A practical guide to the use of the Church Order of the Canadian Reformed Churches

Why is there such a difference in this respect? The reason is not be­cause the office of a minister is supposedly superior to that of the other of­fice-bearers. There are, however, some other important considerations which have to be kept in mind.

One of the considerations that comes up right away is the feature that an elder or deacon fulfils his office only "part-time," so to speak. He does not depend on it for his living, does not dedicate his whole life and all his time to this task. A minister of the Word, on the other hand, had to follow a course of study of many years, and depends for the support of himself and his family on the stipend he receives from the congregation. Deposition from office would result in immediate loss of the right to sufficient support, although in case he has to be deposed he and his family may still receive some support for some time so as to make the transition less traumatic. While still being a minister, he had the right to support by the church, as Art. 10 states. Upon deposition he has no more right to help and support than any church mem­ber who cannot provide for himself and his family. Here the deacons have a task, no longer the congregation through the treasurer. During the time of suspension the stipend continues, although the car allowance may be sus­pended as well.

A further consideration is that he also has a place within the federation. When he was admitted into the ministry this was done by a classis with the concurring advice of the deputies of regional synod. Being admitted into the ministry in one particular church he also received the right to serve in other churches, if asked to do so. It is consistent that he only can be deprived of his office and position in the midst of the churches by the very same organs that granted his position. For this reason the provision was made that the judgment of classis together with the concurring advice of the deputies of re­gional synod is needed for a minister's deposition.

Note: we do not say that classis shall depose him. No broader assembly ever has the right to infringe upon the privileges and rights of a consistory. It was not at a classis or by it that the brother was ordained but in a local church and by it. Classis only admitted the brother to this ordination in that local church and, by virtue of this, into the ministry in all the churches. Like­wise, as for the question whether the brother may be deposed, of should be, a classis is authorized to give only a judgment. The consistory with the dea­cons of the church (of which he is a minister) undertake the actual deposi­tion. Any different action undertaken by broader assemblies in the past was