Institutionalism

What I'm about to say is going to sound ridiculous to many of you. Your first reaction is going to be, "What is he talking about?" and then your second question will be, "Why does this even matter?" Then you may begin to see me as some Pharisaical, narrow-minded, religious nutcase.

But then, of course, there are many of you who are either familiar with this issue or at least approach the Scriptures with the same level of diligence and care, and therefore will appreciate the message.

If you're in the first group, please know that I approach the Scriptures with the mindset that we need to do exactly what the New Testament authorizes us to do, nothing more and nothing less. Paul says that we're to do ALL things by the authority of Christ (Col. 3:17), and John says that if we fail to stay within the confines of the doctrine of Christ, we fall out of fellowship with God (2 John 9). Instead of justifying religious actions on the basis that "The Bible doesn't say NOT to," we instead ought to be asking, "Is it authorized?" After all, we're told to "Test all things; hold fast what is good" (1 Thess. 5:21). If an action isn't authorized, how do we know it's good? We don't, and that's the point.

With that in mind, consider with me the issue of "Institutionalism." This is a big word, isn't it? And it's not a word that we often use. So what is it? In the context of religion, it's when the local church uses human institutions to carry out the work that God designed the church to do.

For example, is the church authorized to support foreign evangelists? Absolutely! Paul, while working and ministering in Corinth, received "wages" from other churches (2 Cor. 11:8). In his letter to the Philippians, Paul thanked them for supporting him monetarily while he was preaching in Thessalonica (Phil. 4:15-16). So again, it's scriptural to support foreign evangelists (or preachers in other places). But would it be scriptural for the church to send that monetary support to a human institution (that receives monetary support from multiple churches) with the expectation that the human institution - in this case, a "missionary society" - would oversee the distribution of funds?

Consider another example with me. Is the church authorized to train men to teach and preach? Based on Paul's instructions in 2 Timothy 2:2, this is certainly permissible! But would it be okay for the church to instead send monetary support to a Bible college (institution) with the expectation that it would teach and train preachers?

One more example. Is the church authorized to engage in acts of benevolence? In other words, can the church help people financially or otherwise? Yes! However, scripturally speaking, this benevolent work should be limited to the NEEDS of CHRISTIANS. We see examples of this in Acts 2:44-45; 4:34-35; 11:28-30; Romans 15:25-26; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 8:1-4; 9:1. In each case, the aid was given to needy Christians specifically. Clearly, this "limited benevolence" as we often call it is authorized. But is the church authorized to send that money to a human institution (which receives money from multiple churches) with the expectation that it will distribute those funds?

The answer to each of these three questions is "No!" While these specific works ARE authorized, the practice of institutionalism isn't. The fact is, there isn't a single instance in the New Testament where the church funneled its money through a human institution of any kind. We see no examples of churches organizing institutions to carry out its work. We read of no church-sponsored missionary societies, orphanages, hospitals or Bible colleges.

Instead, what we consistently find is the local church sending aid directly to the need.

In Acts 4:32-37, the local church in Jerusalem collected money and distributed that money to the needy saints in Jerusalem. In Acts 11:28-30, when the church in Antioch decided to send aid to the needy Christians in Judea, they sent the money directly to the elders in Judea (vs. 30). The churches in Macedonia and Achaia sent relief to these same needy brethren directly via Paul (Rom. 15:25-26). And likewise, the church in Philippi sent aid directly to Paul to satisfy Paul's needs as an evangelist (Phil. 4:16).

This may seem to be a minor point to you. But really it's quite simple. If there isn't any authority in the New Testament for churches to use human institutions to carry out the work that God designed the church to do, then we simply need to avoid the practice of institutionalism. Not only will this bring us into greater alignment with the New Testament pattern, it will force churches to be more personally involved in the works they're supporting.

This is an issue that not only separates "churches of Christ" from the majority of churches, but regrettably, this is an issue that also separates "churches of Christ" from one another. I hope and pray that this article will clarify my position on the matter of institionalism, will lead to conversations about the issue...and ideally, will result in greater unity among otherwise like-minded brethren.