumstance other than delinquency in doctrine or life, may be given the right to step down from their office with the approval of the Consistory.

An office-bearer may apply for sabbatical leave subject to the approval of the Consistory.

Article 14: The Duties of Elders

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 ensure that all things be done decently and in order.

Article 15: The Duties of Deacons

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 at least once a month to transact the business pertaining to their office, and they shall render an account of their work to the Consistory.

Article 16: The Three Assemblies

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: The Matters and Manner of Assemblies

In all assemblies only ecclesiastical matters shall be transacted, only in an ecclesiastical manner.

Article 18: Prayer in Assemblies

The proceedings of all assemblies shall begin and end with prayer.

Article 19: The Officers and Order of Assemblies

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: The Duties and Supervision of Clerks

In every assembly there shall be a clerk whose task it shall be to keep an accurate record of the proceedings. A clerk serving a broader assembly shall keep a record of all decisions of the assembly, which shall be released publicly in a timely manner. In the broader assemblies the clerk shall serve for a term to be specified by the body. Between broader assemblies, the clerk shall perform his duties under the supervision of the next convening Consistory.

Article 21: The Consistory

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: Organizing a New Church

When a church 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: The Council

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: Parity and Unity of Congregations

Although congregations are distinct 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: Delegates and Matters of Broader Assemblies

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 authority to depose an office-bearer or otherwise exercise church discipline, since this authority belongs to the Consistory.

Article 26: Classis

A classis shall consist of neighboring churches whose Consistories delegate two of their members with proper credentials to convene 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 convene earlier than the regular time determined, the Consistory charged with convening the meeting shall determine when and where the meeting is to occur. The consistories shall take turns providing a chairman and acting as the convening consistory.

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 class shall inform the other classes regarding matters of mutual concern by forwarding its complete minutes to them in a timely manner.

Article 27: Church Visitors

Each Consistory of the classis shall invite two experienced consistory members appointed by classis, 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 properly 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: Synod

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: Appeals by Assemblies

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. 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. (See Appendix 9)

Article 30: Withdrawing from the Federation

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: Appeals by Church Members

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. An individual’s appeal must proceed first to the Consistory, and only then, if necessary, to a broader assembly. Until a decision is made upon such appeal, the church member shall conform to the determination and judgment already passed. (See Appendix 9)

Article 32: Admitting a Church

Any church may be admitted into the federation upon the recommendation of a consistory and provided that its office-bearers subscribe to the Three Forms of Unity and agree with this Church Order. Any such church shall be provisionally accepted into membership in the federation by the classis, pending ratification by the following synod. Any of these office-bearers who are ministers shall be examined before being declared and acknowledged as minister of the Word and sacraments within the federation, according to the adopted regulations. (See Appendix 5 and 6)

Article 33: Property

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: Ecumenical Relations on a Church Level

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: Ecumenical Relations on a Classis Level

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 the federation informed of such ecumenical relations, thereby honoring our federative bond.

Article 36: Ecumenical Relations on a Federation Level

The federation may enter into ecumenical relations with other federations by synodical decision. Such a decision with respect to ecclesiastical fellowship shall require ratification by a majority of the synodically approved Consistories in the federation. Such a decision with respect to church union shall require a two thirds vote of a synod and shall require ratification by two-thirds of the synodically-approved Consistories in the federation.

Article 37: Corporate Worship and Special Services

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, a day of prayer, as well as in times of great distress or blessing.

Article 38: Regulation and Nature of the Worship Service

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: Psalms and Hymns

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: Catechetical Preaching

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: Baptism of Covenant Children

The covenant of God shall be signified and sealed to the children of communicant 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: Baptism of Adults

Adults who have not been baptized shall receive holy baptism upon public profession of faith in a service of corporate worship, with the use of the appropriate liturgical form, and be thus received as communicant 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: Public Profession of Faith

120B aptized 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 service of corporate worship after adequate announcement to the congregation and with the use of the appropriate liturgical form. Thereby baptized members shall receive all the privileges of membership 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: Reception from Outside the Federation

Persons coming from denominations other than those with which we have ecclesiastical fellowship shall be received as communicant members 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: Admission to the Lord’s Supper

The Consistory shall supervise participation at the Lord’s Supper. No member shall be admitted to the Lord’s Supper who has not first made a 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: Administration of the Lord’s Supper

The Consistory shall ordinarily administer the Lord’s Supper once a month, or 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 Mission Calling

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 or by elders and deacons set apart to this labor, who are called, supported, and supervised by their Consistories. A local Consistory shall seek the advice of classis before sending a foreign or home missionary to a field or removing a foreign or home missionary from a field. The churches should assist each other in the support of their missionaries.

Article 48: Marriage

Scripture teaches that marriage is designed to be a lifelong, monogamous covenantal union between one man and one woman. Consistories shall instruct and admonish those under their spiritual care who are considering marriage to marry in the Lord. Christian marriages shall 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 that conflict with the Word of God.

Article 49: Funerals

A Christian funeral is neither a service of corporate worship nor subject to ecclesiastical government, but is a family matter, and should be conducted accordingly.

Article 50: The Church Records

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.

Article 51: The Nature and Purpose of Discipline

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: Private Sins

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: Private Repentance

Secret sins from which the sinner repents after being admonished in love by one person in private or in the presence of two or three witnesses, shall not be made known to the Consistory.

