What is the rightful model of Church governance? Theocratic only?

There are several forms of church government, the most basic four are: Episcopal, Presbyterian, congregational and a form of nongovernmental. While Episcopal and Presbyterian forms of church government have designated offices to rule the church; to which Jesus’ teachings seem to be against when he said: “Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.” (Luke 22:25-27, NIV)

It is observed that both Jesus and Paul assigned the responsibility for discipline to the congregation rather than a bishop or an elder. However, there are also biblical objection to the congregational scheme of government; because it disregards the apostolic (or Episcopal) authority. It is noted also that there was a separation of the offices of bishop, elder, and deacon rather early in church history.

Gk: episkopoi (elders, deacons); Gk: Presbyteroi (overseers or bishops) are the two Greek words used in the New Testament for church leaders. It is noted in the New Testament, the leaders and the members are equally valuable and these two terms are interchangeable in Titus 1:5-7

I believe the rightful model of Church governance is theocratic only, whereby the elders or overseers, together with the congregation conduct themselves in accordance with the will of God to the best of their knowledge.

“Theocracy” comes from the Greek word “Theos” (of God, divine, according to God’s will.) There is no truly theocratic government on earth as such unless one can truly say he/she knows fully well what is the will of God and whatever he/she does is exactly according to the will of God as the following example shows.

An extreme form of “theocracy” is cited online posted on

AP, Thursday, March 02, 2006

Ave Maria: Domino's Pizza Founder Wants Taliban-style Theocracy In Florida

The AP reports today that a new Florida town hopes to be founded on "Christian law":

If Domino's Pizza founder Thomas S. Monaghan has his way, a new town being built in Florida will be governed according to strict Roman Catholic principles, with no place to get an abortion, pornography or birth control. ac

For that matter, the Episcopalian and Presbyterian or “non-govenmental” structure of church government can also be “theocratic” if the people conduct themselves according to the will of God to the best of their biblical knowledge.

The closest model is the Old Testament model whereby the king (David) ruled the nation of Israel in consultation with God (through the prophets).

Is there truly a “theocratic” church government today? Even some churches claim to be such as the Romans Catholic Church, please comment.

What is the Biblical understanding of Church?The church as "the people of God"

In the Bible, the Greek word used is "ekklesia"; "ek" means "from" and "klesis" means "call", therefore the closest English equivalent is "the called out ones" This term is translated "church" 115 times; and translated "assembly" 3 times in the New Testament. So, accordingly, the church should be rightfully translated "an assembly of the called-out ones."

The English word "church" has various meanings. Webster gives the following definitions for the word church.

1. a building for public Christian worship. 2. a religious service in such a building. 3. (sometimes cap.) a. the world body of Christian believers; Christendom. b. any major division of his body; a Christian denomination. 4. a Christian congregation. 5. organized religion as distinguished from the state. 6. (cap) a. The Christian before the reformation. b. the Roman Catholic Church. 7. the profession of an ecclesiastic -V.C. 8. to perform a church service of thanksgiving for (a woman after child birth). [Go RI(a)on (DOA) the Lord's house).⁽¹⁾



The Bible uses a few metaphors to represent the church. One of these metaphor is "the People of God".

The term "People of God" was first used in the Old Testament to the nation of Israel in covenant with God. (Exodus 15:13,16)


Paul wrote that it was God's decision to make believers His people:

“ I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.”

(2 Corinthians 6:16, NKJV)

Millard J. Erickson says that "the concept of the church as the people of God emphasizes God's initiative in choosing them. He did not adopt an existing nation, but actually created a people for Himself."⁽²⁾

God takes pride in the "people" He calls to be His own, He cares for and protects His people; he keeps them "as the apple of his eye" (Deut.32:10) and God expects His people to be holy.

This creates a problem for us. Is the church today the continuation of the Old Testament "People of God." or are we a totally new entity separate and displaced the OT "people of God"? Please comment!

Footnotes:


1.Webster's Universal College Dictionary (New York: Gramercy, 1997), p. 143.

2. Millard J. Erickson, "Christian Theology", 2nd Edition, (U.S.A.:Baker Publishing, 2005), 1045.