Nailing gelatin to the wall may be easier than understanding local church autonomy. It’s a Baptist hot button, a valued ideal. Even our definition of the church is qualified by the word “autonomous.” Historically, we guard our autonomy closely. Now, however, it’s a trip wire that could blast holes in our partnership. Like many issues, the minefields are on the extremes. Two dangers seem most obvious: when governing bodies invade local church turf with demands or, worse, heavy-handed expectations; and when we use our congregational independence as camouflage for wrongful motives.
HolmesAutonomy is an interesting concept for Christ followers. Since the first demand of faith is self-denial, the idea of personal autonomy seems at odds with our slavery to Christ, who bought us with a price and demands our obedience. Human will is always an obstacle. Read Romans 7 to discover Paul’s struggle with his personal autonomy. It’s the Lordship question for certain. Once we belong to Christ, autonomy should fade into the background.
Church autonomy may be contradictory, too. If the church really is the Body of Christ, it must have a head, and the head can be none other than Jesus, our Lord. So, if we push this autonomy thing too far, we violate something even more precious: the Lordship of Christ. Once again, pressing the autonomy button may disguise something ominous. When we exercise our autonomy at the expense of Christ’s head-ship, it is rebellion.
Southern Baptists have marked this field since 1845, when we established a centralized, associational structure without the compelling governance of bishoprics or ecclesiastical hierarchy. Enter the language of local church autonomy and the safeguards against congregations being bullied by the central office. We have been, and are, fiercely independent. Our partnerships and cooperation aren’t coerced but are voluntary. As a result, we’ve been reluctant to legislate membership qualifications, contribution requirements, even strict doctrinal positions. No creeds or methodology police either. How churches pursue mission is basically their business, unless they violate Scripture or the covenants that establish our affiliations and we must call them to account. Where they give their money is their business, too.
Our congregation subordinates autonomy to partnership and cooperation. At times we choose to ignore some practical, peripheral differences for the sake of the kingdom. Still, we express our independence every day by the conferences we attend, the literature we purchase, the causes we support, and even the money we give. Baptist leaders should always remember that the Holy Spirit guides believers in the choices they make, where they attend church, how they support the ministry of the church, and ultimately, where the church receives the financial resources to do anything. It’s voluntary, right on up the food chain to the local association, state convention, and denomination. Say “voluntary.”
God reminds me of this on paydays. Every Wednesday I hold my pay envelope and say a prayer of thanksgiving. Deeply dedicated people work hard and sacrificially give their money to support Harriet and me, our staff, and our mission. They don’t have to do it. But they do it for the sake of the kingdom, and out of obedience to Christ. And when they do it, it is a delicate balance of personal autonomy, the decision to overlook our flaws and mistakes, and the obedience that makes them biblical stewards.
It’s what we preach, and hopefully what we practice, too.