Article

Reformed church government: consistory, classis and synod

Continental Reformed churches also rule by elders, but they arrange their assemblies differently. This article explains the Church Order of Dort tradition and how it works today.

By reformededucation.org · Written 2026-09-30

Where it comes from

Reformed church government in the Dutch and continental tradition goes back to the Church Order of Dort, adopted by the Synod of Dort in 1618–1619. Article 29 lists four kinds of assemblies: the consistory, the classical meetings (classis), the particular synods and the general synod.

Churches that follow this tradition today include the United Reformed Churches, the Canadian and American Reformed Churches, the Christian Reformed Church and others in the denominations list on this site.

The local church is where the keys are

The URCNA’s Church Order begins with “Foundational Principles of Reformed Church Government”. Principle 5 states: “The Lord gave no permanent universal, national, or regional offices to his church. The office of elder (presbyter/episkopos) is clearly local in authority and function; thus, Reformed church government is presbyterial, since the church is governed by elders, not by broader assemblies.”

Principle 6 adds that the local church is governed by Christ from heaven by his Word and Spirit, “and it is not subject to rule by sister churches who, with it, are subject to the one Christ.”

Broader assemblies, not higher courts

Reformed churches speak of broader assemblies rather than higher courts. A classis or synod brings together delegates from several churches. It does not stand above them as a separate authority. Article 84 of the Church Order of Dort says: “No church shall in any way lord it over another church, no minister over other ministers, no elder or deacon over other elders or deacons.”

Principle 7 of the URCNA’s statement says federative relationships “do not belong to the essence or being of the church” but serve its well-being, and that entering or leaving them is voluntary. Principle 9 says the assemblies’ decisions “derive their authority from their conformity to the Word of God”.

Article 24 of the URCNA Church Order says the same about congregations: they “are distinct and do not have dominion over each other”, yet they ought to seek one another’s unity and help.

Only the consistory continues

Article 16 of the URCNA Church Order names three assemblies, the consistory, the classis and the synod, and says: “Classis and synod are broader assemblies that exist only when meeting by delegation. Only the consistory is a continuing body.” The consistory is the local governing body, made up of the minister and the elders. When the deacons meet with the consistory the body is called the council (Article 23), which “shall operate under the authority of the consistory”.

Offices

The URCNA lists three offices: minister of the Word, elder and deacon (Article 1). The Church Order of Dort (Article 2) names four kinds of office: ministers, doctors (professors of theology), elders and deacons. Reformed churches distinguish the minister from the elder as separate offices, and the minister belongs to the local church’s consistory.

Calling and ordination

The URCNA Church Order (Article 6) describes the lawful calling of a new minister in three steps: the council elects a declared candidate after praying and receiving the advice of the congregation; delegates of the classis examine his doctrine and life; and he is ordained in public before the congregation, with the laying on of hands by the ministers present and by the elders of the congregation.

A caution

The URCNA’s own statement describes Reformed church government as presbyterial. The difference from the Presbyterian pattern is one of emphasis and structure, not of who rules. Other Reformed churches, such as the CanRC, the CRC and the RCUS, have their own church orders; read the one that applies.

Sources

Written for this site. It describes the two systems as their own governing documents state them and does not settle debates between churches. Always read your own church’s book of order.