Calvin, Consistory, Company

[John Calvin] sought to be faithful to God and to scripture in all things, including the organization! and order of the Church. His highly developed doctrine of the church decreed, "The holy Christian Church, whose only head is Christ, is born of the Word of God, and abides in the same, and listens not to the voice of the stranger." The Church's faith, worship and order must proclaim and reflect God's Word. Calvin envisioned and established a Church based on Biblical principles of leadership by Spirit-gifted people, among whom were 'elders.' The word comes from the Greek presbuteros, which means 'elder' (an indication of leadership, not age!). In reaction to excesses and abuses of church governance in his day, Calvin exhorted that the church was to be organized and ordered through a system of elderleadership: a leadership from among the body of Christ, not a hierarchicalfy-appointed or successor based position of higher authority. The order of the Church's life is essential to maintain faithfulness to God's Word. The governance of the Church, under Christ, was not to reside in any one person, but in a body of believers called to the particular ministries of teaching and ruling God's people. The 'presbytery,' as we know it, is a combination of the Consistory and the Company of Pastors. Presbyteries are composed of one minister and one ruling elder from each pastoral charge within the geographic bounds, in keeping with Calvin's efforts to avoid 'clericalism.' Matters of administration and discipline regarding congregations and ministers are under the authority and oversight of the Presbytery, as is the examination and ordination of candidates for the Ministry of Word and Sacrament.