A. Regarding those who have not served in the ministry before,
the following shall be observed:
1. They shall be ordained only after classis has approved the
call. Classis shall approve the call a. upon satisfactory
testimony concerning the soundness of doctrine and conduct of the
candidate, attested by the consistory of the church to which he
belongs; and b. following a peremptory examination of the
candidate with satisfactory results. This classis examination
shall take place with the cooperation and concurring advice of
deputies of synod.
2. For the ordination they shall also show to the consistory good
testimonials concerning their doctrine and conduct from the
church(es) to which they have belonged since their preparatory
examination.
B. Regarding those who are serving in the ministry the following
shall be observed:
They shall be installed after classis has approved the call.
1. For this approval as well as for the installation the minister
shall show good testimonials concerning his doctrine and conduct,
together with a declaration from the consistory with the deacons
and from classis that he has been honourably discharged from his
service in that church and classis, or from the church only in
cases he remains within the same classis.
2. For the approval of a call of those who are serving in one of
the churches with which the Free Reformed Churches of Australia
maintain a sister relationship a colloquium shall be required
which will deal especially with the doctrine and polity of The
Free Reformed Churches of Australia.
C. The approval of a call shall require written certification by the calling church that the required announcements were made and that the congregation has approved the call.