FRCA ARTICLE 20 – Task of elders The elders shall together with the ministers of the Word govern the congregation with pastoral care and discipline. For the building up of the congregation they shall make home-visits as often as is profitable but at least once a year. They shall watch that their fellow office-bearers are faithful in carrying out their duties and ensure that in the congregation everything is done decently and in good order. | CANRC ARTICLE 22 – The Office of Elder The specific duties of the office of elder are, together with the ministers of the Word, to have supervision over Christ’s church, that every member may conduct himself properly in doctrine and life according to the gospel; and faithfully to visit the members of the congregation in their homes to comfort, instruct, and admonish them with the Word of God, reproving those who behave improperly. They shall exercise Christian discipline according to the command of Christ against those who show themselves unbelieving and ungodly and refuse to repent and shall watch that the sacraments are not profaned. Being stewards of the house of God, they are further to take care that in the congregation all things are done decently and in good order, and to tend the flock of Christ which is in their charge. Finally, it is the duty of elders to assist the ministers of the Word with good counsel and advice and to supervise their doctrine and conduct. |
DKO Artikel 23 Der Ouderlinghen Ampt is / behalven ’t ghene dat boven / Artijckel sesthien / geseyt is / hen met den Dienaer des Woords gemeyn te zijn / opsicht te hebben dat de Dienaren / mitsgaders hare ander medehulpers ende Diakenen hare Ampt getrouwelijcken bedienen / ende de besoeckinghe te doen / naer dat de geleghentheyt des tijdts ende der plaetsen / tot stichtinge der Ghemeente soo voor als naer het Nachtmael can lijden / om bysonder de Lidtmaten der Ghemeenten te vertroosten ende te onderwijsen / ende oock andere tot de Christelijcke Religie te vermanen. | 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 |