Organic Church Planting

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Word on the street is that people out there are tired of organized religion. Rather, they are longing for a genuine connection with "the supernatural" and with a community of friends.

Word on the street is that people out there are tired of organized religion. Rather, they are longing for a genuine connection with "the supernatural" and with a community of friends.

The typical answer provided by the church falls short among most people in our postmodern culture. The church says, "OK...come to our religious building. We'll give you a religious program and you'll get to hear a religious person talk in religious language about religious topics. After it's all over, you can go home."

"No thanks," comes back the beleaguered response, "I'd rather stay home..."

In light of this, maybe we ought to think about taking church to the people instead of bringing people to the church. Maybe we ought to think about planting churches where people live and then cooperate with God as he brings about the growth.

The organic church is an attempt to do just that. It's based in the belief that living things grow naturally. Its based in the conviction that "kingdom" things are organic things -- they start small and eventually reproduce. Organic church planters don't think about planting a church. They think more like the Apostle Paul - about influencing a whole region. While churches following organic principles often meet in homes, they are not - by definition - about a building, whether the building has a steeple on the roof...or a chimney.

Organic church planters see it as good news that the fields are white for harvest! So, rather than starting "in the barn" they get to work where lost people are. They sow the gospel seed in the soil of the surrounding community. And, just like an organic farmer with a variety of crops, they may start a number of churches at once. In fact, when organic church planting is happening, things can be expected to multiply at every level: from disciples to leaders; from churches to movements.

Leading an organic church planting project is not for everyone. It is for those more interested in empowering others than being employed. It is for those willing to give up their pulpit in order to prepare indigenous leaders. It is for people who are willing to take disciples to where lost people are instead of organizing an event that attracts lost people to come to them. It is for leaders who will listen to God, find out what he's doing and join him vs. making plans and asking God to bless those plans. It is for leaders who will lovingly look after a group of simple churches instead of pastoring a single congregation.

On the other hand, planting an organic church can be for everyone. As the body of Christ is activated and released into the harvest, the simplicity and freedom found in letting Jesus build his church is one of life's greatest thrills! It builds trust, deepens compassion, normalizes evangelism, enlivens prayer, and results in a powerful integration of life and faith. When ordinary believers participate on an organic church planting team, the potential for a fruitful ministry skyrockets.

The organic church is as old as the early church meeting from house to house. But for many of us it's a new thing. These days we are seeing global shifts of massive proportions and it has become very appropriate to get back to our roots as believers. Missionaries and martyrs have shown us the way in China and India, for example. But it can happen, it should happen, everywhere- for the glory of God and the gladness of all peoples!

Paul Kaak and Neil Cole

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