elder rule church government

An elder is one of a plurality of biblically qualified men who jointly shepherd and oversee a local body of believers. Congregationalism is the idea that the local church is not subject to outside governance; it is autonomous (or self-governed). [8] Baurer, Arndt, Gingrich, Danker, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 1979), 639. Today, the term is often used to describe a church that is ruled by a democratic form of government. Was this authority given to Peter only? In some churches with elder rule, the elders are elected or ratified by the congregation. Kirby, The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1982), 854. The Office of ElderAs numerous passages in the New Testament indicate, the words elder (presbuteros), overseer (episkopos), and pastor (poimen) all refer to the same office. [6] The New Testament usually refers to church leaders in the plural. Secondly, the Church seeks to submit to the Bibles teaching regarding doctrines urgent for its health and practice. This article is also available and sold as a booklet. A church is a body of Kingdom citizens authorized to weigh major issues, make decisions, and pass judgments on various issues. Leaders play a critical role in building consensus. They went to great lengths to influence all believers, not just those in leadership. Used by permission. With deacons, as mentioned, they were the servants of the churchfocusing on manual tasks, such as finances and administration and caring for the congregation. There must have been good reasons for remaining independent-reasons which are worth examining after 77 years of experience. Additionally, in a church in which there is only one or perhaps two elders, there is no mechanism at all by which to correct, discipline, or remove an elder. Why Elder Rule? - Grace to You 59Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, ed. The Keys of the Kingdom: Matthew 16 and 18. [17] Rienecker defined it as to give in, to yield, to submit.[18] Hupeiko was used elsewhere of combatants and meant to yield after a struggle. In other words, treat them as one who is no longer in the covenant community. The elders were now on board. The saints in Ephesus were the designated recipients of that letter (Ep 1:1). 3. Church Government | Bible.org "You mean the elders had the congregation's trust and could lead freely and . It is important to remember that the process a church goes through in achieving consensus may be just as important as the consensus that is finally achieved. This ignoring of the leadership is also seen in the salutations of the letters to the Thessalonians, James letter to the twelve scattered tribes, Peters and Johns epistles, and Jude. In the following sections, we will take a more intimate look at elders and deacons, including their qualifications. Give Today. [8] In Greek mythology, Peitho was the goddess who personified persuasion. Elder rule is defined as government by a plurality of godly men who care for and spiritually oversee the churches57of which they are a part. [3] Luke 22:27. What is the difference between these two terms? This submission, however, is to come only after dialogue, discussion, and reasoning. No doubt local church leaders led in much the same way. [26] Had He merely wanted to describe a gathering with no political connotations, Jesus could have used sunagog, thiasos or eranos. The Qualifications of Elders 3:17). What provisions has God made to help a church achieve consensus? We changed our service times to have 30 minutes between Sunday School and service and charged the congregation to use the time to build one another up. [25] However, they overstepped their jurisdiction, so the town clerk counseled that the matter be settled by the legal ekklesia, rather than by the trade union ekklesia (Acts 19:37-39). In this historical account, the Apostle Paul commanded various churches to elect elders to run their affairs. In Pauls case, he can point to his meeting with Christ on the Damascus road and his recognition by the other apostles. However, in the New Testament we find that the congregation is incredibly involved in the church's affairs, and may, according to some, be seen as serving a governing role. The elders provide oversight, teaching, and care, and deacons support the elders by caring for the manual needs of the congregation. Five words compelled us to make the shift: tell it to the church (Matt. Paul later appointed Titus and Timothy to serve him and instructed both to appoint elders in the towns in which they ministered. Acts 6:2-4). Final decision-making authority is key to polity debate [15] QuotationsPage.com, #2662, accessed September 30, 2016. Although it is true that Jesus was a master of overstatement, there is an underlying truth that must not be glossed over. This was immensely fruitful! Certainly, everything shouldnt be brought before the church, as it would take forever for anything to get done. not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.