Two Churches?

Today has been a day for talking church.
Not church with a capital "C"...
As in the Church Mysterious --
The Body of Christ.

Nope. Today has been all about
The church with a little "c"...
As in the church incorporated --
The 501(c)3.

The Body of Christ transcends
Time and Space.
The 501(c)3 inhabits the
Here and Now.

The Body of Christ works in
Water and Bread and Wine.
The 501(c)3 works in
Dollars and Buildings and Personnel.

The Body of Christ proclaims the
Good News of grace and faith.
The 501(c)3 proclaims the
Other news of duty and effort.

The Body of Christ lives
By the leading of the Spirit.
The 501(c)3 lives
By the enactment of rules and regs.

The 501(c)3 constantly contemplates
Its own demise.
The Body of Christ constantly contemplates
The promise of resurrection.

I never weary of reflecting on
The Body of Christ...
But I'm bone-tired by the stark realities of
The 501(c)3.