church governmenat
 

When and why did the church began voting for offices within the church and within an organization?

Re: church governmenat
 

I don't know. However, I do know that in the church we have elders, brothers, sisters, and sons in the gospel (and by virtue of this fathers in the gospel). The requirements for leadership are focused on family virtues... not management skills. Therefore I contend that the church should be governed like a family... not an organization. Not an empire. A family.

Re: church governmenat
 

When Judas was replaced... :happydance

Re: church governmenat
 

I believe Congregationalism (which I think you're referring to) began in the 16th century.

If you're referring to the Presbyterian polity, I believe it developed during the 16th century as well.

Re: church governmenat
 

You don't see lots ever being cast again after the day of Pentecost. The replacement for Judas was before the day of Pentecost. After that, the casting of lots is never again mentioned. The elders got together when there was a problem, in Acts 6 with the Greek and Hebrew widows having issues, the twelve apostles called together the MULTITUDE OF THE DISCIPLES, and asked them to choose seven men of honest report, and THEY (the multitude of disciples) chose the seven men, whom they set before the apostles (note the apostles did NOT choose these men), and then when they had all prayed, they laid their hands on them....

Read Acts 6:1-7... and it says that the word of God increased, and multiplied greatly....

Re: church governmenat
 

I am trying to help our people understand God calls...and His call is above all other things...however after a person is in the ministry for a time it seems among some groups men become people pleasers looking for votes and offices...

I don't think the first church was even sit up as an organization so am wondering how did the church world as a whole become so political?

Re: church governmenat
 

I used to have a booklet Brother Burr wrote but cannot find it anywhere.

Re: church governmenat
 

Well, these are very big questions, Sister, and you won't find any of the answers to it in our New Testament Bible to be sure. History has changed, and evolved the church from what it was in the beginning to where it is now.

Reading a book on church history would be a great way to start to try to understand how things got to where they are today, from where they were in the early church.

A book I have read recently, called Pagan Christianity by Frank Viola, and George Barna, found on Amazon, is a great read, because it explains how our church traditions have evolved from the early church days, down to where they are today.

Re: church governmenat
 

Good question....I am sure based on what I read in scripture that there are some pretty major differences with church in general from 2012 versus then.

Not to sound negative, but from what I see, the way we do church is here to stay. The structure has been around for so long and many traditional bricks went into the building of said structure that removing even one brick causes the structure to become unstable.

I hesitate to bring this up, but you and Bro. Alvear are true pioneers who sacrifice so much more then I can even fatham. Here in the U.S. we are spoiled, and church in many cases (not all, of course!) has become big business. I think the buildings and amount of full time staff in some circles can attest to that.

But if I look at it off my soap box, there is much good that is done through the modern day church structure, regardless of politics, and to be honest, I really see no way, outside of war or major economic collapse, that the way we do church is going to change. Just my opinion.

Re: church governmenat
 

I do believe that the basic church structure needs to be set up something similar to this. Not this is JUST for starters. Obviously much more could (and should) be added.

http://www.google.com/url?source=img...iXpmHXqOK9FpNw