Presbyterian Church Government

When denominations were forming inside 16th century, denominations often took their names through the kind of church government they adopted. The names Presbyterian, Episcopal and Congregational reflect this. The reason this is done was due to the fact generally speaking all denominations subscribed to the same theology, Reformed, their differences were found only of their church government. Today if these denominations would again name themselves it's questionable whether they would all choose the names. The reason is that now they are doing don't assume all enroll in Reformed theology and so the truly great distinctions together don't rest in their church government but more fundamentally in what you actually believe.

The New Testament provides some details about church government and also the qualifications and work of "elders" (presbyters) in 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, Acts 20, and 1 Peter 5. The English words "elder," "bishop," and "pastor" reflect three distinct Greek words that describe different facets of the same office. Acts 20:17 and 28 definitively demonstrate that all three titles are ended within the one office.

Presbyterian Church Government

The New Testament prescribes elders as overseers (bishops) and shepherds (pastors) of God's flock. In order to give attention to prayer, the analysis from the Word, and leadership, the Apostles and elders delegated certain responsibilities to spiritually mature men called "deacons" (Acts 6, 1 Timothy 3).

Additionally, we read, "The elders who rule well are being considered worthy of double honor, especially people who work hard at preaching and teaching" (1 Timothy 5:17). In this passage we understand the distinction between elders who rule (administer), and people that contain the additional responsibility of "preaching and teaching."

Thus Presbyterian churches have both "ruling," or administrative elders, and "teaching" elders.

Acts 15 describes the 1st Council in the church, comprised of apostles and elders. It is difficult to miss well-known "connectionalism" from the early church. Although both Peter and Paul were highly esteemed through the church, and outstanding among the apostles, yet neither were "independent" operators. They was required to answer to the general assembly in Jerusalem. The important principle here, which should not missed, is how the individual minister as well as the individual church are accountable on the greater church of Jesus Christ. That is precisely what we should discover in Acts 15.

So, from our brief study so far, we have learned two points of importance which are Presbyterian distinctives:

First, churches are administered by, and ministered to, by both ruling and teaching elders.

Second, the area church is subject to the authority of the greater Church through church councils.

To measure the quality of an church's government, we have to determine specifically what church polity is responsible for. In considering the function of church government, we can see that you can find seven significant elements in the administration of an church. They are:

1. The supply of authority
2. The ordination of ministers
3. The call with the pastor
4. The finances from the church
5. The admission and discipline of members
6. The doctrines in the church
7. Actions by the congregation

In the applying of those seven issues, you will find three types of church government possible. These are Episcopalian (Anglican), Congregational and Presbyterian.

THE EPISCOPAL (ANGLICAN) SYSTEM - MONARCHY OR PRELACY

Although these distinctives aren't embraced in a ironclad fashion by every Episcopal (Anglican) type church-especially within our era, yet, in general, these points are substantially correct.

1. Source of authority. The way to obtain authority inside the Episcopal (Anglican) system is the residing hierarchy, generally a pope (in the Roman tradition), or perhaps a bishop. It is really a top down administration with the church.

2. Ordination of ministers. The hierarchy of cardinals and bishops ordain the clergy, appoints the local pastor using the consent with the vestry (lay council elected from the congregation).

3. The call from the pastor. The local congregation receives a brand new pastor by appointment through the higher powers. The bishops appoint local pastors with all the consent from the vestry (lay council elected by the congregation). The pastors serve where they may be assigned. Generally, a local church just isn't given authority to "call" a pastor, nor is really a pastor often given the privilege of deciding where he really wants to serve.

4. The finances in the church. The higher authorities supervise the allocation with the church's financial resources.

5. The admission and discipline of members. Those added or removed by discipline from your church, do this with the administration of the higher authorities.

6. The doctrines from the church. The ruling councils or officers in the church decide doctrinal matters. The laity with the church doesn't have say-so during these matters.

7. Actions through the congregation. There is usually few if any congregational meeting held to have approval with the members on any substantive issues.

Examples with this form of church government will be the Roman Catholic Church, the Greek Orthodox Church, the Episcopal (Anglican) Church, along with the Methodist church.

THE CONGREGATIONAL SYSTEM - DEMOCRACY

Congregational churches differ greatly among themselves, yet these distinctives substantively characterize this sort of church.

