What did Congregationalists believe about church government?

The term congregationalist polity describes a form of church governance that is based on the local congregation. Each local congregation is independent and self-supporting, governed by its own members.

What type of Christianity is a congregational church?

The Congregational Christian Churches were a Protestant Christian denomination that operated in the U.S. from 1931 through 1957. On the latter date, most of its churches joined the Evangelical and Reformed Church in a merger to become the United Church of Christ.

What is the theology of the congregational church?

Congregationalists believe that no earthly body could be a more authentic church than a particular place that possesses the Bible, the sacraments, a properly called and appointed minister and deacons, and members who have made a genuine Christian profession.

What type of religion is a congregational church?

Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Congregational churches (also Congregationalist churches; Congregationalism) are Protestant churches in the Calvinist tradition practising congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently and autonomously runs its own affairs.

What is the origin of the Congregational Church?

England. The “Congregational way” became prominent in England during the 17th-century Civil Wars, but its origins lie in 16th-century Separatism. Robert Browne has been regarded as the founder of Congregationalism, though he was an erratic character and Congregational ideas emerged independently of him.

What is the difference between the Catholic Church and the Congregational Church?

Congregationalists rejected the hierarchy and rigid practices of both the Catholics and the Anglicans. Rather than following the dictates of a single human individual, Congregationalists believe that Jesus Christ is the head of each congregation.

Are Congregationalists reformed?

Congregationalism in the United States consists of Protestant churches in the Reformed tradition that have a congregational form of church government and trace their origins mainly to Puritan settlers of colonial New England.