Organic Church - 2

Organic church -what the heck does that mean?

When you think of the term organic, what do you think of? Something earthy, natural, and healthy - something that is left to grow and develop on its own. Perhaps something that came straight from the earth, or is made up of ingredients that all did. Something that has no added preservatives, additives, unnatural coloring or flavors. Have you ever bought your produce straight from local farmers - say at a farmers market or organic foods store? Its not as pretty as the stuff at the chain stores, and doesn't keep as long - but it is much healthier - and that's the way God created it from the beginning.

Organic church is a similar concept - the body life of the church - without added preservatives, additives, coloring or flavors. The communal life and practice of the Christian faith - without nearly two thousand years of religious tradition, practice, and bias. What would the church look like if it was given Jesus in all His glory, fulness and life - and nothing more? How would local churches operate if none of their members were tarnished by the modern American version of religious Christianity? What if its people knew nothing more than the vibrant inner life of Christ, and simply started living as a community together by the Spirit's leading? How would that look and function? What would the gatherings, the leadership, and the finances be like?

The early church knew this - they were not bogged down by centuries of religious Christian tradition, debates, and systems. Their struggle was actually Jewish - what they had to un-learn as they grew together in Christ was the religion, practice, and old mindsets of Judaism. For us though, I believe that we must un-learn the religion, practice, and old mindsets of traditional Christianity. They are sometimes hard to see but they are there - constantly shaping the ways that we think about our faith, how we interact with one another, and how we practice church. Dear Jesus, reveal them to us that we might sift through what is natural and God-made, versus what is manufactured and man-made!

Just like the totally natural produce at your local farmer's market, organic church life doesn't look as pretty as the institutional version. It doesn't have the same finished shine, the same pretty shape, or the same smooth textures. No, if often doesn't keep as long and yes, it usually costs more - but take one bite - and you'll taste the difference.

I - along with a growing number of American Christians - am becoming increasingly disinterested in our modern American version of the church... and I don't want to come up with another updated version or flavor. I want whatever and however Jesus meant it to be from the beginning - and whatever He is saying and doing and How He is leading today. Lord, grant that we may enter and remain in the totally organic experience of your living presence and Lordship - and in the totally organic, natural, and vibrant organic life of the local church.