Congregationalist church governance

Congregationalist church governance, often known as congregationalism, is a system of church governance in which every local congregation is independent. The Anabaptist movement, Baptists and others besides the Congregational churches are organized according to it. In Christianity, it is distinguished from presbyterian church governance, which is governance by elders, and from episcopalian church governance, which is governance by a hierarchy of bishops.

Related Topics:
Congregation - Anabaptist - Baptist - Congregational church - Christianity - Presbyterian church governance - Episcopalian church governance - Bishop

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Congregationalism is not limited only to organization of Christian congregations. The principles of congregationalism have been inherited by the Unitarian Universalist Association, some of which are Christian assemblies, by direct historical descent from the Congregational Church.

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