The Holy Scriptures are the only rule of faith and practice in the Reformed Church in America. The four basic or focal governmental units in the Reformed Church in America are the consistory, the classis, the regional synod, and the General Synod. The consistory is divided further into a board of elders and a board of deacons. The board of elders, the classis, the regional synod, and the General Synod exercise judicial as well as legislative powers. A governmental unit exercising its judicial powers is called a judicatory, and at all other times the governmental unit is known as an assembly.
Deacons exercise a legislative function only in the circle of the whole consistory.
The governmental functioning of these offices takes place, not apart from, but in harmony with the understanding of the mission of the church and the nature of its ministry. This basic affirmation has three consequences. Second, there is only one ministry and that ministry is shared by all Christians. The particular ministries of those who hold office arise out of this common ministry in order to serve it. The Reformed Church in America is organized and governed according to the presbyterial order.