The biggest question I face when speaking to people about organic ekklesia is, "Okay, what is it?"
No problem. I'm happy to explain it as best as I am able. ;)
In Christianity there are numerous denominations, ranging from Baptist to Assemblies of God, with countless denominations in between. Each denomination has their own feel, their own flavor, and are designed to give people a comfortable environment, based upon their own affectations and desires, to have church.
The thing is, each and every local or nationwide "chain church" is not The Church, The Bride of Christ. No matter how well-intentioned, denominations will inadvertently miss a piece of the big picture of Christ Jesus and The New Covenant, either through purposed doctrinal positions or theological misunderstandings. Consider that when any church puts forth a "Statement of Belief", it is a mixture of Scripture and human interpretation.
These are bound to fail when compared to, and measured against, The New Covenant. Man simply does not have the capacity to understand the wholeness and totality of Christ Jesus. His wisdom is not ours, to be sure. And no matter how admirable the intentions, nor the collegiate degrees pointed to, man can only bastardize the purity and power of The New Covenant once man tries to put Jesus into a box of theological comfort. In simpler terms, man cannot grasp Christ Jesus of his own intellect; only The Spirit of Christ can fully reveal and explain Christ.
Since this is truer than true, why does man continue to vainly seek to put Jesus into a box at all? Why cannot mankind, redeemed mankind, simply be The Church, and submit themselves to the Great High Priest, The Good Shepherd Christ Jesus Himself, and let His Spirit control the local gatherings of said redeemed humanity?
That, right there, is organic ekklesia.
We submit to, bow to, and abdicate our own intellects and strengths to The Holy Spirit, asking Him to lead our ekklesia done in the name of Christ Jesus. We cling to His very words, knowing that He is in control, and He leads us. He is our Pastor, our Shepherd, our King and Master. Not one man, this side of Heaven, being merely animated dust given life through the breath of God, can ever take His place. Ever.
That, right there, is organic ekklesia.
1 Corinthians 14:26 nails it succinctly in saying:
"What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification."
If your local church is not doing these things, then who exactly is running your local church? Exactly.
The Holy Spirit is a spirit of order. He will not allow mere men to hijack His Bride for their own purposes and agendas. Yet each and every Sunday in America we see that very thing happening. This should not be so. There is a better way. His way. His purpose.
Organic ekklesia is organic in the sense of simply gathering together, in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord, and looking to The Holy Spirit to control the ekklesia. No programs. No agendas. No scripting. Just Him and His leadership and guidance and counsel. As it should be. We are a family, not a social club.
This is a call to join me in organic ekklesia. Let us walk together under the power of The Spirit, ministering as He leads us to, and loving on one another as is fitting The Bride of Christ Jesus. It will be new to some of you. It might even be uncomfortable at first, and difficult to understand. Some of you will become frustrated and scared because you have left the mandated structure of the institutionalized American churches. But it's okay. Jesus understands this. And through patience, submission, and a desire to walk in the fullness of Christ, we can see His Kingdom here and now, in Bethel, CT and beyond.
bethelorganicekklesia@hushmail.com
