What is the pastoral system of government?
Introduction. The New Testament is plain relative to the type government which is to characterize each local church. Paul wrote to the local church at Philippi as follows: "...to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons" (Phili. 1: 1).
The pastoral system. There are numerous types of church government purposed and practiced by man. These systems, I might inject, are totally foreign to the scriptures. For example, we read not a word of a Pope or priests governing local churches. There is not even a particle of intimation of committee rule. We do not find external board rule. The pastoral system is another man invented rule.
The pastoral system involves a one man rule. Edward Hiscox's guide for Baptist churches is highly recognized (the Hiscox Guide for Baptist Churches, the Judson Press). In this work two types of "government" are discussed. There is the role of deacons in the "absence of a pastor" and the role of the pastor (pg. 72ff, pg. 58). To the "pastor" is assigned the care and well-being of the local church. He makes many of the important decisions and constitutes much of the government governing the local body.
We never read of a pastor (singular) over a local church. The leaders, as such, are identified by three Greek words: presbuterion (elders, presbytery), episcopos (overseer, bishop), and poimen (shepherd, pastor). These leaders had to meet strict qualifications (1 Tim. 3: 1-7, Tit. 1: 5-11). Deacons never had charge of a local church (see 1 Tim. 3: 8-10, 12, 13). It is very significant to note that there was always a plurality of pastors or elders over a local church (Acts 14: 23, 1 Pet. 5: 1-3, Phil. 1: 1). What kind of government does the church practice to which you belong?
The pastoral system. There are numerous types of church government purposed and practiced by man. These systems, I might inject, are totally foreign to the scriptures. For example, we read not a word of a Pope or priests governing local churches. There is not even a particle of intimation of committee rule. We do not find external board rule. The pastoral system is another man invented rule.
The pastoral system involves a one man rule. Edward Hiscox's guide for Baptist churches is highly recognized (the Hiscox Guide for Baptist Churches, the Judson Press). In this work two types of "government" are discussed. There is the role of deacons in the "absence of a pastor" and the role of the pastor (pg. 72ff, pg. 58). To the "pastor" is assigned the care and well-being of the local church. He makes many of the important decisions and constitutes much of the government governing the local body.
We never read of a pastor (singular) over a local church. The leaders, as such, are identified by three Greek words: presbuterion (elders, presbytery), episcopos (overseer, bishop), and poimen (shepherd, pastor). These leaders had to meet strict qualifications (1 Tim. 3: 1-7, Tit. 1: 5-11). Deacons never had charge of a local church (see 1 Tim. 3: 8-10, 12, 13). It is very significant to note that there was always a plurality of pastors or elders over a local church (Acts 14: 23, 1 Pet. 5: 1-3, Phil. 1: 1). What kind of government does the church practice to which you belong?