Organic Church

Mitch and I just finished a book called Organic Church. First off let me say-phenomenal book! I say this about a lot of books I read, but this one is by far one of the best. Organic Church basically talks about taking the church to the people instead of vise versa. “The key is not in the building but in bringing the Kingdom of God to the people He is calling out.” The author talks about some of his firsts churches he started which came from coffee shops. As I was reading, this made so much more sense! Why do we try and lure people into a building? Why not go to where the people are?! Through this model, we form relationships with people and we do life together. “Jesus’ plan is for us to identify a pocket of people who do not have a vital Kingdom witness. Then we enter into relationship with those people. We inject the Kingdom virus right into the darkness, and a church is born there from the changed lives. “ 

Not only do I think this model is how we as believers should be living, but it makes it to where anyone can do it. Just like Jesus intended when he said Go, make disciples, baptize, and teach them to obey (paraphrase). That’s a command for all of us, not just your pastor and not just missionaries.

In order for us to see a harvest of people coming to know Christ, we need to be actively planting seeds. And you know what happens when you plant? You get dirty. Sometimes it’s messy and sometimes it’s not, but it’s a task that requires work and persistence. The Bible talks about 4 different soils and only one of them will reap a harvest. All we are required to do is plant and if we find good soil, we’ll see a harvest of transformed lives.

Organic Church was such a refreshing read. It’s one of those books that you just keep going back to. I really wanted to write on it because I think it’s something the ordinary, everyday Christian needs to hear. You can be a part of changing lives with the power of the gospel. It’s not an option, but a command by Christ himself.

So where do you start? Start within your own network of people-your neighborhood, work, school, friends, and family. Don’t try and create a new community. “Church should happen wherever life happens.” Just bring Jesus to lost people and watch how He will change others lives and yours too.