What is Congregationalism

Congregationalism flows from a set of principles which originate in the New Testament and which reemerged in the Protestant Reformation.

The great characteristic of congregationalism is a commitment to the principle of the Lordship of Jesus Christ manifested in the life of each local congregation.

Early in the Church’s history, a group of believers was established as a local church in Antioch. Under the direction of the Holy Spirit that church sent out Barnabas and Saul on their first missionary journey (Acts 13:1-3). The believers at Antioch did not need the approval of the Apostles in Jerusalem to go ahead and obey the Spirit’s leading.

This is the essence of congregationalism: each church obeying the Lord’s leading. Of course, this does not mean that the church in Antioch had an independent or rebellious spirit in any way. In fact, later when the Apostles had some concerns, representatives from the church in Antioch went to the first church council in Jerusalem (Acts 15). At that time, the Lord of the Church brought agreement and unity to His Church.

It is Jesus Christ who is the head of His Body, the Church – both universal and local. It is Jesus Christ who exercises His authority in each local church by the Holy Spirit through the Scriptures. We believe our local church, Mount Vernon Heights Congregational Church, is in itself a complete church and, therefore, autonomous, ultimately answerable only to Jesus Christ.

This is why it is critical that the membership of the church – and absolutely critical that the leadership of the church – be truly born again believers yielded to the Lordship of Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and under the authority of Holy Scripture. This is also why each member must exercise with faithfulness their unique gifts, vision and God-given abilities according to the grace that He has supplied to each one of us. We belong to one another and we depend on one another.

This is our sacred calling. When one person among us is not exercising their gifts faithfully our congregation is not all that God desires it to be.

Do you realize the responsibilities of congregationalism? It is not just the privilege of voting. We will be held accountable for having walked with God and having obeyed His leading. There will be no pope or bishop to blame: not even the pastor! We must walk with God. We must hear from God and follow His voice.

“WE” are accountable! We believe in congregationalism so we must live with its implications and responsibilities – gratefully, joyfully, faithfully and earnestly