Church Government
Believing that the government of the church must be regulated by the Bible, the Canadian Reformed Churches practice a traditionally Reformed "bottom-up" polity, as opposed to a "top-down" model of church government. This approach to church polity reflects their continental Reformed roots. It is both anti-hierarchical and anti-independent, promoting both the autonomy of the local church and the need to cooperate within a federation. For example, the question of whether or not women should be allowed to vote in church matters is a question that is left to be answered at the local level. Although women may vote in some churches, they are still unable to hold office on councils or represent their churches at a synod level.
The government of the Canadian Reformed Churches is described in a church order based on the church order adopted by the Synod of Dort (1618–1619). The federation is divided into eight classical regions, with two annual regional synods and a general synod every three years.
Read more about this topic: Canadian And American Reformed Churches
Famous quotes containing the words church and/or government:
“It is manifest therefore that they who have sovereign power, are immediate rulers of the church under Christ, and all others but subordinate to them. If that were not, but kings should command one thing upon pain of death, and priests another upon pain of damnation, it would be impossible that peace and religion should stand together.”
—Thomas Hobbes (1579–1688)
“This Government has found occasion to express, in a friendly spirit, but with much earnestness, to the Government of the Czar, its serious concern because of the harsh measures now being enforced against the Hebrews in Russia.”
—Benjamin Harrison (1833–1901)