Article 54: Consistory Involvement

If anyone has been admonished in love in the presence of two or three witnesses concerning a secret sin and does not repent, or if he has committed a public sin, the matter shall be made known to the Consistory.

Article 55: The Discipline of a Member

A communicant member whose sin has been properly made known to the consistory, and who then obstinately rejects the loving admonitions of the consistory, shall, in agreement with the Word of God, be subject to church discipline in the following three stages:

A. Silent Censure:

A member who persists in sin shall be suspended by the consistory from all the privileges of church membership, including using the sacraments. Such suspension shall not be made public by the consistory.

B. Public Discipline:

If the silent censure and subsequent admonitions do not bring about repentance, and before proceeding to excommunication, the sinner’s impenitence shall be made known to the congregation by indicating both the member’s offense and failure to heed scriptural admonitions, so that the congregation may speak with and pray for this member. Public discipline shall be done with the use of the appropriate liturgical form, in the following three steps, the interval between which shall be left to the discretion of the consistory.

1. In the first step, the name of the sinner need not be mentioned so that he may be somewhat spared.
2. In the second step, the consistory shall seek the advice of classis before proceeding, whereupon the member’s name shall be mentioned to the congregation.
3. In the third step, the congregation shall be informed that unless there is repentance, the member will be excommunicated from the church on a specified date.

C. Excommunication:

If these steps of public discipline 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 56: The Discipline of a Member Due to Resignation

In the event a member seeks to resign while under church discipline, the consistory need not proceed further with the aforementioned three steps of discipline while they warn the member against resignation. If the member remains impenitent and persists in resigning, the consistory shall seek the advice of classis before acting to exclude him from membership. The consistory need not seek advice if classis has previously advised that it may proceed to the second step of public discipline. Having been advised by classis, the consistory may proceed to exclude from membership the one who is forsaking Christ’s church. The consistory should notify the person of this action, admonishing him and calling him to repentance. The consistory should also inform the congregation of this action and solicit their prayers for the former member. (See Appendix 10)

Article 57: The Restoration of a Communicant Member

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 consistories of the classis.

Article 58: The Readmission of Disciplined Communicant Members

Whenever any former communicant member who has been excluded or 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 readmitted with the use of the appropriate liturgical form.

Article 59: The Exclusion of a Mature Baptized Member

Mature baptized members who are delinquent in doctrine or life shall be admonished and, if they persist, shall be excluded from the church of Christ. The Consistory shall seek the advice of classis before proceeding to such exclusion. (See Appendix 10)

Article 60: The Readmission of Disciplined Baptized Members

Whenever any baptized member who has been excluded from the church desires to be reconciled to the church by way of penitence, he shall be readmitted only upon public profession of faith.

Article 61: The Suspension and Deposition of an Office-Bearer

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 two neighboring Consistories. 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: Gross Sins

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 church discipline.

Article 63: Mutual Censure

The ministers, elders, and deacons shall practice mutual accountability through regular, structured review of their service. This process involves:

Regular Assessment: Officers shall meet at established intervals to evaluate their performance in their respective roles and responsibilities.

Constructive Feedback: Each officer shall provide and receive honest, biblically-grounded counsel aimed at improving their ministry effectiveness and spiritual growth. 172B rotherly Exhortation: The review process shall be conducted in a spirit of love, humility, and mutual respect, with the goal of strengthening both individual officers and the collective leadership.

Accountability Structure: This mutual censure serves as a safeguard against neglect of duty, abuse of authority, or departure from sound doctrine, ensuring that all officers remain faithful to their calling and accountable to one another.

The purpose of this practice is to maintain the integrity of church leadership, promote faithful service in ministry, and foster unity among the officers in their shared commitment as diligent and obedient under- shepherds.

Article 64: Departure of Members

Those who seek the transfer of their membership to another congregation within the federation or one in ecclesiastical fellowship 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, requesting the receiving Consistory to accept them under its spiritual care. The Consistory may release members in order to affiliate with congregations not in ecclesiastical fellowship when the Consistory judges that doing so may aid the spiritual growth of the members. The Consistory may, with concurring advice from classis, erase the membership of those with whom they have not been able to communicate for at least two years. (See Appendix 10)

Article 65: Parity of Consistories and Office-Bearers

No consistory shall in any way lord it over other consistories, and no office-bearers shall lord it over other office-bearers.

Article 66: The Observance and Revision of the Church Order

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 synodically-approved Consistories of the federation, after which they shall take effect. The time-frame for ratification shall be determined by synod.

The eleven appendices referred to in the articles above are published with the full Church Order.

• Appendix 1 Guidelines for a Thoroughly Reformed Theological Education
• Appendix 2 Guidelines for a Licensure Exam
• Appendix 3 Guidelines for a Candidacy Exam
• Appendix 4 Guidelines for an Ordination Exam
• Appendix 5 Guidelines for a Colloquium Doctum
• Appendix 6 Example of Procedure for Examinations
• Appendix 7 Guidelines for Appointment-Confirmation System
• Appendix 8 Form of Subscription
• Appendix 9 Guidelines for Appeals
• Appendix 10 Pastoral Advice Regarding Membership Departures
• Appendix 11 Foundational Principles of Reformed Church Government