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 Most Independent Churches Operate via Centralized Government, Just on a Smaller Scale |
Old Time Country Preacher |
The ole timer has seen it happen over an over through the years. Yep, usually works like this.
1. A feller is in a denomination/organization.
2. In the denomination/organization he is blessed an his church begins to grow.
3. All is well fer a bit, then he commences wantin to do his own thing, gits too big fer his own britches (i.e., in his own eyes), so centralized government begins to look bad.
4. He ends up goin independent, but, but, but, he then begins to operate via centralized government, only he himself is the government.
Yep, just on a smaller scale. |
Acts-pert Poster
Posts: 15570
4/12/17 9:05 pm
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| No independent churches |
roughridercog |
Just tiny denominations
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Doctor of Bovinamodulation |
Acts Mod
Posts: 25305
4/12/17 9:09 pm
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sheepdogandy |
NOT IN MY CHURCH!
Yep I'm a hollerin!
You boys know better. 
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Charles A. Hutchins
Senior Pastor SPWC
Congregational Church of God
www.spwc.church |
Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology
Posts: 7307
4/13/17 9:38 am
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| Then again ... |
Mat |
Then again, if he stays, the old adage may apply:
Man
Movement
Machine
Monument
The desires of most denominations is to be a "Movement", but over the years they develop into a "Machine" (all parts are replaceable, as people are) and become a "Monument" (committed to the status quo above all else). A man who leads his movement out of this progression is trying to keep the Movement phase going. However, he is in danger of recreating what he was trying to avoid in the first place. But what of us who see the morphing our denomination from Movement to Machine to Monument? How do we reverse the process?
Mat |
Acts Enthusiast
Posts: 1994
4/13/17 9:46 am
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| OTCP, you and I don't agree too often, but you're dead on! |
Aaron Scott |
There MUST be leadership, order, rules, regulations, etc. if a church is to survive. The proto-Church of God almost was destroyed until they began to create some specific guidelines (which they had been loathe to do, due to their anti-creedal position). But it likely saved the Church of God from just being just some flash in the pan, backwoods "movement."
A church, independent or denominational, must have order. If you leave the Church of God and go independent, fine...but you will have doctrinal beliefs (often "borrowed" from the Church of God), and you will have certain systems in place to ensure order and success.
A denomination is an umbrella that offers a framework of order (within which churches have much latitude). |
Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology
Posts: 6042
4/13/17 10:37 am
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| OTCP, you and I don't agree too often, but you're dead on! |
Old Time Country Preacher |
The reason we don't agree too often, Aaron, is cause you don't stop, take time, apply the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, stay inside the pages a the good Book, an then make a decision. Fortunately, on this one, you did.   |
Acts-pert Poster
Posts: 15570
4/13/17 1:40 pm
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Charles Page |
congregational form of government
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Sanctification is subsequent to the new birth |
Friendly Face
Posts: 346
4/13/17 4:18 pm
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sheepdogandy |
Every Congregation of Christians must posses government.
The question is which kind and how closely does it resemble the New Testament.
I am in favor of Congregational governed Churches.
I believe it is the NT model.
It has worked for us since 1989.
_________________
Charles A. Hutchins
Senior Pastor SPWC
Congregational Church of God
www.spwc.church |
Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology
Posts: 7307
4/14/17 8:31 am
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| Re: OTCP, you and I don't agree too often, but you're dead on! |
Mat |
| Aaron Scott wrote: | There MUST be leadership, order, rules, regulations, etc. if a church is to survive. The proto-Church of God almost was destroyed until they began to create some specific guidelines (which they had been loathe to do, due to their anti-creedal position). But it likely saved the Church of God from just being just some flash in the pan, backwoods "movement."
A church, independent or denominational, must have order. If you leave the Church of God and go independent, fine...but you will have doctrinal beliefs (often "borrowed" from the Church of God), and you will have certain systems in place to ensure order and success.
A denomination is an umbrella that offers a framework of order (within which churches have much latitude). |
So Aaron, you might say that the "Kingdom" and the "Church" share the same space (if you will) but manifestation of these two institutions is different. When Paul told Titus to bring order to the churches on Crete by appointing Elders, Paul was, in some degree, ushering in church government, which was both visible (local congregations and leaders) in expression, yet invisible in experience (you must have believers to organize).
Mat
PS I like that phrase, "The proto-Church of God". I had to look it up, but I like it now that I understand it. |
Acts Enthusiast
Posts: 1994
4/14/17 10:09 am
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Quiet Wyatt |
| One thing I've seen happen in 'nondenominational' churches, especially of the Pentecostal/charismatic type, is that when the founding pastor dies or retires, his son or son-in-law becomes the pastor. While such instances are by no means confined to that particular form of government, it seems to be pretty common with 'nondenominational' churches, especially when the church is basically operated like a family business, as is often the case. That, or the local church deacon board pretty much has all the power, yet another scenario which is quite problematic. |
[Insert Acts Pun Here]
Posts: 12817
4/14/17 10:33 am
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Aaron Scott |
| sheepdogandy wrote: | Every Congregation of Christians must posses government.
The question is which kind and how closely does it resemble the New Testament.
I am in favor of Congregational governed Churches.
I believe it is the NT model.
It has worked for us since 1989.
|
SheepDogAndy, while we can definitely see some degree of congregational government in the NT, we also see a centralized government. They are the ones that stepped in to address the issue of whether the Gentiles were to be accepted as believers...and, later, whether Gentiles had to be circumcised, etc.
To be fair, it appears that they were largely hands-off until/unless some major issue presented itself. At the same time, the early church appears to have had a definite hierarchy, with James and the Apostles at the top. This seems to have been respected in all the churches. |
Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology
Posts: 6042
4/14/17 10:44 am
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sheepdogandy |
I agree.
The Twelve in conjunction with the brethren in Jerusalem dealt with and settled many questions and their conclusions are recorded in Scripture.
The key is government, which eliminates personalities.
We know how to respond to issues that confront us.
Our doctrine is settled, the rights of members are protected.
Guidelines have been established.
It works folks!
_________________
Charles A. Hutchins
Senior Pastor SPWC
Congregational Church of God
www.spwc.church |
Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology
Posts: 7307
4/14/17 6:31 pm
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