Author Archives: Jay F Guin

When we consider the ecclesiology (doctrine of church organization) for elders, we tend to get lost in the weeds. The passages are just not real clear on lots of questions, and expert theologians disagree about all sorts of things. But the big … Continue reading →

I’ve decided to cut this series short for now. The degree of personal attacks in some of the comments and private emails is disappointing. It’s as though we can’t disagree on this topic without declaring the other person wicked. When … Continue reading →

Back in post 3B 1/2 (I really have to figure out a better numbering system), I proposed a fact pattern for a church without elders and asked the readers to respond with their own solutions. I found several of the … Continue reading →

Acts 6 Patrick argues in Part 2 of his series on elders that Acts 6 illustrates that problems should be solved by the membership, not the elders or the minister. (Act 6:1-6 ESV) Now in these days when the disciples … Continue reading →

So why do there continue to be individual members — and even a few ministers — who contend that Lipscomb was right — that elders have no positional authority? Well, reasons vary, but here are a few I’ve observed — … Continue reading →

In the early Restoration Movement, Thomas Campbell and Alexander Campbell were both elders of their congregations. In their minds, the roles of elder and preacher were much the same, as the Bible plainly anticipates that some elders may preach — … Continue reading →

It’s easy to criticize the current Church of Christ system of congregational governance. In many of our congregations, it’s plainly broken. It’s an important and worthwhile discussion. But the discussion is ultimately useless unless a better system is put forward — … Continue reading →

We should next consider — (Eph 4:11-14 ESV) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 … Continue reading →

Let’s think a bit about elders and positional authority. God as giver of authority I quote frequent commenter Price, who said it better than I could — Was there ever a time in the history of mankind that God didn’t … Continue reading →