Myth #5 – Organic Church is All About Rapid Multiplication and Discipleship
I apologize (not really) ahead of time for this post, but I just need to vent.
I am so tired of hearing about the latest “movement mentality” which is just really the same old church growth principles wearing new clothes and sporting new terms. The Church Growth Movement and mindset have been with us for decades and the principles thereof have been used to create mega mega institutions that some call “churches”. The only difference in these new so-called organic church movements is that we have downsized and are using “organic” language. Many are now trying to reach their neighborhoods for Christ (not that there is anything wrong with that), and start what I call “house churches”, divide in six months, and start new groups. The emphasis is still church growth and what is commonly termed “discipleship”. But this so-called discipleship is all about “accountability” groups that call people to task about their sins on a weekly basis. Sorry, but I don’t see these movements as being either organic or scriptural. I’m sure you can find verses to backup this mentality. But, then of course, you can backup anything with verses. But trying to make this mindset fit into the panoramic narrative of the New Testament just won’t fly. So, let’s first take a look at the idea of this all being organic, and then we will look at the scriptural aspect.
Organic or a Church Growth Rehash?
First of all, I would sincerely like to know how this all can be called “organic”. I mean, isn’t that an honest question since that is the banner that this movement thing is flying under? Organic means that it is based upon life.
“So also it is written, “The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven. As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly.” 1Co 15:45-48
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” Rom 1:20
“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” Joh 15:5
We can see that the attributes of Christ are revealed in the natural world around us. Jesus used natural (organic) pictures all of the time when He spoke. We can see the attributes of divine life by looking at natural life. Even nature tells us what is organic and what is not. Let me ask you, does a tree produce fruit (multiplication) in a rapid manner? Can a new sprouting bear fruit? For that matter, can a five year old girl give birth to a child? Of course not! Nature itself tells us that in between the sprouting stage of a tree and the fruit bearing stage of the tree there is a very important stage: THE MATURING STAGE! In the beginning, the tree (or girl) is just not mature enough or equipped enough to multiply. This is the growth part of the true ekklesia that is totally overlooked by the rapid multiplication folks. But the truth is that if you skip this step, the results will be fleeting and unsubstantial. In other words, there will be no eternal weight of glory or expression of Christ Himself! And that is the only thing the Father is interested in. He is the husbandman of the True Vine in order that the fruit (expression of Christ, or glory of God) would come about. Fruit only happens because there is much transformation (pruning) that goes on as the branches realized that apart from Him they can do nothing! All fruit comes in season. And the idea of seasons in the church (which is organic) has been abandoned for church growth principles, programs, and agendas.
Based on the Testimony of Scripture or Business Principles?
Actually my real motivation in writing this post is not just to vent. I really want to make my contribution in alleviating some of the confusion revolving around the terms that are being used, especially the term, organic church.
The scriptures are the foundational “litmus test” of all we do for the Lord. Most of the proponents of rapid multiplication/discipleship movements base their ideas upon the gospels. They will use such passages as Jesus sending out the 72 workers in Luke or other such passages. The problem is that they don’t use the WHOLE story of the New Testament church. The holistic approach to biblical interpretation is the only one that most respected bible scholars use. You need to see what the complete biblical record shows us about a topic or principle before you can claim that it is “biblical”. One time instances of something is not enough. How did that activity develop throughout the story?
For example, let’s take a look at the story of the Jerusalem church. Obviously, this church was mostly made up of Jewish believers. Did this hold true for all future churches throughout the world? Of course not. We know that God poured out His Spirit upon the Gentiles as well. In fact, He called Paul, Barnabas, and many others to go and plant churches throughout the known world among Gentiles.
Another example taken from the Jerusalem church is the idea of rapid multiplication. We know that Saul of Tarsus came to town and began a persecution that caused all of the believers (except the apostles) to spread throughout Judea and Samaria. This sounds a lot like rapid multiplication. But wait a minute. What we forget is that the believers in Jerusalem had 4-5 years of being equipped and trained and taught by the 12 apostles before the persecution. Those believers who went out preaching the gospel and starting new churches throughout the area had years of experience first living body life. They spent years getting to know the Christ who lived inside of them. And they spent years learning to live as a family-community with Christ as the Head. Plus, we see Peter and John coming to visit all of those new churches to help establish them in the Lord (Acts 8:14; Acts 9:31,32; Acts 10:21).
