Dont Fire Your Church Members: The Case for Congregationalism by Jonathan Leeman

Dont Fire Your Church Members: The Case for Congregationalism Reviews

• 
  Benjamin

  Bonnes réflexions sur le congrégationalisme. Même si je suis d'accord avec la plupart des conclusions de l'auteur, je ne le suis pas forcément dans tous ses arguments, et à mon sens c'est parfois difficile de suivre sa logique. Cependant, il fait un bon travail pour démystifier ce qu'est le congrégationalisme et offrir des réponses pastoralement adaptées.
• 
  David

  Great Biblical argument for Congregationalist. A little academic at points, but still readable. A shorter version would be his small book on church membership, but I enjoyed this one just as much.
• 
  Marc Sims

  "This book is almost certainly more important than you realize." - Mark Dever's blurb on the back of this book. He is spot on.
  
  This book is about MUCH more than church polity. It looks like a popular-level book, but this is most certainly an academic work. This is an expansive argument about Biblical theology, history, hermeneutics, politics, and discipleship. Take the massive Biblical theology from Wellum and Gentry's "Kingdom Through Covenant," apply it to ecclesiology, and this is the book you get. This is the most overwhelmingly persuasive argument for an elder-led congregation-ruled church polity I have come across.
  
  If you are skeptical about congregationalism as a whole, after reading the introduction, skip ahead to the chapter on elder leadership, and it will help greatly.
• 
  Michael Rachel

  Here is my unedited review of Leeman's book in brief thoughts:
  
  Overall, for how much publicity and how many recommendations it got, I was disappointed. Leeman appears to mischaracterize a lot. One wonders if he does it intentionally or if he does it because he's ill informed. I think he bit off more than he could chew. The one plus, is that he shows how a congregationalist thinks--but I expected/hoped for a lot more.
  
  The issue of church polity comes down to who has the authority and responsibility. This is not the issue at hand. Leeman appears to be working under the assumption that responsibility must be accompanied by authority. But this isn't necessary. In a family, dad and mom have both the authority and responsibility to keep the peace. But the children only have the responsibility. Authority is not a prerequisite for responsibility.
  
  That Presbyterian churches nominate and elect officers is not a capitulation to congregationalism. Presbyterians teach that authority resides with the entire congregation in so much as members choose their officers—which was a response to the feudalism in the 16th and 17th centuries. The right to choose officers is a response to Rome.
  
  Leeman assumes that the elders relationship to the congregation is that of a husband with a wife and not a parent with a child (though later he speaks otherwise), and that officers don't have the authority to command. This is misleading: (1) Because the NT never symbolizes the elder's relationship with the congregation as that of marriage. (2) The most common analogies are that of a shepherd and sheep, mothers, and fathers. (3) Dismisses the meaning of an elder's authority and their right to command (see Acts 16:1–4). Does Leeman ever deal with declarative authority? How does an elder (i.e. minister) command in his sermons with the authority of Christ if he doesn't have the authority to command?
  
  Leeman appears to conflate the organization of the church with the organic Christian life. It is unclear that Leeman understands the purpose of the organized church and rather thinks the organization is swallowed up in the organic or vice versa. The organized church exists for the ministry of the means of grace—not to cultivate experiences or opportunities for the whole Christian life. Leeman expects too much from the organized church.
  
  Leeman mischaracterizes presbyterianism when he says that it takes all responsibility out of the hands of congregants. Presbyterianism does not say that we have no mutual dependence and/or responsibility to watch over one another. Neither does it say that discipline is solely in the hands of the elders. While only elders can censure, presbyterian polity allows anyone to bring charges—which means there is a mutual responsibility of watching over the conduct of our brothers and sisters.
  
  On pg. 68 he speaks of the elder's authority as “fatherly” but still wants to retain the language of “persuasion.”
  
  I don't get his assumption that when congregants don't have the authority they lack the responsibility. Think of children in the family. They have a responsibility without authority.
  
  “Church” in Matthew 18 could it mean leaders? Any proof? Yes. See Bannerman (pg. 99). Strength of argument is in what he doesn't say.
  
  How does 1, 2, and 3 of v. 18 not influence the two or more? If your church is only made up of three people—which is the least number of required, then isn't Jesus being redundant when he says: “Take it before the church.” Not a major point, except that Leeman uses this argument elsewhere against the idea of Presbyterian polity.
  
  Casts congregationalism in idealistic terms while painting other polities in a pessimistic light (see pg. 102).
  
  Assumes congregational polity. He says that if a presbytery needs to rule on a matter you've gone “outside the church.” But no presbyterian would acknowledge that. See pg. 104.
  
  Responsibility necessitates authority pg. 107.
  
  Cheap shots on presbyterianism on pgs. 110 and 111.
  
