Authority in the Church

by Benjamin L. Merkle

Authority in the Church

by Benjamin L. Merkle

Trade Paper
$24.99
Gain a deeper understanding of how authority truly functions within the church, not just at the leadership table, but among all God’s people. With biblical insight and thoughtful clarity, this book equips every member to embrace their unique role in protecting and building up the body of Christ.

Authority in the Church

by Benjamin L. Merkle

Authority in the Church, eBook

by Benjamin L. Merkle

eBook
$21.99
Gain a deeper understanding of how authority truly functions within the church, not just at the leadership table, but among all God’s people. With biblical insight and thoughtful clarity, this book equips every member to embrace their unique role in protecting and building up the body of Christ.

Overview

In a time when Christians are debating the different roles of leadership, Ben Merkle offers clarity on the roles of authority that are within the church walls. While other books discuss who specifically should oversee this or that, Merkle offers clarity that goes a step further.

While several works have tried to ascertain the definition of who the leader of the church should be, Authority in the Church calls for the pastor as well as the congregation to understand the role of authority within the church and how that authority is held by all people within the church’s walls, not just the people at the leadership table.

With deep biblical insight and theological rigor, Merkle addresses how all parties within the church have a charge to assist in protecting the health of the church body with their own unique authority, given to them by God in Scripture. An added value to this book is that it is not only a book that will be appreciated for course adoption in pastoral leadership classes, but it is written with an approachable tone that all readers with an interest in the topic will appreciate. Whether you are a pastor, elder, deacon, or congregant, God has called you to lead with a specific and unique authority for the betterment and protection of God’s church.

Table of Contents

Preface
INTRODUCTION: The Shepherd of the Church

PART 1: THE AUTHORITY OF THE CONGREGATION
1. Leadership and Congregational Authority
2. Membership and Congregational Authority
3. Discipleship and Congregational Authority
4. Restrictions and Congregational Authority

PART 2: THE AUTHORITY OF THE ELDERS
5. Titles and Elder Authority
6. Qualifications and Elder Authority
7. The Role of Leading and Elder Authority
8. The Role of Shepherding and Elder Authority
9. The Role of Teaching and Elder Authority
10. Restrictions and Elder Authority

PART 3: THE AUTHORITY OF THE DEACONS
11. The Title and Deacon Authority
12. Qualifications and Deacon Authority
13. The Role of Assistant and Deacon Authority

CONCLUSION: Authority in Christ’s Church
APPENDIX: Diagnostic Questions for Leaders

General Index
Scripture Index

Overview

In a time when Christians are debating the different roles of leadership, Ben Merkle offers clarity on the roles of authority that are within the church walls. While other books discuss who specifically should oversee this or that, Merkle offers clarity that goes a step further.

While several works have tried to ascertain the definition of who the leader of the church should be, Authority in the Church calls for the pastor as well as the congregation to understand the role of authority within the church and how that authority is held by all people within the church’s walls, not just the people at the leadership table.

With deep biblical insight and theological rigor, Merkle addresses how all parties within the church have a charge to assist in protecting the health of the church body with their own unique authority, given to them by God in Scripture. An added value to this book is that it is not only a book that will be appreciated for course adoption in pastoral leadership classes, but it is written with an approachable tone that all readers with an interest in the topic will appreciate. Whether you are a pastor, elder, deacon, or congregant, God has called you to lead with a specific and unique authority for the betterment and protection of God’s church.

Table of Contents

Preface
INTRODUCTION: The Shepherd of the Church

PART 1: THE AUTHORITY OF THE CONGREGATION
1. Leadership and Congregational Authority
2. Membership and Congregational Authority
3. Discipleship and Congregational Authority
4. Restrictions and Congregational Authority

PART 2: THE AUTHORITY OF THE ELDERS
5. Titles and Elder Authority
6. Qualifications and Elder Authority
7. The Role of Leading and Elder Authority
8. The Role of Shepherding and Elder Authority
9. The Role of Teaching and Elder Authority
10. Restrictions and Elder Authority

PART 3: THE AUTHORITY OF THE DEACONS
11. The Title and Deacon Authority
12. Qualifications and Deacon Authority
13. The Role of Assistant and Deacon Authority

CONCLUSION: Authority in Christ’s Church
APPENDIX: Diagnostic Questions for Leaders

General Index
Scripture Index

About the Author

Product Details

  • ISBN:
    9798384505044
  • Status:
    Not Yet Published
  • Release Date:
    06/01/2026
  • Page Count:
    208
  • Carton Qty:
    36

Product Details

  • ISBN:
    9798384505051
  • Status:
    Not Yet Published
  • Release Date:
    06/01/2026
  • Page Count:
    208