Jonathan Leeman's Understanding Congregation's Authority

 Jonathan Leeman's Understanding Congregation’s Authority, as the title indicates, focuses on the authority of church members. The book is structured into five chapters. In the first chapter, he presents the elder-led congregational form of government as a discipleship program, dividing it into two halves: congregational responsibility and elder training. The second chapter addresses the big picture of what elder-led congregationalism looks like in the life of a church. The third and fourth chapters focus on the congregationalism half (the job of the congregation), and the final fifth chapter focuses on the elder-led half (elders' job training).

On page 7, Leeman’s brief clarification on the term Congregationalism has challenged me. He describes it as a mixed government: “part monarchy (rule of the one), oligarchy (rule of the few), part democracy (rule of the many).” After reflecting deeply on this definition, I find it compelling, particularly in light of his explanation that Jesus, our Savior and King, rules through His Word, pastors lead the congregation, and the congregation holds final authority on certain critical matters. This framework, although it challenges me, convinces me because it represents a balanced and biblical approach to church governance.

However, I have a question regarding Leeman’s reference to “immature members” and the process of guiding them toward maturity. Could you clarify whether “immature” refers to the congregation as a whole or specifically to those who are less mature in their faith? If it pertains to all members collectively, I find myself in agreement with his perspective. However, if the term applies exclusively to weaker or less mature members, I wonder about the role of mature believers in this context. Does this imply that mature believers need no teaching and learning again? I would greatly appreciate it if this is brought up during our discussion hour, as I seek to better understand this aspect of Elder-Led Congregationalism.

 In my continued reflection on page 7 of Leeman’s work, I encountered a profound and transformative insight that was entirely new to me. In my previous pastoral ministry, our church held business meetings three times a year, during which we addressed numerous matters about church life. Often, these meetings involved heated discussions, followed by voting to reach decisions. However, Leeman's scripturally grounded perspective has reshaped my understanding. He writes, "What members do in business meetings should connect to what they do in their everyday lives by building relationships with one another." This insight has convinced me, as I recognize that fostering meaningful relationships among members was lacking. I humbly acknowledge these shortcomings.

As a committed proponent of elder-led congregationalism, I deeply appreciate Jonathan Leeman’s insights in Understanding Congregational Authority. On page 18, he states, “Elder-led congregationalism offers us Jesus’ daily discipleship program. It trains and strengthens Christians, teaches them to recognize counterfeits, protects the church’s gospel witness, encourages fellowship, guards against complacency and nominalism, and equips the saints for fulfilling the church’s mission.” This strengthen my conviction that elder-led congregationalism is a scriptural model, to which I remain steadfast. However, to further clarify my understanding and strengthen my stance, I have a question: Are non-congregational churches unable to faithfully carry out these tasks described by Leeman? I ask this not to challenge my commitment but to sharpen my perspective and ensure my conscience is clear as I advocate for this biblical model of church governance.

Jonathan Leeman offers a compelling exposition of the priest-king role, tracing its thread from Adam through Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus, and ultimately to the church (pp. 123–125). Leeman defines the priest-king as one who “rules on behalf of a greater king, God,” mediating His rule and protecting what is holy. This perspective greatly enhances my understanding of the congregation’s authority. This reveals God’s grand, unified plan across redemptive history, presented with remarkable clarity and conviction. Leeman’s assertion that every member of Christ’s universal church bears the responsibility to maintain the distinction between the holy and the unholy, particularly in the local church, where the universal church becomes visible, is profoundly impactful. He emphasizes that the church corporately, and each member individually through their union with Christ, occupies this priest-king office. This truth has deepened my sense of responsibility as a Christian, compelling me to take my church membership with utmost seriousness and to actively participate in upholding the holiness of God’s people.

I wholeheartedly recommend Jonathan Leeman’s Understanding the Congregation’s Authority to the pastor of my former church. This insightful book is an invaluable resource for teaching the significance of church membership, and I would also eagerly use it to guide others if given the opportunity. Leeman’s clear and compelling exposition not only helps members recognize the importance of their role but also clarifies the boundaries of their authority within the church. I am deeply grateful to God for Leeman’s writings, which have profoundly shaped my understanding of church life and continue to inspire me to live out my faith with greater purpose and responsibility.