  A recommendation is conscience binding? pg. 124
  
  Elders lead but congregations rule (pgs. 125–25). Really? “Those who rule well.”
  
  How does this not necessitate a highly educated congregation?
  
  Leeman wants people to show texts in the Bible showing a presbyterian polity but then assumes that Acts 15, 1 Cor. 5, etc. is a congregational polity. He never interacts with those who say otherwise. Which would be fine, but then don't give the challenge if you're not going to engage those who have already done the exegetical work.
  
  How do children make a profession of faith?
  
  Assume a very mature congregation. States that elders need to treat congregants like adult children (pgs. 139–40). Really? Is that how Paul or Hebrews treated them?
  
  Jesus commissioned the apostles as they represented the gathered assembly. What?
  If one has the responsibility to work with other churches, where is the authority? This is a presupposition Leeman uses throughout to deny presbyterian polity but rids himself of this presupposition when it works against him.
  
  
• 
  Pig Rieke

  In many churches in America today, there isn’t much of a difference between going to the movie theater and being a member of a church. A production is presented to which the audience is encouraged to be entertained and hopefully come back again for the sequel. Is this what Christ intended for his people?
  
  In this book, Jonathan Leeman gives a resounding no. Instead the author gives a picture of the church in which authority and responsibility is shared between the congregation and elders. This historic form of Baptist polity, elder led congregationalism, richly captures the chorus of not just the New Testament but also the covenantal trajectory of redemptive history.
  
  If your in Christ, Jesus commands you to be a member of a visible body of Christ. In other words, if you claim God as your heavenly Father, you of necessity must recognize others as your brothers and sisters in the Lord. Or to make this fully Trinitarian, if you claim to be a member of the temple of God in which the Spirit of God dwells, you must actually live out that reality in time and space. Leeman’s book gives flesh to the authority and responsibilities associated with church membership while encouraging his readers with a vision of the church from which love and truth radiate out.
• 
  Drake

  When I saw the title of this book, I assumed it was going to be a solid but popular-level treatment of church membership. What I got instead was a fantastic blend of biblical theology, systematic theology, history, political theory, and in-depth exegesis that combined to form a powerful case for congregational church government. Even when writing at an academic level, however, Leeman still bends over backwards to show the practical and pastoral implications of the issues being discussed. I may not be sold on every conclusion he reaches, but every conclusion is at least well-argued and gave me much to ponder, and I believe his overall vision of elder-led congregationalism is biblically sound (not to mention spiritually healthy). Though debates over church government don’t often take center stage the way debates over soteriology and eschatology do, they are still crucially important debates to have. Church government matters, and this book demonstrates why.
• 
  Jeremy Mueller

  Leeman outlines a biblical, theological, covenantal, and institutional case for congregationalism in this book. In so doing, he advocates for the assumed responsibility of Christians into the role of the priest-king whereby all who profess Jesus as the Christ are endowed with a two-fold responsibility of working and watching over the church that God has entrusted to the saints. This book will help enrich your understanding of Baptist polity and by God's grace expose you to the riches of God's wisdom and kindness in allowing us to care for his church through the office of church membership.
• 
  Jonathan Ginn

  Leeman's is a brilliant, discipline-blending work that makes a well-reasoned and carefully thought out case for elder-led congregationalism. The result is a book that brings together rich theological depth and practical church life in a compelling way. A must read for those who want to challenge and sharpen their ecclesiological convictions.
• 
  Steven

  In writing Don't Fire Your Church Members Jonathan Leeman has provided a needed exploration and defense of biblical congregationalism. From my experience in seminary and in pastoring a local church I have seen a wide range of mistaken concepts of congregationalism, and seen congregationalism rejected in favor of an elder or pastor ruled church structure.
  
  Leeman makes a foundational statement that should truly transform how people look at the local church and their involvement in his introduction. Leeman states, "The church is its members. Membership is an office. And members never step out of that office because they are the church, and because theirs is the work of representing Jesus and projecting his gospel in each other's lives every day (2)." In the first two chapters of the book Leeman provides what is in essence the biblical theology of congregationalism and the ways that authority is invested in individuals as found in Scripture. Chapters 3 and 4 address the issue of the concept of the keys of the kingdom and how they are entrusted to the local congregation as evidenced in Scripture. Chapter 5 addresses how pastoral authority is invested and balanced in biblical congregationalism Leeman addresses the areas that are entrusted to pastoral leadership, while also acknowledging there are some areas that are not fully clear and would depend upon the church itself such as expenditures. Chapter 6 addresses how autonomous local churches can and should work together demonstrating their interdependence and their common faith, Lord, and mission. The final chapter provides the structures needed for for healthy biblical congregationalism to flourish.
  
