Transcription of CHURCH ORDER AND SUPPLEMENTARY …
1 CHURCH ORDER AND SUPPLEMENTARY . REGULATIONS. OF THE SOUTHERN SYNOD. OF THE. UNITING REFORMED CHURCH IN. SOUTHERN AFRICA. 1. This is a draft copy of CHURCH ORDER and SUPPLEMENTARY regulation for Southern Synod. It is distributed for studying and discussion at presbytery and congregational levels with the purpose of accepting it in 2014 Regional synod. Notice The CHURCH ORDER and a number of Regulations will be in English texts. In these cases the English text is the official copy. If a regulation is printed in Afrikaans only, that Afrikaans text is the official text. 2. INTRODUCTION TO THE CHURCH ORDER OF THE UNITING. REFORMED CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA (URCSA). The purpose of the Uniting Reformed CHURCH in Southern Africa, together with all other churches of Christ, is to minister to the holistic life of all human being by preaching, teaching, and proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and by all Christian good works.
2 That purpose is achieved most effectively when good ORDER and proper discipline are maintained by means of certain offices and theological and liturgical standards. The Holy Scriptures are the only rule of faith and practice in the Uniting Reformed CHURCH in Southern Africa. Its CHURCH ORDER and regulation comprise of the Doctrinal Standards (which are the Belgic Confession of Faith, the Heidelberg Catechism with its Compendium, the Canons of the Synod of Dort, and the Belhar Confession). CHURCH ORDER provides a way for members of URCSA to live and work together as the body of Christ in an orderly manner, following the admonition that all things be done decently and in ORDER (1 Corinthians 14:40). ORDER is a way to express our unity and achieve cooperation and harmony in the body of Christ as we seek to fulfil our mission.
3 It is in doing our theology to live out in the manner we live and work together to testify that Jesus is Lord . The four basic or focal governmental units in the URCSA are the CHURCH council, the presbytery, the regional synod, and the General Synod. The CHURCH council is divided further into elders and deacons. The elders, the presbytery, the regional synod, and the General Synod exercise judicial as well as legislative powers. A governmental unit exercising its judicial powers is called a judicatory, and at all other times the governmental unit is known as an assembly. Deacons exercise a legislative function only in the circle of the whole CHURCH council. Three offices are employed in the governmental functions of the Reformed CHURCH , namely, the minister of Word and sacrament (hereinafter referred to as minister ), the elder, and the deacon.
4 The URCSA follows the CHURCH model of the early CHURCH , where we believe that the decisions should be made by gathering people together to dicern the will of God. Since the whole CHURCH cannot meet together at one time and place to make decisions, representative governing bodies made of those who hold an office within the CHURCH are established to carry out the work of the CHURCH at various levels. At all times the unity of the CHURCH is preserved when we accept the decisions made by those who serve in the assemblies of the CHURCH . The guide is guided by the CHURCH ORDER , Doctrinal Standards (Belgic confession of faith, the Heidelberg Catechism with its compendium, and the canons of the Synod of Dort). 3.
5 And the Belhar Confession. Our theology, liturgy, and government act like a skeleton of the CHURCH . Glory be to God .. Rev Dr LJ Modise Actuarius of URCSA Southern Synod 4. SECTION A. CHAPTER 1. THE ARTICLES OF THE CHURCH ORDER1. ARTICLE 1 THE CHURCH . The CHURCH of Jesus Christ is a community of believers who are called together by the Word of God and by his Holy Spirit. Those who have been called and form the Uniting Reformed CHURCH in Southern Africa are part of this CHURCH of Christ. Together with all the other Churches who confess Christ, this CHURCH has been set apart as a nation as the people of God who belong to Him and who have to proclaim the saving deeds of Him who called them from darkness unto light, a new creation who lives in the light as He is the light.
6 ARTICLE 2 CONFESSION OF FAITH. The Uniting Reformed CHURCH in Southern Africa believes in the Triune God, Father,Son and Holy Spirit who revealed himself in Jesus Christ. This CHURCH believes that the Bible is the Word of God and is the full and trustworthy (reliable) witness of this revelation. This CHURCH accepts that at certain times and in accordance with the Word of God creeds came into existence, which interpret and state the faith of the CHURCH of Christ. The Uniting Reformed CHURCH in Southern Africa accepts the ecumenical creeds viz the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene and Athanasian Creeds, and by virtue of its own origins believes that the Confession Belgica (Netherlands Confession of Faith), the Heidelberg Catechism and the Canons of Dordt, as handed down in history, give pure expression to its faith.
7 It furthermore accepts the Confession of Belhar (1986), as demanded of the CHURCH in the Southern African situation. The Uniting Reformed CHURCH in Southern Africa accepts that it has not completed its task of confessing the faith. Changed circumstances and a better understanding of the God's Word in future may lead to the acceptance of further articles of faith, or the revision of existing articles of faith. ARTICLE 3 MEMBERSHIP OF THE CHURCH . Belief in Jesus Christ is the only condition for membership of the Uniting Reformed CHURCH in Southern Africa. People who wish to join this CHURCH do so by publicly professing their faith before the congregation. Members from other recognised reformed Churches, do so by means of a membership certificate.
8 Baptised children of communicants (practicing members) belong to the CHURCH by virtue of the covenant of grace. Such members will affirm their membership of the CHURCH by professing their faith before the congregation. 1. The SUPPLEMENTARY regulations of the regional synod are based on these articles and therefore should be read in relation to these articles. Regulations are not read in isolation from the articles. 5. ARTICLE 4 RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONGREGATION. 4. 1 The congregation forms a community of believers in a particular place to serve God, one another and the world. Service of God has a bearing on the whole life of the congregation and therefore includes service to one another and the world. The essence of this service of God is found where the congregation meets round the Word of God and the sacraments.
9 There God is worshipped and praised, his Word listened to, the sacraments received, and all needs brought before him in ORDER to strengthen the believers in their faith and to prepare them for their service to one another and the world. The believers accept mutual responsibility for one another in their spiritual and physical needs. The congregation lives as a family of God where they are inextricably bound to one another and where they mutualle share joy and sorrow. Each considers the other higher than him/herself and no one only cares about his/her own needs, but also about the needs of others. In this way they share one another's burdens and fulfill the law of Christ. The congregation's service to humankind and the world consists in proclaiming God's reconciling and liberating acts in and for the world, living out Christ's love, calling humankind to reconciliation with God and reconciliation and peace amongst one another.
10 The congregation serves God, who in a particular way is the God of the suffering, the poor and those who are wronged (victimised), by supporting people in whatever form of suffering and need they may experience, by witnessing and fighting against all forms of injustice; by calling upon the government and the authorities to serve all the inhabitants of the country by allowing justice to prevail and by fighting against injustice. The congregation serves God by witnessing against all rulers and those who are privileged who out of selfishness seek their own interest and who have power over other and who do them wrong. ARTICLE 5 SERVICES IN THE CONGREGATION. With a view to the congregation's service of God, mutual service and service to the world, the congregation shall maintain certain services.
