“So the twelve summoned the [congregation of the disciples and said, ….brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task….The announcement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose… [7 men] And they brought these men before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.” Acts 6: 2-3; 5-6 NASB
Under the original bylaws, the congregation had the authority to nominate deacons who served as the board of directors, managed the resources of the church from the budget to care of the building, and proposed & adopted administrative policies, including personnel policies. Under the new bylaws, the elders have assumed all the responsibilities of the deacons for finances, budget, and board of directors.
Though the congregation retains the prerogative to nominate deacons, it appears they retain only the responsibility for tasks of overseeing the care of the property and ushering. The deacons’ authority has been significantly reduced, if not eliminated.
It appears that managing the finances and proposing the budget would become the responsibility of a “budget committee” which is neither nominated nor elected by the congregation, but appointed by the board of elders. Will the same be true of other functions of the deacons, such as the personnel committee?
To what extent do the proposed bylaws change the authority of the congregation? Which set of bylaws delineating the authority of the congregation seems to follow Scripture more closely?
