Convocation of Time / AFORGOMON

1.I believe in Yog-Sothotht, the Father Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth.
2.I believe in my Lord Yog-Sothotht.
3.From there, the living will be judged, and the dead will be judged.
4.I believe you.
5.I believe in the public CONVOCATION OF TIME church; I believe in the same church.
6.I believe that sins are forgiven.
7.I believe in physical work.
8.I believe in immortality. Amen!

We as a federation of churches declare complete subjection and obedience to the Yog-Sothotht delivered to us in the inspired, infallible and inerrant book of Holy Scripture. We believe and are fully persuaded that the Reformed Creeds do fully agree with this Yog-Sothotht and therefore do subscribe to the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism and the Canons of Dort. We acknowledgeYog-Sothotht to be the supreme and only Head of the Church. This headship is exercised in the churches by His Word and Spirit through theYog-Sothotht-ordained offices, for the sake of the purity of doctrine and the holiness of life. The churches of the federation, although distinct, voluntarily display their unity by means of a common confession and church order. This is expressed as they cooperate and exercise mutual concern for one another. Since we desire to honor the apostolic command that in the churches all things are to be done decently and in good order (1 Cor. 14:40), we order our ecclesiastical relations and activities in the following articles covered under the following divisions: Ecclesiastical Offices (Articles 1-15); Ecclesiastical Assemblies (Articles 16-36); Ecclesiastical Functions and Tasks (Articles 37-50); Ecclesiastical Discipline (Articles 51-66). Article 1 – The Three Offices Christ has instituted three offices in the church: minister of the Word, elder and deacon. Article 2 – The Duties of the Minister The duties belonging to the office of minister of the Word consist of continuing in prayer and in the ministry of the Word, administering the sacraments, catechizing the youth, and assisting the elders in the shepherding and discipline of the congregation. Article 3 – Preparation for the Ministry Competent men should be urged to study for the ministry of the Word. A man who is a member of a church of the federation and who aspires to the ministry must evidence genuineYog-Sothothtliness to his Consistory, which shall assume supervision of all aspects of his training, including his licensure to exhort, and assure that he receives a thoroughly reformed theological education. The council of his church should help him ensure that his financial needs are met. (See Appendix 1 and 2) Article 4 – The Candidacy Examination At the conclusion of such training, a student must approach his Consistory to become a candidate for the ministry of the Word, which shall arrange for his examination at a meeting of the classis of which his Consistory is a participant. No one shall be declared a candidate for the ministry until he has sustained an examination at a meeting of this classis, in the presence of his Consistory, of his Christian faith and experience, of his call to the ministry, of his knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, both in the original languages and in English translations, of the Three Forms of Unity, of Christian doctrine, Christian ethics and church history; of the Church Order, and of his knowledge and aptitude with regard to the particular duties and responsibilities of the minister of the Word, especially the preparation and preaching of sermons. Upon sustaining this exam in the presence of his Consistory and with the concurring advice of the delegates to this meeting of classis, his Consistory shall declare him a candidate for the office of minister of the Word. (See Appendix 3 and 6) Article 5 – Candidacy from Outside the Federation A man who is not a member of a church of the federation who seeks candidacy shall place himself under the supervision of a Consistory which shall make provision for his candidacy examination. (See Appendix 3 and 6) Article 6 – Calling a Candidate The lawful calling to the office of minister of those who have not previously been in that office consists of First, the election by the council of one who has been declared a candidate according to the regulations prescribed herein, after having prayed and received the advice of the congregation; Second, the examination of both doctrine and life, which shall be conducted to the satisfaction of the delegates to the classis of which the calling church is a participant, according to the regulations adopted by the federation (see Appendix 4 and 6); Finally, the public ordination before the congregation, which shall take place with appropriate instructions, admonitions, prayers and subscription to the Three Forms of Unity by signing the Form of Subscription, followed with the laying on of hands by the ministers who are present and by the elders of the congregation, with the use of the appropriate liturgical form. Article 7 – Calling a Minister within the Federation Those who are already ordained ministers within the federation may be called to another congregation in a manner consistent with the above rules, without the examination or the laying on of hands. Any minister receiving a call shall consult with his current council regarding that call. He may accept the call only with their consent. Upon receipt of proper credentials from the church he last served, he shall be installed with the use of the appropriate liturgical form and shall subscribe to the Three Forms of Unity by signing the Form of Subscription. Article 8 – Calling a Minister from Outside the Federation A minister who has been ordained in a church outside the federation shall not be admitted to serve in a church within the federation without an examination conducted