Church Governments
Lesson 3
The Four Types Of Church Governments
Every local body of believers must be governed, in some form or fashion, for our God is not the author of confusion. Today, there are four major types of church governments employed in the Body of Christ for the governance of the local church. Let us analyze each of them and discuss their biblical merit. Remember, authority has a purpose and that ultimate purpose is to maintain peace.
The episcopal form of church government gets its name from the Greek word episkopós, meaning bishop or overseer. By its namesake, this form of government distributes all of its power and decision-making authority to bishops or overseers. The Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Episcopals, Methodists, Lutherans, and the Churches of God use the episcopal form of church government. There are several reasons why this may not be the most biblical form of administering authority:
1. A bishop is not a fivefold minister with authority directly from Jesus Christ.
2. A bishop is an office any Christian can strive to obtain (1 Timothy 3:1).
3. Bishops are selected by fivefold ministers (Titus 1:5-8).
4. Fivefold ministers are selected by Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:1; Ephesians 4:11).
5. How can someone appointed by a man have authority over someone appointed by Jesus Christ?
Semantics may relieve issues here, assuming the bishop is an actual fivefold ministry gift operating under the title of bishop. But then a new title must be given to those within the local church that desire the office of a local in-house bishop. (See 1 Timothy 3:1.)
The presbyterian form of church government gets its name from the Greek word presbúteros, meaning elders. By its namesake, this form of government distributes its power and decision- making authority to an elder board. This form of church government is used by Presbyterians, Pentecostal Holiness, some Baptist churches, and many non-denominational churches. There are several reasons why this may not be the most biblical form of administering authority:
1. Elders were established under Moses’ leadership to assist Moses and to help bear his burden (Numbers 11:16-17).
2. Elders are selected and ordained by fivefold ministers (Titus 1:5).
3. Fivefold ministers are selected by Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:1; Ephesians 4:11).
4. How can someone appointed by a man have authority over someone appointed by Jesus Christ?
Semantics may relieve issues here, assuming the elders are actual fivefold ministry gifts operating under the title of elder. This is seen in 1 Peter 5:1 when Peter, an apostle, described himself as “also an elder.” But then a new title must be given to those within the local church that desired the office of a local in-house elder. (See Titus 1:5.)
CONGREGATIONAL GOVERNMENT
The congregational form of church government allows the laity, or the congregation, to have a say in the direction and decision making of the church. This form of government allows the church members to vote on the direction and the decisions of the church. This form of church government is used by the Baptists, the Assemblies of God, the Churches of Christ, and the Congregationalists. There are several reasons why this may not be the most biblical form of administering authority:
1. The congregation has no ruling power.
2. Throughout the Bible, when the congregation was given a vote, they always voted against the will and plans of God, usually involving some form of violence against the leader or returning to Egypt. (See Exodus 17:2-4; 32:1; Numbers 14:1-10; 16:41-45; 1 Samuel 30:6; and Matthew 27:22.)
3. According to Ephesians 4:12, the congregation needs a leader to perfect them so that they (the congregation) can do the work.
4. Congregation members are to submit to those that have the rule over them (Hebrews 13:17).
5. The brethren will always have someone over them (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).
6. If the people vote to tell the leader what to do, the people are actually leading.
It is curious that in many churches with this form of government, the members have to be reminded to “come to church for our upcoming vote.” If a church member is not spiritual enough to be faithful to church, will they be spiritual enough to discern the will and direction of God for the church? However, more and more churches are using the traditional congregational vote to help the congregation “feel” involved in the decision-making process, though the actual leaders have already determined the church’s course of action.
We must readily recognize that there is great wisdom in a pastor ensuring that his congregation is excited and supportive of any major decision being made such as property purchases, church renovations, or building projects. Also, there are many scenarios where the approval and installation of a new pastor might certainly call for a congregational vote.
EXECUTIVE (OR INDEPENDENT) GOVERNMENT
The executive form of church government places all of the power and decision-making authority in the hands of one man, the executive. This is typically the local pastor or another fivefold ministry gift running the ministry given to them by the LORD Jesus. The executive form of government is the most apparent style of leadership from Genesis to Revelation. From Joseph and Moses to the judges and the kings, to the Apostles and New Testament pastors, God has always led His people through executive offices. Admittedly, it is not without its dangers, including tyranny, despotism, and corruption.
BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF EXECUTIVE GOVERNMENT
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Abraham —Abram heard from God and loaded up the family and the servants and headed to a land he knew not of. He became the father of our faith.
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Moses—Moses heard from God, argued, lost, and headed back into Egypt to deliver God’s people from slavery. He led Israel for 40 years in the wilderness.
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Joshua—Joshua was selected by God to replace Moses. He led Israel into the Promised Land and distributed the inheritance. He ruled for 30 years.
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Judges—From Othniel to Samuel. Many of these judges were only over a tribe or a few tribes. They led, and those who followed did great exploits.
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The Kings—Kings were not elected by popular vote. When they got into sin, they were often rebuked by the prophets, and, occasionally, a priest. Their rule was often cut short by their sin.
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Paul—Paul was the apostle over the churches he had established and discipled. When the Corinthians challenged his authority, he was quick to point out his authority over them in the Gospel.
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Timothy—First pastor/bishop over the church at Ephesus.
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Titus—First pastor/bishop over the church at Crete.
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The Seven Candlesticks—These were the angels (messengers) of the seven churches of the apocalypse. These were the men set over these respective churches. The LORD addressed them, not the congregation. These candlesticks were responsible for their church’s faults and sins.
A committee is a group of people appointed for a specific function. Usually, committees are appointed to help research and study a situation and then make a recommendation to the executive. Many churches wisely use committees as data gathering teams. The danger arises when a committee is given power to make decisions and steer the church. This would make the committee either a presbytery or an episcopal form of government. Note that committees are “appointed.” They would then be answerable to whoever appointed them. (Note: In the world of biology, a flock of vultures is called a committee; committees love to pick things apart.)
The early church saw the apostles coagulate in Jerusalem for many years before finally dispersing throughout the world in obedience to Acts 1:8. In that season, that apostolic presbytery discussed theology, established church structure and organization, sorted out the conversion of the Gentiles, and worked through this new offshoot of Judaism called The Way. Ultimately, their goal was to preach the Gospel, win the lost, and provide an organized community of believers for them to be discipled in.
The Bible gives us God’s blueprint for governing and leading His church. We will do well to follow it.
