Church Government

“Everything should be done in a
fitting and orderly way.”
(1 Corinthians 14:40)

Local church

The form of government in the Reformed Church in American is representative (that is, presbyterian). Two offices, as specified in the Bible, are filled by members in the local church: Elder and Deacon. These elected officers, serving together with the Minister of the Word (pastor), form the Consistory — the ruling board of the local church. Elders and Deacons are nominated and elected by the members of the local congregation and serve specific terms in office. Elders are responsible for the spiritual welfare of church members. Deacons are responsible for their physical welfare and for the care and maintenance of church property.

Ministers of the Word

Pastors are usually "called" by the congregation to work and serve indefinitely. In some cases, a minister may serve under a contract for up to one year at a time. While the pastor is called to lead the congregation, the Elders are responsible to see that what is taught is in accord with the Holy Scripture.

The Classis

Within the Reformed Church in America, a group of churches in an area are organized together as a Classis. The Classis offers oversight, support and organization for multiple congregations, providing services that the individual local congregations cannot do on their own. Every Reformed Church minister is normally a member of the classis in his or her geographical area. When the Classis meets, each minister is expected to be present and each congregation will also be represented by at least one Elder delegate. Larger churches may send more elder delegates, one for every three hundred members, up to three delegates. The Winnebago Reformed Church is part of the West Sioux Classis.

The Regional Synod

Each Classis is part of a Regional Synod. These Regional Synods provide oversight and shared services appropriate for the region. Our West Sioux Classis is part of the Synod of the Heartland.

General Synod

The entire Reformed Church in America — Regional Synods, Classes, and Consistories — is governed by the General Synod. Representative elders and ministers, drawn from the Regional Synods, meet each year to conduct the business of the General Synod. As the higher bodies — Classis, Regional Synod, and General Synod — exist to serve or augment the lower, so the General Synod serves all. It meets in session annually (usually in early June) to serve and unite the Body of Christ. The General Synod does this by recommending and approving systems, policies, confessions, rules and missions.

Role of the laity

The foundation for all official acts of the Winnebago Reformed Church, and the entire Reformed Church in America, starts with our regular church members. Members nominate elders and deacons, and vote on their approval to the Consistory. Regular members are involved in recruiting a pastor appropriate for the local church and vote to approve the pastor's call. Aside from the normally scheduled business meetings, each official body recruits church-member volunteers to assist as needs arise. Some may serve on official committees and commissions all the way up to the General Synod.