[2]. In the church government and polity documents (as well as the myriad of meta discussion on the internet) for various Protestant traditions it is common to find either the term "Elder led" or "Elder ruled". . Rather, it is submission after a process, struggle, or contest has occurred. The importance of pastor-teachers was mentioned in 4:11, but pastor-teachers were not written to directly. The context of Jesus command is unrepentant sin in the church. Was Pauls position as an apostle in jeopardy by correcting Peter? For God to both appoint and remove Saul did not affect Gods position of authority; it did not strengthen his position and it did not threaten it. 3:2); exhort and refute (Titus 1:9); and act as shepherds, setting an example for all (1 Pet. [9] Peitho, en.Wikipedia.org. The mind of Christ is more likely found when the leaders guide the whole congregation to wrestle corporately with major decisions. This dynamic of elder interdependence creates an environment in which any attempts at accountability among the elders are dysfunctional. Prov. Proper biblical government by elders does strengthen the church, and the biblical norm for church leadership is a plurality of God-ordained elders. You mean the elders had the congregations trust and could lead freely and . It was part of the Bishopric of Wrzburg until 1656, when it became part of the Archbishopric of Mainz. Thats the whynow the how. I came to South Side Baptist five years ago with a commitment to preach, pray, love, and stay. I got to work praying for my people, getting to know my people, and preaching slowly through books of the Bible. Elder rule is defined as government by a plurality of godly men who "care for and spiritually oversee the churches" 57 of which they are a part. For those born between 2015 and 2017, the gap remains at about . Elder rule and congregational rule are methods of church government. Paul corrected Peter as a peer, but Peter wasnt accountable to Paul directly. They are to be men and the husband of one wife. These terms cannot be used to refer to women. First Timothy 2:11-12 says, Let a woman quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. These principles raise an interesting question: in the absence of the direct revelation of God and living apostles, who or what acts as the highest authority in the Church today? In recent years a debate has surfaced which argues for "elder rule" for the government of the church. Nowhere in Scripture does one find a local assembly ruled by majority opinion or by a single pastor. I write about my experiences in white American evangelicalism. However, certain major decisions, as discerned by the elders, such as buying property, confirming the annual budget, selecting deacons or other leadership positions, and removing an unrepentant member from membership should include the congregation in the process. Regardless of your churchs process of government, the New Testament approach would be for leaders to involve the whole church in big decisions, depending on the Holy Spirit and seeking to build congregational consensus in matters of importance. In Philippians 1:1, Paul greets the bishops and deacons but does not mention the elders, presumably because the elders are the same as the bishops. [19] Hal Miller, As Children and Slaves: Authority in the NT, NextReformation.com. ?, Why would you move from efficiency to inefficiency?, Why would you get sheep involved when the shepherds can do that?. - Just the Simple Truth What is Elder Rule and Congregational Rule? In this way, he is to be a model of godliness so he can legitimately call the congregation to follow his example (Phil. An elder is to be above reproach in his marital life, his social life, his business life, and his spiritual life. 2. Please contact the publisher to obtain copies of this resource. Elder rule Why Hope Chapel has an Elder Rule Form of Government by Reb Bradley Just as all churches establish a statement of faith which embodies their understanding of Scripture, they also formulate a theology of church government and operate according to that understanding. Church government is one area of early church practice where there is little scholarly agreement. Looking through the Bible, we find numerous examples of these principles in practice. [23] Lothan Coenen, Church, The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology, Vol. Leaderships role in this process includes helping to build consensus by teaching what Scripture says on various issues, privately talking with church members about decisions, appealing to those who differ andafter much persuasioncalling on any dissenting minority to yield to the elders along with the rest of the congregation. Through his word, Christ rules over his Church. It would have been a logical place to write about the submission of a congregation to its leaders, yet nothing was written. . 5:17; cf. It is clear in Scripture that Christ is the head of the church. Both elders and members may begin to believe that it is best not to rock the boat and significant areas of concern may be left unaddressed. Giving: Support Our Ministry to Small Churches! Thats why Scripture stresses the importance of qualified church leadership and delineates specific standards for evaluating those who would serve in that sacred position. Church Government Brochure #10 Revised 2-27-2004. . 5:17; Acts 20:17 NASB). Also, it is seen in how the Jerusalem church participated in the decision of the apostles and the elders to send leaders to the church of Antioch with letters. The salutation of Colossians 1:2 was simply to the saints and faithful brothers. Nothing was written directly to or even about the leaders. Put simply, because Jesus said so. If I scare him, he will stay just as long as he is scared, and then he is gone.