Church Governance Models and Authority

The video discusses the importance of church governance, outlining three main types: Episcopal, Congregational, and Presbyterian. Episcopal governance features a hierarchical structure with clear authority lines but potential accountability issues. Congregational governance allows church members to make decisions, which can lead to division and slow change. Presbyterian governance delegates authority to elected representatives, which can create disconnects. Many Assemblies of God churches use a hybrid model, combining elements of Presbyterian and Congregational governance to balance accountability and leadership. The video concludes with a resource for further information.

What are the three basic types of church governance mentioned in the video?

• Hierarchical, Autonomous, and Federal

• Monarchical, Democratic, and Oligarchic

• Traditional, Modern, and Postmodern

• Episcopal, Congregational, and Presbyterian

In Episcopal governance, who holds the final authority?

• Elected representatives

• A single potentate

• A board of directors

• The congregation

What is a potential downside of Episcopal governance?

• Too much accountability

• Too many decision-makers

• Lack of clear authority

• Lack of accountability

In Congregational governance, who is responsible for making decisions?

• A single leader

• Elected representatives

• The church members

• A board of directors

What is a common issue faced by Congregational governance?

• Division and slow change

• Lack of member involvement

• Over-centralization

• Rapid changes

How does Presbyterian governance delegate authority?

• Through a single leader

• To a board of directors

• To the entire congregation

• To elected representatives

What is a potential issue with Presbyterian governance?

• Over-centralization

• Lack of clear authority

• Disconnection from the congregation

• Too much member involvement

What type of governance model do most Assemblies of God churches use?

• Pure Episcopal

• Pure Presbyterian

• Pure Congregational

• Hybrid Presbyterian-Congregational

What is a benefit of the hybrid governance model used by Assemblies of God churches?

• Lack of accountability

• Centralized decision-making

• Rapid changes without member input

• Effective decision-making and accountability

In the hybrid governance model, who is recognized as the final decision-making body?

• The membership

• Elected representatives

• The board of directors

• A single potentate