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What is a Congregational Church?

In recent times we have seen a movement away from the large high organizational bodies in Protestantism to more simpler modes of church organization. Some have gone by what is called the congregational model. What does it mean historically and in contemporary times to become congregational.

“Congregational churches are ProtestantChristian churches practicing congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently and autonomously runs its own affairs.

Many Congregational churches claim their descent from the original Congregational churches, a family of Protestant denominations formed on a theory of union published by the theologian Robert Browne in 1592 and arising from the Nonconformist religious movement in England during the Puritan reformation. In Great Britain, the early congregationalists were called separatists or independents to distinguish themselves from the similarly CalvinisticPresbyterians, and some congregationalists there still call themselves "Independents".

According to the congregationalist theory of the history of the Christian Church, the early disciples of Jesus had little or no organization. Congregationalists believe that in the centuries after the spread of Christianity, attempts to gain influence over all the churches were made by leaders in centers like Rome, Antioch, Alexandria, Byzantium, and Jerusalem. Typically, congregationalists view this supposed accumulation of power to be complete by the year AD 1000, with the bishop of Rome claiming authority over all Christendom, and many churches throughout the western part of Europe submitted to his authority. The churches of eastern Europe, all of Asia, and Egypt likewise had been gathered under a hierarchy of bishops, but retained their independence from the pope, according to this view.

Congregationalists sympathetically interpret various dissident movements among the western churches, that were suppressed throughout the Middle Ages. By the sixteenth century, political and cultural changes had created a climate in which the Roman church could no longer suppress the protests of men such as John Wycliffe, John Hus, Martin Luther, and John Calvin against church abuses. These reformers advocated a return to the simplicity and sincerity they saw described in the New Testament Church, which congregationalists believe is fulfilled in the congregationalist model of church governance.

There are difficulties in identifying a specific beginning because Congregationalism is more easily identified as a movement than a single denomination, given its distinguishing commitment to the complete autonomy of the local congregation. The idea that each distinct congregation fully constitutes the visible Body can, however, be traced to John Wyclif and the Lollard movement which followed after Wyclif was removed from teaching authority in the Roman Catholic Church.”  Taken from Wikipedia.

 

Congregational Churches are patterned after the new testament model of fulfilling the gospel commission. The Church in Antioch is one example. When shared needs or conflicts arise among churches that share a message and an identity, there are times when these churches come together to advise and not to dictate. (See Acts 15). However these churches were independently operated and governed. These were congregational in nature.

Local Church ordains ministers:

“Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabus, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. Acts 13:1-4

Local Church may possess individual gifts:

“Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabus, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch and Saul.” Acts 13:1

Local Church has individual schools and educates its members:

“Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers;”Acts 13:1

Local Church hires Pastors and ministers:

“Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple: and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?  Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” 1 Cor. 9:13,14

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” 1 Cor. 3:16

The local church was identified as the temple of God, and the minister at that altar was supposed to live of the things of the temple.

Local Church sends forth missionaries.

“And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea Which also they did and sent it to the elders by the hand of Barnabus and Saul.” Acts 11: 27-30.

Local Church organizes and governs itself

“For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every City as I had appointed thee.” Titus 1:5

Paul did not govern this church in Crete, neither any higher body. Titus was supposed to “set in order” based on the local needs. And every church that Titus would start in Crete, Elders would be ordained to organize those churches.

It is said by many church leaders in some of the more hierarchy style bodies, that congregational churches would never get the gospel out to the world, and that a higher body is needed to facilitate this. This certainly did not pose a difficulty for the new testament series of congregational bodies, which “preached the gospel to every creature under heaven.”  Hierarchial organization always stagnate. But movements of congregational bodies carry forward the gospel through simple means and organization, and not by hierarchy systems.

It is in this same spirit that Ellen White states:

“God has instructed me to say to conference presidents and to ministers. Teach every church in the Conference to look to God for an understanding of present truth and duty. The Lord has not placed upon presidents or ministers the responsibilities of the position that He alone, as head of His church, can occupy. Church and conference organization do not give man any such responsibility.” {LLM 221.1}

In congregational settings Christ “alone” is to be the Head.

The exercise of authority has been carried to such extremes that it is now time to call a halt; for church members are receiving a false education. A mistake has been made that should be corrected before it is too late. Those who dare to accept responsibilities that are contrary to the Gospel plan are in a dangerous place. They need to see its course of action in its true light. Their permissions and their forbiddings have fostered wrong ideas regarding the responsibility that individuals should carry, and have led believers to look to man instead of looking to God. {LLM 221.3}

     Brethren, the Lord will bless you in an effort to break up this wrong influence. Ministers will become weak and unChristlike if they continue to encourage this kind of work. God is to be the strength and wisdom of His people. Man power is not to rule the church of Christ. {LLM 221.4}

Article by Pastor Eric Betts