The foundation of faith is not in religious institutions, but in the faith of faithful people with the purity of heart to connect to the Holy Spirit and follow the Lord's Laws.
"For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven."
- Matthew 5:20
Pharisees were considered the religious leaders of their day, just like some ministers and priests are considered religious leaders of our day.
Do you think your ministers or priests have standards and righteousness that exceeds the righteousness of scribes and Pharisees?
Hold and live up to the Commandments of Jesus Christ and the Laws of the Prophets?
Have ethical practices in righteousness that do no harm or commit no sins?
Basically, does the Lord have the highest ethical and moral standards and Laws; and does the church?
Why then does this quote from John Quincy Adams still vibrate with accuracy when it comes to those practicing power in the church (and other institutions)?
"Power always thinks it has a great soul and vast views beyond the comprehension of the weak, and that it is doing God’s service when it is violating all His laws."
The role of church is not to practice power, but to practice faith in service of the Lord with adherence to the wisdom of the Lord's Commandments.
It is not to give into or cover-up for unethical, sinful conduct or give footholds in sins; or act like the morally bankrupted has any moral authority to give real absolution; no church or church leader has this kind of power outside of spiritual and ethical laws and practices, especially when practicing hypocrisy, sins or even having standards at or below that of scribes or Pharisees.
You cannot be the guiding light without any light of righteousness that follows the Lord's Commandments and ethical standards, basic standards and qualifications of entry for heaven*.
*Matthew 5:20. "I tell you, then, that you will be able to enter the Kingdom of heaven only if you are more faithful than the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees in doing what the Lord requires.").
