The Autonomy of the Local Church
Each local church is self-governing under Christ, its Head, led by its pastor and served by its deacons, and accountable to Christ and His Word rather than to any outside hierarchy.
The lesson walks through the topic one card at a time. The full study is the complete written article, with its sources.
Show from Scripture that Christ is the Head of each local church and that no outside hierarchy stands over it.
Identify the two offices, pastor (also called elder and bishop) and deacon, with their qualifications and work.
Explain how a congregation acts together under pastoral leadership, including church discipline from Matthew 18.
Describe episcopal and presbyterian government fairly, and explain how independent churches fellowship without hierarchy.