Conversations, decisions, and conflict about money in the church register on a continuum between the “church as institution” pole and the “faith community on mission” pole. They are opposite poles, as far as the north one is from the south one. When the economy is in recession, investments and savings are decimated, and jobs are disappearing, towards which pole will we move? When you hear “meet me at the pole”, which pole will it be? What is the honest direction today? The faithful direction? To preserve the institution? To carry out our mission? Which pole? Can we choose bi-polar?
Some of us who have dealt with the church as an “institution” for a long time, tend to be more idealistic and wish that churches should be “communities in mission.” However the trail of denominationalism, bureacracies, and vested interests lead people to be more secure in the institution.
This trend shows in the lack of growth among evangelicals and the dismal picture among main line denominations.
Movements like the “emergent churches,” the “church and culture network,” and “ekklesia” have lofty ideals but few true practioners. How do you move from a “staff led congregation–we have done always this way”- to mission, service, sacrifice, and community involvement? Many corageous Baptist pastors have sad stories of trying, being rejected by the congregation, and now are doing chaplaincy, or counseling, or may be teaching at a seminary!