We have remarkable doctrine, tradition, and practice around the concept of “church.”
We believe it to be the restored Church of Jesus Christ that He originally founded long ago.
I believe this completely.
However, I wonder if the nature of our approach to “church” has been augmented in ways that have taken us away from the correct framing of the church.
Now, I am in no way an authority on this subject but let’s have some fun and explore the concept of “the church.”
I recently listened to a sermon by Pastor Andy Stanley.
I recommend you listen to it HERE (he really unpacks the concept of “church” around minute marker 13:00).
Now theologically, I see a lot of things differently than Andy Stanley, but again, let’s just have some fun with this thought experiment.
In short, he frames the original intention of “the church” as an assembly of Christ’s followers.
He goes so far as to explain that the “church” was never meant to be a static institution; but rather, a movement in bringing people unto Jesus.
In our Latter-day Saint effort to be clear on establishing the Restored Church, we may have overemphasized the institution rather than the movement.
As always, hear me out.
The institutional church is important as we are dealing with restored authority, keys, doctrine, programs, ordinances, etc.
However, considering the ways we are wired as humans, we rarely get engaged around the idea of an “institution.”
Instead, there is example after example of the effectiveness of motivating people and positive change via a movement (i.e. Civil Rights Movement, American Revolution).
It seems like institutions often want the status quo and resist change.
Considering a broader view of what Jesus Christ did with His church, and even how Joseph Smith restored it, they both appeared to establish movements rather than institutions.
I’m probably oversimplifying complicated concepts and history; however, I feel energy in this framing.
What if we didn’t see us as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
Instead, what if we saw ourselves as The Movement of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
A movement to bring people to Jesus Christ in the modern days.
Yes, we still need the institution to help us through the administration of the movement.
But primarily, it’s a Movement.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
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