Church Authority

Full communion with Pope; each church self-governing through patriarchal synods

Patriarch of Antioch in full communion with Pope; synodal governance maintained

Episcopal governance; apostolic succession; reject papal infallibility; synodical authority

Pope holds supreme authority; Magisterium interprets Scripture and Tradition

In communion with Rome; Syro-Malabar Major Archbishop; papal primacy affirmed

Catholicos-Patriarch leads autonomous church; apostolic succession through Thomas and Addai

Pope of Alexandria leads Coptic Church and Oriental Orthodox communion

Conciliar: seven Ecumenical Councils supreme; Patriarch of Constantinople as first among equals

Patriarch of Addis Ababa leads autocephalous church; synodal governance

Each church is autocephalous; authority through ancient patriarchates and synods

Episcopal structure; no pope; Canterbury holds primacy of honor only

Rule by elders; classis and synod structure; no papacy

Congregational autonomy is central; each church self-governing under Christ

Church defined by Word and Sacrament; no papal authority

Congregational governance with synodical oversight; Scripture as supreme authority

Connectional polity; General Conference as highest authority

Rule by elders; session, presbytery, general assembly structure

Reformed polity; consistory, classis, synod; sola scriptura; women's ordination contested

Congregational polity; Scripture supreme; each local church self-governing

Affiliated but autonomous local churches under pastoral leadership

Scripture supremacy; mixed polity with district/national oversight and congregational input

Presbyterian-style polity; consistory, classis, synod structure; sola scriptura

Representative governance; elected general superintendents; Scripture supreme

Congregational governance with ECC covenant oversight; Scripture + community interpretation

Congregational polity; local church autonomy; Scripture supreme authority

Independent congregational polity; sola scriptura; ecclesiastical separation from apostasy

Congregational polity with associational cooperation; Scripture is supreme authority

No central hierarchy; local church autonomy; Scripture supreme; models vary

Scripture supreme; presbyterian-style district oversight with congregational roots

Presbyterian polity; session, presbytery, general assembly; sola scriptura as ultimate

Congregational polity; plural elders; regulative worship principle; sola scriptura

General Conference; Scripture supreme; Discipline guides; women ordained at all levels

Congregational with synodical structure; Scripture supreme; strict doctrinal separation from other bodies

Ranges from Episcopal hierarchy to apostolic networks to congregational

No formal creed; Scripture alone; voluntary cooperation; Spirit-led unity of all believers

Episcopal oversight; General Assembly authority governs doctrine; Scripture remains supreme

District and national oversight combined; eldership model governance; Scripture primary authority

Apostolic movement structure; local churches relationally affiliated

Congregation and bishop lead; the Ordnung governs community life

Congregational governance with regional conference oversight; Scripture and community interpretation

Congregational with Annual Conference discernment; Scripture and tradition; women fully ordained

Colony led by a Vorsteher and preachers; national and world conferences coordinate

Congregational; community discernment is the locus of authority

Congregational polity with regional and general manifestations

Congregational autonomy paramount; no central ecclesiastical authority; local independence affirmed

No central organization; autonomous congregations governed by Scripture alone

Congregational with global fellowship; elder-led after 2001 reforms

Representative governance; General Conference as highest earthly authority

Episcopal polity with synodal governance; provincial and unity synods.

No ordained clergy or denominational hierarchy; local assembly autonomy.

No hierarchy; decisions by Meeting for Business through discernment

Congregational polity; local autonomy balanced by denominational coordination

Quasi-military hierarchical structure; General as supreme leader

Claims to be the sole true restored church; authoritative leadership and Spirit guidance

Centralized episcopal structure; Bishop Macedo apex of authority; Scripture plus apostolic leadership

Synodal governance; annual Synod is highest authority; local autonomy

Decentralized; Scripture supreme; no central institution; independent congregations

Autonomous local ecclesias; Scripture supreme; no denominational hierarchy

General Conference structure; congregational autonomy; Scripture supreme

Governing Body is the 'faithful slave'; Watchtower publications are authoritative

General Conference governs; local churches have autonomy within UPCI fellowship

Congregational polity; no binding creed; individual conscience is supreme

Prophet-led with apostles; continuing revelation through World Conference

Restored priesthood authority is exercised through prophet and apostles

Apostle-led governance in splinter groups; PCG: Gerald Flurry as apostle and prophet

Mother Church governs through Manual; no ordained clergy

General Church governed by synod; Swedenborg's writings are New Revelation

Theocratic governance; Executive Minister is God's appointed head of true Church

Message churches loosely networked; Branham's sermons are supreme and final authority

Kehillot congregational; MJAA/UMJC networks provide fellowship, not binding authority

Chief Apostle as highest authority; restored apostolic office; hierarchical governance

Superintendent-led structure; prophetic and prophetess leadership recognized; Scripture and Spirit revelation

Theocratic spiritual leadership by the Chef spirituel from Kimbangu lineage

General Overseer as spiritual head; centralized authority; Scripture and leadership

Hierarchical; Bishop Lekganyane as supreme spiritual head; ZCC badge