Elders and Deacons in Kampen and Wemeldinge: Dutch Reformed Approaches to Consistory Elections
The consistory was a crucial institution in early modern Reformed churches. This article examines the nominations and elections of elders and deacons in the Dutch Reformed consistories of Kampen and Wemeldinge, shedding light on who was being nominated and elected and how such processes functioned i...
Main Author: | |
---|---|
Format: | Electronic Article |
Language: | English |
Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
Journals Online & Print: | |
Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
Published: |
Cambridge Univ. Press
[2020]
|
In: |
Church history
Year: 2020, Volume: 89, Issue: 1, Pages: 24-42 |
Further subjects: | B
Elections
B Reformed B Elders B Consistory B Deacons |
Online Access: |
Volltext (Verlag) Volltext (doi) |
Summary: | The consistory was a crucial institution in early modern Reformed churches. This article examines the nominations and elections of elders and deacons in the Dutch Reformed consistories of Kampen and Wemeldinge, shedding light on who was being nominated and elected and how such processes functioned in these churches. In particular, research into the Kampen consistory records demonstrates the importance given to the office of elder despite little theological backing for such a hieararchy; this was true to a lesser extent in Wemeldinge. In addition, the Kampen civil authorities played a significant role in the life of the consistory, most notably through the service of burgomasters as elders. The presence of burgomasters on the consistory is not present in Wemeldinge, indicating a more separate relationship between the church and state. In both Kampen and Wemeldinge, the elections of elders and deacons were unique and responded to the challenges and priorities of the individual contexts and communities. |
---|---|
ISSN: | 1755-2613 |
Contains: | Enthalten in: Church history
|
Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1017/S0009640720000050 |