Congregational polity
Ecclesiastical polity |
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Congregational polity, or congregationalist polity, often known as congregationalism, is a system of ecclesiastical polity in which every local church (congregation) is independent, ecclesiastically sovereign, or "autonomous". Its first articulation in writing is the Cambridge Platform of 1648 in New England.
Major
Congregationalism is distinguished from episcopal polity[1] which is governance by a hierarchy of bishops, and is also distinct from presbyterian polity[1] in which higher assemblies of congregational representatives can exercise considerable authority over individual congregations.
Congregationalism is not limited only to organization of Christian church congregations. The principles of congregationalism have been inherited by the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Canadian Unitarian Council.
Basic form
The term congregational polity describes a form of church governance that is based on the local congregation. Each local congregation is independent and self-supporting, governed by its own members.
Denominational families
These Christian traditions use forms of congregational polity.
Congregational churches
Congregationalism is a Protestant tradition with roots in the Puritan and Independent movements. In congregational government, the covenanted congregation exists prior to its officers,[3] and as such the members are equipped to call and dismiss their ministers without oversight from any higher ecclesiastical body. Their churches ordinarily have at least one pastor, but may also install ruling elders.
Statements of polity in the congregational tradition called "platforms". These include the Savoy Confession's platform, the Cambridge Platform, and the Saybrook Platform. Denominations in the congregational tradition include the UCC, CCCC, and EFCC. Denominations in the tradition support but do not govern their constituent members.
Baptist churches
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Most
Most Southern Baptist and National Baptist congregations, by contrast, generally relate more closely to external groups such as mission agencies and educational institutions than do those of independent persuasion. However, they adhere to a very similar ecclesiology, refusing to permit outside control or oversight of the affairs of the local church.
Churches of Christ
Ecclesiastical government is congregational rather than denominational. Churches of Christ purposefully have no central headquarters, councils, or other organizational structure above the local church level.[a][6] Rather, the independent congregations are a network with each congregation participating at its own discretion in various means of service and fellowship with other congregations.[b][8][9] Churches of Christ are linked by their shared commitment to restoration principles.[9][10]
Congregations are generally overseen by a
While the early Restoration Movement had a tradition of itinerant preachers rather than "located Preachers", during the 20th century a long-term, formally trained congregational minister became the norm among Churches of Christ.[15] Ministers are understood to serve under the oversight of the elders.[14] While the presence of a long-term professional minister has sometimes created "significant de facto ministerial authority" and led to conflict between the minister and the elders, the eldership has remained the "ultimate locus of authority in the congregation".[12] There is a small group within the Churches of Christ which oppose a single preacher and, instead, rotate preaching duties among qualified elders (this group tends to overlap with groups which oppose Sunday School and also have only one cup to serve the Lord's Supper).
Churches of Christ hold to the priesthood of all believers.[16] No special titles are used for preachers or ministers that would identify them as clergy.[17] Churches of Christ emphasize that there is no distinction between "clergy" and "laity" and that every member has a gift and a role to play in accomplishing the work of the church.[18]
Congregational Methodist Church
See also
Notes
- ^ According to The Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement:
Churches of Christ from the beginning have maintained no formal organization structures larger than the local congregations and no official journals or vehicles declaring sanctioned positions. Consensus views do, however, often emerge through the influence of opinion leaders who express themselves in journals, at lectureships, or at area preacher meetings and other gatherings.[5]
- ^ Everett Ferguson wrote, "Churches of Christ adhere to a strict congregationalism that cooperates in various projects overseen by one congregation or organized as parachurch enterprises, but many congregations hold themselves apart from such cooperative projects."[7]
References
Footnotes
- ^ a b Doe 2013, p. 118.
- ^ a b c d e f g Berry 2003, p. 49.
- ^ The Cambridge Platform (PDF). London. 1652 [1649]. VI.1.
- ^ Pinson, William M. Jr. (2005). "Trends in Baptist Polity". Baptist History and Heritage Society. Archived from the original on 13 October 2007.
- ^ Ferguson 2004, p. 206.
- ^ Ferguson 2004, p. 206; Rhodes 2005, p. 124; Garrett 2002, p. 449.
