I think I can put forth the position held Northern Regular Baptists.
We believe on this point just as on the meaning of baptism, it is good to find out how the readers of NT (saved and unsaved) understood the word. We use this methodology as we hold the Greek of the NT was the everyday language of the period. Some words were adapted from common spech and gained specific theological meaning, but on the whole first you find out how Demetrius and Buttus understood the word.
So, the word at the center of this question is ekklesia. While by the time the NT was written, ekklesia had gained broad application and usage. However, in each of it's uses the core meaning stayed the same. "A local autonomous, organized, voluntary group of individuals gathered for a specific purpose." This as ekklesia orginally refered to the "town meeting" by which the Greek city states governed themselves and conducted business (I refer you to the riotous Ephesian assembly in Acts.)
The killer for many men is that Greek has perfectly good words for king, kingdom, dictator, ect.. None of these words are used in reference to the NT local church. Which is tough for the man who thinks he is supposed to be a king or despot over the Lord's heritage.
With the history out of the way, how does it apply in 2005? Well, just as there are many ways for running municipal governments, there are many ways for a NT church to operate. All of which are perfectly valid. In these United States, one can find:</font>
We believe on this point just as on the meaning of baptism, it is good to find out how the readers of NT (saved and unsaved) understood the word. We use this methodology as we hold the Greek of the NT was the everyday language of the period. Some words were adapted from common spech and gained specific theological meaning, but on the whole first you find out how Demetrius and Buttus understood the word.
So, the word at the center of this question is ekklesia. While by the time the NT was written, ekklesia had gained broad application and usage. However, in each of it's uses the core meaning stayed the same. "A local autonomous, organized, voluntary group of individuals gathered for a specific purpose." This as ekklesia orginally refered to the "town meeting" by which the Greek city states governed themselves and conducted business (I refer you to the riotous Ephesian assembly in Acts.)
The killer for many men is that Greek has perfectly good words for king, kingdom, dictator, ect.. None of these words are used in reference to the NT local church. Which is tough for the man who thinks he is supposed to be a king or despot over the Lord's heritage.
With the history out of the way, how does it apply in 2005? Well, just as there are many ways for running municipal governments, there are many ways for a NT church to operate. All of which are perfectly valid. In these United States, one can find:</font>
- The town meeting: popular in small towns, villages and townships in New England. The residents of a community meet (at least once a year) to set the town's budget and overall goals for the coming year. At the annual meeting, the Board of Selectmen are elected for the year. The Board takes care of the communities business between the annual meetings. A community with this type of structure may or may not (in 2005 they do) have full time empolyees (town clerk, police, ect.).</font>
- Council-Manager: widespread in small to mid-sized towns, very popular in California. The council is usually part time and without salary. They are elected by their community. The mayor, if any, is elected by the council. He/she presides over their meetings and represents the community at cermonial occasions or as the council directs them. The manager is the communities operating officer. He/she is hired by the council to handle the communities day to day business.</font>
- Council-mayor: used by most big cities. Councilmembers and mayor are elected in their own right. The mayor acts as the chief executive of the community.</font>