Baptists have historically affirmed congregational polity, or the idea that the church’s membership governs itself by means of democratic processes under the lordship of Jesus Christ. But Baptists have also affirmed strong pastoral authority, of the idea that a church’s members are to submit themselves to the leadership of their pastor or pastors. Seminary students sometimes ask if these two ideas can really be reconciled.
I think I know why seminarians (and many others) raise this … [Read More]
Wisdom for Pastoral Ministry from Abraham Booth
Abraham Booth (1734-1806) was a longtime London pastor and leader among the British Particular Baptists in the 18th century. Among his most famous books were The Reign of Grace, The Death of Legal Hope, and An Apology for the Baptists. You can find these works (and most of Booth’s writings) in the three-volume Select Works of Abraham Booth, which can be purchased at a very affordable price through Reformation Heritage Books. (Unfortunately, this edition is … [Read More]
Pastoral Leadership, Part 7: Communication
I have the joy of teaching in our Doctor of Ministry Program at Southeastern Seminary. It is an outstanding program of study with majors in Expository Preaching, Leadership, Biblical Counseling, Faith and Culture, and Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth. You can learn more about the program by going here or by phone at 919-761-2216.
Recently, I received a very fine paper from one of my students on “Leadership in the Local Church.” The author is a … [Read More]
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Pastoral Leadership, Part 6: Competence
I have the joy of teaching in our Doctor of Ministry Program at Southeastern Seminary. It is an outstanding program of study with majors in Expository Preaching, Leadership, Biblical Counseling, Faith and Culture, and Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth. You can learn more about the program by going here or by phone at 919-761-2216.
Recently, I received a very fine paper from one of my students on “Leadership in the Local Church.” The author is a … [Read More]
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Pastoral Leadership, Part 5: Compassion
I have the joy of teaching in our Doctor of Ministry Program at Southeastern Seminary. It is an outstanding program of study with majors in Expository Preaching, Leadership, Biblical Counseling, Faith and Culture, and Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth. You can learn more about the program by going here or by phone at 919-761-2216.
Recently, I received a very fine paper from one of my students on “Leadership in the Local Church.” The author is a … [Read More]
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Pastoral Leadership, Part 4: Passion
I have the joy of teaching in our Doctor of Ministry Program at Southeastern Seminary. It is an outstanding program of study with majors in Expository Preaching, Leadership, Biblical Counseling, Faith and Culture, and Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth. You can learn more about the program by going here or by phone at 919-761-2216.
Recently, I received a very fine paper from one of my students on “Leadership in the Local Church.” The author is a … [Read More]
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Pastoral Leadership, Part 3: Courage
I have the joy of teaching in our Doctor of Ministry Program at Southeastern Seminary. It is an outstanding program of study with majors in Expository Preaching, Leadership, Biblical Counseling, Faith and Culture, and Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth. You can learn more about the program by going here or by phone at 919-761-2216.
Recently, I received a very fine paper from one of my students on “Leadership in the Local Church.” The author is a … [Read More]
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Pastoral Leadership, Part 2: Integrity
I have the joy of teaching in our Doctor of Ministry Program at Southeastern Seminary. It is an outstanding program of study with majors in Expository Preaching, Leadership, Biblical Counseling, Faith and Culture, and Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth. You can learn more about the program by going here or by phone at 919-761-2216.
Recently, I received a very fine paper from one of my students on “Leadership in the Local Church.” The author is a pastor … [Read More]
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Pastoral Leadership, Part 1: Godliness
I have the joy of teaching in our Doctor of Ministry Program at Southeastern Seminary. It is an outstanding program of study with majors in Expository Preaching, Leadership, Biblical Counseling, Faith and Culture, and Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth. You can learn more about the program by going here or by phone at 919-761-2216.
Recently, I received a very fine paper from one of my students on “Leadership in the Local Church.” The author is a … [Read More]
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Practicing the Gospel in Community: Congregational Church Polity
This is the sixth article in a series that explores the relationship between the gospel and Baptist identity. Congregational church polity (or government) is the belief that the highest earthly authority within a local church is the congregation itself. Positively, congregationalism argues that a majority of the church’s membership determines the agenda of the congregation. Negatively, congregationalism contends that no pastor/elder, deacon, or committee can dictate policy to a church or assert absolute control over a … [Read More]
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