St. John's Reformed Church

The consistory is the board of Reformed Churches.  It is comprised of elders and deacons along with the Minister of Word and Sacrament, who serves as the president of the consistory.  A clerk of consistory is appointed by the consistory to keep the minutes and records of consistory as well as correspondence.  Each office has functions that are unique to them.  We consider all offices to be separate yet equal.

 

The policy book of the Reformed Church in America is the Book of Church Order (BCO).  It defines the role of the consistory as follows: A consistory combines the ministerial functions and governmental powers of the offices of the minister, elder, and deacon in the service and supervision of a local church. The whole body acts as the representative of the congregation. The elders, together with the minister/s, constitute a board of elders with specified responsibilities and powers. The deacons constitute a board of deacons with specified duties and authority.