Open:
One of the things that happens with the way many of us approach the New Testament, and Paul's letters in particular, is the proverbial loss of the forest for the trees. At times we miss the sweeping and obvious lessons we should be learning about the local church because of an inordinate focus on the individual believer. That explains my insistence on interpreting Paul's letters as primarily relating to the local church, and only secondarily to the individual.
The church is intended to be an organism rather than an organization. In keeping with that reality, I want to offer an overview of a church as a living organism.
I. A Balanced Ecosystem.
1. Everything God creates is connected.
2. The church only thrives in the context of healthy relationships.
II. Environmental Adaptation.
1. Every living system that is fruitful and multiplies is required to adapt to the environment in which it has been placed.
2. The gospel must always be incarnational. A part of the design of the church is to be able to make positive changes while beeping her essence at her core.
III. Spontaneous Reproduction.
1. Living creatures are created with the capacity to create life.
2. When the church is a vibrant organism, life is reproduced over and over again.
IV. The Nurturing Instinct.
1. Just as the instinct to nurture is characteristic of all creatures, so it is in the thriving church.
2. Discipleship must move from the periphery as a nice "extra" to the very core of a church's reason for being.
V. Life-Cycle Harmony.
1. This is simply the realization and embracing of one's own life cycle.
2. Churches should be aware of their own life cycle and be prepared to dream again.
Close:
For the the church to escape the paralysis of institutionalism, she must find again her identity in her essence as a spiritual organism.
(Dr. Dane Fowlkes)
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