AN INTRODUCTION TO POLITY By Dr Wilson Lim & THE GLOBAL POLITY TEAM
A small team was formed in early 2011 to develop the global polity for HIM. This team comprises of Ben KC Lee, Wilson Lim, Tonje Marken and Huo Yu Tiong. Since then the team has been diligently working on the project with the aim of formulating a polity appropriate for our movement by the end of 2015. Definition of Polity
A question that is often asked, what is polity? In essence, polity is a formal description of how we intend to function together as a movement.
It is essential that we clarify how we intend to function into the future as our church continues to expand both in numbers of churches and also into increasing number of countries. Currently, we largely function by relationship, shared values and through the common understanding of past practices. However, the larger and more dispersed our church becomes, it becomes to increasingly difficult to disperse our accumulated experiences and past dealings without documenting it.
400 churches in 40 countries
When HIM was formed in 2009, we had just over 200 churches in 30 countries. But in the last few years we have expanded significantly, particularly as our house churches have accelerated in numbers. We are now well over 400 churches in 40 countries and continuing to grow, by the grace of God. Imagine what it would be like when we exceed 1,000, 5,000 or 10,000 churches in perhaps 100 or more countries?
Provide principles, standards and structures
The polity team is focused on the macro polity of our movement as our intent is to provide principles, standards and structures in a framework that outlines the inter-relationship between the different key components of our movement. The work covers aspects such as how our local congregations are connected to our global church. It includes describing the roles and functions of spiritual authority as well as it boundaries. This will include the appointment of church leaders, including their retirement, removal and discipline. This is intended to facilitate a balanced exercise of godly leadership within teams at all levels.
The intent is to provide a blueprint by which our family of churches can agree to and function with into the coming years. It would provide an excellent foundation of understanding and integration within our movement. This will enable our churches and leaders to focus on the task of the Great Commission with the certainty that our movement’s framework is well laid out for continual expansion.
On going development of governance
It must also be understood that polity is not a static framework but can evolve over time. As we continue to grow, there will surely be the need to tweak it to continue to provide the most relevant framework. The task of the polity team is huge as they grapple with theological issues relevant to the governance of our family of churches together with practical governance matters. This requires much wisdom from God and a deep sense of God’s particular call and design for our movement.
Do uphold our polity team in prayer that we may be guided by the Spirit of God.
Written by Dr. Wilson Lim
