WHAT IS THE CHURCH?
I side with the Reformers in their interpretation of the whole life -- history, theology and corruption-- of the church. The distinction between the institutional church and the true church (ultimately known to God alone) is helpful. I think the church institutional is always at risk of corruption and in need of reforming. I am loyal to this church only insofar as this church is loyal to the gospel of Jesus Christ and his spirit, discipline, cult and ultimate concern. When it departs so should we.

In other words, where the spirit of Christ is allowed to reign, there is the true church. And verily one should seek to be a member thereof...

In this life we (often tragically) need religious institutions, yet they should exist only insofar as they further the value of persons and the gospel. Otherwise they are just another principality and make persons and the gospel subservient to their survival. The tendency to petrification and corruption must always be resisted. Ecclesiastical authoritarianism is one form corruption often takes in our church. Yet congregationalism can be the vehicle of the same. We are living in a time when not only congregations but whole polities and even nations are at risk... and may die. How we in the church deal with this power of death, creatively or uncreatively, is central to our purpose in history.

What exactly does "sin boldly and believe more boldly still" mean today. I take it to involve the paradox of every human action and institution, however loving or good, tragically contains a component of sin/evil. Consciousness thereof cleanses and engenders humility (to descend in humility is actually to rise in spirit). Lack of consciousness thereof causes us to fall in spirit and worse. To 'believe more boldly still' involves radical trust in the grace and forgiveness of God and acting/living fully nevertheless. We should seek the highest level of (proximate) justice, compassion and truth possible, knowing perfection is not possible in this life. Two essential marks of the church, in my book, are humility and compassion. I think St. Paul is with me on this.

In the hope that God will complete what we cannot...
Michael+