Nymeyer, Bradd Dyer, IN: Reformed Fellowship, 2023 Bradd Nymeyer’s commentary on the Church Order of the United Reformed Churches in North America will prove to be a helpful tool for office-bearers in these churches. It will also serve readers as a useful introduction to those features of the Church Order that reflect the distinctive ethos of the URCNA and include some differences from other Reformed church orders. Although the URCNA’s Church Order clearly follows the general

Keller, Timothy J. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian & Reformed, 1997

Feenstra, Peter Winnipeg, MB: Premiere Publishing, 2000 This book is an extremely practical guide for elders making home visits. Feenstra covers all of the aspects of what a home visit should be like addressing all members of a household. In addition, there are detailed appendices that address concerns that elders should be aware of.

Witmer, Timothy Z. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian & Reformed, 2010 The great contribution of this book is the basic insight that “pastor” and “elder” and “shepherd” are not only nouns but also verbs. Witmer provides us with a comprehensive framework for the shepherding task as well as a very practical guide that will help churches develop a faithful shepherding ministry for the welfare of the Lord’s sheep.

Van Dam, Cornelis Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian & Reformed, 2009 Dr. Van Dam traces the origins of the biblical elder to its roots in ancient Israel. With careful attention to many texts of both Old and New Testament, he emphasizes the enduring principles and practices of church government and discipline. He explores the ongoing relevance of the biblical elder, advocating for shared leadership and clarifying qualifications and duties

Van Dam, Cornelis Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books, 2021 This book sets forth a broad view of ministry to the poor, not only for the deacons but for the church at large. Our obligation to the poor is first established in the Old Testament and further developed in the New. The history and development of the role of deacons in the church is reviewed, including the recovery of the biblical role of deacons in the Reformation. The concluding chapters provide passionate

Strauch, Alexander Littleton, CO: Lewis & Roth, 1992 In too many congregations the role of deacon is defined by church tradition or corporate culture. Strauch helps us to recover the basic biblical truth regarding this essential office by carefully expositing the most relevant passages. This is a very good place to start for those wanting to understand the role, responsibilities, and qualifications for deacons.

Dickson, David Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian & Reformed Publishing, 2004 The Elder and His Work by David Dickson is a timeless guide to the biblical office of elder, rich with pastoral wisdom and practical counsel. First published in the nineteenth century and reissued by Presbyterian & Reformed Publishing, this classic work calls elders to shepherd Christ’s flock with humility, diligence, and prayerful dependence on the Lord.

De Jong, Peter Y. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2003

Brown, Mark, ed. Duncansville, PA: Classic Presbyterian Government Resources, 1993

Brown, Michael, ed. Grandville, MI: Reformed Fellowship, 2007 Together with Faithful and Fruitful, these two volumes are the bread and butter of many officer training courses in the URCNA. There are sixteen practical chapters in this volume, written overwhelmingly by URCNA pastors for URCNA officers. All the chapters are solid, but key topics include the importance of our Reformed heritage, the sacraments, liturgy/worship, and family visitation.

Boekestein, William, and Steven Swets, eds. Dorr, MI: Reformed Fellowship, 2019 Together with Called to Serve, these two volumes are the bread and butter of many officer training courses in the URCNA. There are twenty practical chapters in this volume, written overwhelmingly by URCNA pastors for URCNA officers. All the chapters are solid, but key topics include hospitality, caring for the pastor, congregational singing, and missions.

Allison, Archibald Alexander Ordained Servant 3, no. 4 (1994): 80–86

Poirier, Alfred Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2004

Murphy, Thomas Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1877 Is a pastoral theology authored in 1877 still valuable? Perhaps antiquated because of modern practices, nevertheless, Murphy offers timeless principles from God’s Word we need in our ministry today, and perhaps principles we’ve lost because of modernity that we should recover.

Payne, Jon D. White Hall, WV: Tolle Lege Press, 2008 This book covers the basics of biblical worship. This study promotes the recovery of worship that is unashamedly God-centered and grounded in Scripture, holding forth the beauty of Reformed worship. Payne progresses through the various parts of the worship service, providing a clear, convincing and edifying account of historic Reformed worship. This is a useful resource for personal study, small groups, Sunday school and ne

Johnson, Terry L. Welwyn Garden City, UK: Evangelical Press, 2014 Here is a clear biblical case for worshipping the Triune God according to the Scripture’s teaching. Johnson addresses such questions as what is public vs. private worship, how do they relate? What is permissible vs. what is proper in worship? The heart of the book is his exposition of what it means to worship “in spirit” and “in truth”. The book closes with great suggestions for further reading and study.

Hyde, Daniel R. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2007 Hyde’s book offers a brief introduction for newcomers to our worship services, explaining why reverence, simplicity, and biblical order are essential in corporate worship. In a clear and pastoral manner, he shows that the focus of worship is Christ, carefully unpacking the liturgy step by step. Worship, he explains, is a covenantal dialogue between God and his people, in which a call to respond in faith is issued in every servi

Horton, Michael S. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2002 Horton explores the theology of Reformed worship in depth. If Hart and Muether's “With Reverence and Awe” is a basic primer, this is a comprehensive study on the dogmatics of worship.

Hart, D.G., and Muether, John R. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian & Reformed, 2002 This book serves as a helpful primer on Reformed worship and the RPW. It's a perfect study for Sunday School or a midweek study.