Leadership
"But all things should be done decently and in order." 1 Cor. 14:40
Good order is a sign of a house managed well. The same is true for the body of Christ, the Church. Disorganization ruins the family of God, just as it would any other family. It is the product of laziness, carelessness, and a lack of love. A house in good order, on the other hand, is a sign of love for God and for each other.
The Reformed churches have sought to follow the practice of church government as recorded in the New Testament. The office of "elder" or "overseer" is called by God to shepherd and oversee the body of Christ by protecting, teaching, and leading.
(Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Timothy 3:1 - 13, 5:17 - 25; Titus 1:5 - 7; 1 Peter 5:1 - 2)
The minister or pastor is a special kind of elder devoted to preaching and teaching (1 Timothy 5:17).
The other office called by God is "deacon" (Philippians 1:1, 1 Timothy 3:8, 12). Though every member of the church is called to minister or serve, deacons are those called to an official, public position within the church. They oversee the practical, material needs in the church by receiving the contributions of the congregation and distributing them appropriately. As such, they can also be called "ministers of mercy" since they are in the position of the church's practical care ministry.
These offices form the consistory or governing body of a local church. They work together to maintain order in the local church so that it may carry out its mission to announce the good news of Christ and extend his Lordship throughout the world.
Good order is a sign of a house managed well. The same is true for the body of Christ, the Church. Disorganization ruins the family of God, just as it would any other family. It is the product of laziness, carelessness, and a lack of love. A house in good order, on the other hand, is a sign of love for God and for each other.
The Reformed churches have sought to follow the practice of church government as recorded in the New Testament. The office of "elder" or "overseer" is called by God to shepherd and oversee the body of Christ by protecting, teaching, and leading.
(Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Timothy 3:1 - 13, 5:17 - 25; Titus 1:5 - 7; 1 Peter 5:1 - 2)
The minister or pastor is a special kind of elder devoted to preaching and teaching (1 Timothy 5:17).
The other office called by God is "deacon" (Philippians 1:1, 1 Timothy 3:8, 12). Though every member of the church is called to minister or serve, deacons are those called to an official, public position within the church. They oversee the practical, material needs in the church by receiving the contributions of the congregation and distributing them appropriately. As such, they can also be called "ministers of mercy" since they are in the position of the church's practical care ministry.
These offices form the consistory or governing body of a local church. They work together to maintain order in the local church so that it may carry out its mission to announce the good news of Christ and extend his Lordship throughout the world.
Forest Grove Reformed Church Consistory
Rev. Judson Marvel, President
EldersBruce Palmbos 2012
Jeff Smit 2012 Clark Van Dam 2012 Claire Lameyer 2013 Clerk Tom Miedema 2013 Evan Peuse 2013 Vice President Bill Veldhuizen 2014 Ron Nienhuis 2014 Jeff Sprick 2014 | DeaconsGary Schipper 2012
James Smallegan, Jr. 2012 David Van Den Berg 2012 Chairman Jonathan Hubach 2013 Brad Vande Bunte 2013 Cameron Van Koevering 2013 Jon Koopman 2014 Treasurer Jon Keppel 2014 Chad Lodenstein 2014 |
Forest Grove Reformed Church * 1630 32nd Ave * Hudsonville, MI 49426 * 616.896.8274
