How a New Testament church is organized — elders, deacons, and congregational autonomy — without denominational hierarchy.
The New Testament describes a specific, simple pattern for how a local congregation is organized — elders and deacons serving a single, autonomous congregation, with no denominational hierarchy above it. This guide covers that pattern directly, including the institutional question specifically.
Inside: the qualifications and role of elders and deacons, congregational autonomy and why it matters, church cooperation and support of benevolent work (including organizations like disaster relief) as a legitimate, biblical practice — not a sin, as some within the broader Restoration Movement hold — and recognizing when an arrangement crosses from cooperation into denominational structure. Direct about where this tradition stands relative to other factions within the Restoration Movement.
Includes 6 fill-in worksheets and self-assessments (print version), AI-powered prompts at the end of every chapter, and clickable links to Claude and ChatGPT in the digital version. Available in print (8.5×11, binder-ready) and digital (6×9, phone-optimized) formats. Instant download after purchase.
How a New Testament church is organized — elders, deacons, and congregational autonomy — without denominational hierarchy.