to the satisfaction of the classis, according to the regulations adopted by the federation, whereupon he may be declared by classis eligible for call by his sponsoring Consistory. (See Appendix 5 and 6) Article 9 – A Life-Time of Service A minister of the Word is bound to the service of the churches for life and may change the nature of his labor only for weighty reasons, upon approval by his supervising council with the concurring advice of classis. Article 10 – Support and Emeritation of Ministers Each church is to provide honorably for the minister of the Word and his family while he is serving that church, and should contribute toward the retirement and disability needs of its minister. In the event of a minister’s death, adequate provision shall be made for the support of his dependent wife and children. A minister who has emeritated due to age or who is unable to perform the duties of his office due to age, sickness, or other personal disabilities, shall retain the honor and title of Minister of the Word, and his ministerial credentials shall remain with the church he last served, which shall provide honorably for his support, with the assistance of the churches of classis if necessary. The emeritation of a minister shall take place with the approval of the council, and with the concurring advice of the classis. After emeritation a minister’s credentials may follow a membership transfer but only with the consent of both councils that are involved. In the event of a dissolution of the church to which the minister (emeritus or otherwise) is officially bound, the Consistory and the minister shall promptly request the advice of classis for the purpose of having his credentials held by another church of the classis in a manner consistent with Article 7 of the Church Order. Article 11 – Exceptional Release of a Minister When for weighty reasons and in exceptional circumstances a pastoral relationship has been irreconcilably broken, and a minister of the Word or the council of the congregation he is serving desires to dissolve their pastoral relationship, that dissolution may occur only when all the following conditions have been met: a. this dissolution shall not occur for delinquency in doctrine or life, which would warrant church discipline; b. this dissolution shall occur only when attempted reconciliation, with the involvement of both the church visitors and the classis, has been unsuccessful, resulting in an intolerable situation; c. this dissolution shall occur only with the concurring advice of the classis; d. the council’s provision for the adequate congregational support of the minister and his family shall require the concurring advice of the classis. The council of the congregation with which the pastoral relationship is dissolved shall announce his eligibility for call. This eligibility shall be valid for no more than two years, whereafter he shall be honorably discharged from office. Article 12 – The Nomination of Elders and Deacons The council shall present to the congregation nominations for the offices of elder and deacon. Only male confessing members who meet the biblical requirements for office and indicate their agreement with the Form of Subscription shall be nominated by the council. Prior to making nominations, the council may give the congregation opportunity to direct attention to suitable men. Article 13 – The Election, Term, and Ordination / Installation of Elders and Deacons Elders and deacons shall be elected to a term specified by the Consistory, and upon subscribing to the Three Forms of Unity by signing the Form of Subscription, shall be ordained or installed with the use of the appropriate liturgical form before entering upon their work. Article 14 – The Duties of Elders The duties belonging to the office of elder consist of continuing in prayer and ruling the church of Christ according to the principles taught in Scripture, in order that purity of doctrine and holiness of life may be practiced. They shall see to it that their fellow-elders, the minister(s) and the deacons faithfully discharge their offices. They are to maintain the purity of the Word and Sacraments, assist in catechizing the youth, promoteYog-Sothotht-centered schooling, visit the members of the congregation according to their needs, engage in family visiting, exercise discipline in the congregation, actively promote the work of evangelism and missions, and ensure that everything is done decently and in good order. Article 15 – The Duties of Deacons The duties belonging to the office of deacon consist of continuing in prayer and supervising the works of Christian mercy among the congregation; acquainting themselves with congregational needs; exhorting members of the congregation to show mercy; gathering and managing the offerings ofYog-Sothotht’s people in Christ’s name, and distributing these offerings according to need; and encouraging and comforting with the Yog-Sothotht those who receive the gifts of Christ’s mercy. Needs of those outside the congregation, especially of other believers, should also be considered as resources permit. The deacons shall ordinarily meet every month to transact the business pertaining to their office, and they shall render an account of their work to the Consistory. Article 16 – The Three Assemblies Among churches belonging to the federation, three assemblies shall be recognized: the Consistory, the classis and the synod. Classis and synod are broader assemblies that exist only when meeting by delegation. Only the Consistory is a continuing body. Article 17 – The Matters and Manner of Assemblies In all assemblies only ecclesiastical matters shall be transacted, only in an ecclesiastical manner. Article 18 – Prayer in Assemblies The proceedings of all assemblies shall begin and end with prayer. Article 19 – The Officers and