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Polity

Preface

18 May 2015, by Jared Smith

The subject of eldership in Baptist circles has been one of the most misunderstood issues of recent years, with the result that it has become fashionable and even considered orthodox for churches to supplement or replace a single pastor with a team of ‘elders’. I contend this mode of governance is unscriptural, impractical and unconventional. This pamphlet is designed to argue the case why Baptist churches should retain their historic practice of appointing one bishop/pastor, assisted by a group of deacons. I have completed a comprehensive textbook on this subject, which is under review for publication. In the interim, this pamphlet is an abridged preview of the larger forthcoming work, and I extend special thanks to Adam Nixon who encouraged the pamphlet’s preparation, and to Yasmin Cooper and Kevin Price for their editorial notes and helpful suggestions.

Jared Smith

May 2017

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In: • The Plural Eldership Issue,Jared Smith, Eldership | Tags: • The Church, Baptist, Bishop, Deacons, Elders, Pastor, Polity

Introduction

18 May 2015, by Jared Smith

It is commonplace to hear it staunchly affirmed by preachers that the term elder is one and the same with bishop and pastor; that the term is usually used in the plural, indicating the early churches were overseen by a plurality of elders. Hence, it is argued, if churches today are to reflect the most Scriptural form of governance, then elders must be appointed as overseers.

• Some believe there is parity among the elders, wherein all share equal authority as teachers/rulers; whereas others believe there is…

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In: • The Plural Eldership Issue,Jared Smith, Eldership | Tags: • The Church, Baptist, Bishop, Elders, Pastor, Polity

2. The Terms Elder, Bishop And Pastor Are Not Interchangeable

18 May 2015, by Jared Smith

When the term elder is used within Christian circles, it conjures up ideas of ecclesiastical clergy, either elected to office by the congregation, or appointed to office by the denomination. In fact, it is only within Christian churches that the term elder is made to mean something other than persons honored in virtue of their age, wisdom and influence. This irregular interpretation is rooted in a flawed hermeneutic of several biblical texts which refer to elders. It is assumed, because a few scripture passages use the term elder when identifying a bishop/pastor, that therefore, most (if not all) references to elders in the early churches must be bishops/pastors. The absurdity of this presupposition is comparable to one who boasts that all…

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In: • The Plural Eldership Issue,Jared Smith, Eldership | Tags: • The Church, Appointment, Baptist, Bishop, Elders, Election, Officers, Pastor, Polity

3. Evangelists, Bishops And Deacons Are The Only Permanent Offices Recognized In The New Testament

18 May 2015, by Jared Smith

Ephesians 4:11: “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;”

The apostles and prophets were temporary offices, laying the foundation for both the establishment and edification of Christian churches—apostles were primarily sent to organize new churches; prophets were appointed to nurture existing churches. The evangelists and pastor-teachers are permanent offices carrying out a…

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In: • The Plural Eldership Issue,Jared Smith, Eldership | Tags: • The Church, Baptist, Bishops, Deacons, Elders, Evangelists, leadership, Missionaries, Officers, Pastors, Polity

6. An Adoption Of Elders Introduces A New Set Of Problems For The Church

18 May 2015, by Jared Smith

Eldership advocates tend to sing the praises of the many benefits a church receives by appointing a plurality of elders. Seldom do they sound the alarm for the serious problems that arise from the appointment. Baptist historian Dr. Kenneth Dix confessed this was the initiating cause which led him to reject plural elderships—he believed too many churches have jumped on the bandwagon without giving sufficient thought to the inevitable problems arising from an eldership. To name just a few drawbacks:

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In: • The Plural Eldership Issue,Jared Smith, Eldership | Tags: Baptist, Bishop, Elders, leadership, Pastor, Polity

Conclusion

18 May 2015, by Jared Smith

Eldership advocates are not only misguided in what they believe about elders, but they are also mistaken in their crusade to pressure Baptist churches into adopting elderships. Their error is enlarged by their misleading interpretations of scripture and historic Confessional statements. Such is the nature of their self-confidence and arrogance, that many churches are giving in to this pressure through sheer intimidation. Churches should not fear eldership advocates…

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In: • The Plural Eldership Issue,Jared Smith, Eldership | Tags: • The Church, Baptist, Bishop, Deacons, Pastor, Polity

Introduction

10 Sep 2013, by Jared Smith

Clifford Pond served in the pastoral ministry among Grace Baptist churches for more than 50 years. Having seen the need for congregations to better understand the complexities of adopting a plurality of elders, he wrote a book entitled “Only Servants.” The back cover of the book offers a reason why the author is a respected authority on the subject: “Clifford Pond writes out of a lifetime of pastoral ministry, having served churches in Suffolk and Surrey as well as exercising a wider ministry at various times by responsible leadership in young people’s fellowships, associations of churches and the council of Grace Baptist Mission.”

In the fifth chapter, under the heading “Plurality of Elders and Deacons”, Mr. Pond writes:

“Since the Second World War every part of life generally has been questioned, and churches too have been put under the scrutiny of Scripture…For example, in the earlier part of this century the most common structure in local churches was a pastor with a group of deacons. In the absence of a pastor…

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In: • The Plural Eldership Issue,Jared Smith, Eldership | Tags: • History, • The Church, Baptists, Deacons, Elders, Government, Leaders, Officers, Pastors, Polity, Presbyterian

What are the Main Types of Baptist Church Polity?

22 Aug 2011, by Bob Wring

A review of Baptist Church History will reveal that Baptists have always maintained one type of church polity. Only in more recent days have some Baptist leaders added another way of doing church governance. Baptist history is replete with extant documents that substantiate this observation. When one reads representative Baptist ecclesiastical writings such as confessions of faith, tracts, books, ordination sermons and church minute books, it becomes obvious that this assertion is correct.

Baptists have historically interpreted the New Testament Scriptures to describe one type of church polity. This polity has been described as Congregationalism with the biblical leadership of a pastor and deacons. And if a Baptist church was large enough, it included more than one pastor in church leadership.

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In: • The Plural Eldership Issue,Bob Wring, Church Officers (Complete) | Tags: congregational, Deacons, Elders, Government, Pastors, Polity, Southern Baptist

Tag:

Polity

Preface

Introduction

2. The Terms Elder, Bishop And Pastor Are Not Interchangeable

3. Evangelists, Bishops And Deacons Are The Only Permanent Offices Recognized In The New Testament

6. An Adoption Of Elders Introduces A New Set Of Problems For The Church

Conclusion

Introduction

What are the Main Types of Baptist Church Polity?

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