Resources for Officebearers

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Resources for Officebearers

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. Hebrews 13:17
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. Hebrews 13:17

Reformed Resources for Elders, Deacons, and Pastors

Resources for Officebearers (especially elders and deacons)

For the Ordination/Installation of officebearers

  • Forms for Ordination of Ministers of the Word, Elders, and Deacons (use left side bar to locate these forms under "Liturgical Forms")

  • Formula of Subscription (binding PRC ministers, elders, and deacons to the Reformed Creeds as faithful summaries of the teaching of Scripture)

2015 Seminar on Elders' Supervision of Preaching

Sponsored by and held at Grace PRC, Feb./March 2015 - Prof.R.Cammenga, speaker

Recent PRC Sermons preached on the occasion of ordination/installation of elders and deacons

(for other more recent sermons for these occasions, visit this page of the audio sermon section):

2012 Elders Conference on Counseling

Prof. B.Gritters has now completed his seminar on the principles and practice of Biblical counseling designed for elders and prospective elders. The sessions were held at the Hudsonville PRC on Oct. 7, 14, 21, and Nov. 4, 2012. You may still profit from this seminar through the links given below.

  • Session 1 (Oct.7): (Audio). "The Need for and the Ability of Others to Help the Pastor in Counseling". YouTube videos: Part 1Part 2Part 3. (Outline).

  • Session 2 (Oct.14):  (Audio). "The Elements of a Good Counseling Session". YouTube videosPart 1 & Part 2. (Outline).

  • Session 3 (Oct.21): (Audio)."Change in Counseling: The Primary (and Hopeful) Doctrine of Conversion." YouTube videos: Part 1Part 2. (Outline).

  • Session 4 (Nov.4): (Audio). "Marriage: Problems and Prevention". YouTube videos: Part 1Part 2Part 3. (Outline)

Trinity PRC (Hudsonville, MI) has hosted officebearer seminars in the past.

These materials may be found at the links below.

  • Elders Conference (scroll down on the page to the notice)

  • Deacons Conference (2008) - Plus links to a series of Standard Bearer articles by Martin Swart (1998) and by Rev.Doug Kuiper on the office and work of deacons (1998-2010)

Prof.H.Hanko's Classes for Deacons

(held Feb.-April 1987 at the PR Seminary) - mp3 files (includes class discussion); Layout/contents of sessions (pdf) The videos are also now available on the Seminary's YouTube channel.

Standard Bearer Articles on the Office of Deacon

Standard Bearer Articles on the Office of Elder

Basic Reading Resources

(Available from the Reformed Book Outlet, Seminary Bookstore, your church library)

  • The Church Order CommentaryThe Church Order Commentary by I.VanDellen and M.Monsma; Zondervan, 1941 (This is the original edition based on the Church Order of the CRC once identical to ours, not the revised edition. This original edition is hard to find and can be expensive, but it is worth the price).
  • "Notes on the Church Order" by Prof.H.Hanko. You may order the syllabus from the Seminary or find it online here.
  • Handbook for Elders and Deacons: the Nature and the Duties of the Offices According to the Principles of Reformed Church Polity by Wm.Heyns; Eerdmans, 1928 (long out of print but worth having - check your church library; Seminary library has it).
  • Called to ServeCalled to Serve: Essays for Elders and Deacons, ed. by Michael Brown; Reformed Fellowship, 2007. $15 from their website or Amazon.
  • Click for Larger ImageThe Elder: Today's Ministry Rooted in All of Scripture by Cornelius Van Dam; P&R, 2009.
  • With a Shepherd's Heart By John R. SittemaWith a Shepherd's Heart: Reclaiming the Pastoral Office of Elder by John R.Sittema; Reformed Fellowship, 1996. $15 from their website or Amazon.
  • Front CoverThe Elders Handbook: A Practical Guide for Church Leaders by G.Berghoef and L.DeKoster; Christian's Library Press, 2012.
  • From House to House: Articles and Helps for Beginning Elders by W.Huizinga; The Reformed Guardian, 2004; #19 in Series. In Seminary Library.
  • Taking Heed to the Flock: A Study of the Principles and Practice of Family VisitationTaking Heed to the Flock: A Study of the Principles and Practice of Family Visitation by Peter Y.DeJong; Baker 1960; Wipf & Stock, 2003. (The chapters are also available online at the Orthodox Presbyterian Church "Ordained Servant" website, starting here - Preface and chap.1).
  • HomeVisitsThe Glorious Work of Home Visits by Peter G. Feenstra; Premier, 2000 (another profitable book on family visition). In Seminary library.
  • Product DetailsThe Ministry of Mercy for Today by Peter Y. DeJong; Baker, 1961; Wipf & Stock, 2003. (This too is available in part on the OPC "Ordained Servant" website, starting here).
  • Deacons Go Visiting! Studies on the Work of the Deacons by W.Huizinga & C.Van Dam; The Reformed Guardian, 2003; #16 in Series).
  • The Visitor's Book of Texts: A Vital Tool for Pastoral VisitationThe Visitor's Book of Texts or The Word Brought Near to the Sick and Sorrowful by Andrew Bonar; Banner of Truth, 2010 (helpful book with suggested texts and thoughts for making visits to those in need).
  • Product ImageQuick Scripture Reference for Counseling by John G. Kruis; Baker, 2001 - 3rd ed. (handy resource for finding texts on all kinds of topics related to counseling)

Pamphlets (available in print or online)

PR Seminary Syllabi

  • "Liturgics" by Herman Hoeksema (On our order of worship and liturgical forms)
  • "Poimenics" by Prof.R.Decker, 1974 (On pastoral care - especially for pastors but also helpful for elders)
  • "Public Prayer" by Prof.H.Hanko, 1992 (An Interim course he taught on public praying for pastors, but useful for all officebearers)
  • "The Believer's Manual for the Church Order" by Prof.H.Hanko (a condensed guide of Reformed church government for those in the office of believer)

PRT Journal Articles

 The Consolation of the Sick

A special "Instruction in Faith, and the Way of Salvation to prepare believers to die willingly" (as found in the back of our Psalter). Visit this page for the full document, as well as to find it in two digital formats for downloading.

Last modified on 21 April 2021

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