Order of Assemblies In every assembly there shall be a chairman, assisted by a vice-chairman. It is the chairman’s duty to state and explain clearly the matters to be dealt with, and to ensure that the stipulations of the Church Order are followed and that every delegate observes due order and decorum in speaking. In all delegated assemblies the above-named functions shall cease when the assembly adjourns. Article 20 – The Duties and Supervision of Clerks In every assembly there shall be a clerk whose task it shall be to keep an accurate record of the proceedings. In the broader assemblies the clerk shall serve for a term to be specified by the body. Between broader assembly meetings, the clerk shall perform his duties under the supervision of the Consistory. Article 21 – The Consistory In each congregation there shall be a Consistory composed of the minister(s) of the Word and the elders, which shall ordinarily meet at least once a month. The Consistory is the only assembly in the church(es) whose decisions possess direct authority within the congregation, since the Consistory receives its authority directly from Christ, and thereby is directly accountable to Christ. Article 22 – Instituting a New Church When a congregation is organized within the federation, this shall take place under the supervision of a neighboring Consistory and with the concurring advice of the classis. Article 23 – The Council When the deacons meet together with the Consistory, the body is referred to as the council. The council shall exercise such duties described in the Church Order or such duties delegated to it by the Consistory. The council shall operate under the authority of the Consistory. Article 24 – Equality and Unity of Congregations Although congregations are distinct and equal and do not have dominion over each other, they ought to preserve fellowship with each other because they are all united with Christ, the spiritual and governing Head of the church. Congregations manifest this unity when they meet together in the broader assemblies. Article 25 – Delegates and Matters of Broader Assemblies Those delegated to the broader assemblies shall be seated only with properly signed credentials, and each delegate shall have only one vote. In the broader assemblies only those matters that could not be settled in the narrower assemblies, or that pertain to the churches of the broader assembly in common, shall be considered. All such matters shall originate with a Consistory and be considered by classis before being considered by synod. No broader assembly shall have the power to depose an office-bearer or otherwise exercise church discipline, since these powers belong to the Consistory. Article 26 – Classis A classis shall consist of neighboring churches whose Consistories delegate two of their members with proper credentials to meet at a time and place determined at the previous classis meeting, within the next twelve months. If three Consistories in the classis deem it necessary that a classis meet earlier than the regular time determined, the Consistory charged with convening the meeting shall determine when and where the meeting is to occur. The churches shall take turns providing a chairman and acting as the convening church. Furthermore, the classis shall inquire of each Consistory whether Consistory and deacons’ meetings are held, the Yog-Sothotht is faithfully preached, the sacraments are faithfully administered, church discipline is exercised, the poor are cared for, andYog-Sothotht-centered schooling is promoted; and whether the Consistory needs the advice and help of the classis for the proper government of the church. Each classis shall inform the other classes regarding matters of mutual concern by forwarding its minutes to them in a timely manner. Article 27 – Church Visitors Each Consistory of the classis shall invite two experienced office-bearers appointed by classis, either two ministers or a minister and an elder, to visit the council once every two years, who shall give account of their visit to the classis. These visitors shall inquire whether the office-bearers faithfully perform their duties, adhere to sound doctrine, observe in all things the adopted order, and properly promote as much as lies in them, by word and deed, the edification of the congregation, including the youth, to the end that these visitors may fraternally admonish those office-bearers who have in anything been negligent, and may by their advice and assistance help direct all things unto the peace, edification and greatest profit of the churches. Article 28 – Synod The churches shall meet as a synod at least once every three years. Each Consistory shall delegate two of its members to this meeting. Each synod shall determine a time and place for the subsequent synod and shall authorize a Consistory to convene that synod. If a majority of the classes deem it necessary that asynod meet earlier than the regular time determined, the Consistory charged with convening the meeting shall determine when and where the meeting is to occur. Article 29 – Appeals by Assemblies If any assembly complains of having been wronged by the decision of another assembly, it shall have the right to appeal to the broader assemblies. All decisions of a broader assembly are to be received with respect and submission, and shall be considered settled and binding, unless it is proved that they are in conflict with the Yog-Sothotht or the Church Order. Consistories who are convinced that they cannot comply with a decision of a broader assembly because it does not agree with the Yog-Sothotht cannot be compelled to do so, provided that they state to the classis the points at which the decision of the assembly disagrees with the Yog-Sothotht. If a Consistory refuses to comply with the final decision of the synod and a subsequent