The congregational type of church government had roots in Reformation-era England, but found fertile soil in New England, where it took over as ecclesiastical counterpart of "town meetings." It has obvious appeal on the democratic mindset.

1. Source of authority. Congregationalism represents the contrary end of the spectrum in relationship to the Episcopal (Anglican) system. The congregation in popular vote decides most significant matters, delegating points of detail to committees. As the name suggests, the way to obtain authority is the congregation as a whole.

2. Ordination of ministers. Ministers are ordained about the opinion and by the authority of one local church. The counsel with the greater church is often not sought, and when sought it certainly doesn't have actual authority within the matter.

3. The call with the pastor. The pastor is known as with a popular vote in the autonomous local congregation.

4. The finances with the church. The finances are approved with a popular vote in the congregation.

5. The admission and discipline of members. New members are added, varieties disciplined, by popular vote from the congregation as a whole.

6. The doctrines of the church. All doctrinal matters are thought from the whole congregation and any statement of doctrine, or changes in doctrine, are approved from the congregation.

7. Actions with the congregation. Congregational meetings are held periodically for your members to administer the operation with the church through popular vote. Committees are chosen from among the ranks to administer the day-to-day supervision in the church.

Examples on this type of church government are Congregationalists, Baptists, Pentecostals, Brethren, most Community churches, Bible churches and non-denominational churches.

THE PRESBYTERIAN SYSTEM - REPUBLIC

Although Presbyterian churches through the globe differ at points, yet these distinctives substantially define a genuine Presbyterian church.

1. Source of authority. Presbyterianism needs a middle ground between the 2 extremes of Episcopal (Anglican) and Congregational church government. Some power comes coming from a Presbytery that resides higher than the local church and some power comes from the congregation, which elects its pastors and ruling elders. Ruling elders are laymen who are actually called and are ordained on the administration with the church. The Presbytery is composed of men called from the local congregations as pastors and something or even more ruling elders from each church. It will be the task of each one congregation to elect its very own elders.

2. Ordination of ministers. In order to become ordained towards the ministry, a guy have to be approved through the Presbytery and receive a call from a local congregation or Session. Both the Presbytery and congregation must operate in tandem and harmony in this effort.

3. The call in the pastor. The congregation can call anyone it pleases that has received the approval of Presbytery. That approval just isn't arbitrarily withheld though the Presbytery does look carefully with the qualifications and faith of the pastor.

4. The finances of the church. The elders of that church administer the finances of the local church. Deacons are accountable towards the Elders for working out the details. Many Presbyterian churches request that this elders obtain budgetary approval in the congregation.

5. The admission and discipline of members. If new members are added, the elders of the local church in session (sitting inside a meeting) together do it. If members has to be disciplined, the session (the elders in the meeting) privately gives its attention to resolving the problem. The decisions of an session in disciplining a part could possibly be appealed towards the Presbytery. Checks and balances are very important in Presbyterianism.

6. The doctrines with the church. Doctrinal matters are determined by the Synod or General Assembly in the church, that's constructed of all the pastors with the churches with ruling elders from every church as well. Presbyterian churches are "creedal" churches, embracing precise creedal statements that define the theology of Scripture and its practice inside local church. Changes can be made only at the level with the Synod or General Assembly. The creed as well as most orthodox Presbyterians is referred to as Westminster Confession of Faith. Written in 1648, it remains very liked by Bible believing Presbyterians.

7. Actions with the congregation. There are few congregational meetings, usually only for the election of officers and dissemination of budget information. All other administrative or spiritual matters are left within the hands of the elders.

An example of this type of Church government could be the Presbyterian Church.

Although Presbyterians see their form of church government to get one from the most balanced and reasonable from the options, that is not the primary reason because of its adoption. More importantly, Presbyterians understand the Scriptures as defining work of elder, creating great honor and authority, and discover its operation with the counsel of Jerusalem in Acts 15. These scriptural elements demand the adoption of Presbyterian Church government.

The American republic was modeled as soon as the Presbyterian kind of government, with limitations on authority and separation of powers. The primary author from the US Constitution was James Madison. He had studied under John Witherspoon at Princeton University. Witherspoon, a Presbyterian clergyman and university president, was the only real minister to sign the Declaration of Independence. At least fourteen signers were Presbyterians.