Plural Elder Led Congregationalism
We have given consideration to who an elder is and what an elder does. But now we must consider how an elder cooperates with a congregation. The Bible’s discussion of church leadership always assumes a congregational context.[1] Sam Waldron writes the following about the congregational nature of the church:
Congregationalism may refer to the independence of the local church or independency. It also may refer to a democratic form of government in the local church or democracy. It also may refer to and combine both these ideas.[2]
The synonymous term commonly used to describe the independency of a local church is autonomy. Independency describes the self-governing nature of each local congregation in relationship to other churches. Congregational independency affirms that there is no specific authority or ecclesiastical structure that governs multiple congregations. Each local church—under the headship of Jesus Christ—is its own highest authority in matters of governance. Perhaps the best passage that demonstrates the congregational nature of the church is Matthew 18:15-17:
If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. (Matt. 18:15–17)
From this passage we notice the highest ecclesiastical authority appealed to, in matters of church discipline, is the local church. The following are not included in this disciplinary responsibility: a pope, a bishop, a presbytery, a denominational committee, a synod, an association, a convention, a pastor, a group of pastors, a group of deacons, seminary faculty, etc. As C.H. Spurgeon writes: “The whole assembly of the faithful must at last hear the case, and they must plead with him.”[3] The whole assembly—the members of a local/visible church—are responsible for disciplining their own members.
Although congregationalism may refer to a form of church government, congregationalism is not the same as a complete democracy. There are ways in which a congregation makes decisions together.
We have previously observed that the entire congregation has the responsibility of disciplining its members (Matt. 18:15-17). The entire congregation has the responsibility of assembling together (Heb. 10:24-25), defending the faith (Jude 3), and sharing the gospel (Matt. 28:18-20). In the book of Acts the whole gathering was pleased when they had picked out 7 people to serve the church (Acts 6:1-5). In some ways, all of the people within a congregation make decisions with one another.
Congregationalism is not a complete democracy because church members have the responsibility of submitting to the overseers in their congregation. In this structure, not all people make overseeing decisions for the entire congregation. The author of Hebrews instructs the church that they are to “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account” (Heb. 13:17). Notice that this verse teaches submitting to your leaders (plural). Each local congregation should be led by a plurality of elders that give oversight to that particular congregation. If a church is purely democratic in every decision that is made within a congregation—then each person is equally sharing the responsibility of oversight. Each person does not have equal authority to make ruling decisions. Submission to the leadership of overseers is necessary in a scriptural examination of church governance. Plural elder led congregationalism provides the best model for allowing the church to fulfill its membership responsibilities.
[1] Mark Dever, Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, Third Edition., 9Marks (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2013), 232.
[2] Samuel E. Waldron, “Plural-Elder Congregationalism,” in Who Runs the Church? ed. Paul E. Engle and Steven B. Cowan, Zondervan Counterpoints Collection (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2004), 187–188.
[3] C. H. Spurgeon, The Gospel of the Kingdom: A Commentary on the Book of Matthew (London: Passmore and Alabaster, 1893), 152–153.
Austin has been one of the pastors of Covenant Baptist Church (Clarksville, TN) since February of 2024. He holds a B.A. in Biblical Studies from Spurgeon College, a M.A. in Pastoral Studies and a M.Div from Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary.
By God’s free and sovereign grace, Austin was saved early in his adulthood. He is married to Rachel, and together they have three children: Geneva, Benjamin, and Bristol.