So we see that the Jerusalem story was not repeated again in the story. In Antioch, workers were sent out to plant truly organic churches in different places (Acts 13). There is not indication whatsoever that any of those churches were produced rapidly or multiplied rapidly. In fact, Paul only planted a total of about 15 churches in his whole lifetime!
Wow Paul, I guess you really didn’t know what true organic church planting was all about!
The Blog of Milt Rodriguez 
AnDraea said:
AMEN. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all posts in this series. Keep up the good work!
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Brenda said:
I always love reading your posts…and this article is no exception. We’re always in a hurry to ‘make something happen’, be productive and fruitful, forgetting (or ignoring) the fact that anything of quality and substance usually takes time. And usually a LOT of time!
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Kim Yeo said:
To use your expression, “Wow Milt,” you really enlighten me with your explanation. You do not use bible verses, like others,
who use it to proof their point. You use the whole bible to expain your view. Like Paul, it is not you that live, but Christ lives in you. Thank you for sharing Christ with us and I look forward to read your block. God bless,
Kim
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Mike Burleson said:
Thank you for this! I needed to hear it. I have often been depressed because our house church hasn’t multiplied like I read in all the books, but your maturing argument really made me think. OK God, no hurry. Have your way!
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Jon Sidnell said:
“In other words, there will be no eternal weight of glory or expression of Christ Himself! And that is the only thing the Father is interested in.”
This really hit home in reading this. I’ve always figured that my understanding was OK on this score having read Fromke’s Ultimate Intention years back, and feeling like I was aiming at what he was talking about. But I’ve been missing it in all the debates about whether the purpose of the church is more about worship or more about mission, or whether we can even talk about it in this way.
My first response to “that is the only thing the Father is interested in” was actually a tiny bit of offence. Essentially wanting to respond “but what about mission?”, “what about holy living?”, “what about worship?”, “what about miracles and power?”, until I realised that while all of these things play their part in expressing Christ, when made ends in themselves they almost always miss the more crucial element of expressing Him.
Thanks for expressing that in a way that exposed my heart and erroneous thinking a bit to bring greater clarity 🙂
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miltrodriguez said:
Jon,
It is crucial that we understand that the Son is the Father’s sole object and goal. This is very clear throughout all of the scriptures. It is in the Son that the Father is well pleased. Not in a task or a mission. He IS the mission! And the task is the expression (glory) of the fullness of this wonderful Christ. The problem with the ideas of “missional church” is that they are all centered on human need and not on God’s eternal purpose. What we need to realize is that in the fulfilling of God’s eternal purpose, all of man’s needs will be met. But our goal and motivation should be His vision and purpose, not human need!
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Trevor Honeycutt said:
I hear ya loud and clear Milt! It’s like the difference btw King Saul and King David.
Both called, both anointed, both serving in the kingdom.
But one was unto himself, and one was unto the Lord; and that makes all the difference concerning the fruitfulness of the endeavor.
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Marshall said:
when multiplication becomes machine or passion? In addition to the “church growth principles”, wondering if the rapid M aura is being further carried along in principles & practice of (rapid) evangelism?
a good number of dear, sincere folks come to mind who may be cautioned to sobriety by this post. Thanks be to God for a timely word through you, brother Milt.
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Michael Young said:
Milt,
Thank you so much for writing this! I’ve been thinking about the same thing for a few months now but just didn’t have the words to write it out. So I’m glad you did instead :).
Along with the rapid multiplication methods that are being used, I’ve also noticed this fad of “disciple making”. Like it’s the only goal of the church is to make disciples. People are high on this seemingly new mindset of “it’s all about making more disciples”. But I have yet to see anything in Scripture to back the teaching up. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about seeing believers grow in Christ (especially myself). But from what I’ve seen thus far in my young journey is that it HAS to be organic and in His timing. Not forced in order to plant more churches.
