Church: The institution
An organization managed and directed by man, church is limited by the constraints of government, quantity, capacity, finance, location, denomination, salary, manpower, or many other elements that can tilt the scales of success. Without leader or follower, it falls and fails. Without appeal, it lags. Without zeal, it lags. The succeeding church (institution) appealing to those who participate (leader and follower alike) prospers in worldly measure of attendance and finance. It must present its best, lest it fail.
Church: The body...
A living, breathing organism, not limited by human parameters, but supernaturally empowered by the Holy Spirit; the church prospers when it should not, where it should not, in ways it should not. Only limited and constrained by the One at the helm, Government, quantities, capacities, finances, location, manpower, divisions, they have no power.
Salary is no issue, the Lord provides as He directs, Denomination is not an issue, the banner is His agape love, and that love is the validation of His leading, His word says this is how they will know we are His disciples.
Manipulation is replaced with direction and leading of the Holy Spirit. Sensible may be set aside for the absurd, and some of the greatest examples given in history and in His word are the most absurd, for belief in a man born of a virgin is one of the most absurd considerations in a world that turns upon a dime for scientific evidences and possibilities. Failure is possible for the member of this body, many examples of such given to encourage us of His commitment when we fall short...and we all fall short. Controlled by man? Not a chance. Growing in the face of opposition, it is a body that cannot die, for it has been promised, straight from the source, that the gates of hell should not prevail. Though the head of the body was struck, and lay in a tomb, He lives, and He is the life of this body. If He lives forevermore, then His body must also live. Does it bleed? Does it struggle? Does it feel pain? Certainly. Does it endure? Most assuredly.
When the two, institution and body, combine, there is conflict. His word addresses many, the Apostle Paul addressing churches gone astray, and Jesus Himself in Revelation rebuking the error that invaded. When the two combine, humanity may attempt to prevail over divine. Will of man and will of God may well collide. Will of God should prevail. At times, it may appear that it does not. But God's hand is present and He will allow the conflict for our growth. Will we choose the institution or the body? The cold or the warm? Which will dominate, and which will we prefer? Will we prefer the security of a well-managed, stable institution which reports good numbers, stable finance, and a multitude of activities to engage the interest of the attendee or member? Or, will we defer to the unexpected, the amazing but frightening life of faith, led in uncertainty of circumstance with complete confidence in the leader. Or even in faltering confidence?
Will we prefer the boat tossed to and fro, or will we step into the water to grasp the hand of the One walking the surface? Will He leave us to drown in dismay, or will He gently extend His hand to draw us out, lovingly asking, "Why did you doubt?" Those on the boat didn't doubt in the same way, but neither did they trust in the same way. The boat would not have rescued in that storm, but Jesus surely did, and as He calmed the storm, those on the boat were conferred with the blessing of the rescue as well. Their faith, too, may have been increased, though perhaps not to the degree of their headstrong companion.
The body shall prevail. The institution? It need not. The two combined? Conflict will exist. Without the institution? Conflict still will exist, in this world you will experience troubles. The institution defined by one culture may not well suit another. When issues of finance and position are at the forefront, it is the institution, not the body. Jesus allowed the money box to be in the hands of his betrayer. Jesus girded himself, and in lowly manner washed the feet of the same. He even shared in a precious moment of fellowship, the sharing of the bread and the wine symbolic of His death, with His betrayer. He did not preclude the one who did not deserve, and truth be told, none present deserved. Their offenses not as severe, they were still offenses. The institution might punish such. The body? Knowing, still serves, loves, and forgives, for such is the example of the Head. Perhaps there are times when the body must remove itself from the institution in order to remove itself from the control of man. China's underground church, and other nations come to mind, where worshippers cannot freely worship and follow without risk of compromise. When the church sells its voice or when its voice is quieted or silenced in the name of peace, finance, or other, it is the institution that is silenced or quieted. Those who worship in spirit and in truth will continue to speak and serve, whether obviously or underground, and finance will not silence or end. We cannot cease to proclaim that which He has mandated, to every creature, to the ends of the earth if He so sends. We will be His witnesses, a promise that does not always involve our willful witness. At times, that witness is evident as He uses the lives of fallible folks to demonstrate love and faithfulness unmatched. There will be that day when the members of the body say, "When did we see you hungry, thirsty, a stranger naked, in prison?" There will be that day when the church, the living breathing body, will be ushered into His presence. 'Til then, may life govern, not legalism, may warmth prevail over complacency, may the fire be lit, the lukewarm brought to a boil, the instution bow to the Head, the institutionalized freed as they are led all the more by His Spirit, no longer held hostage by tradition Jesus never taught, but rather rebuked.
