Not All Traditions Are Created Equal
October 9, 2008The pastor at my church started a class I’m very fond of, talking about making bridges from our faith to the indigenous culture. A topic we got on was how folks of my generation (I was born in ‘81) view institutionalism as irrelevant at best (and evil at worst).
After some discussion, I pointed out how most of my ilk decide not to put up with it, and get their spiritual community with their friends wherever (which roughly states my recent leanings). My pastor pointed out how undisciplined community tends to go nowhere and fizzles out. I completely agree.
However, I believe institutional churches are rooted in human-made traditions, which ultimately came from paganism. This is not bad on its own. However, these traditions (such as property, clergy and ritual) encourage a passive lay body of pew-warmers, who have little depth of faith.
I’m not a fan of abolishing tradition, however. I think we’ve just clung to the wrong one. My pastor is completely right saying undisciplined house churches are lousy. The first-century house churches weren’t just strung out on their own though, they were backed by the apostolic tradition. This is something we’ve lost, and which the institutional church demands too much control to revive.
Heirarchical office structures, theological education and professional experience do not leave room for apostles. The better structure is an extremely flat one, with one massive layer of house churches tied together by a mesh of traveling apostolic workers. Apostles are who keep house churches from running amok, maintain discipline, plant sound teaching and encourage the faithful in hard times. They also stay largely absent, which means the “laity” (a term which should be abolished) have no choice but to function actively as the Spirit of Christ intends.
You’re on a right track, but consider losing the idea of “massive”, and put in its place “purposeful; sound”, and no, I’m not referring to purpose-driven.
Since Constantine, the greatest enemy, by far, of God’s highest and best purposes has been organized, institutional “Church”.
There is a huge difference between “Church” in all its flavors and varieties, and living out the Lord’s ways and purposes with other committed disciples.
Check out http://endtimedisciples.wordpress.com if you’re willing to dig further into this matter.
Thanks for the comment, Gene! I did peek at your blog, and it looks good.
I’m coming to the opinion that I don’t want to tear down the institutional church, per se, but it doesn’t fit my walk anymore. Paul especially puts great emphasis on unity and mutual affirmation, and on not sowing dissent. I think there is a more faithful way to “do” church – the apostolic way – but I’m trying to temper that with love for my Christian brothers and sisters, even those trapped in traditional denominations.
I think of the various pagans in the New Testament who show kindness to Christ or Christians but otherwise do not fit my understanding of faithful followers, and they are promised a place in Christ’s kingdom. If even they have a place, surely our institutional brethren do too.
Food for thought, anyway. I’ll of course encourage any disaffected Christians to try a more faithful approach. I think any Christian would find a deeper relationship with Christ this way, but I grasp that many aren’t looking for it.