1. Welcome!
Bibles and copies of sermons are available Please silence your cell phones
Sunday Bible Classes 9:30 AM Worship 10:30 AM 5:30 PM Wednesday Bible Classes 7:00 PM

2. Sunday AM Sunday PM Wednesday
Serving
Sunday AM
Sunday PM
Wednesday
Usher
Gerald van Fleet
Opening Prayer
Anthony Ward
Michael Hetzer
Opening/Head
Ryan Sollars
Communion
Caleb White
Steven Root
Rob Wade
Song Leader
Chris Willis
Barry Root
Announcement
Curt Davis
Adult Class
Invitation

3. Romans 15:9 "For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, and sing to Your name."
Hymns
Invitation
000 -

4. Why We Do Not Support Institutions

5. The World Says: “What’s the Big Deal”
With having communion anytime With using musical instruments With living a Christian life? Not cursing or using vulgarity Not drinking Modesty and morality
From a denominational sense, few can see why we seem to strive over things they believe inconsequential…….

6. God Says: “Obeying is the Big Deal”
Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 11:27 "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.” Matthew 12:36
From a denominational sense, few can see why we seem to strive over things they believe inconsequential……. Yet we understand by the Word that God does not see obedience as inconsequential.

7. God Says: “Obeying is the Big Deal”
Moses – speak to the rock Nadab and Abihu – Bring the right fire The Man of God – Don’t stop anywhere
God has given us many examples of His wrath for things men deemed inconsequential. Therefore, we believe that if God commanded it, or if God did not command it, such has a bearing in our lives.

8. It is HARD Being Different
Hard enough separating from denominations Being rejected as insignificant Harder separating from churches of Christ Being called antis, legalists One main separation from liberal churches: Institutionalism
God has given us many examples of His wrath for things men deemed inconsequential. Therefore, we believe that if God commanded it, or if God did not command it, such has a bearing in our lives.

9. What is “Institutionalism”
Institution: an established organization of people with a specific (benevolent) purpose Institutionalism: within a church, the direct support of an established organization with work given or appropriated by that church
Definitions

10. …..the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
The Church’s Work
The Church
2 Corinthians 8:4
…..the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
Helping
Saints

11. …..the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
The Church’s Work
The Church
2 Corinthians 8:4
…..the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
Benevolence

12. for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry….
The Church’s Work
The Church
Ephesians 4:12
for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry….
Spread the Gospel

13. for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry….
The Church’s Work
The Church
Ephesians 4:12
for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry….
Evangelism

14. …..for the edifying of the body of Christ
The Church’s Work
The Church
Ephesians 4:12
…..for the edifying of the body of Christ
Teaching Saints

15. …..for the edifying of the body of Christ
The Church’s Work
The Church
Ephesians 4:12
…..for the edifying of the body of Christ
Edification

16. The Church’s Work
The Church
Benevolence
Edification
Evangelism

17. Institutionalism The Church Agency Agency Agency Benevolence
Edification
Evangelism
Institutions act as an agent of the church (or churches), to accomplish the work of the church. This example excludes institutions that seek to do works not given to the church (such as social welfare, etc)

18. Institutionalism The Church Orphan’s Home Agency Agency Benevolence
Edification
Evangelism

19. Institutionalism The Church Missionary Society Agency Agency
Benevolence
Edification
Evangelism

20. Institutionalism The Church Church Schools Agency Agency Benevolence
Edification
Evangelism

21. The Benefits of Such a Structure
Financial – a pooling of resources Social – The encouragement of brethren Structural – Stronger aiding weaker Goals could be achieved at greater levels
There are clearly benefits seen to these arrangements. Ultimately, it amounts to a perceived increase in the achievement of the goal

22. Brethren ask: “What’s the Big Deal”
“It really doesn’t matter” “It’s not that big a deal” “It’s just a different tradition”
Therefore, brethren ask (much like the world) “is it really that important?”

23. Why Are We a “Non-Institutional” Church?
Three Strikes to Institutionalism
Scriptural – God’s permission
Historical – Looking at the end results
Practical – Is it really successful
Let us consider 3 reasons why we reject the institutional pattern created in the last 150 years

24. Why Are We a “Non-Institutional” Church?
Scriptural
Acts 11:27-29
I Corinthians 16:1-4
New Testament churches used NO organizations to fulfill their obligations
This is one of many examples of the church working DIRECTLY to accomplish its work. There is NO example of indirect actions. This truth is enough to establish why we reject institutionalism

25. Why Are We a “Non-Institutional” Church?
Historical – Innovations to the church The institution of oversight: Bishops -> The Pope
There is more –institutionalism is quite old in general. Consider that the work of Oversight in the church was given to the institution of clergy-ism by around 190 AD (Irenaues). As this institution took control, it developed into the papacy. Historically, institutions tend to overshadow the works they were “aiding”. Jesus said we would know false teachers (teachings too) by their fruits.

26. Why Are We a “Non-Institutional” Church?
Luke 7:35
"But wisdom is justified
by all her children."
Historical – Innovations to the church Liberalism lead to other errors Denominalization of churches
“If it is acceptable to use an institution to accomplish a work of the church…..
then….
It is acceptable to use an instrument to accomplish a work of the church”
There is more –institutionalism is quite old in general. Consider that the work of Oversight in the church was given to the institution of clergy-ism by around 190 AD (Irenaues). As this institution took control, it developed into the papacy. Historically, institutions tend to overshadow the works they were “aiding”. Jesus said we would know false teachers (teachings too) by their fruits.

27. Why Are We a “Non-Institutional” Church?
Practical Institutions doing the work of the church: Are not overseen by Elders Are not bound by Scriptural authority Trend towards bureaucracy
Finally, is it really practical to beaurocratize the church’s work? Can anyone say that having more administrators in school is better than more teachers? Yet is this not exactly what occurs with institutionalism?
These organizations are designed not to be spiritual; how is that better for us? How does that glorify God? It is not their fault, they have no divine pattern to look. It is our fault for incorporating them into the universal church.
Ultimately, churches who imploy institutions pay a price in the next generation. An example is the University church of Christ in Las Cruces, which divided over instrumental music, or 3rd St in Portales which divided over other issues. There is a terrible price or fruit found in institutionalism.

28. Why Are We a “Non-Institutional” Church?
Practical Institutions doing the work of the church: Churches on the institutional path are hurting Financially unsustainable Weakened membership
Finally, is it really practical to beaurocratize the church’s work? Can anyone say that having more administrators in school is better than more teachers? Yet is this not exactly what occurs with institutionalism?
These organizations are designed not to be spiritual; how is that better for us? How does that glorify God? It is not their fault, they have no divine pattern to look. It is our fault for incorporating them into the universal church.
Ultimately, churches who imploy institutions pay a price in the next generation. An example is the University church of Christ in Las Cruces, which divided over instrumental music, or 3rd St in Portales which divided over other issues. There is a terrible price or fruit found in institutionalism.

29. Following the NT Pattern
Means being different from other churches But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1 Peter 2:9
Being peculiar – we are NOT a “mainstream church of Christ” as many would say

30. Following the NT Pattern
Means being different from other churches
Therefore "Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, ….. 2 Corinthians 6:17-18
Being peculiar – we are NOT a “mainstream church of Christ” as many would say

31. Following the NT Pattern
God’s people have always been unique Being unique has never been popular Our success is spiritual not carnal

33. The Invitation of Jesus Christ
The Unbeliever To Believe To Confess Christ To Repent of Sin To Be Baptized
The Christian To Turn Again To Walk by Faith To Share Your Burdens