A Deadly Parallel
In apostolic days mission work and the work of benevolence were both done by the church—as the church. When the work became more than one congregation could handle in its own locality, members of the church in other places sent to help that congregation, but the money was sent to the elders, who in turn distributed it to the objects of charity—the individuals who were in need. In doing such work a congregation could use various methods, so long as it was done within the framework of the local congregation. If orphans became dependent upon the church, then the elders of the church could choose some practical method of caring for them. It might be that they would supplement the mother's support, helping her to keep her home intact; or it might be that it would be found practical for different members of the church to take the children into their own homes; or, if there were no homes that were able to take the children in, then the elders of the congregation could make whatever arrangement might be necessary. It might even be expedient to buy or rent a house and employ some Christian couple to take care of the children in that home. If this proved too much of a burden for that congregation to finance, then some other church, or churches, might send money to the elders to assist in that work.
In contrast to this simple plan, notice what is happening in some of the plans and institutions being promoted now among the brethren. (1) A group of brethren (not a congregation) decide to establish an orphan home somewhere. (2) They organize themselves into a board, made up of members from a number of congregations. (3) This board looks around for a suitable location, works out policies for the home, makes all financial arrangements and commitments for the purchase of property. (4) The board then puts on a publicity campaign, laying their project at the door of the different congregations, claiming their work is now the responsibility and the obligation of these churches. Here we have an institution, which is not essentially a part of the church, but which supplants the church in its work.
Paralleled With The Societies
That the above procedure reveals a deadly parallel between the institutional home and the missionary society is becoming increasingly apparent to thousands of thoughtful brethren. Consider the following:
1. A work of the church. Both the Missionary Society and the Orphan Home do a work of the church. Preaching the gospel is a work of the church; taking care of orphan children is a work of the church.
2. Contributions. The Missionary Society is supported by voluntary contributions from a number of congregations. The Orphan Home is supported by voluntary contributions from a number of congregations.
3. Board of Directors. The Missionary Society has a Board of Directors, which forms policies, determines the field of operations, makes all financial arrangements concerning preachers, workers, etc. The Orphan Home has a Board of Directors which forms policies, determines the place where the home should be located, makes all financial arrangements concerning employees, their support, the supervision of the children, etc.
4. Independent of the churches. No group of elders has any authority whatsoever over the Missionary Society. This is a separate organization, entirely independent of the oversight from any eldership. Exactly the same condition prevails in the institutional Orphan Home. The Directors are answerable to nobody for what they do. The organization is separate and apart from the control or authority of any congregation anywhere. After Christians may have invested hundreds of thousands (or millions) of dollars in such an institution, the Board of Directors may, if they choose, hire a Catholic superintendent, or turn the whole investment over to the Baptists to control. No church can stop them; whatever provisions or safeguards they erect are their own choice—and they have the right to change them at any time.
The Contrast
There is all the difference in the world between the New Testament pattern for evangelizing and caring for orphan children and the pattern men have worked out for doing those two things through their human Missionary Societies and their Institutional Orphan Home Boards. The New Testament plan has the work being done by the churches, through the churches, and following a divine pattern. The other plan has the work being done by Boards, through Boards, and following human wisdom.
The Missionary Society is a human organization (method) for doing a work God has assigned to the church, the work of evangelization.
The institutional Orphan Home is a human organization (method) of doing a work God has assigned to the church, benevolence. It proposes to do that work separate and apart from the church, and free from all restraining oversight of the elders of any congregation.
The parallel between the two methods is deadly and inescapable. Let brethren who support the one and condemn the other point out just one essential feature in which they differ. We believe it cannot be done.