Unaccountable at Calvary Chapel – Christianity Today Magazine
I used to hear the horror stories of congregational church polity. Then, I lived them as a pastor. I was convinced that “Elder Rule” was the model of the New Testament. That is that the elders rule the church and the congregation follows with no corporate “say” or “authority.” All authority is vested in the elders. I have since come to see a more balanced approach, which I believe the Bible also affirms. Elder leadership with congregational affirmation seems to be a more biblical model, providing accountability for both congregation and leadership.
The article linked above is an example of the horrors of “Elder Rule” – where all the rule is vested in the elders and the congregation must blindly follow.
