Questions from Our Readers

Any church member has the right to be heard by the consistory. If there are matters that require a decision or may serve the well-being of the congregation, then such a request may be channeled via house visitation, a personal visit with an office bearer, or via a signed letter addressed to the consistory. A visit in person with the consistory when the consistory meets is also possible. This is one of the reasons the monthly consistory meeting is always announced, sometimes including the time when visitors are welcome. It will help the consistory if such a visit is arranged ahead of time because consistory agendas can be full and also office bearers like to be home on time…

In case of a visit in person, the matter will be stated, and the chairman may ask the consistory if there are questions or if further clarification is needed. Then, either the same evening, or at a later meeting, your request will be discussed and decided. Certain decisions may require a vote, others pass or don’t pass with merely a verbal indication or even less than that, a nodding or silence…

Of course, if someone is a consistory member, it makes it somewhat easier to propose matters for consideration since every consistory member can submit points for the agenda.

Another way to ask the attention of the consistory in a matter is via a male members’ meeting. The policy regarding this channel however may vary per congregation. Some consistories strictly adhere to the ‘customary question period’ as referring only to matters that were discussed at the meeting. Other consistories may allow questions to be raised and most of the time will be answered as follows: “the consistory will discuss this.”

One final remark regarding the “how” of coming to a decision. Certain decisions may be made based on a voice vote or paper vote, but this is not prescribed, unless it involves a person (e.g., nomination for office bearers). Sometimes a vote will speed up the meeting, but I believe it is a healthy sign of unity and stability when decisions can be made based on general consensus without the actual vote.

How involved in politics should we be based on our current and increasingly secular environment?

It is difficult to argue against being involved in politics when the founding father of our sister denomination in the Netherlands was the leader of our Reformed Political Party and a member of Parliament in his day. Granted, times and circumstances have changed drastically, but biblically I can find no argument against someone being involved in politics. Could a minister of the gospel be that person? There is a minister of our sister denomination in the Netherlands who is currently the chairman of the Reformed Political Party, the SGP. However, with the great need we have for ministers in our denomination as well as the description of a minister’s task as we find it in Scripture and in the Form of Ordination of the Ministers of God’s Word, a minister of the Word should be sure to fulfill his calling as outlined in the form of his ordination.

As much as I would personally desire to see more of our Reformed beliefs being voiced in politics, I think we have to realize that the political arena in North America is quite different and more difficult to participate in than ever before. With basically a two-party system in place in the United States, it would be very hard to run for public office since both political parties leave much to be desired, and running or participating would inevitably compel a candidate for public office to be active on Sunday, to say the least. Not to mention all the worldly show-business through campaigning and modern media which nowadays is involved in running for public office.

To be involved, however, while carefully guarding against Sabbath-day desecration and other ways God’s Law and ordinances are trampled upon, I see no reason why a person may not be active in the government of his or her country. Obadiah, Nehemiah, and Daniel are clear examples here. Still, if there are doors opened and ways and means to be influential, please step forward and may the Lord bless the efforts, for the days in which we live are evil beyond belief. May the Lord remember all those laboring in the government of the United States and Canada, who are actively involved in calling our countries back to the truths of God’s Word, and may we not cease to remember them in our public and private prayers.

Send your questions to Rev. H. Hofman, 2339 Deer Trail Dr. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505, or hofman@premieronline.net.

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