Leeman - Dont fire your church members: the case for congregationalism

Thoughtful and pointed, Dont Fire Your Church Members offers a forceful argument for congregationalism and the importance of involving all believers in the life and ministry of the church. Even those who disagree with Leemans conclusions would benefit from his gospel-centered approach to church polity and the way this shapes his vision of the life of Gods people.

Marc Cortez, associate professor of theology, Wheaton College

This book is almost certainly more important than you realize. It not only contains the best modern defense of congregationalism, but it also may provide one of the missing keys to increased discipleship in your church.

Mark Dever, pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church and president of 9Marks

Jonathan Leeman has given us a carefully researched, tightly argued, and persuasively written volume on the importance of church polity. Moreover, in a biblically informed, theologically shaped, and pastorally focused presentation, he has set forth the case for congregationalism in a wise and winsome manner. I am certain that this important book will be immensely beneficial for pastors, students, and church leaders. It is a privilege to recommend this outstanding publication.

David S. Dockery, president, Trinity International University

A robust defense of biblical congregationalism. This study is all the more compelling because the congregational way is presented here in dialogue with other patterns of church governance. A book that ought to be must reading for pastors, elders, and church leaders across all denominations.

Timothy George, dean and professor of divinity, history, and doctrine, Beeson Divinity School, and general editor of the Reformation Commentary on Scripture

I am grateful for the careful and sustained attention Jonathan Leeman has given to the importance of church membership in his previous books on the topic. He adds to it in this book, which is more than just the case for congregationalism, but, as he puts it, a meditation on... the relationship between congregational rule and elder leadership (p. 147), along with consideration of a number of ecclesiological issues related to congregationalism. It is by far the most comprehensive treatment given to congregationalism and related issues that I am aware of. I differ on a number of points from the approach taken by Leeman and on a few of his conclusions, but he is asking the right questions and exploring them more deeply than anyone else I know. Read this book to be challenged and stimulated to think about the meaning of congregationalism and how to implement it in actual church life.

John S. Hammett, senior professor of systematic theology and associate dean of theological studies, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Jonathan Leemans Dont Fire Your Church Members provides a biblically rigorous, historically informed, and pastorally sensitive model of congregational church polity. I am pleased to recommend this book, which is needed now more than ever in our post-denominational age.

Thomas S. Kidd, professor of history, Baylor University

Church polity tends to be patently ignored or vehemently arguedcomplete with veins popping. Dr. Leeman here steps in to help. You may not agree with all of his conclusions, but you cant miss his passion for helping the church think biblically and think well about being the church.

Stephen J. Nichols, president, Reformation Bible College and CAO of Ligonier Ministries

Church polity is not normally the kind of topic that gets my theological blood flowing or brain cells firing, but Leeman makes a compelling case for its centrality to ecclesiology. This is one more arrow from Leemans quiver of publications on authority in the church that hits its target. I can think of no other work that makes a better biblical-theological case for the importance of thinking aboutand more importantly, practicingmembership and leadership in the body of Christ. Even non-congregationalists have much to learn from this biblically based, cogently argued, and sprightly written book on the corporate form the gospel ought to take in local congregations.

Kevin Vanhoozer, research professor of systematic theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Working from a robust biblical theology to sound theological conclusions, Dont Fire Your Church Members is a wonderful and extremely helpful exposition and defense of the neglected role of the member within an elder-led, congregational-rule model of the church. Jonathan Leeman provides a gift to the church by beautifully unpacking how a local church ought to function in todays world to the glory of the triune God. For all those concerned with how the church ought to function according to Scripture, this book is a must read. It is simply Christian theology at its best!

Stephen J. Wellum, professor of Christian theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and editor of The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology

Is there a biblical polity required for the church? How ought the royal priesthood be manifested? What are the keys of the kingdom? Who has what authority in the church? Jonathan Leeman provides some compelling answers to such critical questions that your church simply must answer in a sustained, biblical manner. I highly recommend that both conscientious church elders and church members resort to Leemans most significant ecclesiological treatise yet for help in moving forward into faithfulness to our common Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Malcolm B. Yarnell III, professor of systematic theology, and director of The Center for Theological Research, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

Dont Fire Your Church Members: The Case for Congregationalism

Copyright 2016 by Jonathan Leeman

Published by B&H Academic

Nashville, Tennessee

All rights reserved

ISBN: 978-1-4336-8623-8

Dewey Decimal Classification: 262.7

Subject Heading: CONGREGATIONALISM \ DISCIPLESHIP \ CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB, and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV), copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked RSV are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1946, 1952, and 1971 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Printed in the United States of America

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