Title: Do Democratic Process Belong in the Church?
By: Dr. Byron C. Hardy, D. Min.
ISBN# 13: 978-1498431910
A CBM Book Review
10.0 out of 10.0 stars
Do Democratic Process Belong in the Church? by Dr.
Byron C. Hardy, D. Min. takes a look at church governance within congregations,
to include the role of the Pastor and his staff, along with different
denominational models.
Asking poignant questions such as: “Has sufficient
research taken place allowing for the establishment of a biblically based
governance model with or without a democratic component?” Well written and
researched, the author presents a book with the purpose to provide more clarity
for congregations to function efficiently and be governed by biblically based
principles that ultimately make Jesus, the Head of the Church.
With this in mind, the author’s states his belief is that
the goal for any ministry should be to make disciples of
Jesus Christ. By first
assessing the problems within a church and within church leadership, the author
takes a look at whether or not a democratic process is a biblical way to run a
church. With focus on leadership roles such as the Pastor, Elders, Board
members and the congregation, the author writes to clarify leadership qualities
and characteristics within an individual that emerge that will help create a
healthy congregation within a local church body that keeps leadership roles at
the forefront.
With such chapters as:
The Introduction: The Problem, Purpose – Peer Counseling
Discipleship; Variance of Views - Part One: Learning from Others, Variance of
Views; Part Two: Healthy Church Leadership, Variance
of Views; Part Three: Effective Structures, Variance of Views; Part Four: Who
Runs the Church?, Variance of Views; Part Five: Moving to a Position of Service,
Variance of Views; Part Six: Feeding and Leading, Variance of Views – Conclusion, Search and Discover; Entitled to
Vote?, Using Democracy to Prevent Corruption?, What About Pastor Abuse?;
Summary of Survey Results, Consulting God’s Word on Effective Church
Leadership, Leadership in the Church-Who Has Spiritual Authority?, Lay
Leadership in the Church, Why Democratic Processes Exist within the Church,
Conclusion: Personal Philosophy of Christian Leadership, this is a through
read.
This book comes highly recommended for those interested in
church leadership and/or discipleship. Many references to other reading sources
the author has recommended are included, and as a pastor himself, the author
has written a book that will help others govern their local congregations with
fairness and righteousness, using the Bible as their guide while centering
their congregations on Jesus as the Head.
As the author states, “It is through studying church governance models
where the adoption of the proper model may be gained.”
Get your copy of Do Democratic Process Belong in the Church? at Amazon.
