Congregational Autonomy
Reprinted from The Carolina Messenger
David R. Pharr

The autonomy of congregations ought to be guarded jealously.

Most religious bodies born of the doctrines of men create elaborate ecclesiasticism by which central authorities control their local churches. Catholicism has its pope, cardinals, bishops, etc. Mormonism has its president and apostles. Methodists have their bishops. Baptists meet in conventions. Episcopal organization mimics the Romish system. The point is that autonomy is yielded to officers and councils.

One hundred fifty years ago, Alexander Campbell wanted some means for organized cooperation of the church universal. He recognized the scriptural government of local churches, but argued that in the absence of any pattern for organizing the church universal, men ought to be free to create some arrangement to oversee the cooperative endeavors of many or all of the congregations. Clear thinking men immediately saw the danger of such thinking, but the influence of Campbell and others soon resulted in the creation of a "missionary society." The error of the society was not in the desire to do missionary work, nor was it in the purpose of congregations being involved in cooperative efforts. The error was in the tendency toward surrender of autonomy.

Though autonomy was not surrendered totally, in effect congregations joined the society. There was more involved than that it was simply another organization. The individual churches had become part of a larger body. They paid membership dues and sent delegates. Conventions eventually made decisions even on political issues. During the Civil War, a resolution was passed to declare the churches in favor the northern side and in condemnation of the South. It was observed that several denominations, through their denominational leadership, had expressed the will of their churches in regard to the war. Leaders in the society felt a similar public declaration was needed for the congregations that had joined the society.

The Bible provides for no administration of congregations beyond the local level. The apostolic plan is for the appointment of elders in every church (Acts 14:23). These have the oversight of the congregation where they are (I Pet. 5:1ff), but no authority in congregations where they are not! New Testament bishops had oversight only over their home church.

Societies and ecclesiasticisms are not the only things that violate the principle of autonomy. It is also violated by those who meddle in other's business. Every local church has its own needs and problems. The Lord's wisdom intends that the leadership within a situation make decisions pertaining to that situation. It is not intended that leadership outside the situation should assume control. This is demonstrated in the letters to the seven churches of Asia (Rev. 2-3). The errors and evils named for some of those congregations are astonishing. However, nothing is said about any one of the churches intervening in the business of any other, nor do we find anyone authorized to remove a church's "candlestick" except the Lord himself.

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