Church Government
We at WRBA are congregational in our form of church government. This simply means that as a church we are first and foremost under the authority of Christ our King, and as Christians we are to be His submissive subjects (Eph 1:22; 4:15, 5:23). In a congregational form of church government the membership of the church is responsible for the doctrine they listen to in the church (Gal1:6-9), dispute resolution within the congregation (Matt 18), the disciplinary actions regarding wayward members(1 Cor 5:1-13) and the regenerate quality of their church membership (2 Cor 2:6). The membership nominates and approves men who are qualified as under-shepherds, elders, pastors (Acts 14:23, 20:28; Phil 1:1; Titus 1:5; 1 Peter 5:1-5) to lead the congregation. These elected leaders are given decision making authority in areas except those listed above (discipline, doctrine, personal dispute, and membership issues). Churches that hold to a congregational form of church government recognize that their pastors and elders must be free to exercise the authority delegated to them for the good of the church and its corporate witness, as such they recognize the added responsibility to obey their leaders and respect their authority (Heb 13:17). Although the local assembly is the final court of appeal, they also recognize that no church is infallible (2Tim 4:3), and therefore must submit themselves ultimately to God’s Word as the final authority.
The Cambridge Platform (1648) gives a vivid definition of biblical church government.
“This Government of the church, is a mixt Government (and so hath been acknowledged long before the term of Independency was heard of): In respect of Christ, the head and King of the church, and the Sovereaigne power residing in him, and exercised by him, it is a Monarchy: In respect of the body, or Brotherhood of the church, and power from Christ graunted unto them, it resembles a Democracy: In respect of the Presbytery and power committed to them, it is an Aristocracy .”
