WCF 31: Of Synods and Councils

WCF 31: Of Synods and Councils

Should leaders from multiple churches gather to consider matters of common concern? You might have an opinion on that question. Or it might seem irrelevant. How does church government affect my walk with the Lord?

But what if inter-congregational meetings could be for “the good of the church”? What if the most famous scriptural example of such a meeting is not exceptional but normative? Most Christians will never attend a meeting like that. But we should know how broader assemblies, or leadership meetings involving more churches than our own, can be used by God for building-up Christ’s church.

The Nature of Broader Assemblies

Every congregation of Christ must have “a government, in the hand of church officers” (WCF 30.1). These officers must shepherd the flock, using “the ministry, oracles, and ordinances of God, for the gathering and perfecting of the saints” (WCF 25.3). Like fathers and mothers church leaders “love, pray for, and bless” church members.[i] Through them God may “instruct, counsel, and admonish us.”[ii] We thank God for local church leaders!

But God also intends to bless his people by the efforts of leaders outside the local church. Spiritual overseers should participate in assemblies that are broader than “particular churches.” The most obvious biblical example of a synod or a council is the meeting of the apostles and elders often called the Jerusalem Council. Clearly that meeting was “for the better government, and further edification of the church.” Here’s what happened. Antioch had a congregation with legitimate leaders (Acts 14:23). But the local church struggled to answer a divisive theological question: Is Jesus enough? Or must his work be augmented by ours? After local church teachers “had no small dissension and debate,” leaders from Antioch “were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question” (Acts 15:2). The council’s conclusion was definitive. Among many leaders God made clear what a local church struggled to discover alone (15:25). The answer is truly good news: To be saved nothing more is needed than the gift of Christ’s righteousness received by faith alone. Later Paul and Silas delivered to the churches “for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem (Acts 16. 4). For local churches, at Antioch and beyond, the Jerusalem council affirmed this truth: “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety” (Prov. 11:14).

This doesn’t mean that synods or councils are infallible. The Holy Spirit approved the Jerusalem Council’s decision (Acts 15:28). With the close of the biblical canon we cannot expect this same affirmation. Councils may and do err because human leaders “stumble in many ways” (James 3:2). Even the apostles made poor decisions (e.g. Mark 10:13–16; Luke 9:49, 50). The conclusions of assemblies “are to be received with reverence and submission” only “if consonant to the Word of God.” There is some tension here. Not every side will agree with how a council “determine[s] controversies of faith.” But if a broad gathering of church leaders acts on the basis of sound biblical logic the nature of the gathering should fortify the decision. Among faithful churches Lutheresque stands should be rare if not unheard of. When the church speaks her real authority from Christ may not be ignored (Matt. 18:17–20).

Synods and councils cannot be our rule of faith or practice. They can only help us believe and obey what Scripture alone requires.

The Work of Broader Assemblies

Like local congregations councils must limit their official work to ecclesiastical business. The church is a “government … distinct from the civil magistrate” (WCF 30.1). Christians must be taught how to live before God also in their “civil affairs which concern the commonwealth.” But the church doesn’t rule that realm (John 18:36). So, for example, the church doesn’t campaign for candidates, determine building codes, or go to war. Only in rare instances will church councils petition the state or offer advice. Ordinarily church councils will concentrate on three sorts of actions.

Councils Can Settle “controversies of faith”

Inter-church meetings are often better equipped than individual congregations to weigh in on difficult issues, be it new approaches to justification or questions about gender identity. Opinions in the church, especially in the internet age, can resemble the sound of a riot with some crying out one thing and some another (Acts19:32). Into our confusion Christ speaks with clarity and conviction often through councils.

Councils Can Establish House Rules

Broader assemblies may “set down rules and directions for the better ordering of the public worship of God, and government of his church.” The Bible doesn’t explicitly answer all of our questions. How many times should churches gather on the Lord’s Day? What is the place of psalms in worship? How shall ministers be trained? What are the precise rules for church discipline? Who owns church property? But for the sake of good order these questions must be answered. In matters that do not affect other churches local leaders may make their own rules. But churches may walk together in greater unity when they agree to follow shared practices.  

Councils Can Consider Complaints

In judging great matters Old Testament elders could seek outside input (Ex. 18:22; 1 Kings 3:16–28). In the New Testament the apostles heard the complaint raised by Hellenist church members who felt neglected in local diaconal care (Acts 6). Without broader assemblies who would hear church members—and even church leaders—aggrieved by local decisions? Who would hold overbearing leaders accountable? The biblical basis for church councils argues for something like a denominational structure. Non-denominational, independent churches are not immune to common church troubles. But they often lack the benefit of the checks and balances offered by sister churches gathering in councils or synods.

King Jesus rules his church even through broader assemblies. Why must we know this? First, knowledge of how Jesus rules us can promote gratitude. Church councils are one example of the largely-unseen providence by which God keeps us. Second, the layer of accountability that broader assemblies offer can comfort us. Church members must submit to church government, and if needed, to its discipline. Thankfully leaders of connected churches are bound to shared standards of leadership and discipline and are themselves not above the law. Third, we should be encouraged to honor the decisions of broader assemblies. It is part of how we obey our “leaders and submit” to those who keep watch over our souls (Heb. 13:17). Their leadership assures believers of what matters most—that God himself watches over us.