Tim---That's why you enjoy Methodism: It is clearcut and has a policy on everything. Ministers can just say, "I must consult with the DS on that one." Then the DS can consult to the higher level up the line. I see nothing wrong with that. It gives a certain comfort and discipline and avoids all the craziness of Baptists!
The beauty of Baptists, for me, has been Autonomy.
That was one of the things Vestal was citing. When it worked the SBC became the largest Protestant Demonimation in the world. Second only to Roman Catholics in size for all of christiandom.
Here is a strange conundrum: How can you get along when you don't have control of polity and a chain of command?