Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 64:255 (Jul 1907)
Article: How Does The Proposed Act Of Union Affect Congregationalism?
Author: Theodore D. Bacon

BSac 64:255 (July 1907) p. 552

How Does The Proposed Act Of Union Affect Congregationalism?1

Rev Theodore D. Bacon

Permit me to restate in a few words the familiar principles of Congregationalism, as they are essential to our question.

The fundamental principle is, of course, the independence of the local church. The National Council of 1865 expressed it thus: “Resolved that this Council recognizes as distinctive of the Congregational polity, First, The principle that the local or Congregational Church derives its power and authority directly from Christ, and is not subject to any ecclesiastical government exterior or superior to itself.”

But, though independent, the churches are not isolated. They recognize one another as sister churches working for common ends, and in need of mutual cooperation. For this purpose they have certain customary bonds of fellowship. Foremost among these is the council, which each church is expected to call whenever it has some action of special weight before it, particularly when it contemplates ordaining a pastor. The council can give only advice, but it has become quite unusual for a church not to follow such advice. The reserved right of the churches, however, to act independently of council is like a bill of rights for state or national constitutions, or like a bank reserve: it is rarely called into action, but it is of vital importance that it should be maintained, and the consciousness that it exists has a perpetual and controlling influence on the activities of the body.

BSac 64:255 (July 1907) p. 553

Local, State, and National Associations, or Conferences, have also grown up within the last century, to provide for general conference and coöperation, and to give advice on general questions. Such advice, however, has never had anything like the force of the advice of a specific council, though the national body has received the misleading name of Council.

As councils for installation of pastors already ordained have ceased to be the rule of late years, it has become the custom west of the Alleghanies that membership of ministers in some local association should be regarded by churches seeking a pastor as evidence of a minister’s good standing. But any church is free to choose a pastor without regard to such membership.

Other means of fellowship exist in the great missionary societies, in which many of the churches cooperate, and in other enterprises, but they do not enter into our present discussion.

A word must be added concerning creeds. Originally none of the churches had creeds, though closely united in doctrinal belief. At the time of the Unitarian controversy, however, many...