One more thing I’ve noticed, and I’ve even asked this question to a well-known promoter of this mentality (with no answer by the way), is if Jesus is so emphatic about planting more churches, then why does He only mention 7 churches in the book of Revelation (and by the time John wrote that book, it had been nearly 40 years since Pentecost)? Why didn’t He tell any of those churches to “multiply rapidly” and start “making more disciples”? He didn’t. Not once. He was more concerned with the health of His Bride than He was in either of those.
Love you, Milt!
-Michael Y.
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miltrodriguez said:
Trevor,
Well said bro! We see the parallels all throughout the old testament.
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Peter said:
Thank you so much Milt for writing this. It is very encouraging. I can have a difficult time discussing Scripture with brothers and sisters who focus so much on the four gospels, but neglect the overall narrative of Scripture. What we see in black and white in the New Testament is in living color in the Old Testament. I truly believe that everything in the New Testament has corresponding pictures in the Old Testament that help us understand what we have in Christ more fully.
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Jamal Jivanjee said:
Milt,
Thx for your courage in writing this. This is well said. I wish all my ‘missional’ friends would read this. I appreciate your heart very much!
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Mark said:
Milt,
I submit my question in a posture of trying to come to understanding, not as argumentative. I may not have studied the dispersion in Acts enough to know the reasons why the persecution occurred, but could the persecution and resulting dispersion of the disciples to Judea and Samaria have been caused by them not obeying the commission that was given to them in Acts 1:8?
Related to this, I don’t understand the problem with making disciples. Aren’t we called to do this? I understand that we are called to other things as well, and perhaps you are saying that this shouldn’t necessarily take preference over these other things.
Respectfully,
Mark
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miltrodriguez said:
Mark,
I appreciate your comments.
Of course, we really don’t know God’s reason for causing the persecution and resulting dispersion in Jerusalem. But we do know the results! Many new churches were formed. And that brings us to your your second comment about discipleship.
Is it possible to plant churches without making disciples? I don’t believe that it is if we understand the word “church” in it’s truest sense. You cannot plant truly organic New Testament churches without discipleship happening. Jesus told the apostles to go into all the world and make disciples (Matt. 28). When we read the book of Acts and the Epistles, we see how the apostles did it. They planted churches! There was never a discipleship “program” setup. There were no “accountability” groups established. Why not? It is very apparent that in God’s thought, all of this happens quite naturally and organically within the life of the true ekklesia. When we have true Body life, when we are experiencing the life of Christ as it flows from the Head to the Body, and when we begin to live by His life together, then we see that there is no lack in any area, even in discipleship!
Do you see that the main point here is the very Life of God? Without that life we can do nothing (John 15:5).
“… and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.” (Col 2:19)
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, Coming down upon the beard, Even Aaron’s beard, Coming down upon the edge of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon Coming down upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing–life forever.” (Psa 133:1-3)
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otto beich said:
Milt,
Thank you for writing this. I recently reread the interview exchange between Neil Cole and Frank and was pondering this subject this week. Thank for shedding light on the subject.
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Paul Dames said:
Thanks for sharing this. I’ve always felt uneasy about leaders pushing Christians to evangelize to see multiplication, as though we don’t have the Holy Spirit. But it is He who reaches out to others, causes us to desire to reach out, and it happens by His time-table and not ours.
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MichaelO said:
Where is the interview exchange between Neil Cole and Frank Viola I would like to view it?
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Steve Simms said:
Milt: I propose that none of us really knows what is genuine organic church and what is man-made. (In fact, every church or Christian gathering is a mixture of the two: part of God and part man-made. Our goal is to increase one and minimize the others.) I think that most people who use the term, organic church, are using it like you, to define a group (regardless of the size) in which the actual life of Christ is leading and manifesting and producing spiritual life in people.
To say that my group is organic but another group isn’t because we disagree with their practices can cause us to miss what God is doing (His live) in others.
Truth is, organic church has been functioning since the First Century. Sometimes it is in the middle of an institutional church and sometimes it is underground (and even called a group of heretics). When you read church history, you see the life of God (organic church) breaking out in many different ways. It is the life of God that makes organic church, not the form or structure, or lack thereof.
