Plurality (church governance)

Plurality (church governance)

In religion, the term plurality has been coined to refer to an alternative system of church government, wherein the local assembly's decisions are made by a committee, each typically called an elder; in contrast to the "singularity" of the bishop hierarchy system (Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Anglican churches); or the pastor / president system of many Protestant churches.

The plurality system is commonly encouraged among Presbyterians, Jehovah's Witnesses, Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, Plymouth Brethren, and some Apostolics.

Plurality is a slang term for Presbyterian ecclesiastical polity.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Plurality — can refer to the following:* Plural, in linguistics * Plurality (voting), a less than the majority number of votes * Plurality voting system, also called first past the post * Plurality (church governance) * Plurality (company), Israeli startup * …   Wikipedia

  • United Church of Canada — For Unitarian churches in Canada, see Canadian Unitarian Council. United Church of Canada Église unie du Canada Classification Protestant Orientation Mainline/Calvinist …   Wikipedia

  • The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — Classification Latter Day Saint movement Theology Nontrinitarian, Mormonism Governance …   Wikipedia

  • Emerging church — The emerging church (sometimes referred to as the emergent movement or emergent conversation) is a Christian movement of the late 20th and early 21st century that crosses a number of theological boundaries: participants can be described as… …   Wikipedia

  • House church — (or home church ) is an informal term for an independent assembly of Christians intentionally gathering in a home or on other grounds not normally used for worship services, as opposed to a church building, due to specific beliefs. They may meet… …   Wikipedia

  • Congregationalist polity — This article is about the form of church organization in which each congregation governs itself. For the family of Protestant churches characterized by and named for this form of governance, see Congregational church. For other uses, see… …   Wikipedia

  • History of the Puritans — The history of the Puritans can be traced back to the Vestments Controversy in the reign of Edward VI ending in a decline in the mid 1700s. Background, to 1559 The English Reformation, begun his reign in the reign of Henry VIII of England, was… …   Wikipedia

  • education — /ej oo kay sheuhn/, n. 1. the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life. 2. the act or process of… …   Universalium

  • Presbyterianism — Presbyterian Church redirects here. For other uses, see Presbyterian Church (disambiguation). John Calvin Presbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are… …   Wikipedia

  • Baptist beliefs — The Beliefs of Baptist Churches are not totally consistent from one Baptist church to another, as Baptists do not have a central governing authority, unlike most other denominations.However, on major theological issues, Baptist distinctives are… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”