FRCA ARTICLE 3: The calling to office A. All office-bearers No one shall take any office upon himself without having been lawfully called thereto. The calling to office shall take place by the consistory with the deacons, with the cooperation of the congregation, after prayer, and in accordance with the local regulations adopted for that purpose. Prior to the ordination or installation, the names of the appointed brothers shall be publicly announced to the congregation for its approval on at least two consecutive Sundays. If no lawful objection is brought forward the ordination or installation shall take place with the use of the adopted Form. B. Elders and deacons The consistory with the deacons shall give the congregation the opportunity to draw the attention of the consistory to brothers deemed suitable for the respective offices. The consistory with the deacons shall present to the congregation at the most twice as many candidates as there are vacancies to be filled. From this number the congregation shall choose as many office-bearers as are needed. Those elected shall be appointed by the consistory with the deacons. If necessary, the consistory and the deacons may present to the congregation the same number of candidates as there are vacancies. C. Ministers Before a vacant church extends a call the advice of the counsellor shall be sought. The approval of classis shall be required for a repeated call to the same minister for the same vacancy. | CANRC ARTICLE 3 – The Calling to Office No one shall take any office upon himself without having been lawfully called thereto. Only male members who have made profession of faith and may be considered to meet the conditions as set forth in Holy Scripture (e.g., in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1) shall be eligible for office. The election to any office shall take place with the cooperation of the congregation, after preceding prayers, and according to the regulations adopted for that purpose by the consistory with the deacons. The consistory with the deacons shall be free to give the congregation the opportunity beforehand to draw the attention of the consistory to brothers deemed fit for the respective offices. The consistory with the deacons shall present to the congregation either as many candidates as there are vacancies to be filled, or at the most twice as many, from which number the congregation shall choose as many as are needed. Those elected shall be appointed by the consistory with the deacons in accordance with the adopted regulations. Prior to the ordination or installation the names of the appointed brothers shall be publicly announced to the congregation for its approbation on at least two consecutive Sundays. The ordination or installation shall take place with the use of the relevant forms. |
DKO Artikel 3 Het sal niemandt / al-hoe-wel hy eê Doctor / Ouderlingh ofte Diaken is / gheoorloft zijn den dienst des Woords ende der Sacramenten te betreden / sonder wettelijck daer toe beroepen te zijn : Ende wanneer yemandt daer teghen doet / ende meermael vermaent zijnde niet af en staet / soo sal de Classe oordeelen / ofmen hem voor eenen scheurmaecker verclaren / ofte op eenighe ander wijse straffen sal. Artikel 22 De Ouderlinghen sullen door het oordeel des Kercken-Raets ende der Diakenen vercoren worden : Soo dat het na de ghelegentheydt van een yeder Kercke vry sal zijn / soo veel Ouderlinghen alsser van noode zijn de Ghemeente voor te stellen / om van die selve (ten ware datter eenigh beletsel voor-viele) gheapprobeert ende goet ghekent zijnde / met openbare Ghebeden ende stipulatien bevestight te worden : ofte een dobbel getal / om het halve deel by der Ghemeente vercoren te worden / ende opde selve wijse inden Dienst te bevestigen / volgende het formulier daer van zijnde. Artikel 24 De selve wijse die vande Ouderlingen gheseyt is / salmen oock onderhouden inde Verkiesinghe / approbatie ende bevestinghe der Diakenen. | DCO English translation of the Church Order of Dort (external link) |
FRCA History: Decisions of FRCA synods | |
Articles: Topics related to this article | Other Commentaries VanOene, With Common Consent VanRongen, Decently and in Good Order |