Sons Inheriting Churches from Fathers $$$

[Originalist]

Originally Posted by Scott Pitta

Nepotism can be avoided by having specific features in the church bylaws and constitution detailing how new pastors are installed. Combine that with a church board that functions at a high level, and the chance of nepotism is quote low.

So if two thirds of the voting members are required for a minister to become the new pastor, then the new pastor is determined by the congregation, not by the outgoing pastor.

Another quality feature would be if the bylaws had a feature where a pulpit committee vets the applications for the vacant pastorate. The committee sifts through the pile of applications and presents the best of the candidates to the congregation.

Just my two cents.

Great post.

In the Assemblies of God, every church is sovereign. But to be an AG affiliate church, local assemblies must conform to certain methods of choosing a pastor. The District does not get involved. Though it is not a denomination in the truest sense, churches and pastors must adhere to the AG Constitution. Every AG church is required to have a deacon board. If a pastor departs from AG teaching, the church must either boot him or be expelled as a constituent member congregation. Fat chance that the UPCI will ever adopt any such system.

[votivesoul]

The more I think about what I've read in this thread, the more I realize none of this looks like the Church Jesus said He would build and indeed, began to build, in the Gospels, then in Acts.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by votivesoul

The more I think about what I've read in this thread, the more I realize none of this looks like the Church Jesus said He would build and indeed, began to build, in the Gospels, then in Acts.

What's being described in this thread is a couple business models, not an ekklesia.

[loran adkins]

The funny thing is that we don't have a working example of what the home church was set up like in the NT. Especially what the local church was patterned after. The best we have is what the priesthood was set up like in the OT. But Regardless of what power they had over the people was, they had, one thing you cannot get away from was that they were from one family. They were not chosen by the people.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by loran adkins

The funny thing is that we don't have a working example of what the home church was set up like in the NT. Especially what the local church was patterned after.

Wrong.

[Originalist]

Originally Posted by loran adkins

The funny thing is that we don't have a working example of what the home church was set up like in the NT. Especially what the local church was patterned after. The best we have is what the priesthood was set up like in the OT. But Regardless of what power they had over the people was, they had, one thing you cannot get away from was that they were from one family. They were not chosen by the people.

Initially, the Apostles appointed elders in every city where the gospel had just been received, either directly or through someone they appointed to do so, like Titus. But at that point, who else was going to do it? Later, we see the people being told to appoint deacons, and we also see people desiring the office of Bishop. While scripture is vague on the matter, it seems logical and reasonable to imagine that if local churches were appointing deacons, then they might also have had a hand in grooming and appointing those in their midst who wanted to become Bishops. If someone in a house church hundreds of miles from the Apostles was interested in becoming a member of the elder team in that city or region, who else was going to appoint them?

As for the elder-appointees being "from one family," where do you see that? Most churches had multiple elders, depending on the size. There is nothing that says they were from one family in each city. If a city had 10 elders, some of them certainly could have been related. But there is not a familial line of succession mentioned, either.

[Nicodemus1968]

Originally Posted by loran adkins

The funny thing is that we don't have a working example of what the home church was set up like in the NT. Especially what the local church was patterned after. The best we have is what the priesthood was set up like in the OT. But Regardless of what power they had over the people was, they had, one thing you cannot get away from was that they were from one family. They were not chosen by the people.

Everyone has a psalm, everyone has a proverb....

One says the ministry should be counseled to choose a replacement, one says the church members should choose.

Acts 5:38-39
[38] And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
[39] But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

I understand that this portion isn’t talking about choosing a Pastor for a local assembly. Yet, I believe the principle still applies. If it is the wisdom and council of men, then it will come to nothing. Yet, if it is of God, then you’re fighting against God.

Brother, the ministry could get together and cast lots, and some will disagree.

You’re never going to have a 100% approval for anything.

[TJJJ]

What is really amazing is that we have 11 pages of commentary on something that is really none of our affair. No one here goes to that church, no one here has family or contact with that church, (so they say) seems to me we ought to take from Proverbs.

Pro 26:17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

[Originalist]

Originally Posted by TJJJ

What is really amazing is that we have 11 pages of commentary on something that is really none of our affair. No one here goes to that church, no one here has family or contact with that church, (so they say) seems to me we ought to take from Proverbs.

Pro 26:17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

The TOPIC is not about that one church, and it is a valid topic. The topic is about that practice or custom.

[coksiw]

Originally Posted by loran adkins

The funny thing is that we don't have a working example of what the home church was set up like in the NT. Especially what the local church was patterned after. The best we have is what the priesthood was set up like in the OT. But Regardless of what power they had over the people was, they had, one thing you cannot get away from was that they were from one family. They were not chosen by the people.

Google Congregationalist polity and Presbyterian polity. It has been around for centuries.
Google also “Churches of Christ” for a working example.