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Simplicity, sincerity, and service are some of the fundamentals which provide the dynamics of the Congregational Way. But
all is built upon the foundation provided by the following three
foci, which are interrelated:
A. Christ is the head of the Church
To say what is so obviously self-evident is to respond, as
our Pilgrim parents, when they said that neither King, Pope, nor
Archbishop is the head of the Church. But it is also to affirm that
no connectional judicatory is to be ranked above the local Church,
for here is where Christ has promised to be present "whenever two
or three gather in His name." We are unapologetic in our emphasis
on the local Church for such a community of faith is complete
under God in both spiritual authority and ecclesiastical power.
Congregationalism is a way of church life (or form of church
polity) that rejoices in the teaching and example of Jesus of
Nazareth in whom and through whom God is "reconciling the
world." It is this emphasis on the autonomy of the local Church
under the Lordship of Christ which provides that special dynamic
we call Congregationalism.
B. A gathered fellowship of believers is the Church
For the English Separatist, the Church was a voluntary
company of Christians, made up only of believers; united by a
mutual covenant to walk in the ways of the Lord, known or to be
made known to them; meeting for worship regularly in the same
location; and endeavoring to follow the teachings of Christ,
demonstrated in love toward God and neighbor. Our polity is not a
matter of mere organization but also a matter of spirit and life. We
affirm the New Testament definition of the church complete in its
local manifestations as a gathered fellowship of Christ-followers.
Ours is a way that seeks to bring together persons of independent
mind and heart who, by both profession and life, are attempting to
translate the teachings of Scripture into action, as disciples of the
Master. In that context and with equality, respect for diversity, and
individual responsibility, we endeavor to become a "family of
families," and beloved community of encouragement and service
to others. For us there is no Church other than the local Church.
C. The Church in fellowship with other like-minded Churches
Our understanding of the New testament Churches is that
they entered into fellowship with one another out of mutual respect. At no point do we find the Churches relating to each other
out of dominance or submission. For us, the freedom of the local
Church must always be linked to fellowship with other Churches in
our way - whether for worship, outreach, or the offering of counsel. It is this voluntary fellowship that marks the difference between Congregationalism and independency. Local autonomy
must always be combined with fellowship born of love, not law, as
the foundation for cooperative activity. In this way we are enabled
to avoid the limitations of a sterile independency as we meet
together for communion, edification, and helpfulness. We regard
such mutual and voluntary fellowship as vital to the Congregational Way. To be involved in the wider fellowship of churches,
whether it be local, state, or national association, does not make a
Church more a Church; but lack of fellowship certainly can make
it less than it could be.
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