This last month had been a busy one for me as I was preparing for my ministerial candidacy examination under the United Reformed Churches in North America. By God’s grace and mercy, I sustained (i.e., passed) the rest of the examination that I didn’t sustain last year.
My examination was done before a classis (”assembly”) of about fifty pastors and elders, a couple from each of URC’s churches in the West Coast. As a result, this means that I’m eligible to be called by one of our churches as a minister or as a missionary. What’s next for us? We’ll keep you posted in the coming months.
In the meanwhile, all of us are doing well. We see Tim, Chesney and Caleb more often now. Caleb is beginning to get comfortable with us, especially with Evelyn and Rachel. We’ll see Lem at a family camp in two weeks. Oliver has been in Indonesia for over three weeks now, and he’ll be there until July 31. His adventure is part of his college work. Rachel has had a lot of physical changes these last couple of months; she’ll be 12 in about a week.
By the way, presbuteros is usually translated “elder” (1 Tim. 5:17; Tit. 1:5), and episkopos “overseer” or “bishop” (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:7). Qualifications for both officers are identical (1 Tim. 3:1-7 = Tit. 1:5-9). Thus, both words refer to the same church officer.
In Reformed and Presbyterian churches, there are three officebearers: (1) ministers or pastors, also called “teaching elders”; (2) “ruling elders”; and (3) deacons. Why “Rev. So-and-So”? Because our faithful ministers are worthy of “reverence” and honor (1 Tim. 5:17; Heb. 13:17).
We’ll be delighted to hear from you.
4 Comments
Congratulations Nollie on passing your exam! Nice family update.
That’s awesome Dad, God is good! God was definitely with you in your time of examination. Hope to talk you about it all when I get back. Sorry I’m not able to be there in the states while you guys are there.
Hi Nollie,
Praise the Lord for your success in your final exams. That you acknowledged His help and provision for all your needs glorifies Him. Thanks for your input in my life through the insights from various sources you send out from time to time. The computer certainly helps to bridge time and space. Through the photos you send of your family I have been able to see your family grow. Thanks for keeping in touch.
Hey brother, that’s a beautiful family of which you are a part.
If all elders are required to be “apt to teach,” would there really be any need of a “teaching elder?” I have, btw, seen a numbers of churches die out because no teaching elder was available to teach and administer the sacraments. Sad, huh, that the other elders were programmed to do little or nothing but participate in the session meetings?