The Proclaimer

The Autonomy Of The Local Church

In understanding the function and work of the local congregation it is imperative that the concept of autonomy be understood.  The New Testament clearly shows each individual congregation of the Lord’s church to be completely independent and autonomous in nature.  This means several things.

First of all, there is no organization that exists beyond that of the local congregation.  Luke records that in the first century they “appointed elders in every church” (Acts 14:23).  Obviously this necessarily implies that elders were appointed in every church that had men as members that met the qualifications set forth by the Holy Spirit (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).  While there may be congregations that do not have such men, one thing is certain, God intends for each congregation to have its own elders.

Secondly, the work of these elders is limited to the congregation that appointed them to this service.  The apostle Peter wrote to elders, “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you” (1 Peter 5:2).  No elder has any business attempting to oversee the affairs of any congregation except the one that appointed him.  When this happens, the autonomy of the local church is violated.

We must understand that there is no visible organization in the church universal on the face of the earth.  All organization is limited to the local congregation.  This means that any attempt to activate the church universal or any combine of local churches to do a work too large for a single congregation to accomplish, destroys the autonomy of the local church.  In recent years this has been done time and time again as local churches have pooled their resources sending money to a sponsoring church so that a work too large for any one church can be done. 

We must understand that no local church has the authority to take on a work larger than it can do itself.  Any time a local church is dependent upon other churches to do the work it chooses to do the autonomy of the local congregation is violated.  We must remember that God does not hold us accountable for doing that which we cannot do.  Paul says, “It is acceptable according as a man hath, not according as he hath not” (2 Cor. 8:12).  While Paul refers to the responsibility of individual members in the area of giving, the principle remains the same even in regard to collective matters.

Some have suggested that in such cases the end justifies the means, i.e. the work being done is so wonderful that any incorrectness in the method of doing that work is out-weighed.  Listen carefully.  The end never justifies the means.  It is crucial that we do God’s work in God’s way.  There is no authority for the sponsoring church arrangement, for all such arrangements violate the autonomy of the local congregation.

One more thing.  No group of elders (or preacher, or church) has the right to meddle in the affairs of another local church.  Some preach the autonomy of the local church but fail to practice it.  The unity of more than one congregation has been disrupted by outside interference.  Brethren, this ought not to be!  As Christians (be they elder or preacher) our responsibility lies within the local church.  There’s plenty of work to be done there.

                                                                                         -- Clark Dugger

The Proclaimer