The Christian church is in turmoil. The majority of this turmoil is found in struggles within denominations. I would go as far as saying that 90% of these struggles are power plays in which the denominational bureaucracy is simply a tool for individual ego needs and materialistic desires. Even conflicts in which there are real spiritual issues (homosexuality being the current hot topic) often those involved are involved not out of conviction but opportunity.
Denominations were organizational tools advancing the causes of the church 100 years ago. They have served their purpose. Now they have become a major hindrance to the faith. They spend more money on maintaining the lifestyles and perks of the bureaucrats than on the mission they were tasked for. Most of the administrative activities that denominational structures were used for in the past could be carried out with a tenth of the personnel involved due to our advances in technology. We really do not need “the Baptist building”.
So why do we continue to support them? Max Webber understood that a bureaucracy takes on a life of its own. It exists to survive and like a cancer will use up all resources and even kill the community for which it was created if it is not controlled. Denominations rely on brand loyality. Our current culture is willing to abandon blind loyality. When the generation that helped build the current BGCT is gone, then the BGCT will die.
Religious bureaucracy’s create jobs that are maintained by secular skills. Many of the people who work for religious denominations could not make it working for a local church (many of those who go to work for the denomination do so because it is easier than dealing with congregations). These folks will use every means at their disposal to survive. They will lie (example: Wayne S.-I win someone to the Lord everyday), manipulate (LieBrum-loyality is more important than the truth), and by the best PR they can (K. Hall-don’t show me the money, give me the money) and will do whatever they need to do to maintain their own status quo.
God never told us to create denominations. He especially did not want any organization to come before the local church. To continue to support such an iron cage (Max Webber’s term) in itself I believe is part of the great delusion. In other words, it is a sin to be so wasteful. The money we send to denominations could be used better for the mission of the Kingdom in our world today. We are responsible. We can do much more for the kingdom apart than we can do with a bureaucracy.
July 6, 2009 at 1:20 pm
“Even conflicts in which there are real spiritual issues (homosexuality being the current hot topic) often those involved are involved not out of conviction but opportunity.”
Rarely have truer words been blogged. Such issues–weighty though they be–have a way of bringing opportunists out of the religious woodwork.
July 8, 2009 at 10:16 am
A precious brother in Christ has been trying to get me to read, “The Shack,” which ultimately I’ve been listening to the audio version. David I know you are a avid reader so this would be a quick one for you. Putting it in short I can better understand God’s point of view about religion instead of relationship, institution, organization and being programmed litteraly to spiritual death instead of relationship, and the church rather than the latter is an organizim.
Thinking through William P. Young’s writing in the book I am more disappointed in hierarchies as it’s more about protecting someone’s selfish position than having a true relationship with God.
Instead of thinking God as the Cosmic meany as I’ve been taught throughout my life I can now see Him as the God who has completely forgiven me and loves me inspite of my judgmental, hypocritical, prejudicial issues.
David, I love you and this is not about you, but to encourage you from institutions, and organizational religion has been attempting to steal from God’s people their little or great sustinance in the name of missions, church starting which really mask their greed.
If you haven’t, I’d hope you could read, “The Shack.” I believe you will be freed from many of your disappointments caused by those you and I had onetime trusted to have God’s best interest at heart.
July 8, 2009 at 10:49 am
Another good read is “So You Don’t Want to Go to Church Anymore.” It touches on the same subjects but in a deeper way.
July 8, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Dr. Rick, I’m not sure I’ve ever met you. What disturbs me is why would the BGCT be so foolish to discard someone like you who is such a treasure chest of blessing for so many? Our convention just doesn’t make sense anymore. Has the glory departed from 333 N Washington St. in Dallas?