We must examine the footsteps of our God-fearing forefathers. As a result of the Reformation, the Word of God again had priority in the life of the church. Rules and customs can change. Every period of time has its own circumstances. But God's Word does not change.

The Reformers, with faithfulness and perseverance, directed the church to the Word of God. It is of utmost importance that we do likewise. Our daily prayer must be, "Establish my footsteps in Thy Word." In the articles of Wezel, in 1568, we read, "For it is without controversy, that the duties of all office-bearers primarily consist in the declaration of God's Word, and the application of it in public and in private, for instruction, reproof, and comfort, as circumstances warrant it". Therefore Paul admonished his fellow-servants and office-bearers to be diligent and responsible in the charge committed to them in their respective offices, also to go from house to house on a regular basis, particularly prior to the administration of the Lord's Supper. In 1578, the Synod of Dort stated, "The ministers and elders should visit the members of the church, especially the weak and needy, prior to the Lord's Supper." In 1581 the Synod of Middelburg stated, "The duty of elders is to visit those who are inclined to partake of the Lord's Supper, prior to its administration, to assist them in a profitable way." In 1586, the Synod of the Hague stated, "The duty of elders is to visit at a convenient time, for edification both before and after communion, to comfort and instruct the members of the congregation." The Synod of Dort, 1618 -19, also stated this.

In our congregations, it is a custom to visit each household at least once a year. When there is church visitation, the office-bearers are asked, "Is family visitation regulated so that the whole congregation is visited at least once a year?" It should also be asked if the minister goes along, and if every family member is spoken to and dealt with about their spiritual condition, the commands of God's Word for households, church, and society. At the time of the Reformation, much time was spent in preaching and family visitation. Comparing that with our times, we see many shortcomings.

In order to have family visitation on a regular basis, it is also necessary to have sufficient office-bearers. In society, the magnitude of the area determines the number of employees required. It should also be the same in the congregation. The Lord Jesus also recognized this. He stated, "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest." To pray without working is fruitless. Therefore we must pray and labor, labor and pray. If there is a lack of elders in a congregation, then it must be changed. (It is said, and I agree, "We cannot find anyone.") A person does not become an elder until he is installed, and not before. We believe and confess that by the Spirit of the Lord men are quali­fied for the work in His vineyard. The Lord does not do that before they need it. There is a cloud of witnesses round about us of men who have served God's church, realizing their inadequacies. We must confess that the Lord has been faithful, and given them wisdom time and again. Paul stated, "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves ... but our sufficiency is of God." Do we still have faith in the promises, and that God will and shall be our Helper? Paul said to Titus, "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee." It concerns the well-being of God's flock which He purchased with His blood. We should not be satisfied with what is available but we must esteem God's command. In our personal and public prayers, we must bring the needs of the scant laborers to the Lord of the harvest, that He may supply them. When we see elderly people removed, pray that God will give sons to replace them. "Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children" (Ps. 45:16a).

When those who are chosen by the congregation as office-bearers feel in their heart that they are called to this office, they can expect that the Lord will strengthen them in their task. We have a tendency to look to the out­ward appearance, but the Lord sees the heart. Samuel had to anoint one of the sons of Jesse. When Eliab came, Samuel thought, "Surely the LORD'S anointed is before him. But the Lord said unto Samuel, look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him" (1 Sam. 16:6-7). And the Lord spoke likewise of Abinadab, Shammah, and the rest of David's brothers. No one thought of David. They thought him too young, unqualified, or had some other objection. But the Lord had other thoughts, for He said, "Arise, anoint him: for this is he."

If the commission of the King and the well-being of the flock is a burden on our heart, we will not have rest as long as the consistory is understaffed. The Lord hears those who bring their needs to Him.

I once heard about a consistory who, after a congregational meeting had been held regarding the calling of a minister, unitedly bowed their knees in prayer to call upon the name of the Lord, that He would incline the heart of the minister to whom the call was extended, to accept. The Lord answered their prayer. The Lord Himself watches over His vineyard and will fulfill their needs.