As I was thinking about the Independent Sacramental Movement, I was thinking about the positive and negative aspects of the movement. Perhaps the largest negative is the lack of continuity in the ISM movement. I mean this in the broadest use of the phrase because ISM communities lack continuity. Allow me to explain.
First, many ISM communities lack continuity in beliefs and practices. People who might come to ISM communities are reluctant due to family and friends. For instance, will a spouse want to bring their husband or wife to a community to whom they had no previous connection? How would a son bring a mother to an ISM community that seems so antithetical to traditional mainline churches? There would be cognitive dissonance as the ISM community might be vastly different from previous expectations and experiences of what it means to be church.
Moreover, ISM communities lack continuity in worship locations and leadership. These communities meet in homes and in other churches leading to instable situations. Furthermore, the community often has one or two members of the clergy that the community depends upon. ISM communities frequently lack the ability to foster vocations and religious development. In short, the lack of continuity on so many levels limit the potential of ISM communities.
I looked at so many websites listing independent sacramental jurisdictions which I used as the basis for the list I developed. What surprised me was the number of defunct jurisdictions. It seems more jurisdictions open and close each year than remain. That is a bit of an exaggeration but there is a lot of truth to it. The mainline churches rarely close shop. Yes, schisms arise within them, but they have continuity which provides some stability. Stability is both a blessing and a curse. Stability creates situations for Pharisees to overtake the church and the overall mission of the church is lost to maintaining an institution. Instability and lack of continuity creates situations where the Gospel is not heard because there is no place where it can be proclaimed or people to proclaim the message.
I love the ISM movement because I think it can be a prophetic challenge to mainline churches. Mainline churches neglected the role of the prophet which was esteemed by the early church. We need prophets who challenge our complacency. The poverty and simplicity of the ISM movement can provide the prophetic challenge. At the same time, both the priest and the prophet are needed. Rather than seeing them as opposed, we need both to bear witness to God.
Peace,
Ben
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