Congregationalism is the theory that every local church is a full realization in miniature, of the entire Church of Jesus Christ; and, the Church while on earth, besides the local Church, can only be invisible and ideal. While other theories may insist on the truth of the first precept, the second of congregationalism gives the entire theory a unique character among plans of church government. There is no other reference than the local congregation, for the "visible church" in congregationalism. And yet, the connection of all Christians is ... asserted, albeit in a way that can't be clearly or consistently described. This first, foundational principle by which congregationalism is guided, results in the extreme limitation of authority, confining it to operate with the consent of a single gathering of believers.