Part 2 Congregational With Directions for The Organization and Conduct of Churches and Other Congregational Bodies PART II. CONGREGATIONAL THEORY AND PRACTICE. I. THE ORGANIZATION OF CHURCHES. Any company of believers living sufficiently near to each other to meet statedly for worship and to unite in Christian activities may organize themselves into a self-governing church. This church, if approved by the neighboring churches affiliated in council or association, may be recognized on behalf of the denomination, and entitled to fellowship as a Congregational Church. The right of organization is inherent in the local body of believers. The right of recognition belongs to the sisterhood of churches with which the local church expects fellowship. It is important that in the organization of a Congregational Church careful attention should be given to local conditions which seem to call for the organization, and also that from the beginning the advice and fellowship or neighboring churches should be sought. A Congregational Church may be organized with or without the aid of the council, or of an association acting in a conciliary capacity. Mistakes are sometimes avoided if the council or association is called for the purpose of organization, but where a different method is adopted, advice should be sought from the advisory committee of the local association, or from a neighboring pastor of standing and experience. The Organization of a Church Without Council. The neighborhood should first be canvassed, and a list of prospective members should be obtained. It is advisable that these should have signed in advance a simple preliminary covenant which will afford the basis of a temporary organization. The following has been used successfully in cases of this kind: "For the glory of God, for the service of our fellow men, and for mutual assistance in our Christian life, the undersigned agree to become charter members of a Congregational Church." The extreme brevity and freedom from technicality of such a statement is an advantage. A preliminary meeting may be held and a committee appointed to present a constitution, covenant and articles of faith. Where such a preliminary meeting is inexpedient these documents may be prepared in advance by the leaders of the movement or by a neighboring pastor. The Council Manual prepared by a committee of the National Council in 1895 contains forms which may serve as models for such an organization, and which appear somewhat modified in this volume. A formal call should be issued for the organization, and should become a part of the minutes of the meeting. It may be published in a local paper or sent individually to prospective members. On the appointed date the meeting may be called toorder by a neighboring pastor, or by a representative of the advisory committee of the association. A temporary clerk should be elected and the call for the meeting read. The names of the persons who have signified their intention of uniting with the church should be read, and if a sufficient number are found to be present, the business of the meeting may proceed. A permanent moderator and scribe should now be chosen, and prayer offered by the presiding officer or some person whom he may appoint. The persons who are to join by letter from other churches should produce their credentials, and these papers should be submitted to a committee. The persons desiring to unite on confession of faith should also present their names and requests. If there is objection to any name proposed, the prospective members have a right by vote to refuse to associate that person with themselves as a charter member of the church; but if no objection is raised, the names need not be voted upon separately. If the committee finds the letters to be in due form, and the persons uniting on confession to give reasonable evidence of faith in Christ, they may report favorably upon the prospective membership as a whole. A motion is then in order, and may be in substance as follows: "Voted that we now proceed to take the necessary steps toward the organization of a church of the Lord Jesus Christ to be known as the Congregational Church.'' This motion being open for discussion, it should be made clear that such a church is needed; that the field is not already covered by neighboring churches, that it has good prospect of reaching self-support within a reasonable period and that those who are to constitute the church represent the best interests of the community in the undertaking. These matters being estab lished the motion may be adopted. The covenant, statement of doctrine, form for the reception of members and constitution and by-laws may now be presented and adopted. The election of officers will then be in order. If deacons and trustees are to be so chosen that terms of office do not all expire at once, one officer should be elected for one year, another for two, and another for three, as the constitution may direct. It may be wise to adjourn the meeting at this point |