The abuse of power by leaders in all capacities leads many to mistrust any form of leadership. Many folks today naturally think that authority is actually a bad thing. This seems to be especially true among conservatives in the area of politics. We are told, the civil government is too big, and shouldn’t be trusted. While I am general agreement with this idea that we can’t put our trust in the government, I do believe it feeds our mistrust of most other types of authority, especially authority in the Church. There have been many in the Church who have been subjected to abuses from those in authority in the Church. I have seen and experienced abuse from elders and pastors in the Church. I understand the feelings of those who mistrust authority either because of their neo-political views, or their own experiences in the Church. It is a logical thing to mistrust those who are in authority, because authority is so often abused in all walks of life. So how do we guard against abuses? Is there a biblical model, or a practical solution for dealing with abuses of power? Is there a particular model that is at least helpful? Let’s examine some forms of Church government by way of negation.

The problem of Democracy

Have you ever been part of a church that actually voted on everything? I’ve seen it. Can a church work this way effectively? Many see this as the natural form of government after the death of the apostles, since there was no obvious passing of the mantle to any group of men to govern the Church. Obviously, the Roman Catholics would interject here.

Leon Morris says about congregationalism, “After their death there was no divinely instituted apostolate to take their place. Instead the local congregations were still self governing, as we see from local church orders like the Didache. Appeal is also made to the democratic principle. The NT makes it clear that Christians are all one in Christ and there is no room for any absolute human authority. Congregationalism as a system appeared after the Reformation. Some among the Reformed decisively rejected the idea of a state church and saw believers as forming a "gathered church," those who have heard the call of Christ and have responded. An Englishman, Robert Browne, published in Holland a famous treatise, "Reformation Without Tarrying for Any" (1582), in which he affirmed the principle of the gathered church, its independence of bishops and magistrates, and its right to ordain its ministers. Denied the freedom to put all this into practice in England, many crossed into Holland. It was from the church at Leiden that the Pilgrims fathers sailed for America in 1620 and established congregationalism in the new world, where it became very important.”

But is congregationalism actually a democracy? In some cases I think it seems clear that it is. Mark Dever, a Reformed Baptist Pastor in D.C has some interesting thoughts on congregationalism. “Although there are some similarities between a congregational church and a democratic government when it comes to corporate decision making, congregationalism is not a mere democracy. This is so because of Christian convictions about the fallen-ness of human reason and the inerrancy of God's Word. Because humanity is fallen, the will of the people should not always be followed. Because God's Word is inerrant, there is a higher standard of accountability than a mere electoral constituency.” – Mark Dever

The Cambridge Platform of 1648 sums it up nicely. "This government of the church, is a mixt Government (and so hath been acknowledged long before the term of Independency was heard of): In respect of Christ, the head and King of the church, and the sovereaigne power residing in him, and exercised by him, it is a Monarchy: In respect of the body, or Brotherhood of the church, and power from Christ graunted unto them, it resembles a Democracy: In respect of the Presbytery and power committed to them, it is an Aristocracy (X.3). “ – Mark Dever

Dever goes on to address the idea of committees in a congregational system. While I must say that committees are not mainly part of congregational polity. I was part of a PCA Church who utilized committees. Here is what Dever says about committees. I think it is important simply because committees are part of the fabric of a congregationalism.

“Committees are unbiblical. Not once in Scripture do we see elders delegating a responsibility to an official committee that has authority to meet as a deliberative body. The only two biblical church offices are deacon and elder. “

“Committees are unnecessarily complicating. When we introduce multiple committees or deliberative bodies into the leadership structure of the church, we add unnecessary and complicating levels of hierarchy. What's more, if these committees are deliberative bodies, then they introduce competition with the deliberative decisions of the group that functions as elders. In short, committees often make more work than they accomplish. “

So what is congregationalism? Here is what the late Dr. Bahnsen said about congregationalism.

Congregationalism (or better: “independency”) is the rule of the church by every member and the independence of every congregation from all others. Authority now rests with the many at the bottom. Technically speaking, for any given decision which the church may make, every member within the congregation has the same authority as every other; ruling boards are simply an administrative convenience (whose decisions can by overthrown by the congregation as a whole). Moreover, no individual congregation is subject to external jurisdiction; associations of churches are voluntary and have no independent power over the internal affairs of their member churches. – Dr. Bahnsen

Interestingly, I would like to point out that Pastor Dever after giving us his thoughts on Congregationalism then goes into the procedures for the nomination of Elders and the role of Elders in his series on Church Government. You can find it in his series on 9 Marks. So while he explains the type of government congregationalism is, he then explains the roles of elders. This in my mind means that his church is not congregational, at least not in a historical sense. It may be Baptist and independent, but it is not merely Congregational. If we determine congregationalism to merely be free from outside influence and oversight, then I would guess that an independent Church with elders is congregational, since it has no governing presbytery. But if it is to be determined on how things are done, and voted on, then any Church with elders who rule is not congregational. In my mind, Dr. Dever’s Church is a hybrid if you will, ½ congregational. This seems to be the model for many Reformed Baptist Churches.

