The Nature, Government and Function of the Church: A Reassessment
By Stephen C. Perks
The Kuyper Foundation. 116 pages.
ISBN 0 9522058 1 5
This little book is an assessment of the Christian church from a Presbyterian and reconstructionist perspective. The early chapters are unsurprising. For example, the author explores the differences between the visible and invisible church, and the church militant and triumphant.
Local church government is examined, and rule by elders is advocated. They are to be elected by the male heads of households of the congregation (proof text not supplied!). The form of rule is to be by teaching, preaching and pastoral work, with recourse to discipline where required. The elders decide matters of policy, with recourse to the church meeting for election of elders and deacons and in cases of excommunication. Where necessary, Acts 15 gives a precedent for local churches appealing to specially organised synods of church elders from other churches on matters of doctrine and practice.
