Daily Baptist Encyclopedia Church Meetings are composed exclusively of members…

Jim Curran – Daily Baptist Encyclopedia Church Meetings are composed exclusively of members, – Earnestly Contend For The Faith Jude 3 (awarningministry.com)

Admin Top contributor  ·   · Daily Baptist Encyclopedia Church Meetings are composed exclusively of members, and are convened to receive additions by letter, to grant letters of dismission, to try fallen brethren, to order letters to Associations and other bodies, to elect pastors, and to perform other church work. The pastor presides almost universally, and this position is generally accorded to him in virtue of his office, but in a few instances it is given to him by election at each meeting. There is a clerk at every church meeting, who keeps a correct record of all its proceedings. The church meeting is gov- erned by parliamentary law. In the great majority of our churches each mem- ber has a vote, irrespective of age, sex, or the length or brevity of membership. The writer has, however, known one or two cases where there was an age qualification to prevent the very young from controlling the church. In the church meet- ing the pastor has the right of voting, and he has an influence according to the measure of his wis- dom and piety. Beyond these he has no other privileges, and he ought to have none. In large cities church meetings are generally held once a month, or once in three months, and they are summoned for a week-night. Special meetings are called by the pastor, or by a paper signed by a few brethren, five or seven, and read from the desk.From the Baptist Encyclopedia by William Cathcart