Who is authorized to call church assemblies, synods, or councils?

The authority to call church assemblies, synods, or councils typically rests with civil magistrates in certain historical contexts, particularly in established churches and during periods when church and state were closely linked. Civil magistrates often had the responsibility to ensure doctrinal purity and maintain order within the church, which included organizing assemblies for decision-making and governance.

In many cases, this authoritative role was rooted in the belief that civil leaders were to uphold the moral and spiritual welfare of society, which included overseeing church functions. This can be observed in various traditions, where the civil government would convene church leaders to address significant theological or organizational issues.

Members of the congregation, ordained pastors, and any Christian leader can certainly play important roles in the life of the church and in the discussions about governance and doctrine. However, their roles are typically centered around leading, teaching, and participating in these assemblies rather than formally calling them.