When it comes to deacons needing to showing mercy in the church, are there limits to their compassion? This article offers some principles to help deacons navigate the course of mercy and compassion. Among other things, it calls deacons to keep a biblical perspective on suffering, keep the big picture of stewardship in mind, and not enable fools in their folly.

How do you show care to Christian families in crisis? There are five principles that must guide pastoral care to families in crisis. 

This article is a series of propositions regarding the ministry of mercy and the work of the deacons.

This article starts by discussing the main plot of the Bible and the relationship between the Old Testament and the New Testament. The author continues on to discuss the relationship between rest and creation, rest and redemption, and the purpose of the Sabbath day. 

This article looks at the Heidelberg Catechism and the education of God's people, as well as the use of the Heidelberg Catechism in evangelism.

In this article about the purpose of pastoral care, the task of the elder is examined, as well as his task to stimulate the service of church members.

This article looks at planning and setting priorities in the church and church organizations.

This article is about our attitude towards the sinner. The author also discusses judging.

This article is about our attitude in peacemaking. The author highlights the importance of addressing and dealing with conflict.

How can we know the will of God for our lives? This article is about the work of the Holy Spirit in your life today.

Should the pastor always keep the secrets revealed to him by his parishoners? The author discusses the subject of minister and confidentiality.

This article is about the minister's task to preach simply and with clarity.

Should the church and deacons make use of government assistance and welfare for poorer members? In the form of a catechism, this article explores the matter of ministering mercy in our age of food stams and community food pantries.

According to 1 Timothy 3:2, every elder must have the ability to teach. This article reflects on what this requirement entails.

This article emphasizes the importance of deacons being active in prayer for church members. This article discusses what they should pray for.

This article emphasizes the importance of elders being active in prayer for those in the church entrusted to their care. Elders should pray for spiritual protection, spiritual joy, and effective witness. The author uses John 17 as a guide.

This article considers the importance of providing pastoral care to singles in the church. It raises in particular some concerns that are unique to singles, with a view to equipping the church to minister to them more effectively.

What is the purpose of pastoral visiting? This article offers a kind of list that explains both why and how elders need to exercise pastoral care.

In this article, the author outlines the harmfulness of smoking, and how it may therefore not be considered a matter of adiaphora.

This article discusses the purpose and importance of using the Heidelberg Catechism in pastoral care, the education of God's people, and evangelism.

What does it mean to be holy? After offering some brief commentary the biblical concept of holiness, this article specifically calls upon elders to be engaged in the pursuit of holiness in the congregation, for the church is to be holy as God is holy. The author offers some practical ways for elders to do so: expose sins such as bitterness and sexual immorality, and focus on people's heart-priorities.

This article discusses the task of the elder in overseeing the training of adult church members. It offers a possible curriculum to follow in such training.

This article highlights some ways in which elders can oversee the education and training of the youth in the church.

This article makes a call for elders to be involved in the work of teaching in the local church. The kind of teaching that the author has in mind is discipleship.

What does church membership all entail? This article offers some biblical principles: the individual/family thereby expresses willing submission to the local eldership; membership is in the local church, not denomination; membership transfer means requesting release from care of the elders of one church in favour of another; membership involves doctrinal commitment; and it is a visible testimony of commitment.

What constitutes a biblical, pastoral approach to church discipline? This article establishes that threats that lack preceding instruction and explanation of God's will are unhelpful. The author then provides a set of suggestions for a pastoral approach to discipline: lay a foundation of trust before problems ever arise, make clear what repentance looks like, be persistent, and rejoice when the Lord grants repentance.

How can elders administer church discipline in a biblical way? What is the goal of church discipline? This article explains that discipline is for the sake of the church, and is aimed at repentance.

This article discusses the role of the elder in regard to the tasks of overseeing, evaluating, and encouraging the preaching of the Word. It explains that the priority in evaluating sermons is whether the text itself was preached.

How can senior or retired members of the church continue to serve in God's kingdom? What is their task? This article offers advice for elders and deacons on how to use the skills, experience, and abilities of such members for the benefit of the church. It also includes a word to the retired themselves, to encourage and motivate them to carry on with service to the Lord.

How can churches care for their retirees? This article first considers where "retirement" came from, and then explains how retirement is a time for potential problems such as stress, confusion, and temptation to indulge, which is helpful for office-bearers to realize in their care for the aging..

What is pragmatism? This article explores this question, showing how it applies to popular issues of our day such as abortion, marriage and divorce, and church membership.

What is materialism? This article explains this form of idolatry, and how to overcome it and teach others to do the same.

What are the ways in which the enemy of the church, the devil, attacks the church? This article discusses one such way: secularism.

This article looks to call elders to be diligent in praying for the flock under their care. It lists items that elders can pray for: spiritual protection, spiritual joy, and effective witness.

This article offers some reflections on the character of deacons' meetings. It suggests a division of labour among the deacons, and indicates that they should function as the committee of ministries, since the the primary work of the deacon is pastoral administration of gifts in their diversity. It also suggests what kind of schedule the meetings should have.

Many office-bearers tend to look up against elders' meetings (consistory meetings or session meetings). This article offers a modest proposal for such meetings, one that is a barebones agenda that consists of only three items: study/training, pastoral consultation, and prayer.

This article looks at the task of the deacons with regards to the talents in the congregation and the gifts of the Spirit.

This article looks at the task of the elders and the minister in helping young couples in their marriage preparation.

This article looks at the task of the elders in church discipline

This article looks at the task of the elders in guarding the church. This involves elders always guarding themselves and guarding the gospel.

This article looks at accountability in the church. Do we really have supervision over our fellow officers and church members? The author also discusses church discipline.

This article is about the relation of evangelism and worship.

This article is about worship as a response to work of God. The author also discusses a few basic principles of worship.

This article is about eldership and the specified term of office for the elders (term eldership).

This is an assessment questionnaire for deacons to help them determine the kind of help needed when church members ask for help.

This article is about the task of encouragement in the church, specifically also by the elders and deacons.