Who Runs the Church?: 4 Views on Church Government

What does the Bible say about Church government? Is there such a thing as a "Biblical" Church government, and if so, what is it? "Who runs the Church" addresses these issues. It contains contributions from four authors, each defending a different view of Church polity. All four are Protestants, but there the similarity ends. Peter Toon, a minister in the Church of England, argues in support of episcopalianism. The Presbyterian L. Roy Taylor defends presbyteranism (of course), while the Southern Baptists Paige Patterson and Samuel E. Waldron both believe that congregationalism is the correct position. Patterson believes that the congregation should be led by a single elder, while Waldron supports a plural-elder system. Toon's argument for the episcopate is largely based on the first five centuries of Church history and tradition, rather than on the New Testament. He does believe that the seeds of an episcopalian system are present already in the New Testament writings, but concedes that a fully evolved episcopalianism belongs to the patristic period. However, Toon doesn't see this as a problem, since the canon of Scripture and the main creeds are also products of this period. If Christians accept this, why not accept a Church led by bishops? By contrast, Taylor, Paige and Waldron attempt to prove their preferred forms of Church government by direct appeals to the New Testament (Taylor also mentions the Old Testament). They believe that the Reformation restored the true Biblical foundations of the Church, and therefore place less emphasis on the patristic age. They spend more time discussing Reformed or Baptist history. There is a certain amount of frustration visible in the contributions. The difference between Toon on the one hand and the three other writers on the other is an obvious great divide. Toon feels that the Presbyterians and Baptists don't take Church history seriously enough, while his opponents accuse him of downplaying the Bible. The book does give a good overview of the differences between episcopalianism, presbyterianism and congregationalism. Frankly, I didn't realize that these issues were still *this* contentious. I tend to associate "Biblical" conflicts over church government with the English Civil War! I'm not a Christian, so in that sense I don't care who "wins" a debate like this. Besides, I don't think the question can be solved. The church described in the New Testament had a unique form of organization which was neither "episcopalian", "presbyterian" nor "congregationalist" in the latter senses of these terms. In many ways, the early Church was marked by a *lack* of organization. It was dependent on peripatetic, charismatic leadership figures. This obviously rules out dioceses or archbishoprics, but also Presbyterian general assemblies. But nor is it congregationalism, since the apostles obviously expected to be obeyed by the faithful, and often ordained elders when they planted new congregations. Just for t

This is an excellent book. It gives a fairly complete overview of how churches govern themselves. It also proves that the last person you want running your church is Jesus. With all the councils, bishops, and assemblies there is hardly any room for the Lord. Jesus could have prevented that by giving us clear written instructions. Sadly, he didn't.

One of the divisive matters in many churches today is the subject of church polity. In particular, what is the appropriate form of church government? In Who Runs the Church?: 4 Views on Church Government the editors compile the views of representatives of the four predominant types of church government. Just about every form of church government is some variation of one of these four. The four views discussed are Episcopalianism, Presbyterianism, Single-Elder Congregationalism, and Plural-Elder Congregationalism. Arguing for Episcopalianism is Dr. Peter Toon, rector of Christ Church, Biddulph Moor, Diocese of Lichfield, in the Church of England. Arguing the position of Presbyterianism is Dr. L. Roy Taylor the clerk/coordinator of administration of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America. Presenting the position of Single-Elder Congregationalism is Dr. Paige Patterson, president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. And presenting the case for Plural-Elder Congregationalism is Samuel E. Waldron, Ph.D. candidate in systematic theology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. A typical chapter starts with one of them presenting their position on their chosen form of church government and why it is the most appropriate one. This presentation is then followed by commentary by each of the people with differing views. Each presents their case with passion and argues it well. If you want to understand why some churches choose one form of government or why others feel that position is wrong you will find excellent explanations in this book. Who Runs the Church? 4 Views on Church Government is highly recommended to anyone interested in this area.