Just to clarify... usually when I hear the word organic used in reference to church, it is being suggested that we need to get rid of some of the structures that we have been using so that we can let things happen naturally. The thing is, when thinking in terms of nature, when you let a field lie fallow long enough, it doesn't produce a crop. What happens is called succession - usually the forest, weeds and wild animals take over. By that time, the remainder of the crop that the field produced is dead "organic" matter feeding the weeds. Usually one of the first things to be thrown into the "organic" pile in churches is relationships. We say that we want relationships to happen "organically". As someone who's been married for 12 years, I have to say that my relationship has suffered the most when I haven't been intentional about maintaining and improving it. The same thing happens with all relationships. I fear that if we try to relegate the relationships in our community to the "organic pile" the same will happen; all of the weeds of busyness, work and the demands of life will choke them out and take over. Its happened to me before, and I know I have to be diligent and intentional with the relationships that I value. I feel that to have a living breathing church, we have to be intentional about what we are doing. Sometimes the structures need to be removed, though I don't believe that the answer is to eliminate structures, but to be creative and find structures that are flexible and that can serve the church (rather than the other way around). If we aren't careful, we will be so organic that we'll be dead. That is why I value small groups so much! They provide a means to intentionally develop and build community in the church. They are also the place where we are fed and taught how to feed others. Anyhow... I'm tired and I don't know if I am making any sense! See you at work Rob!
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Just to clarify... usually when I hear the word organic used in reference to church, it is being suggested that we need to get rid of some of the structures that we have been using so that we can let things happen naturally. The thing is, when thinking in terms of nature, when you let a field lie fallow long enough, it doesn't produce a crop. What happens is called succession - usually the forest, weeds and wild animals take over. By that time, the remainder of the crop that the field produced is dead "organic" matter feeding the weeds.
Usually one of the first things to be thrown into the "organic" pile in churches is relationships. We say that we want relationships to happen "organically". As someone who's been married for 12 years, I have to say that my relationship has suffered the most when I haven't been intentional about maintaining and improving it. The same thing happens with all relationships. I fear that if we try to relegate the relationships in our community to the "organic pile" the same will happen; all of the weeds of busyness, work and the demands of life will choke them out and take over. Its happened to me before, and I know I have to be diligent and intentional with the relationships that I value.
I feel that to have a living breathing church, we have to be intentional about what we are doing. Sometimes the structures need to be removed, though I don't believe that the answer is to eliminate structures, but to be creative and find structures that are flexible and that can serve the church (rather than the other way around). If we aren't careful, we will be so organic that we'll be dead.
That is why I value small groups so much! They provide a means to intentionally develop and build community in the church. They are also the place where we are fed and taught how to feed others.
Anyhow... I'm tired and I don't know if I am making any sense! See you at work Rob!
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