Church Government Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Church Government - Research Paper Example On the other hand, the congregational polity is one where there is autonomy of local churches in that these churches have no affiliation to any other church. The other form of church governance is the single elder polity in which there is the pastor is the main source of guidance and decision making organ. Lastly, the plural-led polity is the most applicable form of church governance as it involves both the clergy and the elders being on the same level of governance. Comparison between the five models Presbyterian Ideally, this form of church governance existed in the olden days of the bible to which many of the present day churches have adopted. Presently, the application of this church governance involves the congregation voting in the elders that they feel would lead them in a just manner. However, the aspect of these elected leaders having the entire decision on how to govern the congregation posses some challenges as the decision of the elders chosen is unquestionable. As compar ed to congregational churches, the decision making process partly involves the congregation making this form of church leadership be one way. On the contrary, this polity evokes some democracy aspects as the judgment on church matters does not lie in the shoulders of one elder as compared to the single elder polity. ... This makes the session have accountability towards higher authority hence making them exercise responsible leadership as compared to one elder polity. Single Elder polity In this form of church governance, the church congregation tends to have equal stature among all members meaning that an individual is superior to others in the church. Over time, this form of church governance has elicited critic as the most humble of the congregation takes up the leadership role. This makes them more special than the rest of the church because this serves as an impediment to access to God. Additionally, the scripture has no illustration of this aspect as the Bible 2 tends to have widespread application of the Presbyterian leadership as kings had sessions of elders that helped them in governance and decision-making. Others consider this as a form of secular polity as its rise was during the American expansion period due to the travels that the missionaries experienced. This meant that the Americans involved in the spreading of the gospel could not be under a specified region like in the Presbyterian polity hence influencing this form of church governance. Therefore, this encompassed service to a large fraction of society under the leadership of a single individual. Congregational polity Arguably, this is a sovereign form of church governance witnessed among contemporary churches in which the absolute decision power lies in the congregation itself 3. This has distinctive features as c compared to the above-mentioned polities in which the final decision making responsibilities tend to vary between congregations. This form of polity has also attracted critic as the congregation makes decisions for itself hence implying that they may negate God’s law in their