The gods Have Clay Feet: A Few Thoughts About Pastors

[ColesCountyDem]

1. The stucture may resemble an exoskeleton, in some denominations.

I absolutely agree that structure is important, and for the reasons you state.

Some denominations, like my own, have churches that are largely autonomous, but those churches must adhere to 'acceptable practices' policies. My denomination has requirements A, B, C, etc., if the church is to be affiliated with the American Baptist Convention. For example, no pastor may be ordained unless he/she has graduated from an approved seminary, no church may maintain it's affiliation with ABC-USA unless it pastor, governing boards and staff have attended approved courses in child, spouse and elder abuse, etc., etc. .