As we continue looking at some truths regarding the church, presently I draw your attention to the government of this people. The Lord has not left us without organization. There have been and are many needed articles and sermons delivered and presented to us about this important matter. These cannot be commended or condemned now. I do wish to present some simple guides from scripture that might prove both interesting and helpful, especially to those who might read these words and are in search of the church today.

Congregation is the "key" word to church government and organization. A term we hear mentioned quite a little is "autonomy" meaning self-government. This term is not found in scripture but it was the practice of the early disciples and the practice we are taught. The N.T. does show that when churches were established men from within that group were selected to govern in various matters. We read of such over and again, (For ex. the church at Philippi). When men were not appointed this was an invitation for problems, to which Evangelists were dispatched to "set things in order" and "ordain elders."

There are to my way of thinking at least four ways a congregation may exist and be governed. These are:

1. Scripturally unorganized. By this I mean that a congregation can be established (therefore exist) and men have not had time to qualify to be appointed as elders. The congregation may work and worship during this time scripturally.

2. Scripturally Organized. These churches have had men within them that are qualified and are appointed to do the needed work, thus are scriptural.

3. Unscripturally unorganized. These are congregations have within their number men who are qualified to take the oversight, but for whatever reason they will not or do not appoint them. Such a practice is not authorized in the N.T. thus, is unscriptural.

4. Unscripturally Organized. These are congregations that see the need of men to serve as elders and appoint them when they are not qualified.

Qualifications are given to be met. We cannot remove some, alter others, and make changes and think this acceptable. Men do not "grow" as elders into the qualifications they lack upon appointment.

Of course, the goal of each church is to have men who are qualified and who are appointed to oversee the work. Let me add these are men who "desire" the work if for no other reason than because it is sorely needed.

The church we read about and the church we want to be and the church we wish to present to the world enabling men to see (light) and desire to be numbered among us to glorify the Father is presented in the N.T. in two ways:

1. The whole church. This is the church in a universal manner. The church as Jesus promised to build which contains all who submit to truth. The seed planted brings forth fruit, (see previous article). Read anew Mt 16:18.

2. The local church. This is a church in a certain locale where people assemble for worship, encouragement, discipline, etc. Such we have seen at Philippi. It is within this realm that men as rulers are appointed.

When the Apostles walked the earth these did rule over the entire (whole) church and do so now by their written words. But one cannot help but notice as in the case of miracles, that this government even in their time, began to give sway to more dependence upon local government. Their work had to pass. The local churches must abide.

There are those today that fail to see the need of being a member of a local church. They feel that they are somehow "the Lord's free person." That there is no responsibility that belongs to them, that others likewise have no responsibility toward them. Such an idea is unfounded. A member of the church cannot perform the work of God without being a member of the Lord's body in a local place.

But often we swing in the opposite direction. We see some who have "joined churches together" to have various types of meetings or to perform works for the Lord. Sometimes a church will take on a work it knows it is not capable of doing and wishes to serve as director and let others do the work. Where do we get such arrangements? If the work is to involve the whole church who is to govern it?

If the business is carried on by a group made up of members of more than one church it is unfounded in the word of God. Again a watch word of us is "Congregation."

That involves the government. Larger-to big. Smaller-to small.

Let's mind our own business. We preachers are often the most guilty of all men for overstepping congregational government. A thing may be contrary to a preachers judgment, yet scriptural in every way, and chosen to be practiced for the betterment of the Cause, but the preacher will voice his opinion, wishing a practice altered. That should not be. The government is from within the body.--Westchester, OH.