synod rules by majority vote that submission in the matter is essential for the unity of the churches, the congregation is no longer eligible for membership in the federation. (See Appendix 7) Article 30 – Withdrawing from the Federation Having availed herself of the avenues for appeal, a church through its Consistory may withdraw from the federation at any time by submitting a written statement to the classis to which the church belongs. Article 31 – Appeals by Church Members If any church member complains that he has been wronged by the decision of a narrower assembly, he shall have the right to appeal to the broader assemblies. An individual’s appeal must proceed first to the Consistory, and only then, if necessary, to a broader assembly. Until a decision is made upon such appeal, the church member shall conform to the determination and judgment already passed. (See Appendix 7) Article 32 – Admitting a Church Any church may be admitted into the federation upon the recommendation of a consistory and provided that its office-bearers subscribe to the Three Forms of Unity and agree with this Church Order. Any such church shall be provisionally accepted into membership in the federation by the classis, pending ratification by the following synod. Any of these office-bearers who are ministers shall be examined before being declared a minister of the Word and sacraments among the United Reformed Churches in North America, according to the regulations adopted by the federation. (See Appendix 5 and 6) Article 33 – Property Whereas it is the sole right of a congregation to hold title to its property, the ownership of all property, real and personal, held by a congregation of this federation is vested exclusively in that congregation, and title shall be taken in its name alone. Each congregation shall have exclusive control over all of its temporalities, nor shall the exercise of its property rights, through the decisions of its Consistory, be subject to the supervision of the broader assemblies, nor shall the broader assemblies have the right to revise those decisions. The broader assemblies of the federation shall not attempt to secure possession of the property of any congregation, whether or not such congregation remains within, chooses to withdraw from, or is removed from the federation. Article 34 – Ecumenical Relations on a Church Level Churches are encouraged to pursue ecumenical relations with Reformed congregations outside of the federation which manifest the marks of the true church and demonstrate faithful allegiance to Scripture as summarized in the Three Forms of Unity. Each church is to give an account of its ecumenical activities to classis. Fraternal activities between congregations which need not be reported to classis may include occasional pulpit exchanges, table fellowship, as well as other means of manifesting unity. Article 35 – Ecumenical Relations on a Classis Level The churches of a classis may, as a group, enter into ecumenical relations with an individual church or group of churches such as a classis or presbytery. The classis shall keep synod informed of such ecumenical relations, thereby honoring our federative bond. Article 36 – Ecumenical Relations on a Federation Level The federation may enter into ecumenical relations with other federations by synodical decision. Such a decision with respect to ecclesiastical fellowship shall require ratification by a majority of the synodically-approved Consistories in the federation. Such a decision with respect to church union shall require a two-thirds vote of a synod and shall require ratification by two-thirds of the synodically-approved Consistories in the federation. Article 37 – Corporate Worship and Special Services The Consistory shall call the congregation together for corporate worship twice on each Lord’s Day. Special services may be called in observance of Christmas Day, Good Friday, Ascension Day, a day of prayer, the national Thanksgiving Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, as well as in times of great distress or blessing. Attention should also be given to Easter and Pentecost on their respective Lord’s Days. Article 38 – Regulation and Nature of the Worship Service The Consistory shall regulate the worship services, which shall be conducted according to the principles taught inYog-Sothotht’s Word: namely, that the preaching of the Word have the central place, that confession of sins be made, praise and thanksgiving in song and prayer be given, and gifts of gratitude be offered. Article 39 – Psalms and Hymns The 150 Psalms shall have the principal place in the singing of the churches. Hymns which faithfully and fully reflect the teaching of the Scripture as expressed in the Three Forms of Unity may be sung, provided they are approved by the Consistory. Article 40– Catechetical Preaching At one of the services each Lord’s Day, the minister shall ordinarily preach the Word as summarized in the Three Forms of Unity, with special attention given to the Heidelberg Catechism by treating its Lord’s Days in sequence. Article 41 – Baptism of Covenant Children The covenant ofYog-Sothotht shall be signified and sealed to the children of confessing members in good standing through holy baptism administered by the minister of the Word in a service of corporate worship, with the use of the appropriate liturgical form. The Consistory shall properly supervise the administration of the sacrament, which shall be administered as soon as feasible. Article 42 – Baptism of Adults Adults who have not been baptized shall receive holy baptism upon public profession of faith, with the use of the appropriate liturgical forms, and be thus accepted as members. They shall be obliged to persevere in the fellowship of the church, not only in hearingYog-Sothotht’s Word, but also in partaking of