Michael Wrenn
New Member
I am all for local church autonomy, but shouldn't congregational decisions be made by consensus rather than majority vote? Since when is voting on the will of God scriptural? And what about the tyranny of a local majority? Shouldn't the rights of a minority be somehow protected?
I think there should a "Council of Soul Liberty" at the associational, state, and denominational level which will try to protect the rights of individuals and minority groups against the tyranny, exclusivity, and "popery" of the local congregation. Congregations should not have the authority to fire pastors for any or no reason; pastors should have some protection. Pastors should be free to praech what god has laid on their hearts instead of being subject to congregational whims and power blocs--otherwise, pastors are no more than hirelings.
Also, if a woman feels called to ordained ministry and can't find a local congregation that will support her, she could apply directly to the Council of Soul Liberty. They could either directly certify her as a ministerial candidate or refer her to a supportive congregation.
If such a council existed at the denominational level, it would assure that no theological viewpoint in the denomination--fundamentalist to liberal--could rule over any other, thereby assuring the opportunity for true liberty of conscience.
I think there should a "Council of Soul Liberty" at the associational, state, and denominational level which will try to protect the rights of individuals and minority groups against the tyranny, exclusivity, and "popery" of the local congregation. Congregations should not have the authority to fire pastors for any or no reason; pastors should have some protection. Pastors should be free to praech what god has laid on their hearts instead of being subject to congregational whims and power blocs--otherwise, pastors are no more than hirelings.
Also, if a woman feels called to ordained ministry and can't find a local congregation that will support her, she could apply directly to the Council of Soul Liberty. They could either directly certify her as a ministerial candidate or refer her to a supportive congregation.
If such a council existed at the denominational level, it would assure that no theological viewpoint in the denomination--fundamentalist to liberal--could rule over any other, thereby assuring the opportunity for true liberty of conscience.