Contrast Between IC and HC
The Institutional/Congregational/Cathedral Church Model
Tends to “look and feel” more like a social club or business
corporation.
Doesn’t seem like a legitimate church until a building is rented
or built.
Meets in a building.
Choose the “somebodies” to lead, whom, like king Saul, “look
good.”
Tends to focus on the ministry of just one or a few individuals.
Structured as an organization.
Pastor starts the work.
Relies almost exclusively on paid, professional clergy to run and Depends exclusively on each believer and equips each to expand
maintain the system.
Pastors, teachers, and evangelists are the primary leaders.
Plans programs and assumes relationships will naturally flow.
Places emphasis on programs typically run by a small number
of professionals.
Financed by tithes and offerings; funds are distributed by
executive or committee decision.
Guidance for decision making processes is usually by logic,
reasoning, business models, and Robert’s Rules of Order.
Usually has a member system with minimal class requirements
and other miscellaneous commitments.
Evangelism is done primarily through outreach, crusades,
programs, and specialists.
Trained ministers are hired-in to do a job.
Bulk of tithe and offering “revenues” go toward salaries and
building-related expenses.
Battle cry is to get people into the church building.
Sees the church building as the “house of the Lord.”
The “distinctives” usually are a name, a building, a pastor,
youth program, doctrinal stands.
Large, impersonal groups.
Behavioural goal is to adhere to defined lists of rules.
Often has corporate debt obligations due to facility.
Formality.
The Pastor is the leader and the CEO/President.
Decision making is usually performed by the senior Pastor,
occasionally with input from the ruling board.
Weekly services.
Generally reserves prominent ministry positions for paid staff.
Makes a distinction between clergy and laity.
Discipleship model is more like a teacher with a class of
students.
Makes converts generally through a series of programs or
formal outreaches.
“Message” focus is more on theological issues.
Teaching style is usually lecture, monologued-based.
Knowledge of the Bible is the main emphasis.
Most important tasks of pastor are to create church programs,
preach good sermons, perform ceremonies, counsel, and
hospital and home visits.
Most important tasks of believers is to be present in meetings,
participate in programs, and tithe.
Primary focus is on building membership of that church.
Often maintains surface relationships.
Mission statement is for everyone to become a faithful member. Mission statement is for everyone to go and make disciples.
Principle training model is lecture method.
Typically focuses on one meeting time (Sunday or?).
Only a few prominent members regularly exercise spiritual gifts. Everyone is encouraged to participate in use of all the spiritual
gifts.
Maturity is measured by how much one knows.
Gains attention of unsaved through worldly marketing
techniques.
Systems of theology and denominational distinctives are
stressed.
Missions emphasis is on sending specialized missionaries.
Attempts to “help” where Scripture is gray; tends to make
everything black and white.
Places heavy emphases on creating programs to make the
ministry go forth.
Formation is principally through pastoral and evangelistic
activity.
Most often meets in building auditorium or class room.
Personal life and character of leadership are secondary to
positional authority and gifting.
Structure is more likened to a hierarchal pyramid.
Donates funds to mission organizations or partial funding of
individuals.
The type and amount of knowledge is important.
Leadership is based on CEO/vocational/pastoral model.
Administration is performed via the OT “Jethro-delegation
model (Exodus 18).
The New Testament Apostolic Model
Tends to “look and feel” more like a family reunion.
Is legitimate church when there are real brethren who love each
other and are mutually accountable.
Meets in homes, or other small, intimate places for bulk of its
meetings, while occasionally having a larger, region-wide
celebration.
Choose the “nobodies” who are filled with the Holy Spirit, but
who do not necessarily “look good.”
Sees all believers’ ministries as equally valid and vital.
Lives life as an organism.
Church planter/Apostle starts the work.
the Kingdom.
Apostles, prophets, and elders are the primary leaders.
Focuses on relationships and utilizes programs only when they
will benefit.
Places emphasis on relationships and all brethren participating.
Brethren share with one another and the poor.
Guidance is by eyes on the Scriptures and hearts on the Holy
Spirit.
Each one who knows Christ is linked into a group of relationships;
all are “members.”
Evangelism is a result of day-to-day, natural interaction with
others in neighbourhood, school, and workplace.
Believers are raised up from within and equipped to perform
ministry.
Bulk of offerings is dispersed into missions, helping the poor, etc..
Battle cry is to get the church (people) in 24-7-365 relationships
and smaller groups.
Views all believers as living stones which make up a temple that
is not made by hands.
The “distintives” are their simple, pure devotion to Jesus and their
love for one another.
Small, intimate groups.
Behavioural goal is to abide in Christ.
Shuns debt except for a debt of love to all.
Spontaneity.
More mature brothers, referred to as elders, help care for and
watch over less mature ones.
Decision making is done in unity by the elders and/or the non-
elders.
Daily fellowship.
All believers are welcomed into ministry according to the measure
of grace and resource that God gives.
Sees no such distinction in Scripture; all are “ministers,” only
recognizes character and gifting.
Discipleship model is person to person, mentoring role models,
living life together.
Makes converts through the natural course of equipped believers
loving the unsaved into the Kingdom.
“Message” focus is more on affection toward Jesus and each
other.
Teaching style is dynamic dialogue.
Knowing the Word of God and doing the works of God is the
emphasis.
Most important task of pastors is to equip each believer to do the
work of the ministry (teach, counsel, visit, etc.).
Most important task of believers is to serve others.
Primary focus is on building the entire Kingdom of God.
Encourages brethren to “go deep” in relationship; facilitates lots
of sharing, bearing burdens, etc..
Principle training model is discipleship and mentoring.
Allows for any day/time to meet, especially if it facilitates better
fellowship; encourages 24/7 interaction.
Maturity is measured by how well one serves others.
Gains attention of unsaved through acts of love and prophetic
disclosure of the “secrets of their heart.”
Adherence to simplicity and purity of devotion to Jesus, while
allowing freedom of thought, is focal point.
Missions emphasis is on sending teams of own people as
multipliable units.
Allows Holy Spirit to deal with gray as situation arise.
Places heavy emphases on equipping people to make the
ministry go forth.
Formation is principally through apostolic and prophetic activity.
Most often meets in homes, except for occasional public
celebrations.
Personal life and character are what matter most in leadership.
Structure is flat.
Tends to encourage direct, total support of church planter/
apostles/itinerants.
How well people love and serve one another are the significant
issues.
Leadership is based on apostolic/elder model.
Administration is performed via the five-fold ministry model
(Ephesians 4).