The church as institution versus voluntary community

¶ … church as an institution vs. As a community?

An institution is a place with set, formal rules of operation. It has a history and a tradition, and often certain requirements or barriers to entry. Communities, in contrast, are voluntary associations with members who can easily enter and leave the fold. A community is spontaneously, randomly created, like an online community of people with an interest in a particular sport or television show, or a neighborhood community of people who have haphazardly been thrown together, because they own houses in the area and want to get to know one another better and help each other.

To be part of an institution means to accept certain rules. The only requirement for membership in an online community is having an Internet account and having a similar interest. Being part of a real-world community often means simply being part of a particular location. A church community is based on voluntary attendance and like-mindedness. It is entirely volitional. People can have different ideas, but as long as they feel comfortable with other church-goers, they can attend. According to the institutional authority of the Catholic Church, individuals must accept certain principles, go through certain orientation and membership procedures (such as confirmation and confession), and submit to certain authorities, such as priests, bishops, and the Pope.

Give a meaning of sacrament as it applies to church.