Deep Dive into
Christian Theology by Millard J. Erickson - The Government and Unity of the Church
Church governance generally falls into four basic forms: episcopal, presbyterian, congregational, and nongovernmental, ranging from highly structured to minimally organized.
The episcopal system places authority primarily in the office of the bishop, who governs groups of churches and ordains ministers. This hierarchical structure, from the Methodist Church to the highly complex Roman Catholic Church with the Pope's supreme authority, often emphasizes apostolic succession.
In contrast, presbyterian government vests authority in a series of representative bodies of elders. It features only one level of clergy, with decisions made through ascending assemblies from local sessions to a General Assembly, integrating both clergy and laity.
The congregational model champions the autonomy of the local church and democratic decision-making by its members. Each congregation is self-governing, and every voting member participates, embodying the "priesthood of all believers." External affiliations are voluntary.
Nongovernmental forms, such as those of Quakers and Plymouth Brethren, minimize or eliminate formal structure, emphasizing the direct guidance of the Holy Spirit for individuals over institutional authority.
Regarding church leadership, the eligibility of women is a "special issue." Arguments against cite Paul's teachings and historical tradition, while proponents point to cultural context and biblical examples of women in ministry. The provided source, while noting a lack of clear-cut evidence, concludes that greater evidence supports full access for women to these roles. However, practicing homosexuals are disqualified from ministerial service due to consistent biblical prohibitions of homosexual practice.
Church unity is presented as biblically mandated (Jesus's high priestly prayer), theologically essential (the church as the body of Christ), and practically beneficial for common witness and efficiency. Conceptions of unity vary from spiritual unity (an invisible bond among believers) to organic unity (a single, merged organization). The modern ecumenical movement has seen a decline in formal mergers, giving way to more localized, flexible, and nondenominational cooperation, with spiritual unity often seen as the primary form for the future.
Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologian
https://buymeacoffee.com/edi2730
