Church polity has to do with visible elements like bishops or synods; it also relates to less obvious aspects of church life, like the rules around ordination, who can become a minister and under ...

The scholars represent some 28 areas of study, including women in the church, asceticism, science and theology, political theology and more, all under a theme of mission and the Orthodox Church.

The general principles of polity are clear, but not the details. This is one reason why questions of government have caused such deep and lasting divisions in the Church.

The Rev. Rick Warren has delivered thousands of messages asking for a spiritual response during his 42 years as founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Orange County, California.