This allows us to form a direct link with the great English and Scottish Reformers. We adopted the original Confession, not the American revision of 1787. Confessional Responsibility Third, we wanted to deal with the problem of Confessional responsibility. In other words, when it comes to choosing church officers, affirming church policies, etc., only those who put themselves under the authority of the church's doctrine are given the right to vote on church business. It a forgotten part of American history wherein the franchise in the community was restricted to those who were deemed responsible to use it, i.e., only those who owned property, were professional people, etc.
Unrestricted democracy is a modern heresy.
It causes a real problem when people who do not understand or necessarily believe in the church's doctrinal standards are allowed to vote in church business. Good churches get weaker over time because of new members who do not hold to the same standards. Eventually the liberals capture the powerful bureaucracy and drive the Christians out. Reformed Heritage is going to be different. If a member wants to vote in church affairs, then he must subscribe to our confession.