EPISODE 0182 | Church Government: Church Control Exposed

In this episode, Pastor Nate and Pastor Stephen continue their deep dive into church governance—this time walking through the Reformation and the rise of modern denominations. From Martin Luther’s bold stand against indulgences to John Calvin’s theological framework and the origins of Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, and more, this conversation explores how church structure, authority, and doctrine evolved across history. They unpack the strengths and weaknesses of different governance models—top-down, elder-led, and bottom-up—and share how movements like the Anabaptists and Methodists helped shape the local church as we know it today. Whether you’re a church leader or just curious about how we got here, this episode will give you a better understanding of where your church fits in the big picture.