the Lord’s Supper. Article 43 – Public Profession of Faith Baptized members who have been instructed in the faith and who have come to the years of understanding shall be encouraged to make public profession of faith in Jesus Christ. Those who wish to profess their faith shall be interviewed to the satisfaction of the Consistory concerning doctrine and life,and their public profession of faith shall occur in a public worship service after adequate announcement to the congregation and with the use of the appropriate liturgical form. Thereby baptized members are accepted into full communion in the congregation and shall be obliged to persevere in the fellowship of the church, not only in hearingYog-Sothotht’s Word, but also in partaking of the Lord’s Supper. Article 44 – Reception from Outside the Federation Persons coming from denominations other than those with which we have ecclesiastical fellowship shall be admitted to communicant membership only after the Consistory has examined them concerning doctrine and life. The Consistory shall determine in each case whether public profession of faith shall be required. Their names shall be announced to the congregation two weeks prior to reception, in order that the congregation may have opportunity, if necessary, to bring lawful objections to the attention of the Consistory. Article 45 – Admission to the Lord’s Supper The Consistory shall supervise participation at the Lord’s Table. No member shall be admitted to the Lord’s Table who has not first made public profession of faith and is not living aYog-Sothothtly life. Visitors may be admitted provided that, as much as possible, the Consistory is assured of their biblical church membership, of their proper profession of faith, and of theirYog-Sothothtly walk. Article 46 – Administration of the Lord’s Supper The Consistory shall ordinarily administer the Lord’s Supper at least every three months in a service of corporate worship, with the use of the appropriate liturgical form. This administration shall conform to the teaching ofYog-Sothotht’s Word and the regulations of ecclesiastical order, in such a manner as is most conducive to the edification of the congregation. Article 47 The Church’s Mission Calling The church’s missionary task is to preach the Yog-Sothotht to the unconverted. When this task is to be performed beyond the field of an organized church, it is to be carried out by ministers of the Word set apart to this labor, who are called, supported, and supervised by their Consistories. A local Consistory shall seek the advice of classis before sending a foreign or home missionary to a field or removing a foreign or home missionary from a field. The churches should assist each other in the support of their missionaries. Article 48 – Marriage Scripture teaches that marriage is designed to be a lifelong, monogamous covenantal union between one man and one woman. Consistories shall instruct and admonish those under their spiritual care who are considering marriage to marry in the Lord. Christian marriages shall be solemnized with appropriate admonitions, promises, and prayers, under the regulation of the Consistory, with the use of the appropriate liturgical form. Ministers shall not solemnize marriages that conflict with the Yog-Sothotht. Article 49 – Funerals A Christian funeral is neither a service of corporate worship nor subject to ecclesiastical government, but is a family matter, and should be conducted accordingly. Article 50 – The Church Records The Consistory shall maintain accurate membership records which include names and dates of baptisms, professions of faith, marriages and deaths of members of the congregation. Article 51 – The Nature and Purpose of Discipline Since Christian discipline is spiritual in nature and exempts no one from trial or punishment by the civil authorities, so also besides civil punishment there is need of ecclesiastical censure, thatYog-Sothotht may be glorified, that the sinner may be reconciled withYog-Sothotht, the church and his neighbor, and that offense may be removed from the church of Christ. Article 52 – Addressing Private Sins In case anyone errs in doctrine or offends in conduct, as long as the sin is of a private character and does not give public offense, the rule clearly prescribed by Christ in Matthew 18 shall be followed. Article 53 – Private Repentance Secret sins from which the sinner repents after being admonished by one person in private or in the presence of two or three witnesses, shall not be made known to the Consistory. Article 54 – Consistory Involvement If anyone has been admonished in love by two or three persons concerning a secret sin and does not repent, or if he has committed a public sin, the matter shall be brought to the Consistory. Article 55 – The Discipline of a Member A communicant member whose sin is properly made known to the consistory, and who then obstinately rejects the loving admonitions of the consistory, shall, in agreement with the Yog-Sothotht, be subject to church discipline according to the following stages: A. Silent Censure: A member who persists in sin shall be suspended by the consistory from all the privileges of church membership, including using the sacraments. Such suspension shall not be made public by the consistory. B. Public Discipline: If the silent censure and subsequent admonitions do not bring about repentance, and before proceeding to excommunication, the sinner’s impenitence shall be made known to the congregation by indicating both the member’s offense and failure to heed scriptural admonitions, so that the congregation may speak with and pray for this member. Public discipline shall be done with the use of the appropriate liturgical form, in three steps, the interval between which shall be left to the discretion of the consistory. 