We practice biblical church government which can be described as Reformed or Presbyterian. This form of organization seeks to balance the concerns of the individual, the congregation, the leadership, and the broader church so that the headship of Christ is fully represented at all levels of the church.

Governing the Church by Elders

Presbyterianism uses what we might call a team ministry in which men, ordained as elders, shepherd the church as equals. This avoids the problem of independency and congregationalism which can often lead to the rule of the majority. By checks and balances this appraoch seeks to provide mutual accountability, and thus avoid an oppressive hierarchy that is found in some churches.

Presbyterianism is a old pattern of church government going back to the early days of church history. I is similar to the form of government used in the United States Constitution, probably because much was taken from the Presbyterian system.

Although church government, we admit, is not essential to salvation, principles of church order are a part of divine revelation, and therefore cannot be overlooked. How can the whole counsel of God be conserved if a scriptural government is not established and maintained?

An examination of the main principles of the biblical pattern of church government in the Church of the apostles shows that the form of Church government was Presbyterian. The central feature of this system of ecclesiastical government is that Christ is the only head of the church and he has given unique gifts to presbyters or elders to shepherd his flock. The following six principles characterized of biblical church government:

• The only Head of the Church was the Lord Jesus Christ.
• There was a plurality of elders in each Church.
• The office of a bishop and an elder was identical.
• The office-bearers were chosen by the people.
• Ordination was the act of a presbytery or classis—that is, of a plurality of elders.
• There was the privilege of appeal to the assembly of elders; and the power of government was exercised by them in their associate capacity.

A comparison of the three forms of government practiced by various Christian denominations—Prelacy, Independency, and Presbyterianism—shows that Prelacy conforms to none of the above principles; Independency to only three; while Presbyterianism conforms to all six.

Covenant Reformed Church therefore is under the oversight of the pastors, elders and deacons who meet together as a Consistory (elders), and the elders who meet together as the spiritual counsel. The consistory and spiritual counsel meet once a month on first Wednesday after the first Sunday.

For further information:

• For a more detailed explaination read the essay written by our pastor, Dr. Frank Walker, "Reformed Church Government" (PDF file in our Resources > Downloads section)

• The Constitution of Our Denomination. (PDF file in our Resources > Downloads section)