What kind of church is congregational?
The Congregationalist Church is a Protestant faith that originated during the 1500s. Like other Protestant faiths, Congregationalism opposed many of the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. It also felt that the Anglican Church, also known as the Church of England, was too Catholic in its teachings.
Are Congregationalists Puritans?
Congregationalism in the United States consists of Protestant churches in the Reformed tradition that have a congregational form of church government and trace their origins mainly to Puritan settlers of colonial New England.
What does the word congregationalism mean?
Congregationalism. / (ˌkɒŋɡrɪˈɡeɪʃənəˌlɪzəm) / noun. a system of Christian doctrines and ecclesiastical government in which each congregation is self-governing and maintains bonds of faith with other similar local congregations.
Who created Congregationalism?
The “Congregational way” became prominent in England during the 17th-century Civil Wars, but its origins lie in 16th-century Separatism. Robert Browne has been regarded as the founder of Congregationalism, though he was an erratic character and Congregational ideas emerged independently of him.
What are Congregationalists beliefs?
Congregationalists believe that no earthly body could be a more authentic church than a particular place that possesses the Bible, the sacraments, a properly called and appointed minister and deacons, and members who have made a genuine Christian profession.
What do the Congregationalists believe?
Where are Congregationalists found in the US?
Congregationalism generally prevailed in the New England states, whereas the Church of England (Episcopal) generally prevailed in the Southern states (and in time usurped the Dutch Reformed Church in New York), and Quakers and their allies were prominent in the middle states.
What do Congregationalists believe?
Congregationalists. Congregationalism, a belief that it was the right and duty of each congregation to make its own decisions about its affairs, independent of any higher authority, emerged in Britain in the late 16th century. In the 16th and 17th centuries Congregationalists were often called Independents.
What is Congregationalism, Biblically speaking?
Biblical congregationalism is about affirming, appointing, and submitting to qualified leaders. Each established church is responsible for affirming the call of and appointing the men who fill leadership positions in the church (Acts 6:1-7, 1 Timothy 3:1-13). But they affirm and appoint trustworthy men who they then submit to and follow (Hebrews 13:17).
What does Congregational mean?
Definition of congregational. 1 : of or relating to a congregation. 2 capitalized : of or relating to a body of Protestant churches deriving from the English Independents of the 17th century and affirming the essential importance and the autonomy of the local congregation.