Each year in the fall, with the advent of a new ministry year and new elders and deacons on our church council, Church of the Servant celebrates and commissions our leaders, recognizing their calling, asking for God’s blessing to be upon them, as they are installed as His chosen leaders in authority over our congregation.
The service of installation includes charges for our elders and deacons, and a charge to our congregation that we receive them as Christ’s gift to the church, recognize in them the Lord’s provision for the health of our congregation, hold them in honor, take their counsel seriously, accept their help with thanks, sustain them in prayer, and encourage them with our support, especially when they feel the burdens of responsibility.
At the conclusion of this service, our deacons and elders are asked to thoughtfully sign a form of subscription which unites us in heart and mind to our ancestors in the faith, and to the Christian Reformed Church in North America as our denomination.
This form cites the Belgic Confession, Heidelberg Catechism, and Canons of Dordt. You are welcome to read these at your leisure.