Congregationalism

Congregationalism is a Protestant faith that originated during the 1500s. It is a form of church government. Congregational churches assert the autonomy of the local congregation. Each congregation manages its own affairs. Members believe in a covenant of loyalty and mutual edification, emphasizing the importance of discerning God’s will whilst ‘gathered’ together in Church Meeting.

MayflowerHistorical roots are in Elizabethan Separatism with its insistence that the “gathered church” consists of those who commit themselves to Christ and each other.

The first Congregationalists established themselves in London, England, and were called the Brownists after Robert Browne who defined the congregational principle in 1580. They arose from the Nonconformist religious movement during the Puritan reformation of the Church of England. Early congregationalists were called separatists or independents. Congregationalists rejected the hierarchy and rigid practices of both the Catholics and the Anglicans.

Mayflower religionThe model of Congregational churches in North America was established by the settlers at Plymouth, Mass. (1620), a Christian fellowship, along with the Puritans at Massachusetts Bay (1630). When the Pilgrims landed they endured months of hardship. In their day, the challenges they faced are akin to going to Mars. The journey across the Atlantic Ocean was treacherous at best, especially for a bunch of non-sailors with families transporting all their earthly belongings. And, upon arrival, the real problems began. Nevertheless, their commitment to personal and religious freedom enabled them to overcome all obstacles. They were regarded as “separatists,” Congregationalists who wanted the freedom to worship as they pleased.

The settlers rejected the episcopacy form of Church rule because they disagreed with the concept that bishops should rule their spiritual lives. Believing the Holy Spirit worked in them individually as well as any Church official, they felt able to decide spiritual matters for themselves. They then took the very radical step of doing so. Now, the congregation would decide matters of spiritual import. This had seldom ever been done before and they found themselves willing outcasts.

The Puritans, settling north of Plymouth in Massachusetts Bay, sought to establish a “theocracy” where, instead of man-made rules to guide them, biblical standards would guide them. While not nearly as harsh or rigid as some historians would later suggest, Puritans were strict and in some cases as intolerant as the Church and society they had left behind. As in England, some followers were banished, some were punished physically, and still others were put to death for reasons that seem repulsive today.

The model of Congregational churches was carried by migrating settlers from New England into New York and the Old Northwest: Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Illinois. With their insistence on the independence of local bodies, they became important in many reform movements, including those for abolition of slavery, and women’s suffrage.

From the early 20th century and beyond several congregations and churches merged. In 1931 Congregational churches affiliated with the National Council of Congregational Churches merged with the General Convention of the Christian Church, which created the General Council of Congregational Christian Churches. Other churches and congregations merged into smaller denominations that still practice Congregational rule.

While Baptists and others practice congregational-type rule, those who practice Congregationalism include the Congregational Christian Churches, Conservative Congregational Christian Conference and the United Church of Christ.

The United Church of Christ (UCC), a mainline Protestant Christian denomination, holds progressive or liberal views on social issues, including civil rights, gay rights, women’s rights, and abortion. In 2005, the United Church synod endorsed same sex marriage. Individual congregations of the UCC have freedom in matters of doctrine and ministry. They are affirming churches with diverse, straight and gay church membership.

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