----- Original Message -----
From: "Terry Rayburn" <terryrayburn@...>
To: <soundofgrace@...>
Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2003 6:22 PM
Subject: [soundofgrace] Re: Popish eldership vs congregational tempering
> John,
> I really like what you wrote below.
> > Question:
> > From a practical standpoint, how does a local Baptist
> church insure having a form of congregationalism to
> temper the eldership?
>
> Is it in how the elders are selected? Voting on
> issues by the people?
JGR: The real key is within the Eldership itself. They must fight, fight,
and fight the
"clergy/ laity" idea and seriously believe and workout the biblical
priesthood of believers. If this is not their hearts desire no system will
be truly effective. A chuch can have a pastor who does nearly all the
preaching but it must be constantly emphasized that he only gets one vote
when he walks off the pulpit.
Elders should take turns, as well as having non-elders, serving communion.
Elders should take turn baptizing converts
It is not whether the congregation votes or does not vote on issues. It is
vital that a congregation be totally informed and be knowledgaeble in basic
agreement with what is going on. The Elders must be in one to one contact
with people and know how they feel about issues.
It is far more a matter of attitude than it is form and structure. The
article to read is "Authority and the Local Church." This deals with the
parts of Landmark Baptists theology that has been adopted by many Reformed
Baptists. Things like "Even the Apostle Paul was under the authority of a
local church."
By the way, I should add that there are some very godly men in the Refomed
Baptist movement. They are changing simply because they have an earnest
desire for missions and evangelism. They have realized something what
radically wrong and are seeking to correct some things.
Lastly: A good man in a bad system will not abuse the system. A bad man in
a good system can be removed. A bad man in a bad sysem is an untouchable
pope.
Blessings on you and yours. JGR