As I warned you before, let me say again, I am sorry (but not that sorry) to be subjecting you to a series of utterly self-promoting posts about my forthcoming book, Independent Eldership. You are less than one week away from being able to have hard copies in your hand and, simultaneously, slightly less time away than that to make use of the pre-order promotional discount currently available. To which I suggest you get on a pre-order while the offer still stands!

I saw somebody asked the question, why is it called Independent Eldership? There are three reasons. The first, and most significant, is that it makes a case for Independent church polity and the work of eldership within Independent, Congregational church government. Independent Eldership seemed to capture the essence of the matter.

Second, the book is partly designed to help churches think independently about eldership and to raise up elders who are independent in a good sense. That is, elders who are capable of actually taking a lead on anything. That isn’t to say without reference to anyone or anything else. Just to say, capable to leading with a degree of independent thought and nous.

Third, and perhaps amusing only to me, is Beyoncé. Or, if you prefer (and I do), Elbow. If you know you know. If you don’t, this may or may not help:

Fortunately, as my book is being published by Grace Baptists, they probably wouldn’t have picked up the reference until it was too late (mwahahahaha!) Also, the irony of a bit that inevitably lands on complementarianism with a nod to that song title amused me too.

Anyway, you can pick up a copy of Independent Eldership here.