How is the Church Governed?

Our form of church government is known as “Congregational Rule” and is based off the principle of the “priesthood of the believer” and the example of the early church when men, possibly the first deacons, were chosen from among the people by the people. It is a common form of church government in Baptist churches and is best suited for the small to mid-sized congregation.

Through the years, and even today, several forms of church governments exist and many Bible scholars agree there is no definitive form of church government prescribed in the New Testament. Theoretically, the lowest form of government is a monarchy with the highest being everyone doing right without having to be told. The second lowest form of government after monarchy would be power in the hands of a few or an oligarchy. The value of the congregational-rule church is the accountability and the checks and balances that are naturally built into the system.

In our church there are the offices of Pastor/Shepherd and Deacon/Servant. All biblical evidences (pay, respect, duties) indicate that being an elder, pastor, bishop, overseer, or shepherd is a first calling in one’s life. It does not need to be a wage-earning vocation (ala Paul at times as a tentmaker), but it better be his highest calling. The calling focuses more upon the role of shepherding as opposed to that of decision maker and a team of pastors is preferable. Deacons are lay-officers and are seen as spiritual servants to the congregation and community. The congregation has a vote and voice in calling a pastor, choosing the deacons, making major decisions, and approving the yearly budget. Such a church is Pastoral-led, Deacon-guarded, and Congregationally-supported.