With great love for the Church, I confront my disenchantment and unease with organized religion and its institutional structure which exists (I believe) contrary to the admonitions of Christ against any hierarchical relations among his followers. Despite the fact that we are all "priests" (Revelation 1.6, Revelation 20.6, Exodus 19.6 ), the institutional church insists on establishing and preserving a clergy-laity distinction which grants rank and authority to clerical offices; a distinction that leaves a disturbing seam in what should be a seamless union of all members of the body. This hierarchy has contributed to many having the mistaken perception of the leadership of man as the headship of church.
The unbiblical distinction of office and authority of men within the church betrays the humility and self-sacrifice modeled by Christ on the cross as the institution grants status and rank to the titled (bishop, father, reverend, pastor, etc. ad nauseam) that feeds the self-serving egos of those who may have otherwise served unselfishly, for the true servant (who, like Christ, has sacrificed self and remains therefore unselfish) willingly washes the feet of his brethren rather than seek being served with obeisance and exaltation. The bestowing of rank (and thus, division) is so institutionalized and entrenched that many have come to accept the practice without question, as part of the Christian tradition. My aim is not to deny leadership, for we must have leaders; but leaders are those who lead by example and those who lead by serving others, and is not dependent on office, title or rank.
Even so, I am convinced that the greatest failing of the church today is the pre-empting of the Spirit. Of course, this is not true in every case, as I reflect on the small church of my youth whose family-like intimacy led one to know that we are truly part of something greater than oneself. Even today, I find this same church especially rewarding despite its institutionalism as it regularly sets aside time during its assemblies to allow the Spirit to speak to the members through each other, as anyone who is so moved is free to offer words, songs, insights and revelations given them...gifts of the Spirit. From this I find hope and longing for an even greater openness to the lead of the Spirit, where members assemble for the edification of one another as structured and made orderly per inspiration...everyone equal and worthy to be heard for they speak not from themselves, but from the Spirit.
This is the church, for what is church? It is not a building, a place, nor is it an activity, but it is community - the common unity of the followers of Christ. It is a spirit of oneness and love. Membership in this Oneness is only dependent on acceptance of Christ - in our faith in Him...not doctrines, nor traditions, nor creeds which men impose. In fact, to the extent that these doctrines, traditions and creeds cause disunity, then rather than define the church, they act to oppose the church as they cause divisions that dismembers the body of Christ.
It is when we are one that we are the body of Christ for it is through this oneness that we find the manifestation of Jesus, when we gather according to his authority. Therefore, we should accept all whom God accepts, and God accepts all who have faith in Christ. We should love and accept one another by refusing to judge.
So then, what is important?...that you hear the truth of the Spirit which proclaims that Christ is the Son of God, and follow Him, for His knowing is perfect as He knows the way to the Father, the way of ascent. This is what matters, and not the conditions imposed by the doctrines, traditions and creeds of man whose vision and knowing are imperfect.