Organic

The term 'megachurch' has been made popular over the last 15 years as people strive to pursue reaching the masses. Now the term megachurch is not big enough to define the realms that some churches have moved into and we have moved into the age of the 'gigachurch' which means a church that is running over 10,000 people. It is interesting to see how popular the megachurch has become, you can hardly drive into a community without noticing at least 1 church that is large and prominent in a community. When you drive into metropolitan areas it has become common place for large churches to line the street corners, especially in the southern states. Yet in the midst of all of this 'growth', the question that continually plagues my mind is, How has culture changed with all of these churches progressing and expanding?'



I have discovered that all growth is not equal. The scriptures says that you will be known by your fruit. American culture has in many ways judged that scripture by one marker, which is numerical growth. Although I believe that this is a vital part of growth, it would be foolish for us to think that all growth is numerical. When my sons go to the doctor for a check up their height and weight is just one small part of the physical check up. But, to ensure that they are growing properly, the doctor will check many different markers. Which leads me to the thought that has been stirring in my mind.



Has the church settled for growth which is not organic? Organic means that there are no synthetic materials or additives given to aid growth. Everything that Jesus did while on this earth was to promote organic or natural growth. You can not disciple in a microwave. It would do us far better to realize that we are all on a journey of exploration to reach growth in Christ. Most churches that I talk to that are growing, will not base their growth on a program or any one specific thing that they are doing. It does not surprise me to notice that most churches that are growing do not even have numerical growth as the main focal point, but rather they realize that numerical growth is a byproduct of getting the church healthy! If we numerically grow while unhealthy, we will reproduce what is unhealthy in the body. When we determine to see organic growth, we celebrate the diversity that lives within the body of Christ. One size does not fit all, but all the pieces put together make a whole body. Each individual part is significant to the success of the body. The fruit that we should be pursuing is not programmed or managed growth, but natural and organic growth. Programmed growth tends to focus on pushing people into a mold, whereas organic growth tends to work on the heart of a man to change who he is in his most natural state. If we want people to stand on their own and find their personal place in Christ, we must allow individuality in the body of Christ. God, help us pursue organic growth in your body!