Organization, Not Method
The very heart and core of the justification for current tendencies toward centralization and institutionalism is the misused term, "method." It is contended that everybody who opposes an enterprising promoter is legislating where God was silent and has overlooked the law of expediency or method. Thus, it is further charged that since it is a choice of methods, everyone who speaks out against brotherhood radio programs, schools, and orphan homes is a "hobbyrider."
These contentions would not be void of merit except for the fact that every conclusion is based upon assumed ground — to wit, that the differences exist over methods. This assumption is false. The battle is not over methods, but organizations, and there is a vast difference! It is a difference that exists over the sufficiency and ability of God's organization, the church, to do its divinely appointed work with her own funds. Some deny that she has the ability to wisely and efficiently do her work "direct," and that the superior way (method) would be to contribute to one of the centralized brotherhood projects. Superior or inferior, it is first of all needful to establish such a program as scriptural.
The church is God's organization. Her work is set forth both by clear statements and plain examples. Her very design is to evangelize, (Eph. 4:12) and thus we have the example of the church at Philippi supporting Paul by sending to his need time and again. (Phil. 4:15.) She is also perfectly equipped in the plan of God for "perfecting the saints" or edification, (Eph. 4:12) and we find men supported by the church engaged in this work. (2 Cor. 11:8.) In like manner, there is certain benevolence to which the church must attend (Eph. 4:12) and clear examples are recorded of her activity in it. (Acts 11:27f; cf. 2 Cor. 8 and 9.)
There can be no objection to this organization, the church, the local congregation, engaging in the work mentioned. She was planned by God and built by Christ, and is thereby both logically and scripturally qualified by nature. All of whom I am aware not only concur in this, but also insist that the church must function and do this divinely appointed work.
Now for methods. Is this where there shall come a breach? Let us sincerely study to see. In evangelism, the church may employ various methods of preaching, none of which are denied. The gospel may be preached over the radio as well as from the pulpit, and may be printed in tracts and books as well as on blackboards and charts. These are all methods, and they cause no division, and are all scriptural in that they are merely the execution of the thing commanded, namely, preach! In edifying the church, similar methods are at our disposal. The entire assembly can be instructed at one time, or as conditions and wisdom warrant, the body can be divided into classes. The study itself is subject to methods, of whether the lesson will be of a subject (topical) or a verse by verse study of the text (exposition). This is method. This is not the basis of the breach. Again, the same is true of benevolence, the caring for the widows and orphans. A bivouac, cabin, house, or dormitory can be erected of canvas, logs, lumber, or bricks. Without another organization being formed, brethren can see to this work. (cf. Acts 6:1ff.) The widow can either be given the food and clothing needed, or the money with which to purchase it. A brother, sister, or couple can stay with the orphans, and the church could provide (method) either the shelter, food, and clothing necessary, or the money with which to provide them. Or yet again, the orphans' need can be met while either in a hospital or family. This is method. There is not an objection to the above as unscriptural. There is no breach created by methods.
Organizations! Here is the breach. The Missionary Society, an organization of man designed to do the work of the church, split the church wide open. It was not a question of methods, of whether the gospel should be preached by words only or with charts, or in thirty minute or hour lessons. The ACMS did not have one single method at her disposal that was not also at the disposal of the church. Today, schools and colleges have at their command only the methods that the church has, and no more. Orphan homes? homes? Neither have they any methods not usable by the church. True, they have many more means of raising and begging money, but must employ the same "methods" when it comes to providing shelter, food, clothing, and washing behind the ears. Brethren, this is the point of contention. Can the church turn over to the Missionary Society, which will employ the same methods, its work? Would it be scriptural? Can she support the colleges to do what God created her to do? Can she scripturally flee her responsibility by crying "method," and then give the orphan home, another organization with only the same methods at its command, her orphans and a $10.00 check each month? God forbid.
May God grant that the publishing houses owned and operated by brethren in Christ continue to exist, and that they publish timely books, tracts, and periodicals. But God deny them an organic tie to, or contributions from, the church! They would then parallel the ACMS. Long live colleges and schools in which young men and women may be taught to live as well as earn, but God also deny them an organic tie to, or contributions from, the church. When needed, may there be orphanages existing in their proper place, separate and apart from the church. Then, the work that the church has to do can be done, not through these institutions, but "through the church," so that the good done will be glory unto the Lord "through the church." This is the organization. If we are satisfied with it, let it employ the methods.