Reviews

Independent Eldership

Independent Eldership
Ian Jemmett
10 July, 2026 1 min read

Authors: Stephen Kneale
Publisher: Grace Publications
269 pages
Purchase from: Grace Publications (£14.99)

This is a book for anyone who wants their membership of an independent church to be all that Christ intends, not just for current and aspiring elders. All (both sexes) will find food for thought and reflection and, possibly, repentance in these pages. 

Those already convinced of independency and plural eldership should consider carefully the diagrams and related comment but can otherwise skim-read the first 82 pages and start at chapter 9, from which point practicalities are to the fore. These are dealt with scripturally, wisely, and, in places, controversially. Kneale writes, ‘many confuse pastoring with counselling’ and ‘counsellors reflect, pastors instruct’. Are those categories really that binary? 

— This article continues for ET members