URCNA CHURCH ORDER 8TH EDITION EXAM QUESTIONS

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URCNA CHURCH ORDER 8TH EDITION EXAM QUESTIONS

Actual Qs and Ans Expert-Verified Explanation

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-Guarantee passing score -83 Questions and Answers -format set of multiple-choice -Expert-Verified Explanation

Question 1: Article 29 - Appeals by Assemblies

Answer:

If any assembly complains of having been wronged by the decision of another assembly, it shall have the right to appeal to the broader assemblies. All decisions of a broader assembly are to be received with respect and submission, and shall be considered settled and binding, unless it is proved that they are in conflict with the Word of God or the Church Order. Consistories who are convinced that they cannot comply with a decision of a broader assembly because it does not agree with the Word of God cannot be compelled to do so, provided that they state to the classis the points at which the decision of the assembly disagrees with the Word of God. If a Consistory refuses to comply with the final decision of the synod and a subsequent synod rules by majority vote that submission in the matter is essential for the unity of the churches, the congregation is no longer eligible for membership in the federation. (See Appendix 7)

Question 2: Article 54 - Consistory Involvement

Answer:

If anyone has been admonished in love by two or three persons concerning a secret sin and does not repent, or if he has committed a public sin, the matter shall be brought to the Consistory.

Question 3: Article 27 - Church Visitors

Answer:

Each Consistory of the classis shall invite two experienced office-bearers appointed by classis, either two ministers or a minister and an elder, to visit the council once every two years, who shall give account of their visit to the classis. These visitors shall inquire whether the office-bearers faithfully perform their duties, adhere to sound doctrine, observe in all things the adopted order, and properly promote as much as lies in them, by word and deed, the edification of the congregation, including the youth, to the end that these visitors may fraternally admonish those office-bearers who have in anything been negligent, and may by their advice and assistance help direct all things unto the peace, edification and greatest profit of the churches

Question 4: Article 41 - Baptism of Covenant Children

Answer:

The covenant of God shall be signified and sealed to the children of confessing members in good standing through holy baptism administered by the minister of the Word in a service of corporate worship, with the use of the appropriate liturgical form. The Consistory shall properly supervise the administration of the sacrament, which shall be administered as soon as feasible.

Question 5: Article 57 - The Reconciliation of a Member

Answer:

The restoration of a sinner whose sins are public, or have become public because the admonition of the church was despised, shall take place upon sufficient evidence of repentance, in such manner as the Consistory shall deem conducive to the edification of the church. Whether in particular cases this should take place in public shall, when there is a difference of opinion about it within the Consistory, be decided with the advice of two neighboring churches of the classis.

Question 6: Article 48 - Marriage

Answer:

Scripture teaches that marriage is designed to be a lifelong, monogamous covenantal union between one man and one woman. Consistories shall instruct and admonish those under their spiritual care who are considering marriage to marry in the Lord. Christian marriages shall be solemnized with appropriate admonitions, promises, and prayers, under the regulation of the Consistory, with the use of the appropriate liturgical form. Ministers shall not solemnize marriages that conflict with the Word of God.

Question 7: Article 45 - Admission to the Lord's Supper

Answer:

The Consistory shall supervise participation at the Lord's Table. No member shall be admitted to the Lord's Table who has not first made public profession of faith and is not living a godly life. Visitors may be admitted provided that, as much as possible, the Consistory is assured of their biblical church membership, of their proper profession of faith, and of their godly walk.

Question 8: Article 14 - The Duties of Elders

Answer:

The duties belonging to the office of elder consist of continuing in prayer and ruling the church of Christ according to the principles taught in Scripture, in order that purity of doctrine and holiness of life may be practiced. They shall see to it that their fellow-elders, the minister(s) and the deacons faithfully discharge their offices. They are to maintain the purity of the Word and Sacraments, assist in catechizing the youth, promote God-centered schooling, visit the members of the congregation according to their needs, engage in family visiting, exercise discipline in the congregation, actively promote the work of evangelism and missions, and ensure that everything is done decently and in good order.