So is congregationalism the Biblical model? My first thought is to say no, simply because of the issue of not having elders. But what about a hybrid? What about an independent Church with a governing body of elders? Maybe so.

Gage Browning

Post Tenebras Lux

Some of my business travels take me to very interesting and solemn places.  I have been in Honolulu this week, and I visited the Missouri and the Arizona.  The Navy reminded all of us who were visiting the Arizona that it is sacred ground, and we were told not to speak.  It was a solemn and sad experience, that I am glad I visited.

Gage Browning

Post Tenebras Lux

I am not coming to this issue lightly. I am not coming to this issue with an axe to grind. I have seen and experienced all types of church government. I’ve seen the “King” Preacher (Benevolent Dictator) model. This is the model where the Preacher does what he pleases and all votes are mere rubber stamps. I’ve seen it done well and I’ve seen it abused horribly. I’ve seen the independent “Democratic” model. This is the model where everyone votes on everything. Again, I’ve seen this done with peace, and I’ve seen it done like something akin to mob rule. I have also seen Elder Rule- with no presbytery mind you. This is something like a Baptist or Independent body that has Elders who rule, but with no other governing authority. I’ve seen this done very well, and I’ve seen it implode. I have also seen what I view as the Biblical model for Church Government, and that is Presbyterianism.  This is Elder rule in the local congregation, and governing oversight by the presbytery and general assembly. In this model, I’ve seen and experienced first hand the good, the bad and the very ugly.

So does it matter what form of government a Church has? Obviously in a pragmatic way, all those types of governments I listed above can indeed “work” if there are good men doing the governing. The opposite is also true, and that is if there are no good men, then there is no good government. So, does it matter? Does the Bible lay out with authority, something more then just “Elder Rule” in the local congregation? Is the Jerusalem Council the model for a Presbytery?  For the sake of my argument, I am making a presupposition that you cannot have “Biblical Church Government” without at least, a ruling body of Elders. I think that is the lowest common denominator. So I am at least starting with that. But does it matter after that? Do I have to have a presbytery? Do I have to have a general assembly? The Reformed Baptists would obviously say no. The Presbyterians would obviously say yes. Does it matter? It may matter. One of the marks of the Church may be in the balance.

Gage Browning

Post Tenebras Lux

While most "so called" mega-church founders have many strategies and tactics, none compare to the late Dr. Kennedy's.  Dr. Kennedy died on September 5th.  He was 76.  I never met Dr. Kennedy, but he did have a tremendous influence on my life.  That influence was EE or "Evangelism Explosion".  Dr. Kennedy built his church around the idea of intentionally evangelizing those who visited his church.  Unlike mega- church pastors today who institute programs of music and culture, he actually started out his ministry of "church growth" by going into the homes of those who visited Coral Ridge, and the homes of those who were already members.  He would ask them two questions....questions, that I am very familiar with.  His church grew in large part for that very reason.  (Imagine a Pastor going into the homes of those who visited)... a lost art today especially among mega-church pastors.  Instead of recycling other evangelicals into his church, he evangelized those who were indeed "unchurched".

A few years ago, I stepped out of my comfort zone and entered the world of EE.  I too went into people's homes and asked them two questions.  It was hard.  But to see people come to faith in Christ is a tremendous joy.  One that Dr. Kennedy thought should be shared by all Christians.  The only way to experience that joy for Dr. Kennedy was to intentionally evangelize.  Now, I know there are many evangelism programs out there in the world today however, none compare to Evangelism Explosion.  Think what you will of EE, it matters not to me.  But for those who lay charges against the Reformed Church for not being zealous about the lost, I point to Dr. Kennedy and EE.  He was a tremendous example of the Reformed Faith in action.  EE got this lazy Christian off his couch and into the homes of the lost sharing the gospel. 

Now, while I didn't always agree with Dr. Kennedy's involvement in politics, either in person or behind the pulpit, it can be said that he was a champion for the Gospel of Christ.  May God raise up more pastors like him.  He preached and evangelized with honor and was a true shepherd.  Dr. Kennedy is now a just man made perfect!

Gage Browning

Post Tenebras Lux

I will be getting back to this blog in due course.  Fortunately for me, I have been very busy with my job.  My job has taken me all over the country.  Some destinations have been nice, and some not so nice...(ie...the 8 mile in Detroit).  So stand by and I will return.  I am going to be looking at the idea of Elder Rule.  Primarily I am going to be delving into the idea of an independant body with Elders, vs. a Presbyterian body with elders in the local congregation and the governing heirarchy.  In other words, is it Biblical, practical, and helpful to have a presbytery, with its countless committees and general assembly or should a Church stand alone?   I am taking for granted that we in the Reformed world would at least agree that Elder rule in the local congregation is the Biblical model.  We shall see.

Post Tenebras Lux

Gage Browning