The Book of Timothy gives specific qualifications for church elders so that infers that there does need to be some sort of leadership of the congregational body. Not everyone in the congregation is spiritually mature enough to leads others. Most members of congregations don't even read their bibles, so how could they know the Will of God? You can't know His Will without knowing His Word! As Christians in the Western World, it is important that we don't make the Bible and the church democratic similar to our secular government. If we do, we are at risk for deciding our own truths, deciding what constitutes sin, and causing added social division among the brethren.

The Book of Timothy gives specific qualifications for church elders so that infers that there does need to be some sort of leadership of the congregational body. Not everyone in the congregation is spiritually mature enough to leads others. Most members of congregations don't even read their bibles, so how could they know the Will of God? You can't know His Will without knowing His Word! As Christians in the Western World, it is important that we don't make the Bible and the church democratic similar to our secular government. If we do, we are at risk for deciding our own truths, deciding what constitutes sin, and causing added social division among the brethren. Women are different but equal. Women often played pivotal roles in Jewish Society, and the pages of Jewish history are full of heroic matriarchs such as Rachel, Sarah, Leah, and Rebecca. Miriam worked with her brothers Moses and Aaron, to lead the exodus from Egypt. Women in Jesus time were considered equal to men, though separated in their worldly responsibilities. They were allowed to choose their marriage partner, enter into contracts, buy and sell property, and speak at weddings. It was forbidden for men to beat or mistreat women, and in the case of rape, it was understood that such an act occurred against the woman's Will and that the man was presumed guilty. In fact, women were treated better in the time of Jesus than they are in great many places in the modern world. Also, women should not be treated unfairly in the Body of Christ. A woman is ONLY submitted to her OWN husband-NOT every man on earth. Women may also be ministers of the Gospel, and hold leadership positions in the church . edifythebody.org/curriculums/

In this exact talk, Dever says clearly that church members should not have the attitude of just doing whatever the elders say, but should know it for themselves from the Bible, and then together as a church have the final authority in matters of doctrine, membership, and like issues. He is AGAINST elder rule. Maybe listen carefully to the video before calling them to repentance.

@@mwr123456789 and that is why one must sign their extra biblical covenant?? Double speak....

And in their by laws it states they, as the elders, have the final authority on the interpretation of scripture??

The Book of Timothy gives specific qualifications for church elders so that infers that there does need to be some sort of leadership of the congregational body. Not everyone in the congregation is spiritually mature enough to leads others. Most members of congregations don't even read their bibles, so how could they know the Will of God? You can't know His Will without knowing His Word! As Christians in the Western World, it is important that we don't make the Bible and the church democratic similar to our secular government. If we do, we are at risk for deciding our own truths, deciding what constitutes sin, and causing added social division among the brethren.