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Michael K. said:
Thanks Milt. Do you think each church, if truly birthed by God, enters into a particular season? Seems to me that season would be a winter if anything. Winter speaks more than any other season of stillness, quietness, death to what was past, etc.
Speaking of winter – the A.D.D. in me is going CRAZY with this snow effect! My eyes keep trying to follow the little flakes across the browser window!
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miltrodriguez said:
Steve,
I agree with you, at least in part.
I agree that no church is totally organic but that we are moving towards that goal. Certainly there are no experts in this field and we are all learning as we go. The moment that we think we’ve “got it all” we are in trouble.
However, I think that we need to differentiate here between organic church and organic life. In my mind, the term organic refers to God’s life in Christ. All those who are born from above experience this Life to some degree no matter what church situation we find ourselves in. Of course, experiencing God’s life and living by the indwelling Life of Christ can take place in any environment. Even a Chinese prison (as in the case of Watchman Nee). But organic church life is a bit different. It is the fleshing out of that very same Life within the context of a group of God’s people. It is the corporate expression of that divine, uncreated life of God. It can just “happen” spontaneously, but our experience is that unless it becomes intentional, it will soon fade away.
Therefore, I would say that organic church is the experience of a group of God’s people who are intentionally learning to live by an indwelling Lord together. They all have a vision for this “intention” which has been given to them through revelation by God. They all agree to pursue this intention of God’s eternal purpose together and are willing to stand against any opposition to it. They are intentionally removing obstacles (filters, mindsets, agendas) that would hinder the fulfillment of this purpose. And they are intentionally and actively pursuing the Lord in this way.
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miltrodriguez said:
Michael K,
In my experience I have seen churches born in different seasons. There is the planting season (which could possibly parallel to spring) when there is new life and a church planter is laying the foundation of Christ. Some times churches are born spontaneously without the help of a planter (as in the case in Judea and Samaria in Acts 8-10) and they are born in the midst of persecution. I suppose you could say that is a “winter birth”. We need to be careful that we don’t carry the seasonal illustration to far. In the case of Thessalonica, the church was born with a church planter present (Paul) so there was obvious new life there, but it was also born in the midst of persecution and suffering. Perhaps this was a “spring/winter birth”?
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Steve Simms said:
I agree, Milt. Organic life must be nurtured and cultivated, not only as individuals, but in groups of believers. It is so easy for a group to slip into form and structure and drift away from organic life together. Let’s face it. Organic church is very difficult to establish and especially to maintain. We humans, like Israel, so much want a king (or a celebrity, or a head-man/woman). Human nature wants to be “covered” by man or institution, rather than wanting to be under God’s direct leadership and authority.
We are going against the tide (the title of a bio about Watchman Nee) when we seek to let God lead, control, and direct a body of believers. We are a tiny minority and need each other even if we don’t agree with certain aspects of each others view of organic church. Every person, and group, that sincerely wants to be actively led by the Lord, is our ally, regardless of how far they are along that path. Even institutional churchs can begin to move toward organicness by allowing free participation in their meetings, even if it is only a 5 minute testimony time (to start with). That is at least a step in the right direction and an open door for the Spirit to move in and create His change in their midst.
Today we who want organic church are a tiny minority, but I believe that a spiritual explosion is coming (a movement if you will) that will introduce organic church to multitudes (as with the radical reformation). In the mean time we must do what we can to intentionally remove the obstacles to organic church functioning, both from our individual hearts and from our infant organic church expressions.
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Neil Cole said:
Milt,
I assume that I am one of the prime “organic Church folk” who talk about movements and discipleship groups that you are referring to. I can’t think of anyone else who fits the description better. I want to add to the conversation and perhaps demonstrate a little more Biblical verification for movements and even clarify some of what we actually have found to be both organic and Biblical.
If you read my book Journeys to Significance you will see a very thorough description of a NT movement developed over time (including a very well defined maturing phase of a leader). In fact, the very premise of the book is that more effective ministry comes about with more extensive maturation.
