TL

“Unless….that is….one wishes to characterize those who partake in hierarchy as not being part of God’s Church….. I’m not willing to make that leap.”

Neither am I. There are plenty of times that Christians don’t act very godly, holy, loving, etc. But we came to Christ messed up and we’ll still be messed up until we allow Him to cleanse and redirect us. For some people in some areas, it will take most of their lives. And some people in some areas will never allow God in. But they are still Christians until they somehow deny Christ.