Church Government, God, or Demonic? - Part 1 - Unplugged - Ep. 485 - January 18, 2024

Church government can build a healthy body, or it can wreck one fast. In Part 1 of this Smith and Rowland Show conversation, Alan Smith and Jeff Rowland lay out the main models people argue over, then talk plainly about what actually works in real Church life.

This episode covers single-elder (pastor-led) and plural-elder leadership, with honest pros and cons from years of ministry experience. It also starts the Presbyterian model and why “bottom-up” leadership can help or hurt, depending on whether leaders and members are listening for God, not just pushing opinions. The point stays clear throughout, if Christ isn’t leading, any system can drift into control, confusion, or even something Demonic.

Topics in this episode:
Single-elder Church structure and how it can get out of balance

Deacons vs. elders, and what those roles signal in practice

Plural-elder leadership, accountability, and how vision gets set

Why personality and Church size can shape what works best

Presbyterian government basics, strengths, and weak spots

Why business-only thinking fails in a Church, even when it’s “organized”

A simple test for health, who’s really leading, God or people

Part 2 continues with Episcopal, papal, and congregational models.

Websites and podcast links mentioned:
kingdompropheticsociety.org

smithandrowlandshow.podbean.com

Also available on Amazon, Apple, and Spotify

#ChurchLeadership #ChurchGovernment #ChristianPodcast #BiblicalLeadership #God