- ^ a b c Baxter, Batsell Barrett. "Who Are the Churches of Christ and What Do They Believe in?". Nashville, Tennessee: Woodson Chapel Church of Christ. Archived from the original on 16 June 2006. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ^ Magida & Matlins 1999, p. 106.
- ^ Howard 1971, pp. 47, 54–55; Rhodes 2005, p. 124.
- ^ Ferguson 1975; Ferguson 1996, pp. 323, 335; Howard 1971, pp. 48–53.
- ^ a b Morgan 2004, p. 298.
- ^ Roberts 1979, pp. 53–56.
- ^ Magida & Matlins 1999, p. 106; Wharton 1997, pp. 112–113.
- ^ Sweet 2003, pp. 38–40.
- ^ Matthews 2007, p. 95.
Bibliography
- Berry, Carmen Renee (2003). The Unauthorized Guide to Choosing a Church. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Brazos Press. ISBN 978-1-58743-036-7.
- Doe, Norman (2013). Christian Law: Contemporary Principles. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-107-00692-8.
- Dusing, Michael L. (2007). "The New Testament Church". In Horton, Stanley M. (ed.). Systematic Theology (rev. ed.). Springfield, Michigan: Logion Press. pp. 525–566.
- ISSN 0486-5642. Archived from the originalon 16 May 2008. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
- ISBN 978-0-8028-4189-6.
- ISBN 978-0-8028-3898-8.
- Fiddes, Paul (1986). A Leading Question: The Structure and Authority of Leadership in the Local Church. London: Baptist Publications.
- Fiddes, Paul (2003). Tracks and Traces: Baptist Identity in Church and Theology. Carlisle, England: Paternoster Press.
- ISBN 978-0-8028-3898-8.
- ISBN 978-0-8028-3898-8.
- Garrett, Leroy (2002). The Stone-Campbell Movement: The Story of the American Restoration Movement. Joplin, Missouri: College Press. ISBN 978-0-89900-909-4.
- Grudem, Wayne (2000). Electronic Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. Whitefish, Montana: Bits & Bytes Computer Resources.
- Howard, V. E. (1971). What Is the Church of Christ? (rev. 4th ed.). West Monroe, Louisiana: Central Printers & Publishers.
- Hughes, Richard T. (2005). "Churches of Christ". In Hill, Samuel S.; Lippy, Charles H. (eds.). Encyclopedia of Religion in the South (2nd ed.). Macon, Georgia: Mercer University Press. pp. 209–215. ISBN 978-0-86554-758-2.
- Klaus, Byron D. (2007). "The Mission of the Church". In Horton, Stanley M. (ed.). Systematic Theology (rev. ed.). Springfield, Michigan: Logion Press. pp. 567–596.
- Magida, Arthur J.; Matlins, Stuart M., eds. (1999). How to Be a Perfect Stranger: A Guide to Etiquette in Other People's Religious Ceremonies. Vol. 1. Kelowna, British Columbia: Northstone Publishing. ISBN 978-1-896836-28-7.
- Matthews, Rex Dale (2007). Timetables of History for Students of Methodism. Nashville, Tennessee: Abingdon Press. ISBN 978-0-687-33387-5.
- Morgan, Peter M. (2004). "Elders, Eldership". In ISBN 978-0-8028-3898-8.
- Rhodes, Ron (2005). The Complete Guide to Christian Denominations. Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers. ISBN 978-0-7369-1289-1.
- Roberts, Price (1979). Studies for New Converts. Cincinnati, Ohio: Standard Publishing Company.
- Sweet, R. B. (2003) [1948]. Now That I'm a Christian. Austin, Texas: Sweet Publishing. ISBN 978-0-8344-0129-7.
- Wharton, Edward C. (1997). The Church of Christ: The Distinctive Nature of the New Testament Church. Nashville, Tennessee: Gospel Advocate Company. ISBN 978-0-89225-464-4.
Further reading
- Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 6 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 928–937.
- Loughlin, James F. (1908). Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 4. New York: Robert Appleton Company. pp. 239–241. . In Herbermann, Charles (ed.).