Polity: How We’re Governed

Church Order

In a historic Christian and Reformed church, we are related to other churches in a federation (aka, “denomination”). As a member of a federation, we declare complete subjection and obedience to the Word of God. The Word teaches that Jesus Christ is the supreme and only Head of the Church. He exercises this headship by his Word and Spirit through God-ordained officers (see below) to ensure purity of doctrine and holiness of life. We voluntarily display unity with these other churches by using a common “church order” that enables us to cooperate and exercise mutual concern for one another. In other words, we’re not alone as a congregation, and you won’t be alone as part of our church family.

Church Government

At OURC, we believe that God gifts his church with leadership as a vital means of guiding and nurturing his people (Rom. 12:3–8; 1 Cor. 12:1–31; Eph. 4:1–16).

Our church government is structured with three “offices” and three “assemblies.” We have a particularly Dutch Reformed version of Presbyterian polity in which each local consistory is autonomous and is the highest authority for that congregation. Every officer is nominated and elected by the congregation. Yet through our classes (plural of “classis” below) and Synod, we cooperate. Hence we can be called “synodical.” 

The offices of the church are pastors/ministers (clergy) along with elders and deacons (both laity).

• Our pastor has been trained, called, and ordained (set apart) as a minister of the Word and Sacraments. His chief duties are prayer for and with the congregation, teaching and preaching the Word publicly and privately, catechizing (instructing) our youth, administering baptism and communion, and assisting the elders in the shepherding and discipline. Meet Pastor Danny.

• Our elders are called to oversee the spiritual health of the congregation. They shepherd the congregation through prayer, encouragement, and visiting the flock to help each believer grow in their relationship with Christ (Acts 20:17–38, 1 Peter 5:1–4). They also ensure faithfulness and purity of doctrine according to Scripture, promote evangelism and mission work, help parents with God-centered schooling for their children, and exercise discipline—both discipling believers and restoring fallen believers with the gospel. Meet our Elders.

• Our deacons serve by the practical needs within the church and community, ensuring that no one is overlooked and that God’s love is made visible through acts of service. Thus we often call them “ministers of mercy,” since they not only serve tangible needs, but do so with encouragement from the Word and with prayer. They also gather and manage offerings, ensuring that the church’s resources are distributed with care and accountability. Through their care, we are stirred up to love and good works so that we all grow in faith and love, living out our calling as a loving church family. Meet our Deacons.

The assemblies of the church are the local consistory (pastor and elders), regional classis (neighboring churches), and national/international Synod (all churches within the federation).

• Our consistory meets monthly to pray for the congregation and discuss how best to shepherd the flock under our care.

• Our classis meets twice a year to deal with issues of common concern, such as examinations of candidates for the ministry and advising one another on best pastoral practices in cases of discipline.

• Our national/international Synod meets at least every three years to deal with common causes such as foreign missions, study reports that benefit all the churches, and pastoral consideration of appeals of church discipline within the various classes (plural of classis).

Local Leadership

• Meet the Pastor

• Elders

• Deacons

See Pastor Danny’s co-authored book, “A Well-Ordered Church”