I hope to add more to this page in the future, since the issue of institutionalism is exceptionally important. I've been asked by a number of Christians who attend mainstream congregations what institutionalism even is. Some have never even heard of the term, sadly, so many don't even realize that it is an important issue that the church needs to be aware of.
What is Institutionalism?
Institutionalism can be defined as the act of a church or congregation in providing money to one or more institutions in an effort to support some work that the church or congregation has itself deemed worthy of such financial support.
Such institutions could include (but are not limited to):
Missionary societies or organizations
Colleges and Universities
Political Organizations
Orphans' Homes
Nursing Homes
Shelters
Counseling Services
Schools
And More.
What's Wrong With Supporting Those Services?
Many people would agree that such services or organizations are noble, beneficial, or otherwise "good." Consequently, many people have trouble understanding why it wouldn't be a good idea (or quite simply just make sense) for churches to support such groups.
The problem is one of Scriptural Authority. First, within the pages of the New Testament,
one cannot find a direct command saying that churches or indiviual congregations
must use or are even allowed to use church funds to support such organizations.
Second, one also cannot find an approved example within the New Testament of a congregation
of the Lord's church supporting any such institution. As a result, there is no "necessary inference"
to indicate that churches should support institutions using church funds.
"Wait a Minute. Aren't we commanded to visit orphans, to help the sick and afflicted, to meet the physical needs of others in this world whether they be Christians or not?"
That's absolutely correct. But WAIT! There's a distinct difference between what an individual Christian can do and what a church (a collective individual body of Christians) is authorized to do.
The Bible clearly points out in 1 Timothy 5:16 that there is, indeed, a distinct difference between the roles of individual Christians and the church as a whole. Obviously, it is the responsibility of the individual to do what God requires of us to receive His free gift of salvation. And there are numerous examples of Scriptures that direct the INDIVIDUAL Christian in certain actions.
A wonderful example of Scripture that directs the INDIVIDUAL to perform certain actions is
James 1:27, which says:
Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
But wait... How is THAT an example of INDIVIDUAL action, not a whole congregation?
Notice the verse says to "keep ONESELF unspotted from the world." The word "oneself"
(capitalized for emphasis above) is clearly singular and referring to individuals as individuals.
Moreover, look at that verse in the context of the passage that it is in. From James 1:23 on,
we see almost nothing but singular terms being used. By verse, they are:
James 1:23 -- anyone, a hearer, a doer, he, a man, his face
James 1:24 -- he, himself, man, he
James 1:25 -- he, a... hearer, a doer, this one, he
James 1:26 -- anyone, he, his tongue, his own heart, this one's
Clearly, the Bible makes a distinction between what the individual is authorized to do
and what a congregation or church as a collective body of Christians is allowed to do.
Below is a brief list of some of the reasons why congregations should NOT support institutions.
Again, I hope to discuss this issue further on this site. For the time being, though, I will direct you to two other sites (see links below) that do a great job of discussing the issue of institutionalism. Their discussions of this key issue are much better constructed than any paltry explanation of the issue that I could provide at this time. Please give them a visit, search the Scriptures yourself, and feel free to ask me any questions about this or any other biblical issue that you are concerned with.
Reasons to Not Support Institutions
Other Sites Discussing the Institutionalism Issue
A Study of Institutionalism (Words of Truth.Net)
GoodFight.com--contains institutionalism discussion
List of Conservative, Non-Institutional Churches of Christ