  I cannot commend this book enough to those preparing for minister or who are currently serving in ministry. From my experience it seems there is a growing reluctance among pastors of my generation to fully embrace biblical congregationalism. I have heard fellow seminarians argue that when Jesus makes the congregation the final authority for church discipline that Jesus really meant the elders/pastors of the church. Many Baptist churches are in terrible situations because they very truths explored in this book have been ignored by local church leaders. This book has helped me to take more seriously the nature of church membership as an office that requires carrying out certain responsibilities.
  
  Disclosure: I received this book free from from the publisher for providing this review. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
  http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/wa...
• 
  Marc Minter

  A Verbose and Sometimes Overreaching Defense of Congregationalism
  
  Leeman offers an assertive argument for congregationalism. He does so from Scripture and with a noble goal. However, his primary texts and hermeneutic are not (it seems to me) as rock solid and clear as he asserts. His conclusions will likely be quite agreeable to anyone who is already inclined toward congregationalism, but he leaves wide gaps and easy outs for those who want to disagree.
• 
  Mwansa

  This was an interesting read. I agreed with the core idea but disagreed with the base assumption so as the book kept going on I kept thinking to myself 'that's because the base assumption is off a little'. Jonathan Leeman sets out a good case for members to be involved in the running of the church because they are the church, which is a sound argument. He shows the flows in the different other types of church membership such as the Presbyterian, Lutheran and Anglican approaches.
  
  I particularly like how he uses the scriptures to argue for the autonomous nature of the local church and also the care that local churches must have for one another in terms of prayer, fellowship in some areas and common shared ministries. He even shows the different types of partnerships that can be formed between churches of differing doctrinal positions. If we differ on a certain issue then we can only work together in a particular area because there our differing points of view do not clash. It is well put together.
  
  The place I disagree is on the base assumption. It seems to me that Jonathan Leeman sees the enacting of Church membership as the involvement in how the church is run and the responsibilities church members have towards one another and so if they are deprived of this involvement then they do not fulfil the office God has set for them. In my view the church is more like an army than it is group of people with shares in a company. If you own shares (an analogy Leeman uses to close off the book) you should have a good level of knowledge as to what is going on and to a large extent how things are happening.
  
  Not that this isn't important but for me the church is an army that lives out it's faith all the time especially outside the walls of the church since it spends most of its time there. We gather together to be replenished and encourage one another as we continue to reach the lost and if this is understood by the church members then they are involved in the work and will not be passive. If this is understood (through the teaching and guidance of the elders) then the members are less likely to think and feel they have no involvement in the work of the church because they are literally acting out the mandate of the church in their every day lives.
  
  As for issues like encouragement and excommunication that are touched on quite a lot in the book it is the church members that carry out the excommunication and encouragement so they are involved whether they like it or not. A lack of adherence to this is living a life of non biblical Christianity and that should be rebuked by both the elders and the church members who see it.
• 
  Chris Huff

  I think it's a good book, but I honestly can't say for sure. Much of the beginning of the book is too smart for me to always follow.
  
  It's not that any one sentence is difficult to understand, it's just that some of the author's arguments are very clever. I've never considered congregationalism to follow from a covenantal theology. I don't even know if what I just wrote makes sense. I ain't that smarts.
  
  The book does point out some obvious things, though, that continue to make me think congregationalism is the biblical model. The instructions given to Timothy and Titus. The priesthood of all believers. The instructions Jesus gave to His disciples about the church and church discipline. I think the author could have stuck to the clear stuff and would have made a stronger case.
  
  But I'm probably wrong. After all, the author is obviously more clever than me.
  
  The book does get easier to follow in the second half. In fact, I think the last couple pages of the book are some of the most clear, most convincing arguments for an elder-led form of congregationalism.
  
  I was challenged to rethink how we approach congregationalism in my church. I was challenged to make more decisions in certain areas of church life, and less in others. I'm not sure I'll ever come back to this book as a guide, but it certainly challenged me and made me think.
• 
  George Marshall

  A very in-depth look at what congregationalism is and does. A wise read for anyone looking at authority and church organization. The early chapters will have to be read with a bit of patience, the following chapters filling in the gaps in the overall flow, but ultimately the whole sings of God's work in and through his body. And the refrain to the leadership is to not hamstring the church...let it grow and develop by actively engaging in the responsibility God has given it.
  
