We look with grave concern on those who do not believe in congregational church government, who do not trust the maturity of local church bodies to govern themselves under Scripture and the Spirit. Such leaders prefer more authoritarian structures where their own word or decrees are unchallenged. In the current emphasis on Ephesians 4:11, verse 12 is being neglected: “… to prepare God’s people for works of service [i.e. ministry], so that the body of Christ may be built up.” The stress of the New