Question 9: Article 3 - Preparation for the Ministry

Answer:

Competent men should be urged to study for the ministry of the Word. A man who is a member of a church of the federation and who aspires to the ministry must evidence genuine godliness to his Consistory, Revision 2 which shall assume supervision of all aspects of his training, including his licensure to exhort, and assure that he receives a thoroughly reformed theological education. The council of his church should help him ensure that his financial needs are met. (See Appendix 1 and 2)

Question 10: Article 32 - Admitting a Church

Answer:

Any church may be admitted into the federation upon the recommendation of a consistory and provided that its office-bearers subscribe to the Three Forms of Unity and agree with this Church Order. Any such church shall be provisionally accepted into membership in the federation by the classis, pending ratification by the following synod. Any of these office-bearers who are ministers shall be examined before being declared a minister of the Word and sacraments among the United Reformed Churches in North America, according to the regulations adopted by the federation. (See Appendix 5 and 6)

Question 11: Article 55 - The Discipline of a Member

Answer:

Anyone whose sin is properly made known to the Consistory, and who then obstinately rejects the Scriptural admonitions of the Consistory, shall be suspended from all privileges of church membership, including the use of the sacraments. After such suspension and subsequent admonitions, and before proceeding to excommunication, the impenitence of the sinner shall be publicly made known to the congregation, the offense explained, together with the care bestowed upon him and repeated admonitions, so that the congregation may speak to him and pray for him. This shall be done in three steps. In the first, the name of the sinner need not be mentioned, that he be somewhat spared. In the second, the Consistory shall seek the advice of classis before proceeding, whereupon his name shall be mentioned. In the third, the congregation shall be informed that he will be excluded from the fellowship of the church, if he remains impenitent, so that his excommunication may take place with the full knowledge of the church. The interval between the steps shall be left to the discretion of the Consistory.

In the event a member seeks to resign while under church discipline, the Consistory need not proceed further with the aforementioned three steps of discipline while they warn the member against resignation. If the member remains impenitent and persists in resigning, the Consistory should seek the advice of classis before acting to exclude him from membership. The Consistory need not seek advice if classis has previously advised it to proceed to the second step of public discipline. Having been advised by classis, the Consistory may proceed to exclude from membership the one who is forsaking Christ's church. The Consistory should notify the person of this action, admonishing him and calling him to repentance. The Consistory should also inform the congregation of this action and solicit their prayers for the former member. (See Appendix 8)

Question 12: Article 11 - Exceptional Release of a Minister

Answer:

When for weighty reasons and in exceptional circumstances a pastoral relationship has been irreconcilably broken, and a minister of the Word or the council of the congregation he is serving desires to dissolve their pastoral relationship, that dissolution may occur only when all the following conditions

have been met:

• this dissolution shall not occur for delinquency in doctrine or life, which would warrant church

discipline;

• this dissolution shall occur only when attempted reconciliation, with the involvement of both the

church visitors and the classis, has been unsuccessful, resulting in an intolerable situation;

• this dissolution shall occur only with the concurring advice of the classis;
• the council's provision for the adequate congregational support of the minister and his family shall

require the concurring advice of the classis. The council of the congregation with which the pastoral relationship is dissolved shall announce his eligibility for call. This eligibility shall be valid for no more than two years, whereafter he shall be honorably discharged from office.

Question 13: Article 16 - The Three Assemblies

Answer:

Among churches belonging to the federation, three assemblies shall be recognized: the Consistory, the classis and the synod. Classis and synod are broader assemblies that exist only when meeting by delegation. Only the Consistory is a continuing body.

Question 14: Article 5 - Candidacy from Outside the Federation

Answer:

A man who is not a member of a church of the federation who seeks candidacy shall place himself under the supervision of a Consistory which shall make provision for his candidacy examination. (See Appendix 3 and 6)