Why I’m No Longer Involved in “Organic Church” (For Now) & Why You Can’t Find One

The title of this blog post would be more accurate if it said, “Why I’m no longer involved in planting organic churches (for now) and writing organic church books — and why you can’t find such a church right now,” but that’s way too long for a blog post heading. Read on to understand what I mean by all that.
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This past February, in the space of two weeks, two independent film-makers contacted me to ask if I was interested in being featured in their documentaries on organic church.
They contacted me because of my old books on ecclesiology (both released 8 years ago in 2008). Those books were based on over 20 years of living in the trenches of Christ-centered community, including the raising up of such communities. So they wanted to include my voice in their documentaries.
By the way, I still stand by every word of those books. So the rumor that was spawned on April 1st (Fools Day) that George Barna and I recanted Pagan Christianity is completely false. Okay? Okay. Glad we’re clear on that.
Anyways, I declined both offers to participate in these documentaries.
Here’s why.
When I wrote my “organic church” books 8 years ago, there was massive interest in the organic expression of the church among people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s in North America.
So the season was ripe for written articulations on the subject.
Beginning in 2011, however, the tide of interest began to subside. Today, it has sharply eroded among that age-group.
Don’t misunderstand. There are people in that age-group who are not only interested, but they’re part of such communities (some of you reading this are, in fact). But as I’ve said numerous times before, organic expressions of the church – the way I’ve described in my books — are exotically rare today.
Why has the interest ebbed among this age-group?
Two main reasons:
Reason 1: While the idea of Christ-centered community is appealing to many, the cost for securing such community is obscenely high. So much so that the masses of 20s, 30s, and 40s prefer to be found in four other places that are far more convenient:

* Neo-Reformed churches.

* Mega churches.

* Liturgical “high church” assemblies.

* No church of any kind. These represent the “Dones” who have washed their hands of any regular gatherings or community-life. It’s lonelier, but far safer.

Reason 2: The word “organic church” has been hijacked to mean 1,001 different things, all of which are radically different. For that reason, I stopped using the term altogether. It’s devolved into a clay word that’s been molded like silly putty into sheer meaninglessness. The fact that the term no longer has a monolithic meaning has added to the disinterest.
The majority of those who are interested in the organic expression of the church right now (whatever they think the term means) are people in their 50s, 60s, and 70s.
And most of them are having a horrible time finding others who are interested in meeting outside institutional lines who live in the same state, let alone the same city.
In addition, when they do contact a group that purports to be “organic,” it’s almost always a small-is-beautiful version of the institutional church. And some of them are highly-legalistic, highly-toxic groups.
Among those interested in organic church who are 50 years old and up, bickering over doctrines and practices — with a good mix of serious personality conflicts sprinkled in — is common. So much so that many who are new to the idea  of “organic church” have turned off to the idea by the doctrinal beat downs, personal vilification, mud-slinging, and theological smackdowns among its advocates.
Plainly put: While I still hold to every word I wrote in my 8-year old books on ecclesiology, the time isn’t right for a documentary on the subject. And many of my friends who are leaders in organic church circles agree with my assessment. 
Note too that I’m writing this article from the perspective of one who has been involved in planting organic expressions of the church. The Lord has suspended that season for me since 2011. Also, I relocated to a new city a few years ago. If there were an authentic organic expression of the church where I now live, I’d be involved with it. But there is none. However, I’m in regular fellowship with God’s people. Keep reading for how.
To my mind, creating a documentary on “organic church” would inevitably end up exaggerating what’s really happening on the ground. At least in North America, Australia, and many parts of Europe.
People who are new to the subject will assume that they can find a glorious organic expression of the church in their home town, only to be disappointed (and perhaps disillusioned) when they can’t find a single soul in their city who gives two hoots about Christian community.
I candidly shared all of the above with these two film-makers. And for at least one of them, my assessment seemed to put the brakes on his idea.
So What is Happening Now?
You may be asking: If we’re not living in a season where there’s strong interest in restoring God’s thought for the ekklesia, what is happening, if anything?
I believe the Lord is up to many things, but here are four that are on my radar:
(1) On the fellowship front, small clusters of people are gathering together informally and periodically for fellowship. By small, I mean 2, 3, and 4. Have you ever seen the 1990’s shows Seinfeld or Friends?
Same idea. The only difference is that spiritual interests bind these small groups together.
This isn’t the idea of ekklesia that the New Testament envisions nor what has been birthed in past moves of God. But if you can find one or two people to gather with periodically for encouragement and fellowship, you’re of all people blessed.
Many Christians can’t find a soul who is interested in talking about the Lord.
(2) There’s a growing interest in helping the poor and the oppressed among Jesus-followers today. This is what my ministry has been focused on since 2011. (See a new season of ministry for details.)
(3) The discovery of mastermind groups. The mastermind group in the business world is widening to those who are in ministry as well as to authors. I’ve been privileged to be part of such groups as well as to facilitate them. The mutual iron-sharpening that goes on in these groups is remarkable. (I wrote about mastermind groups two weeks ago should you be interested in more information.)
(4) Finally, there’s a hunger among God’s people for the deeper things of God, which includes restoring the supremacy and centrality of Jesus Christ. And which manifests itself in treating others the same way we want to be treated in every situation (Matthew 7:12).
Now, if you happen to be one of those fortunate souls who is part of a living, breathing, thriving organic expression of the church where Jesus Christ is the functional head, the angels rise up and call you “blessed.” So do all that you can to maintain that testimony, because it’s rare in our day.
Hope for the Future
Historically, God has worked in seasons. This is true for revivals. Most revivals in history lasted less than five years. It also applies to spiritual awakenings concerning the ekklesia.
As I write this, we’re in a season where the waves of a Spirit-generated revival are non-existent in North America. There’s also no significant awakening regarding the restoration of God’s house.
The good news is that I’m hopeful and expectant that we’ll again see the day when the Spirit of God will move on His people to restore the ekklesia as He intended according to His eternal purpose.
And when that happens, I plan to be on the front-lines once again.
Historically, the moves of God in the past have always been among younger people. As a general rule, the youth are more open to the sweep of God’s Spirit and are far more loving and tolerant toward those with whom they disagree. (Speaking generally, older folks have an awfully hard time resisting the temptation to unsheathe their swords over doctrinal disagreements and/or personality conflicts.)
When God’s Spirit moves again, it will be evident. And I’m confident it will begin with the youth as it always has.
But the last thing we need now is to put out films that don’t map to reality, as this will only lead to more frustration and heartache.
For that reason, I opted out of both invitations.
Yet I’m still awaiting the day . . .
P.S. If you’re someone who is interested in “organic church” (or simple church or house church for that matter), and you’re looking for some help, I recommend the following friends of mine as “go to” people: Neil Cole, Felicity & Tony Dale, Ken Eastburn, Keith Giles, Ross Rohde, Milt Rodriguez, and Jon Zens. I’ve known all of them personally for many years, and I commend each of them as those who have both experience and credibility.
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