Institutionalism

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Institutionalism
Unlawfully delegating the work of a congregation
to an organization, corporation, or another
church.
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Broad History

• Reformation 16th-18th centuries

• missionary society created

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Broad History

• Reformation 16th-18th centuries

• Restoration 18th-19th centuries

• Disciples of Christ

• 1849, Alexander Campbell, first missionary
  society

• other institutions benevolence, etc.

• 2,600 congregations left by 1906

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Broad History

• Reformation 16th-18th centuries

• Restoration 18th-19th centuries

• Disciples of Christ

• Church of Christ

• 1907, 6,000 congregations USA

• 1909, 1st institution supported

• 1933, Brewer began movement

• 1930s-70s institutionalism pushed, brethren
  split

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Whats The Issue?

• Are churches authorized to donate funds to an
  institution, delegating the churchs work?

Work
Institution
Churches unlawfully delegate,set aside Gods law!
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Problem Desire To Be Popular

• David Lipscomb, 1907

• increased in number and wealth

• desired to be popular

• denominational show

• Many churches of Christ have departed to
  become popular, like denominations

• Humility required

• 1 Pet. 55-6

• Mk. 76-9

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Tactics By Sinful Brethren

• G.C. Brewer, began in 1933

• Budget System (1935)

• appealed to emotions, not Bible

• 3 step plan to convince brethren

• budget system Scriptural

• right to have Christian colleges and orphan
  homes

• right to contribute to institution

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Tactics By Sinful Brethren

• G.C. Brewer, 1933

• Gospel Advocate

• appealed to emotions, not Bible

• 3 step plan to convince brethren

• his observations

• members would readily accept

• elders were the problem

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Tactics By Sinful Brethren

• G.C. Brewer, 1933

• Gospel Advocate

• appealed to emotions, not Bible

• 3 step plan to convince brethren

• his observations

• budget system

• all responsibility on elders

• members not accountable

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Tactics By Sinful Brethren

• G.C. Brewer, 1933

• Gospel Advocate

• appealed to emotions, not Bible

• 3 step plan to convince brethren

• his observations

• budget system

• Bible warns of these tactics

• 2 Pet. 21-2

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Sponsoring Church
InstitutionSponsoring Church
Work
Churches unlawfully delegate,set aside Gods law!
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Herald Of Truth
InstitutionHighland Church of Christ
HeraldOfTruth
Churches unlawfully delegate,set aside Gods law!
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Warning History Repeats Itself

• A.B. Barrett, founder of Abilene Christian
  College (1930)

• church movements should be kept under the
  local congregation

• history repeats itself

• men of worldly ambition crept in

• Institutionalism, repeated over and over

• Our desire be a faithful congregation

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Institutionalism
Unlawfully delegating and abrogating the work of
a congregation to an organization, corporation,
or another church.