MI-7003 Organic Church

Is the church you know the church of the New Testament? Study the organic church movement and weigh its call for a simpler church of disciples who make disciples.

You read six books that shape or inform the movement, in three steps: where buildings, services, sermons and pastors came from; the church as a living organism under Christ; and models of small, multiplying churches. You report each author fairly and test his view with Scripture and reason. Some chapters tell of hurt caused by church leaders and of a suicide; where this meets your own life, turn to your church or a professional.

What you will study

• Where common church practices came from
• The church as a living organism with Christ as its head
• Open meetings, every member taking part
• Leadership as service, shared oversight and mutual submission
• Lessons from decentralized organizations
• Organic church, small groups and multiplication
• Making disciples and simple gatherings

Course materials

• Pagan Christianity? (Frank Viola and George Barna), a textbook you obtain
• Reimagining Church (Frank Viola), a textbook you obtain
• The Starfish and the Spider (Ori Brafman and Rod A. Beckstrom), a textbook you obtain
• Organic Church (Neil Cole), a textbook you obtain
• Church 3.0 (Neil Cole), a textbook you obtain
• The Last Reformation (Torben Søndergaard), a textbook you obtain
• The Bible