Elective course

Congregational Church Government and Baptist Polity

Interim elective written from within the Baptist and Congregational tradition.

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About the course

• Author: Dr. Wayne Cook
• Languages: English, Spanish, and French.
• Units: 10
• Counts toward: Certificate of Ministry; Associate of Divinity; Master of Theology (Th.M.); Master of Divinity (M.Div.). These are internal ministry recognitions, not official degrees.
• Textbook: The New Directory for Baptist Churches (selections) — Edward T. Hiscox
• Required readings: Congregational Church Government and Baptist Polity: Required Readings

Units

1. 1. Unit 1 - Christ the Head: Biblical Foundations of Church Government
2. 2. Unit 2 - Congregational Government: Matthew 18, Acts 6 and 15, and 1 Corinthians 5
3. 3. Unit 3 - Local Church Autonomy and Voluntary Cooperation: Associations and Conventions
4. 4. Unit 4 - The Pastor/Elder: Qualifications, Calling, Ordination, and Plurality Debates
5. 5. Unit 5 - Church Membership, Covenant, and Church Discipline
6. 6. Unit 6 - The Deacon Office I: Origin, Name, and Qualifications
7. 7. Unit 7 - The Deacon Office II: Duties, Ministry to the Needy, Support of the Pastor, and Finances
8. 8. Unit 8 - The Deacon Family Ministry Plan
9. 9. Unit 9 - The Deacon Office III: Crisis Ministry, the Deacons' Meeting, Keeping the Plan Alive, and Women's Service
10. 10. Unit 10 - Business Meetings, Constitutions, Bylaws, Property, and the Law