Well, well, well. It seems now is the time to start properly announcing that my forthcoming book – Independent Eldership – is due to be released in the New Year. Here is the first publicly available cover shot.

This book will be the first title in the Grace Publications ‘A People on Purpose’ series. The series explores healthy polity and structures for the local church. Each book in the series will complement the others whilst also functioning as a standalone title. The series aims to encourage godly leadership, healthy congregationalism, and a church order reflecting the New Testament pattern. You can find out more here.

Grace Publications had this to say about Independent Eldership:

The first volume of A People on Purpose will release in early 2026. In Independent Eldership, Stephen Kneale provides a practical and accessible study of what the biblical picture of eldership is. Written from strong experience in UK ministry, Independent Eldership shows how a biblical leadership structure relates to independency, and explores ways in which congregations can effectively apply what the Scriptures say to how elders are appointed and how they serve in the local church context.

If you are a pastor or elder of a local church, this book is for you. If you are exploring the possibility of eldership in your local church, this book is for you. If you are a church member who wants to understand how your elders ought to function biblically or you are simply wanting to better understand what your elders do, this book is for you.

Independent Eldership will be available in some (but not all) good bookshops and will likely be found in some not very good ones too!