What does it mean to be Congregational?
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What does it mean to function in a congregational church? Is there any justification for it in the New Testament or in early church history? This class will explore this issue through several different means. It will look at early Christianity. During this part, we will explore the writings of the New Testament where church structure was discussed. We will also address church structure in the early church that developed beyond the time of the first century. From this point, the class will consider Congregationalism in Europe and then in America. This part of the class will address matters such as the English and German congregational thought, the Great Awakenings, the Unitarian controversy, and modern day expressions of Congregationalism. The final portion will provide the opportunity to interact with congregational representatives. This portion will help provide perspective on how experienced people have interacted in a congregational setting. Throughout the class, we will explore readings from an Anglican and Presbyterian view of church government. |
Our class will begin in January. We will have an orientation by Zoom on Saturday, January 10, 2026 for 30 minutes. From there, each student will read several sections from the New Testament and early Christianity, read S. E. Cowan and P. E. Engle, Who Runs the Church: Four Views on Church Government and look at five videos.
On Saturday, February 21, we will gather over Zoom for an hour long discussion of texts in the New Testament and early Christianity with Rev. Dr. Drake Williams.
Students will then view another five videos and read Richard Baxter's, The Reformed Pastor, the Cambridge Platform and the Savoy Declaration. On Saturday, April 11, we will gather over Zoom for an hour long discussion with Rev. Tim Dubeau.
We will then have one more Zoom session with congregational ministers in May. Date - TBD.
Students will then provide a final paper on congregational life in which a pastoral problem is evaluated in relation to congregational government, practice, and the Scriptures.
On Saturday, February 21, we will gather over Zoom for an hour long discussion of texts in the New Testament and early Christianity with Rev. Dr. Drake Williams.
Students will then view another five videos and read Richard Baxter's, The Reformed Pastor, the Cambridge Platform and the Savoy Declaration. On Saturday, April 11, we will gather over Zoom for an hour long discussion with Rev. Tim Dubeau.
We will then have one more Zoom session with congregational ministers in May. Date - TBD.
Students will then provide a final paper on congregational life in which a pastoral problem is evaluated in relation to congregational government, practice, and the Scriptures.
The class will be taught through video lecture, readings, and Zoom.
The Teachers are:
The Teachers are:
Rev. Timothy Dubeau
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Dr. Drake Williams
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