A minister of the Word, once lawfully called, is bound to the service of the church for life and therefore not allowed to enter upon another vocation unless it be for exceptional and substantial reasons. The decision of his consistory to relieve him of his office in order to enter upon another vocation shall receive the approval of classis, with the concurring advice of deputies of synod.
Ministers are human beings, and they may be tempted to resign
their office when instances of extreme difficulties could affect
their health, and they could obtain a more ‘lucrative’ position
in society, or even when they desire to avoid church
discipline.
However, our Church Order makes provision for other
possibilities. A
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minister of the Word could, e.g., be appointed to an important
political function in which he would be able to contribute
considerably to the well-being of the country. He could also be
appointed as a professor at a university or college.
This, then, is not only his own decision. The consistory and the
classis together with the deputies of the synod – the same bodies
which had their part in his admission to the ministry – are
responsible for ensuring that there are indeed substantial
reasons for him to enter upon another vocation.
It may be hardly necessary to say that in such cases the person
concerned no longer has the right to call himself a minister.