  I loved this book, but it is not an easy read, and is much more than an overview of the subject. While thin in form, the text is dense in Scripture, and flows from Grand scriptural theme to Grand scriptural theme. While it provides all that one needs to grasp the subject, a deeper background is certainly helpful, and richly rewarded.
• 
  Bennett Cox

  I give this a 3.8, but I rated it 4 stars because I want to be more positive and supportive of other’s work. I think it’s a middle level of argumentation. More than just giving what advocates of congregationalism love to hear, but not quite as deep as he could go. Much of what he tries to tackle could have volumes written on it, and does. For what it is intended, I think it’s fine and solid in defending congregationalism. I’d give it as a primer to people! It is near impossible to cover everything that is said with all nuances for all times, so I don’t think this is intended to be entirely comprehensive. Would’ve loved him to get more specific in some areas, but I do think this could begin to, or maybe even, convince someone who currently subscribes to different polity. Thanks Jonathan for your work!
• 
  Hopson

  I've grown up in congregationalism, but I've never read a biblical defense of congregationalism. This book does that and more. Leeman presents a biblical defense of congregational church government, as well as explaining what that means. Biblical congregationalism is not a straight democracy, but a system of government where church members have authority to oversee the what and who of the gospel in submission to the teaching and leading of the elders.
  
  This was an incredibly helpful book for me to flesh out my beliefs about church structure and government. Highly recommend it for Baptists and non-Baptists alike!
• 
  Kurt Brubaker

  I struggled with Don't Fire Your Church Members by Jonathan Leeman. It is not as though I cannot work my way through more technical works. I came to this book with the theological conviction for Congregationalism in place and also as one who admires Leeman for all his work with 9 Marks. The point of struggle in this book was more the style of writing than the content itself. The style of writing was more labor-some than it needed. I agreed with many of the conclusions Leeman reached. The path to get to those conclusions was the struggle. Hence, the lower rating on the book.
• 
  Devin Morris

  Overall, an informing read. I think it was a good articulation of the Congregationalist perspective of church governance. My particular faith tradition has always had an unhealthy mix of Presbyterian and Congregationalist polity. Unlike most staff I have worked with, I lean towards the Congregationalist approach.
  
  There are aspects of his argument that are unwarranted or drawn out for no lingering purpose. That can be really frustrating when an author abandons succinctness out of fear of not covering a particular argument someone might throw up. However, I get it.
  
  
• 
  John Dube

  The best defense of congregationalism I’ve been exposed to, really elder-led congregationalism. Definitely recommended for those interested in the functional and theological relationship between elders/congregation. Leeman is clear and illustrates and defends his points well. This book is more academic than the cover suggests (looks more pop-Christian, than academic). I would say, If your familiar with Dever/9Marks/Leeman, you probably know what to expect here. Although I believe this work represents their (Leeman’s) strongest and most detailed argument for elder-led congregationalism.
• 
  Michael Abraham

  Looks can be deceiving, this is an academic book. Leeman offers a robust apologetic for congregationalism while sharing practical guidance for healthy congregationalism in the life of the church. The most basic premise of the book is found in this formula: elder leadership + congregational rule = discipleship.
  
  I would highly recommend this book to pastors who are thinking through church polity.
• 
  Nathan Moore

  In this book Leeman makes a convincing case for elder-led congregationalism where every member is a priest-king, equipped and trained by pastors to do work of ministry: which in large part is tending to the Who/what of the Gospel.
  
  In spite of the catchy title, the book is dense and a little technical in places but the argument is forceful. After reading it I worked up an outline and realized that the content sits much better the second time around. There were a couple of key bright spots for me. 1) Leeman makes his case with a biblical theological argument (see thesis above). This isn't simple congregational prof-texting. 2) Leeman does what any congregational argument must do, dispel abuses (congregations voting on wether or not to buy a photocopier) and give a practical way for congregations and elders to function together. This is where the book shines. After arguing that the congregation has real authority AND the elders have real authority, Leeman works out a paradigm for how both can work together. The congregation has the final say on the who and what of the Gospel (the keys) and the elders have the responsibility to lead the congregation to use these keys correctly.
  
  If you aren't up for a technical read, check out his more accessible edition of this work:
  Understanding the Congregation's Authority
• 
  Joshua Rowland

  Though the title might make you think this is a lay-level argument for elder-led congregationalism, it is a bit more in-depth than that. Excellent work. Not overly academic, but definitely filled with rich research. I particularly love the biblical-theological approach of church members as “priest-kings,” fulfilling Adam’s role through union with Christ.
• 
  Carey Clark

  Excellent book on why congregationalism should be supported and sought after by churches. Highly recommend to all if you are looking for a good book to understand why Baptist churches do what they do. It is a thicc one (with 2 c’s) so be warned… #dontlosethewonder
• 
  Ryan Reed

  This was a really helpful book. More on the academic side, but I loved his connection of Adam’s priesthood to the priesthood of the believer.
• 
  C.J. Moore

  Get it. Read it. Apply it.
• 
  Alex Leyva

  Dense read but incredibly helpful!