[15] Elders are not to simply pronounce decisions from on high like Popes, ex cathedra. Blake White is the lead pastor at South Side Baptist Church in Abilene, Texas. Calling out sin, dealing with those who have fallen and seeking their restoration ( Galatians 6:1-4 ), these responsibilities put Elders in positions where doing the right often means doing the unpopular. Theres a renewed and increased sense of responsibility, commitment, and love among the members of South Side. In my opinion, claims like these are the exclusive right of the apostles. Elder Rule & Congregational Consensus Practical Ideas What is the advantage of following the early church's approach to decision making? PDF Biblical Church Government - Grace OPC [20] According to Thayer, it was an assembly of the people convened at the public place of council for the purpose of deliberation.[21] Bauers lexicon defines ekklsia as an assembly of a regularly summoned political body.[22] Lothan Coenen, writing for The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology, noted that ekklsia was clearly characterized as a political phenomenon, repeated according to certain rules and within a certain framework. Scripture quotations marked (NASB) are taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, and 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Jesus plan for discipleship is bearing fruit. Unless otherwise noted, the primary Scriptures used are taken from the NET Bible copyright 1996-2016 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. This poses a problem which some elders in Elder-Rule churches seek to address by claiming they were given their authority by God himself and are accountable to God directly. [14] This is because church leaders have to be eminently good at persuading with the truth. What is the difference between "Elder led" and "Elder ruled"? Reformed Church government acknowledges that Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church, and He rules His Church by the office-bearers, the elders. The Moses model could be considered a pastor-rule or elder-rule style of church polity, but it is definitely not congregational rule. In summary, mindless slave-like obedience is not the relationship presented in the New Testament between leaders and those led. We have now had three member meetings, and they have been incredibly encouraging. Log In In Acts 20:28, Paul warned the elders of the church of Ephesus, Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which God has made you overseers [plural of episkopos] (Acts 20:28). Similarly, in congregational churches, the congregation itself is the higher authority which appoints pastors and deacons. . In contrast, in a church in which a position of authority is retained by the evaluation of one in a place of higher authority, the one in a position of higher authority does not jeopardize his own position by disciplining or removing the one in a position of lower authority. Another provision God made for our unity lies in the Lords Supper. What was an elder? Could this be in keeping with Jesus words that a church leader has the same authority as a child and slave? Throughout its history, the Protestant Church has organized itself through three major forms of church government: episcopal, presbyterian, and congregational. Without these two principles in place, elders and members are placed in unnecessarily difficult, if not dangerous and impossible, situations. Not in the way in which we usually think of accountability an ongoing assessment and evaluation of a persons qualifications and abilities. Our work is possible by the generosity of our readers. How does this square with congregational rule? Book(s) Review: Who Runs the Church? and Perspectives on Church Government It involves the power to impose one's decision upon unwilling recipients. (2004). Ideally, the obedience of Hebrews 13:17 happens after a process of persuasion. Then, he shows the Scriptural description of elders, who they are and what they are to do. It says: If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. Church leaders should not normally make fiat decisions on behalf of the church in lieu of the consensus process. Paul exhorted his Thessalonian readers to appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction (1 Thess. Then, these elders give themselves the authority (working as a group) to remove their fellow elders from their positions. #1) Congregational Governance Cuts Through Self-Severing Goals, Ambitions, And Selfish . Elder rule - Family Ministries . HOW TO MOVE TO ELDER-LED CONGREGATIONALISM. In the early church, it seems that every church had a plurality of elders, as the term is almost always mentioned in the plural ( Acts 14:23, 15 :2, 20:17; Titus 1:5; Jam 5:14 ). After promising to build His ekklsia on the rock of Peters revealed confession, Jesus immediately spoke of the keys of the kingdom of heaven and of binding and loosing (Mt 16:13-20). In the most striking example of these principles, God the Father appoints Jesus to be King over all heaven and earth. [34] More can be read on this in Appendix C and at NTRF.org. Hebrews 13:7 reflects the fact that the leadership style employed by church leaders is primarily one of direction by example: Remember your leaders . . 5:12)a clear reference to the overseers in the Thessalonian assembly. He has given the keys of the Kingdom to the gathered congregation (Matt. Spirit-filled elder rule combined with congregational consensus in major decisions gives free reign to the Holy Spirit and puts the church in a better position to discern the mind of Christ and to walk in the Light of Gods Word. In verse 17, Paul assembles all the elders (presbuteros) of the church of Ephesus to give them his farewell message. [16] Used for instance in Romans 13:1, Colossians 3:18, Ephesians 5:21, and 1 Peter 2:13.
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