Reformed Churches in The Netherlands (Liberated) - Organisation and Government

Organisation and Government

The Reformed Churches (Liberated) are presbyterian in organisation, with strong emphasis on the authority vested in each congregation. Local congregations are ruled by a church council or consistory, made up of the pastor(s) and the elders. The church council rules and organises the congregation. Most meetings of the church council are open to the members, except when matters of church discipline are discussed. All congregations also have a number of deacons who assist the church council with more practical matters. Elders and deacons are elected for limited terms.

Nationwide the Reformed Churches (Liberated) are organised in three hierarchical levels. A group of local congregations are organised in a classis. There are currently 31 Classis in the denomination. Decisions by the local church council can be appealed to classis. A number of classes are grouped together in a regional synod (Dutch particuliere synode). The highest body is the national or general synod, which convenes every three years. The general synod only has limited jurisdiction.

The Reformed Churches (Liberated) maintain their own seminary, the Theological University in Kampen (Broederweg).