10 Questions about Organic Church

10 Questions about Organic Church is really a short FAQ for those who are interested and are asking questions. It is important to understand that returning to the foundations of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ will require MORE than just a simple adjustment to the current religious system. What we will discuss here is not a movement, a fad, or a better human way to do church. Simply put, these are original foundational principles that we believe men chose to deny and turn away from before we were born.

For the Lord to build, we must uncover and discover the original foundation, which is the Lord Christ Jesus Himself. When the church returns to this original foundation then and only then will we have a transforming influence on this age. What you are about to read are not a set of plans or the blueprints for yet another division in His Body. These are simply those things that the Lord has revealed to us along our journey. We share them because we believe they will help you on yours.

1. What does the word “organic” mean in reference to the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ?

In essence, we mean a non-traditional church that is birthed naturally or organically from the Life of Christ in His disciples instead of one constructed by human institutional systems and kept together by various programs and rituals. Most of us simply use the word organic to differentiate from the religious systems of church today, especially to those who do not yet understand. To the rest of us, the Church is simply called the Church of Jesus Christ, or the Body of Christ. The fewer the human names, the fewer we participate in the present divisions.

2. What is the foundation of the organic church?

The word “LOVE” has been so watered down in this age that most of us have no idea of the depth of love that the Lord Christ Jesus wishes to see in HIS Church.

GOD is Love. Many times we speak about being a “Christ-centered church” without manifesting His nature in our lives. The standard of love must remain to love others as He loves us. This is no small task for the naturally selfish human spirit.

John 13:34-35

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

This kind of love is expressed in a family setting where the bonds of love weave the brethren together as one. This type of community helps to form strong relationships such as that of fathers and sons. Only these kind of relationships can withstand the fires of life.

3. What are the main obstacles to making these changes in the life of a leader?

• We need to come to grips with the reality that we have been building in error.
• We need to surrender afresh to the voice of the Holy Spirit and reject the religious system’s ways.
• Finally the most difficult, we have to reject the religious system of “working to receive” and throw ourselves by faith into the waiting arms of Him who called us. This requires real trust!

4. What are the main obstacles  for a Christian to leave the Religious System

• Leave behind the familiar and the place where we feel comfortable.
• Be willing to accept the rejection from friends still in the system.
• Reject the worldly principles of evaluating success in the work of the Lord (numbers, money, titles, and size of building).
• Finally the most difficult, each disciple needs to recognize the fact that although you may have physically left the system, that doesn’t necessarily means that the system and the love for the system have left you. We have seen time and time again that you can leave Egypt, but that doesn’t mean Egypt has left you.

5. What is the main difference in focus between the Organic Church and the Institutional Church?

The religious system, or the Institutional Church, has their beliefs or doctrine and the propagation of that doctrine for its principal focus. The Church of our Lord exists to diffuse the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ.  In other words, go and manifest the love of Christ as the Holy Spirit guides. The religious system puts great weight on the purity of what it proclaims once a week. The Church of the Lord (organic) puts more weight on what it lives out in the daily life of each disciple.

6. What are some of the Teachings of the Organic Church?

a. We teach that there is no such thing as secular time and spiritual time. All life is spiritual and our daily life is our ministry.

b. We teach and believe that there is only ONE church worldwide. Although there are many congregations, His Body is not divided. That is why we do not support denominations and everything else that exists in the religious system that brings division to His Church.

c. The Church is made up of born-again disciples. She is not a membership or a building. No one goes to “Church”.

d. Relationships created and formed by the love of God and established and maintained by the Unity of the Spirit are the pillars of the Church the Lord is building.

e. Money is at the root of almost everything the Religious System does.

f. It’s easier to pray for Revival than it is to take the time and pay the price to love others the way Christ loves us.

7. How does Organic Church do its weekly services?

The Lord’s Church rejects the man-made tradition of weekly services and believes that being a disciple of Christ is a way of life 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Each fellowship is free to hear the Spirit as to when to meet with other brothers. Some have set a special time and place, and others meet together as the Spirit leads. We reject the Catholic tradition of services. The Son served the Father once and for all on the cross of Calvary. We believe the Church is the Body of the Lord Jesus Christ; therefore, wherever two or three are gathered in His name, that’s a meeting of the Body of Christ.

As we have explained, the gatherings can be as few as two or three and as many as the whole fellowship. The church of Christ does not just come together to pray, worship, hear sermons, and win souls. The first century church primarily met because they love each other. Real disciples are always looking for the opportunity to fellowship and to manifest their love for each other. In our gatherings, it is expected that all disciples may use their gifting for the edification of the Body.

1 John 4:20-21

20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

8. Are there such things as Leaders in the Organic Church?

The Lord’s Church believes that Christ Jesus is the only Mediator (not Pastors  & Priests) between God and man. We reject all notion of the Catholic tradition and teaching of Clergy/Laity. We believe in the priesthood of EVERY believer. We believe that Jesus Christ is the only Head of His Church and speaks through the Holy Spirit. The Lord’s Church rejects all positional leadership. We only accept leadership from those in relationship through the Body.  That means if you don’t maintain a relationship or brotherhood with the brethren, you have no right to be received as a leader. The organic church  accepts the gifts and function of five-fold equippers of the Body (Eph .4:11) She also accepts the existence of elders among us (spiritual fathers) who exist to be examples to the flock. We reject any notion of “covering,” or positional hierarchy. All oversight and watch/care stems from a loving relationship with the brethren and our love for the work of the Lord.

1 Peter 5:2-4

2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;

9. How does the organic church sustain itself financially, and how does it pay the salaries of its leaders?

The church does not have salaried leaders or employees. The church doesn’t spend money for buildings or professional salaried personnel.  Rather, she uses the Lord’s money to help the poor, the widows, and to support the work of apostles and prophets.

Eph. 2:20

20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,

The Lord’s church rejects all notion of the tithe as an Old Testament teaching and believes in the New Covenant concept that 100% belongs to the Lord. We also seek to live out the teaching of equality so that no brother ever goes without.

Acts 4:32-33

32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.

Acts 4:34-35

34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

10. How do you do your Evangelism, and how do you win souls?

The church was told to make disciples, not members. The Bible teaches, “Go and Make disciples”. The disciples of Christ do not DO to BE, but do because they already are. From BEING (the life of Christ in us) comes all doing! We reject all human concepts like outreaches, visitation, and all other man-invented ideas for Church growth or extension. We also refuse to use business success principles to describe the growth of His church. Each disciple seeks to be found faithful in all they do and to produce lasting fruit for the Glory of the Lord.

All disciples win souls by their example and their life’s testimony. When someone is converted, the elder brother is responsible to disciple the new believer because a relationship already exists. We do not believe in inviting people to come to a building with professional clergy to win souls.

Acts 8:4-5

4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.

This is only a beginning.These are just a few of the signposts we have passed along on our journey into Christ and out of the religious systems of man.  We long for those things He will teach His Church in the days to come.

José L. Bosque

ForRevival@aol.com

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Jose Bosque is Editor in Chief and founder of Viral Cast Media which oversees GodsLeader, JaxChristian now ViralChrist and 15 other websites. He has ministered in Jacksonville since 1987 and served the city since 1992 as a citywide servant leader. Jose is considered a resource and a spiritual father to many leaders in the city and in the 54 nations where the Lord has sent him to serve. Originally born in Cuba, Jose has resided in Jacksonville since 1966.

Contact Him at: www.RevivalPartners.net or  ForRevival@aol.com

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