“there can be several congregations in a single town that have each come to different conclusions about a subject....”
Then how can there be consensus on what CoC doctrine really is. No wonder the several CoC churches here do not care to associate with each other as each considers itself the “only true church”.
The CHURCH and congrations are not the same thing.
Rome
Corinth
Jerusalem
etc..
Were all Part of the Same CHURCH that being Christs Church but each had its own Elders and Deacons.. thus the turn of phrase.. the Church the met at Rome.