Why I Left Institutionalism (Part 1) by Terence Sheridan
(tsherida@faulkner.edu)
Reprinted form the Focus Magazine archives. (http://www.focusmagazine.org/Articles.htm)
It is common knowledge that many Christians take opposing views about how a church is supposed to carry out its responsibilities. Some assert a church can perform whatever is expected of individual Christians and do so by supporting social organizations outside the local congregation (e.g., church funding of charities, schools, missionary programs, etc.). Others believe that this kind of activity is not authorized by the Bible because churches of Christ have a divine mission and organization which is circumscribed by the scriptures. It was not until recently that I was of the latter persuasion. The following is my personal testimony of why I changed my mind about the issue.
Preface
On January 17, 1993, I was baptized into Christ. I had no previous affiliation with any religious sect, so the baptism marked my first meaningful exposure to Jesus Christ's church. At the time, I was a 22-year old graduate student at Florida State University. I was interested in meeting other Christians in my age group, so I later joined a congregation on campus with a "ministry" for college students. Over the course of the year, I learned much about "church life" and much about those who profess to follow Christ.
Eventually I completed my master's degree, and in the summer of 1994, took a position as a university librarian in Montgomery, Alabama. One day, I was sitting in my office when an insurance sales representative entered. This was nothing unusual, because he was in the business of setting up pre-tax insurance plans for the university employees. As we both talked, it was revealed that he was a Christian, just like me. Since I was new to the area, I asked him where I could find a good congregation. He naturally invited me to Wednesday night Bible class. I accepted the invitation and attended services at the Perry Hill Rd. building for the first time.
The Story
Between the time I graduated from FSU and my arrival in Montgomery, I had already visited several congregations (all of them in my hometown Atlanta). Though I was a recent convert, I quickly realized many places which had the obligatory "Church of Christ" sign in the front lawn were not as close to New Testament Christianity as I thought they might be. On Sunday mornings, I would worship with several hundred people, and listen to speeches reminiscent of Yogi Berra or Dale Carnegie. I could leave church buildings sometimes and not even be greeted by anyone, in spite of the large crowds.
I was disgusted because it seemed Christianity was just a social thing for people. They would come to the building, greet their friends, have their fun, talk a bit about spiritual things, and then go back to their secular lives. Quite a few worship services had some activities that were utterly irrelevant to my needs. I was lonely and hurting. I needed to worship God, hear edifying teaching, and have some meaningful fellowship with Christians. What was I served? An honor ceremony for college students, a fund-raiser with a slide show, a program where Bibles were handed to the member's kids, etc. I was also taken aback by all the hoopla over hand-picked directors, ministers, and volunteers who did everything through high-brow programs. It seemed the rest of the congregation were merely content to sit back and cheer the "leaders" on with their check-books open.
I heard church members talk about "diversity." Of course, they meant doctrinal diversity. As for real diversity (Col. 3:11), they were not much into that. I had seen much more worldly affluence and materialism that I cared to see. In one instance, I remember sitting in a church classroom while two other men talked about their careers and various pursuits. One fellow bragged about his $90K salary, while the other smiled contentedly. Finally, after wasting most of the hour, they turned to me and talked about religion. They gave me a paternalistic grin as they explained that they were not hung up on issues (like denominational error, women preachers, etc.). Indeed they weren't; their church didn't even seem to be hung up on "core" issues, like showing love for strangers or a having humble, Christ-like attitude. After I moved from Atlanta to Montgomery, I did not want to have anything to do with big churches. I dreaded having to face the same religious schmaltz again. After all, in Montgomery, there seemed to be a "Church of Christ" on every street corner. Who knew what I would find?
When I visited the Perry Hill Rd. congregation, however, I found people who were very friendly and committed to spiritual matters. So I became a member. I was somewhat surprised by the kind of treatment I received because I knew the church did not engage in support of colleges, orphan homes, etc. like other churches in town, and I had been warned about those "mean old antis." How could I reconcile the behavior of the church members with the stereotype? Eventually, it was not long before I had to figure why these Christians, who seemed so loving and sincere, had convictions about something called "institutionalism."
[Editor's Note: Bro. Sheridan will continue his thoughts in next week's issue.]
The Bible (contributed by R. Zipperer)
This book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of the sinner and the happiness of believers. It's doctrines are holy, it's precepts are binding, it's histories are true and it's decisions are immutable.
Read it to be wise, believe in it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you and comfort to cheer you. It is the travelers map, the pilgrims staff, the pilots compass, the soldiers sword and the Christians charter.
Here paradise is restored, heaven opened the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand object, our good it's design and the glory of God it's end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart and guide the feet.
Read it slowly, frequently and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened in judgment and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor and will condemn all who will trifle with it's sacred contents.
SIGN OF THE TIMES - messages taken from church building signs
"No God-No Peace. Know God-Know Peace."
"Free Trip to heaven. Details Inside!"
"Searching for a new look? Have your faith lifted here!"
"Have trouble sleeping? We have sermons-come hear one!"
"People are like tea bags-you have to put them in hot water before you know how strong they are."
"God so loved the world that He did not send a committee."
"Come in and pray today. Beat the Christmas rush!"
"When down in the mouth, remember Jonah. He came out all right."
"Fight truth decay-study the Bible daily."
"How will you spend eternity-Smoking or Non-smoking?"
"Dusty Bibles lead to Dirty Lives."
"Come work for the Lord. The work is hard, the hours are long and the pay is low. But the retirement benefits are out of this world."