Yesterday, we had our monthly afternoon service. We purposefully try to make it a different format to the morning service. Instead of systematically preaching through a book of the Bible, we take a theological topic, watch a relevant video and then break into small groups to discuss some questions. We come back together for a plenary feedback session and then we do the whole thing a second time to push our thinking a bit further.
This Sunday we considered church polity. Here is what we did:
Questions
- What does the Bible suggest is the role of the church elders?
- Acts 11:30, 20:28; 1 Cor. 16:15–16; Eph 4:11; 1 Thess. 5:12; 1 Tim. 3:4–5; 5:17; Heb. 13:7, 17-24; 1 Peter 5:2-5
- What does the Bible suggest is the role of the congregation?
- Matt 18:15-17; Acts 6:2-3, 13:3, 15:22; 1 Cor 5:2; 2 Cor 2:5-11; Gal 1:6-10, 6:1-10; 2 Thess 3:14f; Heb 13:17-19; 1 Pet 2:5-10; Rev 1:6,
Questions
- In what ways is it beneficial to have a plurality of elders?
- For the elders themselves
- For the congregation
- If elders are to lead but the congregation is to rule, how should this play out practically in Bethel?
- How does having an elder led, congregation ruled polity help with our mission?