Review: Well Ordered, Living Well by Guy Waters

A guide to Waters' Field Guide of Presbyterian Government

What is church government and why is Presbyterianism its most faithful expression?

These two questions are at the heart of Dr. Guy P. Waters latest book, Well Ordered, Living Well: A Field Guide to Presbyterian Church Government (2022) from Reformation Heritage Books, which lays out a logical and biblically

faithful argument for sound church government. Dr. Waters is a teaching elder in the PCA Presbytery of the Mississippi Valley and the James M. Baird, Jr. Professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS) Jackson and Academic Dean of RTS Jackson & Brazil.

In the first three chapters, Dr. Waters walks the reader through the why, what and how of Church government based on a phrase he borrows from nineteenth century Presbyterian pastor T.D. Witherspoon, “Five Points of Presbyterianism.” Dr. Waters’ 'Five Points' provide a summary of the Bible’s teaching on the church, the church’s members, the church’s officers, the church’s assemblies, and the church and ordination. 

The fourth chapter addresses common questions about the ‘Five Points’ such as “Do I have to be a member of a church?” and “What if my church leaders make a decision that I think is wrong?” The fifth and final chapter contains a brief discussion of application for church members to know that they have a deeper understanding of the role and importance of church government. 

The book concludes with a suggested reading list and two appendices, the first appendix provides the readers with the PCA membership vows and the second, a short essay by Pastor Bartel Elshout comparing the forms of church government between presbyterian churches and the Church Order of Dort (Dordrecht). 

OPC members will note the differences between the PCA and OPC membership vows, however, both denominations conclude with a final vow on church government. The PCA vow asks, “Do you submit yourselves to the government and discipline of the Church, and promise to study its purity and peace?” Whereas the OPC vow asks, “Do you promise to participate faithfully in this church’s worship and service, to submit in the Lord to its government, and to heed its discipline, even in case you should be found delinquent in doctrine or life?”

If you are considering taking the step or have taken the step of joining a local church and submitting to its government, it is essential that you understand what you are assenting to. This is the best single resource I have yet come across to explain the sometimes-strange world of presbyterian polity to an inquiring mind. 

Well Ordered, Living Well would make a valuable resource for small groups, Sunday school or New Member classes. It provides an accessible discussion of the topic of church government at a level that the lay reader can understand and will go a long way in helping Elders shepherd their flocks. 

Well Ordered, Living Well is on sale now from Reformation Heritage Books, MSRP $10.00 but currently on sale for $7.50.