The Life Of The Church In The World Is Always Prone To Chaos
- Dwight Smith
- Jul 30
- 2 min read
For most of the last 2.000 years people have tried to organize the church. The organizing centers were doctrinal, or historical or strong personalities, or, etc. etc.
No matter how tight we have been able to assure ourselves about the correctness and “safety” in our organizational prowess, all of the human efforts have experienced heresy, political battles, catastrophic and public sins in their leadership, and, divisions along new lines.
The early church experienced little organizational control. The protective and organizational function of leadership was more organized around gifts, functions, geographies and most importantly, outcomes.
And, yes, they too suffered from heresies, political battles, all the things that we today continue to suffer.
The New Testament is filled with warnings about these things. So, whether highly organized or loosely organized we are not to expect smooth sailing.
I am one who questions whether the high organization was ever God’s intention. Does the Old Testament experience of Israel before there was a King have anything to teach us about how God navigates the life and outcomes of His people?
Whether I am right or wrong with these questions, it is abundantly clear that our organizational efforts have not necessarily yielded the desired outcomes. It can be argued that, in many cases, they have impeded the very simple designs of God for His people.
“Walk in relationship to me, and represent me and my glory in all that you do and everywhere you go. My Holy Spirit will use all of this growing obedience to build my kingdom.”
Too often our grand designs to organize God’s people for God, have gotten in the way of God the Spirit directing every part of the orchestra, and, ending up with a better outcome.
If what God designs will always face human failure, disobediences, even rejection, both outside and inside the church, are we not better to stay within the simple designs He has given to us and let Him protect and judge everything else?
In this vein of questioning, I am pointing you to two updates and reissues of concepts that I think we have missed and impact God’s simple designs.
You can find both updates in the articles section of my website. I suggest that you read and ponder them. More so, I believe that leadership should read them and spend a few months discussing their relevance and application.
Even so, come quickly our Lord Jesus!!
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