Subtitle: Scripture supporting various ways of governing a local church.

Excerpt: Article explores church governance models, emphasizing Christ as the true head.

Author: Jeff Hilles

Words of Wisdom from the Babylon Bee – What type of governance does your church have? Below is a broad list of options.

• The top-down authoritarian form of governance involves the local church surrendering to denominational control. Often demonstrated in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and some Methodist denominations. Those who support this form of governance reference Philippians 1:1, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Acts 1:20-26, 2 Timothy 2:2, Titus 1:5, and Acts 15.
• Elder-led, where local elders govern the church. Often these are a mix of staff and mature Christian members. Primarily found in Presbyterian denominations, this form of oversight is increasingly popular with Baptists as well. Scripture used by adherents to provide credibility for this form of control includes Acts 14:23, Titus 1:5, Acts 20:17, 28, and 1 Peter 5:1-3, Acts 15, Matthew 18:15-17.
• Congregational or church-led. Currently most popular in Baptist, non-denominational, and Congregational churches, the active members vote on most decisions of the church. Biblical support for this form can include Acts 6:1-6, 2 Corinthians 2:6, Matthew 18:17, Revelation 1-3, Galatians 1:8-9, 1 Peter 2:9.
• Hybrid or Mixed Model, such as where major decisions are voted on by the church members but typically presented by the pastor, staff, and/or elders for consideration. Those who support a hybrid model refer to Ephesians 4:11-13, Hebrews 13:17, Acts 17:11, and 1 Corinthians 9:19-23.

Regardless of the model, all forms of Biblical Christian governance support the belief that the true head of the church is Christ Himself (Colossians 1:18). The differences represent examples of HOW He rules.

Lastly, the academic list above does not include another form of governance: the church, which is run by three to five long-term members of their own accord. Sigh.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words

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