Note 5.—And still further, while a church cannot become an authoritative expounder of either truth or duty, to bind the consciences even of its members, yet it does possess a judicial function for the interpretation and the enforcement of the laws of Christ for itself as a body, and, therefore, for its members, so far as their relation to the compact is concerned.
Note 6.—Each church owes courtesy and comity, fellowship and fraternity, to all others; but it owes subjection and allegiance to none, and is under authority to Christ alone.
Note 7.—In matters of business and in the exercise of its authority in administration, the will of the church is expressed by a majority vote of its members. But the nearer that majority approaches to unanimity, the more satisfactory and emphatic are its decisions.
Note 8.—Councils may be called, presbyteries convened, or committees of reference chosen for advice in cases of moment, but they are all advisory only, and in no case authoritative. There is no higher, and no other court of appeal in ecclesiastical affairs, than the individual church.
CHAPTER II
church officers [1]
The Scriptural officers of a church are bishops and deacons. Bishops are in the New Testament also called “presbyters,” “elders,” and “overseers.” Their duties and services have mainly reference to the spiritual interests of the body, though they properly have the oversight of all its concerns. The deacons have principal charge of the temporalities of the church, so as to relieve the pastor in that department of labor. They are, however, to be counselors and helpers of the pastor in all departments of his work. The qualifications for both offices are set forth in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
Note 1.—Pastors and deacons, as teachers and leaders of the flock, cannot be selected for and imposed upon the churches by any external authority whatever, either civic or religious; but are elected and chosen by the free suffrages of the members, without compulsion or restraint, from among themselves, or those who are to become identified with them in fellowship.
Note 2.—In the election of either a pastor or deacon, notice of such election should be given from the pulpit for at least two Sundays preceding the time for the same. The election should be by ballot, and at least three-quarters of the votes cast should be necessary for the election of a pastor, and two-thirds for the election of a deacon. Such election should be preceded by prayer for Divine direction, and conducted without partisan devices or personal strife.