THREE LOCAL CHURCH GOVERNMENT STYLES

"Oligarchy" and "Theocracy" are two forms of an elder form of church government. No church with an oligarchy, like that listed below, has been observed. This column has been supplied to contrast with the theocratic government which is believed to be more Biblical.

	Oligarchy	Theocracy (Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:24)	Democracy
Formal Definition	the rule of an organization by a committee	the rule of an organization by God -- The Head of the Church is the Lord Jesus Christ.	the rule of an organization by the ruled
Applied Definition	The elders lead the church. The congregation has no formal input.	The elders lead the church and the congregation is a check and balance.	The congregation leads the church.
Qualifications	unreachable ideals corporately achieved	measurable, habitual standards (1 Timothy 3:2; 3:10; Titus 1:7) individually achieved (1 Timothy 3:2, 4-7; Titus 1:7)	*
Selection	Candidates appointed by oversight without congregation input.	Congregation selects candidates that the elders approve (Acts 6:1-6).	*
Calling	unconditional--once an elder, always an elder	conditional--He must sustain his calling by maintaining the qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-7).	*
Authority	accountable to the Lord not accountable to the congregation	accountable to the Lord (Hebrews 13:17). accountable to the congregation (1 Timothy 5:20)	*
Style	military--emphasis on the congregation's blind submission to the oversight Unlike the oversight, the congregation is too unspiritual to have good sense. Elders do the work. ego-centric	modeling/servant--The elders lead by example with the attitude that they are serving the congregation (Matthew 20:25-28; Mark 9:33-37; 2 Corinthians 4:5; 1 Peter 5:3). The congregation can normally be counted on to be spiritually discerning (Acts 6:1-6; 15:22). The entire congregation does the work (1 Corinthians 12:12-31). people-centered	*
Meetings	closed to the congregation unanimous decisions	open to the congregation (Acts 15:4- 31 [especially verses 4, 12, 22]) decisions based on a preponderance (2 Corinthians 2:6)	*
Discipline	done by the oversight and announced to the congregation	congregation disciplines openly, led by the elders (Matthew 18:17-18; 1 Corinthians 5:1-2)	*
Doctrine	devised by the elders and announced to the congregation	congregation devises doctrine openly, led by elders (Acts 15:4-31 [especially verses 4, 12, 22])	*
Full Time Workers	selected by elders and announced to congregation	selected by congregation members who are gifted as teachers (13:1-3) -- reports to congregation (Acts 14:27)	*
Organizational Documents	not provided to congregation no policies--elders manipulate	provided to congregation has policies--everyone treated fairly	*
Errors	hidden or not admitted	confessed and corrected	*
Congregation's Response to Elders	rebellion inactiveness	cooperation activeness	*
Elders' Response to Congregation	defensiveness	confidence	*

*Since the purpose of this table is to compare two differnt styles of rule by elders, the congregational rule column has not been completed.