Different forms of government are found in American churches. The main ones are Episcopal, Federal (Presbyterian), Congregational, Papal, National (Anglican, Lutheran in Scandinavia), No Government (‘Christ is our head, the Bible our creed), Elder (varying types).
Baptist churches are generally of the Congregational, Elder, and sometimes non-governmental forms. Also, concurrently, among the Baptists, is an important conviction that the local church is autonomous; that is, no other church or denominational apparatus can have any biblical authority over the local church. Furthermore, among the Fundamentalist Baptists and Bible Baptists that I have experience with, it was common to hear the self-appellation, independent Baptist church which was meant, “unaffiliated.” This meaning was not the same as autonomous, and caused great confusion among Baptist peoples in regard to the need for fellowship and association with other Baptist peoples; without fellowship with other churches of like-minded belief these Baptist churches did not fulfill the Biblical plan for God’s people for unity in the Body of Christ.
One way that Baptists have sought ecclesiastical fellowship, at least since the 1700’s is through association. Usually this takes the form of a corporate decision by the congregation to join in fellowship with other (Baptist) churches for the purpose of promoting missionary-evangelism, pastoral development and education, and congregational fellowship.
Most of the material is taken from two sources:
What Is A Baptist Association? Jack Keep. Regular Baptist Press, Shaumberg, IL. 1989. Jack was my pastor at Evangel Baptist Church in Dale City from 1985-1987 and 1994-1999.
Principles and Practices for Baptist Churches. Edward T. Hiscox. Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, MI. 1980.
Scriptural Guidance
Founding of a Baptist association is not the restoration of a lost ecclesiastical organization. But 17th and 18th century Baptists put forth scripture for the founding and practice of a Baptist association.
Acts 15. Paul and Barnabas are sent by the church for the purpose of getting advise on the question of whether believers should be circumcised. The church and the apostles and elders received and heard them. They together disputed the question, and heard the argument of Paul for God’s work among the [uncircumcised] Gentiles, and James’ interpretation of Amos 9:11, 12 that the work among the Gentiles was a fulfillment of prophecy. The assembly answered the disputation by letter delivered by men sent by the Jerusalem church. Thus a pattern of conduct and communication was established at this assembly in Jerusalem.
Romans 15:25-28; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5. The churches in Asia were collecting financial/material support for the saints at Jerusalem who were in need, and then “urged” Titus to take this support concurrent with the ministry he already had.
Ephesians 4:4-6. Paul speaks to the Christians to have “unity in the Spirit in the bond of peace. . .one body and one Spirit, . . .one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, . . . .” The application for Baptist associations is to seek and keep the unity of the churches in the Holy Spirit.
Other scripture. Matthew 23:8, “But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Romans 12:5, “so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” 1 Corinthians 1:10, “No I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Thoughts From Hiscox
Edward Thurston Hiscox (1814-1901) was “ a distinguished Baptist theologian” who authored the New Baptist Church Directory in 1890. It is now published by Kregel under the title Principles and Practices for Baptist Churches. The following excerpts are from that book’s chapter XIII, Related Societies.
Founding. It is customary for churches occupying a given extent of territory. . .by common agreement to organize on some simple basis of association for mutual helpfulness and counsel.
Purposes of an Association. Some of the purposes outlined:
- Fellowship.
- Uniformity in Doctrine.
- Counsel for resolving problematic issues.
- Focal point for defining and articulating their causes.
- Cooperation in efforts that none could do alone, such as: training men for the ministry, planting of new churches, helping weak churches, sharing in the support of foreign missions.
In practice, association can lead to a denominational mindset which is not always a desired result of association. This denominational mindset takes root in the centralization of financial support for one of the purposes of the churches’ association. I believe this comes from an unclear view of God’s purpose for the churches to have dominance through pastoral oversight.
So, in order for an association to fulfill it’s purpose, the churches have to see their role as one of facilitation instead of management. What is the difference?
In the association that dominates and dictates to churches, the officers of the association become ‘CEO’s’ charged with managing the resources dedicated to fulfilling its "ministries."
In contrast, the association is limited to facilitate the ministries (missions or benevolences) of the churches, the officers of the association only facilitate the support and advise of association affiliated churches. The resources and purpose of ministry and benevolence are controlled the local churches according to each church's mandate to oversee the work of the ministry. The association does not take the role of oversight of the ministries of the association for churches. In fact membership is not made up of churches in a biblical association for a local church cannot transfer it's responsibilities or authority to any other body.
May our Reformed Baptist Churches take heed to the word and hold true to our mandate to preach the Gospel to every creature.
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