Americans, and for that matter, many around the world, who perceive themselves as Christians, have, of late, been confronted with a term, heretofore, unknown or unheard of - 'Organic Church' or, 'An Organic Expression of Church Life'. The 'web' has a few sites addressing the topic, but, by and large, there is precious little information explaining what these kinds of churches are, and what they believe. Consequently, it seems prudent to put as much understanding together that is available, in order to paint a clear enough picture, that one might structure a mental image sufficient enough to make an informed decision, whether or not to pursue such an expression of church life. What follows is not an exhaustive treatment of the subject by any means, but more of a 'framework' from which one might use to further his/her own understanding. There appears to be less than one hundred churches in America that meet the criterion of what it truly means to be an 'organic church'. This translates into the fact that a small percentage of Christians are presently, or have ever participated in this kind of Body life. What is encouraging, however, is that the New Testament seems to paint the same portrait of what church is supposed to look like as these 'organic churches' are endeavoring to be.
First, let's define the word 'organic'. Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary of American English defines organic as: "Pertaining to an organ or to organs; consisting of organs or containing them; as the organic structure of the human body or of plants." Using this definition, we can deduce that an organic church, fundamentally, constitutes a body, similar to that of a human, which is made up of various organs, each contributing to the overall well being of the organism. With this, the New Testament most definitely agrees: 1Cor.12:12 "For as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ." 1Cor.12:14 "For the body is not one member, but many. " 1Cor.14:26 "Then how is it, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be for building up." Eph.4:15,16 "But that you, speaking the truth in love, may in all things grow up to Him who is the Head, even Christ; from whom the whole body, fitted together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of each part, producing the growth of the body to the edifying of itself in love." For many American Christians, this is not a new concept by any means. However, the practical functioning and outworking of it would be quite novel indeed.
With this first piece of understanding in place, we need to explore the fundamental concept upon which an organic church is built: to truly be organic, the church's organs (members) draw deeply from the well of the indwelling Holy Spirit's life for their own life's expression; this 'communion' is then shared, daily, with the other members as a natural expression of their fellowship in the Spirit; this 'expression', over time, matures into the very life expression of the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself, through this Body of believers to all the world around them. Consider this statement by the late T. Austin Sparks as it relates to the primary principle of organic church life: "... In the Divine order, life produces its own organism, whether it be vegetable, animal, human, or spiritual. This means that everything comes from the inside. Function, order, and fruit issue from this law of life within. It was solely on this principle that what we have in the New Testament came into being. Organized Christianity has entirely reversed this order."
Up to this point you might be thinking, "So, what's new... I've believed in the 'body-life model' of church most of my Christian life!" My answer to you would be, "Yes, but have you seen it done? Have you been able to experience it on a day by day basis?" You must understand that this 'expression' of Body life cannot, nor will not, work on a 'once a week' gathering of the believers. Those participating in such a church as this, would not even consider meeting just once a week! They want, no, they need, to be together as much as possible; it's their life, their sustenance. It's not a, 'how much participation is necessary' mentality for these brethren, but, 'how much fellowship can we participate in this week', that separates them from the average American Christian. Their commitment goes so far as to, literally, sell homes and move to within walking distance of each other to facilitate fellowship! How else could vital organs function together in a healthy body? The question that cries for an answer in light of such a stark contrast between those who desire to be together all of the time and those who find it difficult to meet once a week is, "WHY"? Why would anyone want to be 'in church' all of the time? Therein is the answer... these believers are not 'in church', nor do they 'go to church'... they perceive themselves as 'the church'! This 'difference' makes all of the difference. Please don't misunderstand this as mere 'semantics'! The difference rests in their understanding of, and participation in God's 'eternal purpose'; not an intellectual understanding, but a deep revelation of it! The greater the revelation, the greater the expression of Christ's life through that Body.
Again, you might be thinking, "Isn't God's Eternal Purpose redemption of fallen humanity... The cross of Christ?" If you were thinking this, you might be surprised to learn that your conclusion does not correlate with the Biblical record. As with most of us, you were probably taught this explicitly or by implication, but whichever it was, this is what the greater community of believers understands, but not so for those in organic churches!
What, then, is God's Eternal Purpose if not humanity's redemption? We want to explore the answer to this question, next!
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