Church Government

Blessed Life Fellowship differs from many denominational churches in its structure of church government. Most mainline churches maintain either a congregational form of church government, a Presbyterian form, or an Episcopal form of governing their churches.

The congregational form of church government is an American invention and appeals to our American sense of democracy. Basically, the congregation as a whole makes all decisions in these churches by voting on matters of importance and appointing committees from its ranks to run the daily operation of the church. The congregation votes on hiring a pastor, votes on how to spend money, and on anything else of importance. Although democratic people like this idea, congregational forms of church government often wind up, at best, causing the pastor to be directed by the sheep he is supposed to lead, and, at worst, reducing the pastor to a hireling.

In the Episcopal form of church government there is a bishop, or someone of similar stature (sometimes called by different titles), who oversees the churches, appoints pastors to pulpits, sets policy and guides the vision of the local congregations. This leaves little freedom for the local pastor or congregation to follow the leading of the Spirit.

The Presbyterian form of church government puts the decisions of church policy in the hands of a select group of elders (the "presbytery") who are appointed in various different ways, depending on the church. These elders are over the pastor, who in turn is over the congregation. The problem here, too, is that this system puts the God-appointed leader -- the pastor -- under some of those he is supposed to lead.

Blessed Life Fellowship is organized differently. Church government at BLF is very simple, not a complex bureaucracy. Committees and subcommittees are essentially nonexistent. Basically, at BLF, we believe that the pastor is responsible for the church, responsible to hear from God in His Word, and responsible to feed and love His people faithfully. Elders will be appointed as we grow larger to help the pastor care for the spiritual needs of the congregation.

At Blessed Life Fellowship, church organization is de-emphasized, and only the organization that is needed to run the church is instituted. The pastor guides the church as he is led by the Holy Spirit, and we trust God to put pastors where He wants them to be.

All that said, feedback, input, suggestions, and even constructive criticism is nevertheless welcome by Pastor Andy, and Pastor Andy also maintains accountability regarding his character to Godly men both within the church and outside of it.