About the Book
In 1980 the little church Harry Ramey was pastoring in Missouri suffered
a church split (which is as close to hell as you can get on a pew). There
was no immorality or misconduct involved. At the epicenter of his “churchquake”
were questions of authority: who are elders? What is an elder? Are the
elders over the pastor?
He did some research. He concluded that only pastors are elders! There
is no such thing as a lay-elder. He believe that pastors should appoint
board members; that boards should not be able to fire pastors. This book
defines terms like elder, pastor, bishop, deacon and apostle. He sets aside
church tradition and look to the original Greek the Bible was written in.
He comes down hard on the side of the pastor. But I also take several
chapters to balance out the position. Democracy, by the way, is not a scriptural
way to govern the church!
Author's Statement About the Book
Over twenty years ago, a church I was pastoring exploded under me!
My “elders” put on a full-court press and sidelined me. There was
no immorality or misconduct involved.
Now I find that the same questions that were at the epicenter of my
church-quake,
are still unresolved in many churches today. Hearing recently of
another congregation having seizures over these same issues, I decided
to write.
My church train wreck revolved around questions like these: What
are elders? Can the board fire pastor, or vice-versa? To whom is
the pastor accountable? Is the pastor tethered to the board? Should
we govern by unanimous consent? Should the church have a board?
In making the church a dime-sized democracy, have we stripped the pastor
of most of his authority? (Democracy is not a scriptural way to govern
the church.)
This book comes down hard on the side of the pastor, but I devote ample
space to balancing that position. We’ll also take a look at apostles
and deacons.
And while there’s no such creature as a “lay-elder,” I do allow for
boards. Sort of.
Read for yourself!
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