Recently I was conversing with a group of Christians and the topic fell unto church government. I was amazed at how many of the individuals in the conversation believed church government was simply a matter of indifference or preference and doesn't really offer any operational points in the Christians life. I am a firm believer that theological insights nearly invariably yield practical implications. Are any of you guys learned on the issue and understand some of the benefits of a strong church government?

I just picked up the "Who Runs the Church" from the Counterpoint series... Hope it is a bit helpful

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Jaymin Jordan-Allen
Student, United Reformed Church
Ontario, CA

Aaron's Rod Blossoming: or the Divine Ordinance of Church Government Vindicated by George Gillespie (1646) Reprinted in 1985 by Sprinkle Publications is an excellent resource on this topic.

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Sterling Harmon
Coventry, CT
PCA
Deacon
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"Whatever is laudable in our works proceeds from the grace of God."
-- John Calvin, Institutes III:xv.3.

"Our Lord God must be a good man, to be fond of worthless fellows. I cannot like them, and yet I, myself, am one."
-- Martin Luther, Table Talk

Chapters 25-31 of the Westminster Confession of Faith (please also consult Scripture proofs) are a good resource.

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~Jay~
Husband of ENS, father of J II. | Indian Trail, NC
Teacher Aide, Union County Public Schools, NC
Communicant Member, Precentor | Presbyterian Reformed Church of Charlotte, NC | Presbyterian Reformed Church

I picked up a Banner of Truth book last year (or maybe the year before) called:

The Reformation of the Church: A collection of Reformed and Puritan documents on Church issues. (Selected with introductory notes by) Iain H. Murray. -- Published by Banner of Truth 1965, reprinted 1987.

I was thumbing through it this afternoon, and remembered this thread. This book might be helpful as it contains selections from a number of Puritans about Church Government.

They might have only been relucatant to jump into an issue that has fostered a lot of heat throughout the centuries. Many people today are anti-institutional and talking of church polity seems to be focusing on institutions rather than Christ. I suspect that my generation is not merely ignorant on this issue but also often unwilling to get too engaged in this topic and they probably quickly change the subject.

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Pergamum


"If a commission by an earthly king is considered a honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?"
-- David Livingstone