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April 15, 2005, Vol.4, No.8. The Autonomy of the Local Church Keith Sharp
Introduction There was a time all gospel preachers at least gave lip service to the principle of congregational autonomy. For example, although I believe his practice belied his claim, Brother Lewis G. Hale wrote about 45 years ago: We are all in agreement that each local church is separate and independent in organization from all other local churches. All of us are opposed to the destruction of autonomy. (How Churches Can Cooperate. 77) Today many have quit even giving lip service to the principle of the independence of the local church. In a 1985 publication, How Christianity Grows In The City, Brother Alvin Jennings wrote: To sum it up, the church, the treasury and elders will be one in the urban area. Elders will allow and encourage assemblies anywhere and everywhere that men gather in the name of Jesus. Congregational autonomy will begin to fade within the city.... (71) (I understand Brother Jennings has now renounced this position, but this remains a correct statement of the modern International Church of Christ denomination, which began in the 70's as the "Crossroads Movement," metamorphosed to the "Boston" or "Discipling" ministry, then crystallized as the ICC.) Although the word "autonomy" is not found in the New Testament, the principle of congregational autonomy is plainly taught there. In fact, no principle is more basic to the New Testament pattern for the organization of the church than that of the independence of the local church. The purpose of this lesson is to define congregational autonomy as taught in the New Testament. The Word "Autonomy" The term "autonomy" means "The quality or state of being independent, free, and self-directing; individual or group freedom." (Webster's Third New International Dictionary, unabridged, 1:148) How Applied to Local Church Does this principle apply to the local congregation? If so, how? It certainly does not apply to legislative (i.e., law making) power. Christ is the only Head of the church (Ephesians 1:22-23) and its only Law Giver (James 4:12). No man or group of men may make laws and bind them on Christians as a test of fellowship, whether they act within or without the confines of the local church. Christians must neither draw up nor recognize human creeds or uninspired statements of faith as binding. To do so is to usurp the authority of Christ. Rather, by "congregational autonomy" I mean that the direction of the execution of the will of Christ belongs completely within the local church and is not to be surrendered, partially or completely, to any outside control. Elders are to be appointed within each local church (Acts 14:23; Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:5). These elders (also called bishops, i.e., overseers, or pastors, i.e., shepherds - Acts 20:17,28; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-2) have the oversight of the congregation of which they are members (1 Peter 5:1-2). There they rule under the authority of Christ, the Chief Shepherd (1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Peter 5:1-4). No passage of Scripture broadens their authority. The elders of the local church have no right to oversee anything other than the work of the local church where they are members. There is no authority for a congregation to allow any man, group of men, or organization outside the local church to oversee all or any part of its function. Conclusion I believe Brother Lewis Hale well summarized the scriptural principle of congregational autonomy: Church autonomy includes and requires that the local church, under Christ (1) control its own resources, (2) exercise the oversight of its own work, (3) manage its own affairs, (4) discipline its own disorderly members, (5) provide for its own worthy indigent to the limit of its ability, and (6) govern itself in all matters of judgment and expediency. (Ibid)
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