Sermons tagged #Polity

This is the commissioning service for our two new elders.

In this episode of "Faith & Practice," Dr. Pipa and Pastor Groff handle a diverse array of questions pertaining to church government, Christian education, biblical ethics, and Old Testament theology. Questions include: How should members respond to a session that is small and overworked, but may appear to be rushing to elect new elders? Why do we make distinctions in the office of Elder, and how should we understand the various categories (e.g., Pastor, Teacher/Doctor, etc.) today? How do you know if your church has a true plurality (and parity) of elders? How should the church organize and conduct Sunday School? What biblical principles apply to how to steward our physical health? How should we view magic in literature and entertainment? When the Israelites left Egypt, how did they all have tents already at their disposal? While wandering in the desert for 40 years, what was the nature of the work that the Israelites did?

There are six aspects to Reformed Church polity from God's Word (also known as Presbyterianism): Christ is the head of the Church Congregation elects officers Elders are bishops. There is not a hierarchy of offices. There should be a plurality of elders in each congregation. Ordination is a public act that involves elders and ministers. There is a right of appeal to the broader assemblies of elders acting in a broader capacity. Churches that follow an episcopacy model fail criteria 1-6. Churches that follow a congregationalist model fail criteria 4-6.

In this edition of the New Members Series, Patrick Covington and Kyle Slaymaker sit down with Duffey to discuss another of Believers' Baptist Church's theological distinctives: Biblical eldership. This episode is designed to supplement the new members class held twice per year for prospective members desiring church membership at BBC.

In this episode of "Faith & Practice," Dr. Pipa and Pastor Groff handle a diverse array of questions pertaining to church government, prayer, worship, and more. Questions include: Should we be expecting more or formal education for Ruling Elders? Where did Old Testament believers worship before the Temple? What authority do Deacons have in the church? What guidelines should we follow to properly pray imprecatory prayers? What do you think the ideal training method is for new office bearers in the church? What biblical principles apply to deciding how much money to spend on 'non-essentials' (e.g., recreation, entertainment, home decor)?

The following address was delivered by Robert J. Breckinridge as a speech made during the October 1843 meeting of the Synod of Philadelphia of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. This speech was subsequently published under the title, "Presbyterian Government, Not a Hierarchy, But a Commonwealth." Sadly, Breckinridge's argument failed to persuade the Synod on this point. However, in published form, it has had an immense influence on the historic polity of the Southern Presbyterian Church (PCUS) and of its successor, the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).

Having concluded our exposition of the introductory greeting we now begin to turn our attention to the body of the Letter to Titus starting with Titus 1:5-9. Specifically, we will focus on verse 5 this week as it pertains to the church being an orderly institution, just as our God is an orderly God. We will look not only at how this applies to church polity, but also why qualified pastors are so vital to ensuring the order and well-being of the local church and shepherding the flock of Christ. Visit Salem Reformed Baptist on the web at: https://www.salemreformedbaptist.org on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/salemreformedbaptist on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@salemreformedbaptist on SermonAudio at: http://www.sermonaudio.com/go/SalemReformedBaptist Our sermons can also be found on Apple Podcasts, Google, Spotify, Pandora, and others. This sermon was delivered on September 10th, 2023, by Pastor Gustavo "Guga" Barros at Salem Reformed Baptist in Salem, Oregon.

In the second class we looked into the constitutional standards of the PCA. We talk about the reasons for holding to creeds and confessions as helpful ways to understand the perfect and supreme authority of the Word of God.

In part one of the class we looked at the PCA's Church Polity and Structure, including church officers and courts. We also discussed the elements of our worship services and the theology behind them.

This sermon was delivered on August 13, 2023 at Antioch Presbyterian Church, a mission work of Calvary Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in America located in Woodruff, South Carolina. Pastoral Intern Ryan Colvin delivered this sermon entitled "A Healthy Church: The Body of Christ" on 1 Thessalonians 5:14, 15. For more information about Antioch Presbyterian Church, please visit antiochpca.com or contact us at [email protected].

Warrenton Bible Fellowship is an elder-led church. Exactly what does that mean, and where does it come from. Let's join our service as we explore the Scriptures to see who an elder is and what he does.

We conclude our series on what it means to be Reformed Baptists this week with a further look at the attributes of Pastor or Elder-led Congregationalism. More specifically we'll examine the issues of congregational voting, properly utilizing one's vote, as well as responsibilities with regards to membership. In a congregational church do the pastors or elders have any authority or does it all rest with the congregation? What are the responsibilities of the congregation when it comes to things that are not addressed in the New Testament, like voting on a church budget? Is it the Elders of the church who are responsible for corrective discipline including excommunication or do members have a role they must fulfill? We pray you enjoy our sermon, "Church Government (Part III) as we conclude our series and hope that you will join us for our new series next week on the book of Titus. Visit Salem Reformed Baptist on the web at: https://www.salemreformedbaptist.org on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/salemreformedbaptist on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@salemreformedbaptist on SermonAudio at: http://www.sermonaudio.com/go/SalemReformedBaptist Our sermons can also be found on Apple Podcasts, Google, Spotify, Pandora, and others. This sermon was delivered on July 23rd, 2023 by Pastor Gustavo "Guga" Barros at Salem Reformed Baptist in Salem, Oregon.

