Hierarchy is the only way churches survive where there is no love to speak of – only irresolvable conflicts, continual transience, and hopelessly shallow relationships...
Love is the alternative. But it is impossible. We can attempt a gradual move away from hierarchy to covenant, but don’t expect a pure utopia. Some level of hierarchy, formal or informal is inevitable for human social relationships to survive – until a people learn to love.
-- Kevin Swanson, Generations with Vision
Now, isn't that exactly what we see in the church growth movement? To advance the enterprise of "drawing people" into the organization we develop "hopelessly shallow relationships" around a portfolio of programs, and hang it all on the skeleton of a dedicated cadre of "church leaders." (Listen to Pastor Burnell Eckhardt, Jr. discussing "Leadership" on Issues Etc. 6/9/10)
That is not a church. I'm sorry, it just isn't. There might be a church hidden somewhere within that mess, but the institution itself isn't functioning as a church is called to function... and if the word "Lutheran" is somewhere on the sign out front, the organization is without excuse. The Lutheran Confessions, I think, are pretty clear.
HT: Persevero!
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