Ecclesiology: Church Polity
Chris Hefner
Forms of Polity/Church Government
Hierarchical: Top-down structure, in the Roman Catholic church, government modeled after the Roman Empire
Presbyterian: Group of leaders make essentially all the church decisions. Elder rule
Congregational: Final decisions rest with the congregation
What does the Bible teach? It appears to me that churches should have a church government that is congregational led by a plurality of elders. Elder-led congregationalism
Four Things Polity Establishes (Jonathan Leeman):
Establishes who possesses authority over the processes of membership and discipline and what role baptism and the Lord’s Supper play in the life of the church
Creates leadership offices in the church their roles, responsibilities, who can serve, and how they are selected
Guides/leads how significant decisions are made.
Delineates the nature of the relationship between a church and other churches
Theological Takeaway: It is in and through our church polity, that we protect our doctrine and devotion.
Worship Takeaway: Biblical leadership operating under the authority of the Chief Shepherd enhances Christian worship and blesses God’s people.
Evangelistic Takeaway: Under shepherds are responsible to follow the example of the Chief Shepherd who cares for his sheep and seeks the straying and lost sheep.
Relational Takeaway: A polity of plural-elder church leadership helps members know and be known
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