Rethinking Church Planting and Apostles

This post was written in 2011. To get updated on Frank’s present work on the gospel of the kingdom, go here.

I grew up in the charismatic stream of Christianity. Those are my early roots. When I was in that movement, I heard all about “apostles.” Constantly. I heard about “the coming apostolic move.” About “the new apostles.” About “the restoration of the apostolic gift.” Etc. etc. etc. [Cough.]

As I grew in the Lord and began to research church history and what the New Testament had to say about the apostolic commission and church planting, I came to some very different conclusions from what my charismatic friends taught me.

I also grew highly allergic to the word “apostle” (which is a poor translation of the Greek word, which means “one who is sent.”)

When I was 23 years old, I left the institutional form of church. And I found an experience of the body of Christ . . . and an experience of the Lord Jesus . . . that wrecked me forever.

Because of that experience beginning in my early 20s (and continuing til this good day), there’s a special place in my heart for those in their 20s and 30s who are gifted by God and have a desire to serve Him with every fiber of their beings.

In 2009, I wrote the most practical book I will probably ever write. It’s a book that puts everything I said in Pagan Christianity, Reimagining Church, Jesus Manifesto, and From Eternity to Here in the form of nuts-and-bolts, brass-tacks, practical application.

But more, it’s a book that delves deeply into the whole question of apostolic ministry and church planting. One that’s grounded in the New Testament rather than a particular tradition, denomination, or theological system.

The book? Finding Organic Church. 

Someone asked how long it took for me to write the book. My answer: 20 years.

That’s no joke.

I had six people in mind as I penned every word:

• Those in their 20s and 30s who are gifted by God to preach and/or teach, including those enrolled in Bible college and/or seminary who are trying to prepare themselves to do God’s work.
• Every person who is part of the contemporary “missional church” movement today.
• Pastors and assistant pastors who are thinking to themselves, “Is this it? Something doesn’t seem right. There’s got to be more to the Lord and to church than this.”
• Church planters who are part of every church planting movement on the planet – whether it be missional, non-denominational, denominational, or overseas missionaries.
• Those who are brand new to organic church and want help on how to begin meeting under the Headship of Jesus Christ and desire to be educated about the pitfalls, caveats, and hindrances that they will face along the journey. (There are many that await.)
• Those who suffer from apostolistis (as I call it in the book).

In addition to the above, I receive a steady diet of emails and letters from pastors and missionaries in their 50s and 60s who all say essentially the same thing: “I wish someone had challenged my thinking and ministry-direction when I was a young man. But no one ever did. And now I feel that I wasted many years serving in the wrong way. Please do what you can to put your book in the hands of young men and women who feel called of God.”

What follows is famed radio personality Brant Hansen’s review of the book, peppered with Brant’s inimitable humor and wit:

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Book Review by Brant Hansen, Finding Organic Church

This “book review” is only for people who have a lingering yearning, coupled with a sneaking suspicion.

The yearning is for a life in Christ that is deeper, more interesting, more free, more expressive, more involving, more dangerous, more connecting, and more alive.

The suspicion is that the way we in America currently “do” “church” isn’t often set up to allow for this, and may be a very, very expensive way of actually inhibiting it.

If you are absent either one of these, you need read no further. God bless you. *Ding*: You’re free to move about Facebook. Or, if you’re like me, free to go play “Flight Control” on your iPhone and try, and fail again, to beat your daughter’s score.

. . . Okay, so you’re still left in the room. What I’m about to write is less “book review” than “action plan”. Here it is:

Read the new book, Finding Organic Church by Frank Viola

This “organic church” thing is getting huge (witness TIME and Newsweek in the last couple weeks, and people like Brit Hume talking about his own church), but I’m not trying to start a movement, or help build one, or whatever. The idea of being part of some “next big thing” makes me sleepy, to be honest. Boring.

And I’m not going to ask for your money. Not for this. But just wait until I get back from El Salvador with World Vision for that.

I’ve just had so many people, over time, ask me about our church experience, how our community works, what “organic” church means, and I’ve done a crummy job of responding.

This book should help a lot.

I recommend Viola’s other books, too, particularly From Eternity to Here, which gives a vision for what “church” is supposed to mean, what it really IS, that is stunningly beautiful and poetic. For those with doctrinal questions (about authority, about tithing, about sermons, the idea of The Senior Pastor) see Frank’s barnburners (with George Barna) Pagan Christianity and Reimagining Church.

I’m not trying to sell his books. I get no cut. I just like his honesty and humility — he writes very clearly as one not trying to win followers, but to point people to Christ, period. If he ever starts a “Check me out!” power play, I will personally drive to North Florida, and hit him with my accordion.

I don’t write here to win, or even start, an argument. I’d just like to offer a resource for those who have been asking, “Well, what is it you do for church?” and “Okay, I want that. Where can I get it?”

Seriously: Read the book, ask God where He might be in this. It’s pretty exciting, I think.

At the very least, I’ll refer you to Frank, so he can answer all your questions, in full, within moments. Frank is utterly at your service, 24/7. (Frank, you cool with that?)