The Organization of the Congregation in the Early Lutheran Churches in AmericaSchmucker, B. M. (Beale Melanchthon)
History
The Organization of the Congregation in the Early Lutheran Churches in America
Schmucker, B. M. (Beale Melanchthon)
Lutheran Church -- United States -- History
It is divided into two parts, the first containing the Kirchenordnung
covers the ground of the Amsterdam book; the second contains the Order
of Service which is not found in that of Amsterdam, where the Antwerp
Agenda took its place. The part containing the Kirchenordung is all to
which the preface refers when it is said that it was taken almost
exactly from the Amsterdam book. It also is divided into two parts, the
first of which contains the same eight chapters already described in the
Amsterdam book, the ninth in the edition of 1597 having been omitted in
1682. These chapters agree almost verbally with the Amsterdam book. The
statements of doctrine are exactly the same, and I have noticed
throughout this part no material change, except that the duties of the
Amsterdam comforter of the sick are assigned to the pastor. The Second
Part differs materially from that of the Amsterdam Book, the chief
differences being that there is but one order of congregational
officers, Vorsteher, to whom all the duties of both elders and deacons
are assigned; there is no comforter of the sick, but only a sexton; the
contributing members take part in the election of the pastor as well as
in that of Vorsteher; and there is no Consistory, but simply a meeting
of the Vorsteher, in which not only does the pastor not preside, but
his presence is not mentioned. In so far as these and other minor
changes allow, the very words of the Amsterdam book are used. The
contents of this part are: Chapter I. Of the Calling and office of
Preachers and Deputy Church Vorsteher. Twelve Vorsteher are to be
elected by the contributing members, who in important matters shall
confer with the Preacher, take counsel from him and from the
congregation in case of need, otherwise they shall refrain from
molesting each other, except for good cause. The Vorsteher shall meet
once a month, and absent members are fined; they each preside in turn
for one month. In cases of importance the whole contributing membership
are called in, and not alone those who have held office as at Amsterdam.
Apart from these changes the provisions are the same as for the
Consistory at Amsterdam; questions of doctrine being decided by the
pastor alone, as at Amsterdam. Chapter II. Of the Call, Office, Salary
and Dismissal of Preachers. Except that the nomination and election of
the preacher is made by the whole contributing membership, and that
controversies concerning questions of doctrine are to be determined,
when they threaten the peace or unity of the congregation, by the
decision of one or three German Universities of the Lutheran faith,
instead of by the Synod, as in Holland, this article is taken bodily
from the Amsterdam book. Chapter III. Of the Call and Office of the
Deputy Church Vorsteher. Six Vorsteher are elected annually by the
contributing members, without previous nomination, to serve for two
years, and at the election when the names of those receiving most votes
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