You seem to imply that we use the Jerusalem church as our example of rapid multiplication, which, if indeed is what you think we are teaching I’m afraid is not so. I make clear in Journeys as well as Church 3.0 that the Jerusalem church is the least healthy model to follow today and was not a good example of a healthy church after the early chapters of Acts. Luke tells a story that portrays the Jerusalem church as a tragedy that started with great potential and ended badly. So concluding that we use the Jerusalem church as an example of an organic movement is a bit misinformed. In fact, in Church 3.0 I describe several different models of organic churches in Acts each one getting better as the movement spreads, I do not hold to one NT model that we need to all try to be like.
If you want to see a multiplication movement in the book of Acts read Acts 16:5 where the number of churches was increasing every day. These churches were not in a 4-5 year incubator with direct apostolic establishment prior to reproducing.
Or, read Acts 19-21 and see how in 3 years time every person in Asia Minor heard the message of Christ and Paul never left Ephesus…without radio, TV or the internet. Is it possible that the Ephesian church reached maturity phase and sent out apostles to start churches all over Asia Minor to accomplish such a work in just 3 years time? It is not as though the second generation of apostles left Ephesus after 3 years because when three years passed the message had already reached every person in Asia minor and the following churches were all started: Ephesus, Sardis, Thyatira, Pergamum, Colossae, Hieropolis, Laodicea, Smyrna and Philadelphia. Yes, only Ephesus was started by Paul so I assume this actually demonstrates a multiplication movement. I think Paul likely started more than 15 churches (http://bit.ly/pMNv36) but what is truly impressive is the multiplication of the churches he did start, especially in later journeys. Paul’s 3 missionary journeys likely took place in roughly 10 years time and in that time the church was established in at least six people groups (Cyprians, Galatians, Macedonians, Achaians, Asians and Illyricums) to the point where Paul could say his work there was done and nothing more was needed to be added by him (Roman 15:23). Where’s the important “maturing phase” in all of this? Perhaps maturation is a lifelong process and not a ceiling one must break through to reproduce.
If you read Search & Rescue you will see that it is not simply accountability groups as a discipleship “program.” You will see that the growth and development of disciples is a very holistic and organic process that starts from the DNA (seed) planted in a follower of Christ (good soil) and bears fruit (multiplication) over a lifetime. The book actually flows from 2 Timothy.
If you read Organic Leadership you will see that a leader is developed over a life time and that maturing (in character, skill and knowledge) is an essential aspect. One doesn’t need to become mature before he/she can be used, in fact one cannot become mature without living in obedience…even from the first day of faith.
I think using an analogy of a girl or a tree to prove that a church cannot mature to a place of reproducing quickly is not a sound biblical argument. Leaven multiplies quickly and is an actual analogy that Jesus used, while a girl is not. a single shaft of wheat allowed to freely reproduce and multiply for several generations within only 8 years will have multiplied enough to feed the entire world population for a year. Did Jesus ever use wheat as an analogy of multiplication? Yes He did. He only used the analogy of a tree when he was describing the genetic properties that produce the correct kind of fruit. “A good tree will produce good fruit and a bad tree will produce bad fruit.” When he wanted to speak of multiplication, and specifically rapidity he spoke of leaven.
You do not see Peter and John going to all the churches started after Acts 13 to establish them. The apostolic foundation was laid at the start and a multiplication movement was established that didn’t need their authentication.
We not only do not teach groups to divide after six months, but actually teach that such a practice (taught in earlier church growth and meta/cellchurch works) is not multiplication and doesn’t work.
I just wanted to add to the conversation a different perspective and perhaps provide a balance.
Sincerely.
Neil Cole
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miltrodriguez said:
Neil,
Thanks for your comments, perspective and balance.
Actually, the article was not specific to any one group or work. I was responding to much that I have read (mostly online), emails, and conversations with folks. The goal of the article was to clear up much of the confusion in this area. You did that regarding your own area of work, and for that I am grateful.
I have not read those books that you mentioned, though I would like to some time. I have read the “Organic Church” book and enjoyed it very much. I think that we are on the same page in several areas. Though, I must admit that I don’t agree with you in every respect. But then, it would be a sad place if everyone agreed with me!
Thanks again for your contribution here and I hope that we can meet again some time and spend more time together.
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