rjb@akgua.att.com (Robert J Brown) (06/09/90)
[Glenn Clapp describe the result of look at several denominations, which is that he belongs to a non-denominational church. He was upset at churches claiming to be right and others wrong. He says his church simply worships Christ, with no tradition. --clh] The problem I have run into in independent non-denominational churches is Church polity or government. Accountability of the leadership, particularly the Pastor, is made much more complicated by the fact that the chain is broken. This is especially true if the government is episcopal with the Pastor as the "bishop". What complicates matters for me personally is that I see no basis for a congregational church government in Scripture (a la Baptist), I have experienced episcopal government without the hierarchy to check abuse, and therefore am a solid presbyterian as far as independent church government is concerned. For whatever else one may dislike about denominations, the accountability factor in the hierarchy is effective in helping curb abuses quickly on some subjects (certainly not all). Whatch'all think ? BB