It seems strange how the character of a whole Church seems to take on the character of Church polity (a Church word for "policy"). In hierarchical Churches, there is a certain distance between the clergy and the laity -- and a certain distance between members. In Congregational Churches, there is a certain equality between the clergy and the congregation -- and a certain equality between members. I speak not of hierarchical and Congregational in name, but in practice and in character. OBSERVATION: It is something I feel deeply. And I would put Presbyterians (one of the three great types of polity) on the side of hierarchical.
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