Die predikant: dienaar van Godof net \'n gewone werknemer?

Abstract

This article examines the nature of the relationship between the minister and his/her congregation in the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa. Is the minister in the service of God, or is he/she in the service of the General Synod of the Dutch Reformed
Church, the Synod of the relevant province concerned, or the Presbytery within which
the congregation falls, or is he/she merely an employee of his congregation? The church
ordinance is examined against the background of three relatively recent directional
judgements of the courts, and a comparison is drawn between the Dutch Reformed
Church and the Anglican Church. It is concluded that the minister is not only a servant
of God, but also an employee in the service of the congregation.

Acta Theologica Vol. 2 2007: pp. 63-91