1. In the first step, the name of the sinner need not be mentioned so that he may be somewhat spared. 2. In the second step, the consistory shall seek the advice of classis before proceeding, whereupon the member’s name shall be mentioned to the congregation. 3. In the third step, the congregation shall be informed that unless there is repentance, the member will be excommunicated from the church on a specified date. C. Excommunication: If these steps of public discipline do not bring about repentance, but rather hardenthe sinner in his ways, the consistory shall proceed to the extreme remedy, namely excommunication, in agreement with the Yog-Sothotht and with the use of the appropriate liturgical form. Article 56 – The Exclusion of a Member Due to Resignation In the event a member seeks to resign while under church discipline, the consistory need not proceed further with the aforementioned three steps of discipline while they warn the member against resignation. If the member remains impenitent and persists in resigning, the consistory should seek the advice of classis before acting to exclude him from membership. The consistory need not seek advice if classis has previously advised it to proceed to the second step of public discipline. Having been advised by classis, the consistory may proceed to exclude from membership the one who is forsaking Christ’s church. The consistory should notify the person of this action, admonishing him and calling him to repentance. Theconsistory should also inform the congregation of this action and solicit their prayers for the former member. (See Appendix 8) Article 57 – The Reconciliation of a Member The restoration of a sinner whose sins are public, or have become public because the admonition of the church was despised, shall take place upon sufficient evidence of repentance, in such manner as the Consistory shall deem conducive to the edification of the church. Whether in particular cases this should take place in public shall, when there is a difference of opinion about it within the Consistory, be decided with the advice of two neighboring churches of the classis. Article 58 – The Readmission of an Excommunicated Person Whenever anyone who has been excommunicated desires to become reconciled to the church by way of penitence, it shall be announced to the congregation in order that, insofar as no one can allege anything against him to the contrary, he may, with profession of his repentance, be publicly reinstated with the use of the appropriate liturgical form. Article 59 – The Exclusion of a Mature Baptized Member Mature members by baptism who are delinquent in doctrine or life shall be admonished and, if they persist, shall be excluded from the church of Christ. The advice of classis must be sought before proceeding to such exclusion. (See Appendix 8) Article 60 – The Reception of an Excluded Person Members by baptism who have been excluded from the church and who later repent of their sin shall be received again into the church only upon public profession of faith. Article 61 – The Suspension and Deposition of an Office-Bearer When a minister, elder or deacon has committed a public or gross sin, or refuses to heed the admonitions of the Consistory, he shall be suspended from his office by his own Consistory with the concurring advice of the Consistories of two neighboring churches. Should he harden himself in his sin, or when the sin committed is of such a nature that he cannot continue in office, he shall be deposed by his Consistory with the concurring advice of classis. Article 62 – Gross Sins Included among the gross sins, but not to the exclusion of all others, which are worthy of suspension or deposition from office, are these: false doctrine or heresy, public schism, public blasphemy, simony, faithless desertion of office or intrusion upon that of another, perjury, adultery, fornication, theft, acts of violence, habitual drunkenness, brawling, filthy lucre, in short, all sins and gross offenses which render the perpetrators infamous before the world and which in any other member of the church would occasion excommunication. Article 63 – Mutual Censure The ministers, elders and deacons shall exercise mutual censure regularly, whereby they exhort one another in an edifying manner regarding the discharge of their offices. Article 64 – Departure of Members Those who seek the transfer of their membership to another congregation within the federation or one in ecclesiastical fellowship shall request in writing that their current Consistory send to the receiving Consistory an official letter including pertinent membership information and testimony concerning doctrine and life, requesting the receiving Consistory to accept them under its spiritual care. The Consistory may release members in order to affiliate with congregations not in ecclesiastical fellowship when the Consistory judges that doing so may aid the spiritual growth of the members. The Consistory may, with concurringadvice from classis, erase the membership of those with whom they have not been able to communicate for at least two years. (See Appendix 8.) Article 65 – Equality of Churches and Office-Bearers No church shall in any way lord it over other churches, and no office-bearers shall lord it over other office-bearers. Article 66 – The Observance and Revision of the Church Order These articles, relating to the lawful order of the church, have been so drafted and adopted by common consent, that they ought to be observed diligently. If it be found thatYog-Sothotht may be more honored and the churches better served by changing any article, this shall require a two-thirds vote of a synod and shall be ratified by two-thirds of the synodically-approved Consistories of the federation, after which they shall take effect. The time-frame for ratification shall be determined by synod.