The Problem IS the Institutional Church



David French discussed the recent turmoil in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) this morning in his newsletter.  I will not rehash all of the details, specifics, or personalities involved.  However, I do want to discuss what I believe to be the underlying cause.  Simply, the large scale institutionalizing of the church leads invariably to a host of temptations, that without appropriate safeguards, will constantly threaten their integrity and mission.  I call these temptations the the 3 P's of Pride:  Power, Prestige, Profits.  By the way, anytime the 3 P's are present, they often attract the unsavory and unscrupulous (Simon the Sorcerer is a good example). Much like the corrupt Sanhedrin of Jesus's time and more recently the long train of abuses in the Catholic Church, the hierarchical and bureaucratic structure that religious institutions create, often with good intentions, become corrupted by a self serving and self preservationist mindset.  Both of which allows for one rationalize poor, or even outright evil behavior.  

These examples make me think that we need to rethink these large institutions and evaluate their scriptural authority and function.  We see through Paul's epistles to the many churches he helped establish, that their was a simple governance to the church that appears to be local and autonomous. Scripturally, the Church is led by a group of Elders with a specific set of characteristics, as opposed to an "Executive Committee" or a popular lead pastor.  While there is an example of the Elders in Jerusalem providing guidance to other churches, there was no large institution that local churches answered to.   

Maybe we should return to this simple, scriptural form of the local church.  Now this doesn't mean that the local church is not without its problems or drama (believe me...I know), but its ability to bring issues to light and correct them are more effective.  But too many churches are either ran by a powerful and popular pastor, who rarely has any accountability or is tied to these large institutions that are too hierarchical, too bureaucratic, and too concerned with its 3 Ps.


 



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