Class Reflection 8

I found myself wondering about the actions taken by the church in reaction to lapsed Christians, alternate canons, and those seeking to join the church for their own benefit (women to get protection in marriage...). It seems like the Church, in order to protect orthodoxy and maintain a purity of the message and its connection to practice, ramped up their control. It seems like it would be the best thing to do. However, it resulted in rigid structures and priestly control, which later in history came to be abused. Was there a better way to protect against heresy, maintain truth, and still do life together in communities that were open and affirmed the giftings of the members? It challenges us to think about the way we do ministry today.