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2. Autonomy of the Local Church
The local church is an independent body accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of the church. All human authority for governing the local church resides within the local church itself. Thus the church is autonomous, or self-governing. No religious hierarchy outside the local church may dictate a church’s beliefs or practices. Autonomy does not mean isolation. A Baptist church may fellowship with other churches around mutual interests and in an associational tie, but a Baptist church cannot be a “member” of any other body. ( Colossians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 19, 23)
This Baptist Distinctive addresses church polity or how our local church is governed. The biblical view is that the members vote to elect 'leaders" whether we call them deacons, elders, pastors or trustees. The governing board, then leads the church in day to day activities, but periodically reports to the members. The tension arises when the leaders usurp power and the church becomes a "top down" organization where leaders are only accountable to themselves or other leaders in the bureaucracy.
2. Autonomy of the Local Church
The local church is an independent body accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of the church. All human authority for governing the local church resides within the local church itself. Thus the church is autonomous, or self-governing. No religious hierarchy outside the local church may dictate a church’s beliefs or practices. Autonomy does not mean isolation. A Baptist church may fellowship with other churches around mutual interests and in an associational tie, but a Baptist church cannot be a “member” of any other body. ( Colossians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 19, 23)
This Baptist Distinctive addresses church polity or how our local church is governed. The biblical view is that the members vote to elect 'leaders" whether we call them deacons, elders, pastors or trustees. The governing board, then leads the church in day to day activities, but periodically reports to the members. The tension arises when the leaders usurp power and the church becomes a "top down" organization where leaders are only accountable to themselves or other leaders in the bureaucracy.