“If we shift our gaze to the more doctrinally selective churches, particularly of the Reformed variety, we will hear strong affirmations of 'the ministry of the Word' and 'building the church on the word'. And typically these phrases refer to the teaching ministry of the Sunday morning pulpit. The problem here, however, is the God's Word is not always massaged throughout the life of the congregation, like yeast through dought. People show up on Sunday for the sermon, and often do little more. The ministry of the Word stops at noon...the 'ministry of the Word' indeed begins in the pulpit, but then it must continue through the life of the church as members echo God's Word back and forth to one another. The word reverberates as in an echo chamber”
— reverberation: How God's word brings to light, freedom, and action to His people🔗
“The mere presence of institutional elements (rules, resources, hierarchies) within a church does not necessarily imply institutionalism, any more than law implies legalism, or dogma implies dogmatism”
— The Church and the Surprising Offense of God's Love🔗