Congregationalism

[kɔŋgre'geiʃәnәliz(ә)m]

(noun.) system of beliefs and church government of a Protestant denomination in which each member church is self-governing.

Edited by Linda--From WordNet

(n.) That system of church organization which vests all ecclesiastical power in the assembled brotherhood of each local church.

(n.) The faith and polity of the Congregational churches, taken collectively.

Editor: Oswald