ABSTRACT
The sixteenth-century Reformation transformed the clerical estate, replacing Catholic priests and their sacramental function with evangelical ministers who focused on preaching God’s Word. The Polish-born reformer John a Lasco addressed the different historical approaches to elections in the Form and Manner of the Ecclesiastical Ministry, a church ordinance he published in 1555. A Lasco went on to describe the procedure for electing clergy used by his London congregation, which he modeled on the apostolic practice. A Lasco warned current ministers to consider who had received the most nominations from the people. A Lasco’s comments in the ordinance shows the difficult task Protestants faced in reforming ecclesiastical practice. Although they agreed on the need for change and the Bible’s authority on doctrinal matters, they struggled to find consensus concerning rites and ceremonies. Different interpretations of the Scriptures and church history made it increasingly difficult to reach consensus and led to a variety of practices among Protestant communities.
