Perspectives: On Church Government (5 Views) / January 01, 2004

Requires Accordance 10.4 or above.

How does God intend his people to be governed and guided?

How a church organizes itself can be its greatest strength and greatest weakness. Organization and leadership are crucial to the work of the kingdom of God, but with polity often comes politics. The decision as to who offers earthly governance to the body of Christ cannot be made in a cultural or historical vacuum. The Bible must be examined to determine God’s intent for the governing of his people.

Perspectives on Church Government presents in counterpoint form the basic models of church government which have developed over the course of church history with a view toward determining which is most faithful to Scripture. Each chapter will be written by a prominent person from within each tradition—with specific guidelines dealing with the biblical, historical, and theological issues within each governance tradition. In addition, each writer will have the opportunity to give a brief response to the other traditions.

• Daniel Akin: Single Elder-led Congregational model
• James Leo Garrett, Jr.: Democratic Congregational model
• Robert L. Reymond: Presbyterian model
• James R. White: Plural Elder-led Congregational model
• Paul. F. M. Zahl: Episcopal model