Salmer Til Brug Ved Missions Sammenkomster

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An excellent primer on the spectrum of ways in which Christians organize their institutional life, Long's study of polity—that is, methods of religious organization—intends to enlighten the reader about the ways in which belief shapes personal and communal function. "Patterns of Polity" is a comparative examination of church governance by bishops, governance by elders, and governance by congregations across contemporary branches of Christianity. "Patterns of Polity" does not defend the validity of any particular polity, but instead raises questions that are essential to all polities and to all communities: How is power created and used? In what ways are polities most likely to function well? In what ways are polities susceptible to corruption and dysfunction? How are conflicts adjudicated and finances handled?

Perspectives on Church Government presents in counterpoint form the basic models of church government which have developed over the course of church history with a view toward determining which is most faithful to Scripture. Each chapter will be written by a prominent person from within each tradition—with specific guidelines dealing with the biblical, historical, and theological issues within each governance tradition. In addition, each writer will have the opportunity to give a brief response to the other traditions.

Renowned evangelical theologian Gerald Bray provides a clear and coherent account of the church in biblical, historical, and theological perspective. He tells the story of the church in its many manifestations through time, starting with its appearance in the New Testament, moving through centuries of persecution and triumph, and discussing how and why the ancient church broke up at the Reformation. Along the way, Bray looks at the four classic marks of the church--its oneness, holiness, catholicity, and apostolicity--and illustrates how each of these marks has been understood by different Christian traditions. The book concludes with a look at the ecumenical climate of today and suggests ways that the four characteristics of the church can and should be manifested in our present global context. This accessible introduction to the church from an evangelical perspective explores ecclesiology through the lenses of church history and doctrine to reveal what it means for us today. Bray discusses the church as a living reality, offering practical ways churches and individuals can cooperate and live together.