This week our sermon focus turns to the form of church governance known as "Pastor (or Elder)-led Congregationalism." In our examination we will primarily focus on what it does, and what it does not mean, to be an Elder-led Congregational church. What authority and responsibility do Pastors (Elders) and the congregation have when it comes to the life of the church? Is Elder-led Congregationalism biblical? Dare we say, it is the most biblical method of church governance according to what we find in the New Testament and under the New Covenant? Join us this week for our sermon, "Church Government (Part II) as we seek to answer these questions. Visit Salem Reformed Baptist on the web at: https://www.salemreformedbaptist.org on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/salemreformedbaptist on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@salemreformedbaptist on SermonAudio at: http://www.sermonaudio.com/go/SalemReformedBaptist Our sermons can also be found on Apple Podcasts, Google, Spotify, Pandora, Stitcher, and others. This sermon was delivered on July 16th, 2023 by Pastor Gustavo "Guga" Barros at Salem Reformed Baptist in Salem, Oregon.

In our sermon this week, "Church Government (Part I)," we turn to the issue of who has ultimate authority over the church? Is it an association of churches or a board of elders? Perhaps it is a particular individual church's founding or lead pastor? Further yet as is the case in Roman Catholicism, is the ultimate authority the pope himself? It is our purpose this week to highlight the fact that this ultimate authority belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ alone. In fact, it's Christ's headship over each local church that leads to the biblical & Baptist doctrine of the independence, or autonomy, of each local church! Join us this week as we explore the importance of church governance further, Visit Salem Reformed Baptist on the web at: https://www.salemreformedbaptist.org on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/salemreformedbaptist on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@salemreformedbaptist on SermonAudio at: http://www.sermonaudio.com/go/SalemReformedBaptist Our sermons can also be found on Apple Podcasts, Google, Spotify, Pandora, Stitcher, and others. This sermon was delivered on July 9th, 2023 by Pastor Gustavo "Guga" Barros at Salem Reformed Baptist in Salem, Oregon.

This week we continue our examination of a church's structure, authority, & governance, or what is often referred to as "church polity." In this sermon we take a more specific look at the issues of church membership, baptism, and the Lord's Supper, also known as the sacraments or ordinances. Are baptism & communion something meant to be personal & private or are they to be administered by and in the local church? Are they the only two ordinances? Is baptism a political declaration? Without church membership can one have formative or corrective discipline? Can a pastor truly "give an account" (Hebrews 13:17) if there is no means by which to know who is actually a part of his local flock? Please join us for this week's sermon, "Church Polity (Part II)," as we look to answer these questions and many more! Visit Salem Reformed Baptist on the web at: https://www.salemreformedbaptist.org on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/salemreformedbaptist on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@salemreformedbaptist on SermonAudio at: http://www.sermonaudio.com/go/SalemReformedBaptist Our sermons can also be found on Apple Podcasts, Google, Spotify, Pandora, Stitcher, and others. This sermon was delivered on July 2nd, 2023 by Pastor Gustavo "Guga" Barros at Salem Reformed Baptist in Salem, Oregon.

Today we turn to the subject of church structure, authority, & governance, or what is otherwise known as "church polity." In this first lesson Pastor Gustavo returns to the pulpit to provide us with an introductory sermon on this topic. Is church polity, or politics, crucial for the well-being of the local church? Did Christ actually give authority to the church, specifically the church as an institution? Do we have a duty or obligation to obey Jesus in the ways that He has structured and organized His church? We hope you'll join us for this week's sermon titled, "Church Polity (Part I)" as we look to address these questions and many more! Visit Salem Reformed Baptist on the web at: https://www.salemreformedbaptist.org on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/salemreformedbaptist on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@salemreformedbaptist on SermonAudio at: http://www.sermonaudio.com/go/SalemReformedBaptist Our sermons can also be found on Apple Podcasts, Google, Spotify, Pandora, Stitcher, and others. This sermon was delivered on June 25th, 2023 by Pastor Gustavo "Guga" Barros at Salem Reformed Baptist in Salem, Oregon.

We have heard all about the role and qualifications of officers, but what is the role of the congregation to the church leadership? Listen to find out.

God gave the gift of continuing special offices to the Church, elders and ministers, in order to build His Church.