The following chart contrasts the five forms of church government according to the degree they exemplify the traits shown below.

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone;

In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

- Ephesians 2:20-22

And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints, and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

- Colossians 2:19

And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church,

Which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.

- Ephesians 1:22-23

While no specific form of church government is fully detailed in the Word of God and any system is subject to abuse, we favor the Reformed/Presbyterian system because its underlying principles are based on Scripture, and avoids various pitfalls inherent to the other forms.

The scriptural and practical strengths for adopting the Reformed/Presbyterian form of church government are clarified in the following seven reasons:

1. It clearly upholds Christ as King of the church - The Head of the church is not a pope, or the state; it is Jesus Christ. As King, He is the primary source of all delegated church authority.

And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence. - Colossians 1:18 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ. - Ephesians 4:15

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. - Ephesians 4:16

The Lord Jesus is not only King of the Church Invisible, He is also King of the Church Visible. This can be established from Scripture according to the chart on the following page.