What Do We Mean By Cooperation?
We read a lot about methods of church cooperation and I am wondering if we have a clear picture of the meaning of the term, as we discuss the problems facing the church today.
The word, in its common usage, actually has two different meanings, each of which suggests different ramifications.
One meaning is, "To concur or produce the same effect." In this sense, all of the local congregations in New Testament times that were pleasing to the Lord, cooperated with one another. Cooperation wasn't a matter of choice, it was a necessity. Each acted independently of every other, did the. Lord's will and "produced the same effect." Whether it was sending to the relief of Paul or some other evangelist; or whether it was sending to the relief of the saints at Jerusalem or some other benevolent work; the only picture of "cooperation" seen, was that each local congregation was striving to "produce the same effect." Its aim was to do the Lord's work.
The other meaning of the word is, "To act or work jointly." In this sense, there is no record of any "cooperation" among the congregations in New Testament times.
Obviously, there could be no "joint" or united action without some directing or guiding authority for such action. Stated differently: — For any joint action, there would, of necessity, have to exist some vested authority in charge of the program to direct, plan and execute it. This vested authority, whatever it may be, constitutes a departure from the New Testament pattern.
Whatsoever head or constituted authority may be in charge of directing, planning, or executing any "joint" or united action by local congregations, is without sanction in the New Testament. It matters not whether it be a missionary society, or the elders of some congregation who may be willing to "sponsor" the project for the "brotherhood"; any such vested or constituted authority has no more grounds for its existence than does the ecclesiastical organization of any of the denominations.
Perhaps we may be able to illustrate the two different meanings of the term by the following two diagrams:
Here, the only "joint" action is between the local church and the evangelist or benevolent emergency. The churches merely act as independent agencies in working toward the same goal.
SECOND: "To act or work jointly"
In this picture we have joint or unified action, which is planned, directed, or executed by the sponsoring church or other constituted authority entrusted with its supervision.
Honestly, which picture fits the Bible pattern? What do we mean by Cooperation? If we mean working for the same effect, that becomes a beautiful aim. If we mean "joint action," then cooperation becomes a step in the direction of apostasy.