How do you view the church, especially with regard to its leadership and government?
Some people are what I call, "ecclesiastical democrats," in that they believe that the church should be led from the "bottom, up." They are congregationalists, and believe in "majority rule."
Other people are what I call "ecclesiastical royalists." They believe that the church should be led by clergy and lay elders, who, though elected by the people, nonetheless are given the responsibility (by God) of leading, governing, and casting vision for the church.
"Absolute" royalists are "episcopal," employing bishops and the like. "Moderated" royalists are "presbyterian," functioning with "colleges" of clergy (teaching elders), and ruling elders.
The royalist position is more Biblical, in that God, the Great King, is pleased to pattern His Own work after it. He sends His gifts, blessing, salvation, and even His Own Son, and the Holy Spirit, from the "top, down," viz., from heaven, to earth. This pattern, then, is to be reflected in the churches--where God works first through the faithful clergy (in immediate conjunction with the ruling elders), who then disseminate God's gifts and blessings to the faithful parishioners in the pew.
The Forum for Ecclesiocentricity is designed to educate Christians and non-Christians alike to understand the Biblical teaching concerning the Church (the "Puritan" church in particular), with regard to its principal role on the earth. When this is achieved, it is hoped that the Church would then be in a better position to convey Christ's redemptive virtues to the civil government (state), and the family. (You may email me at: markjhenninger@gmail.com)
