• Three basic kinds of church government (plus a hybrid fourth form). All can’t be right!
  • Universal concept
    • Local churches (or parishes) joined together under universal oversight with a universal treasury doing universal work.
    • Prime example is the Catholic church, headed by the Pope.
  • Brotherhood concept
    • Local churches joined together under brotherhood oversight with a brotherhood treasury doing brotherhood work.
    • Example: Southern Methodist Conference
  • Local concept
    • Autonomous local churches. Individual Christians are part of the universal church with Christ as the head.
    • Local oversight
      • Acts 14:23 – Elders commanded to oversee local churches
      • I Peter 5:1-4 – Elders are to oversee their own flock – not other churches.
    • Local treasury
      • I Corinthians 16:1-2
    • Local work
    • This is the only structure authorized by God.
  • Brotherhood + local church concept
    • Local churches under the guidance of the ruling convention. Much looser than the brotherhood concept.
    • They claim only local oversight, treasury, and work, but they also have brotherhood oversight, treasury, and work in some cases.
      • Baptist Hour
      • Buckner Children’s Home
    • “Churches of Christ”
      • Local churches joined together in a loose denominational structure.
      • They claim only local oversight, treasury, and work, but also have elements of brotherhood oversight, treasury, and work.
        • Herald of Truth – Radio program run by a church in Abilene. Many churches sent money to support the work.
        • Boles Children’s Home