Church: Church Polity
The governance of the Christian churches has assumed a variety of forms based on historical factors as well as on theological positions regarding the origin or root of ministerial functions. In a descending degree of local autonomy, these forms are broadly classified as congregational, presbyterial, or episcopal, but within each category significant modifications exist. After a historical survey of church governance from its beginnings through the Middle Ages, the orga-nization of the major denominations will be considered individually.
One cannot speak with precision or certitude about ministry in the early church because it is difficult to date and evaluate.....
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