IBMGlobal is committed to...

IBMGlobal is committed to two offices in the local church that of elder and deacon, while affirming the priesthood of all believers (I Peter 2:5, 9) and congregational government: “The congregation exercises the ultimate human authority in the church, under Christ’s divine authority. Christ exercises his headship through the members, as they all seek together to discern Christ’s will for the body. Since all the members are regenerate and thus indwelt by the Spirit, all are able to receive guidance from Christ. Thus, congregationalism involves democratic participation, with every member having an equal voice and vote. In such a system, leaders such as pastors or deacons may exercise significant influence and may be entrusted with a meaure of authority for acting on behalf of the congregation on certain matters, but, in the final analysis, the highest human authority is vested in the congregation, not the leadership” (Biblical Foundations for Baptist Churches, p.143).