Church Polity

Prof Smit is in an advisory capacity involved with a number of deputies of the Reformed Churches in South Africa and also gives advice to congregations and individuals about aspects of church government on request.

His research focuses on the application of church orders with specific reference to the church order of Dordrecht 1618/19 from its principal historical roots. He also has a research interest in contemporary church-state problems. He published various articles about the question if a minister should be deemed an employee of a church in light of labour legislation. Some of his papers and publications in English are inter alia:

• The “mission” of the Church and the Church Order of Dordrecht 1619 (Convent of Reformational Churches in southern Africa, Potchefstroom (March 2017).

• Luther ́s Theology and Calvinistic Church Orders and Church Polity (Refo500, Emden, Luther and Calvinism - Image and Reception of Martin Luther in the History and Theology of Calvinism (September 2015).

• SMIT, J. 2014. Fundamental Human Rights in Calvinist Church Polity. An Orientation. (In: Allan. J. Jansen, Leo J. Koffeman (eds.), Protestant Church Polity in Changing Context I; Proceedings of the International Conference, Utrecht, The Netherlands, 7-10 November, 2011, Berlin: LIT): 107-116.

• SMIT, J. 2013. The Reformed Churches in South Africa – a perspective on church's view of the state. Nederduitse Gereformeerde Teologiese Tydskrif. 54(1&2):130-139.

 

Conference proceedings:

• Leo J. Koffeman, Johannes Smit (Eds.) 2014. Protestant Church Polity in Changing Contexts II. Case Studies. Proceedings of the International Conference, Utrecht, The Netherlands, 7-10 November, 2011, Berlin: LIT.

Prof Smit is also an accredited mediator.