assignment is to defend the single-elder view. I do believe, as I have stated, that it is an acceptable and biblically defensible position. I will make that defense in the latter part of this chapter. First, the evidence for Congregationalism will be examined. From there I will analyze the concept of elder. Following that, I will quickly survey relevant historical issues germane to Baptists and in particular the Southern Baptist Convention (the denomination in which I serve). I will then move to
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