Simple Church - 5 Dynamics of Organic Community

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. - (St. John 15: 1-8) KJV (emphasis mine)

Organic Relationship

Organic Fruit

One of the best known parables of Jesus is that of the Vine and the Branches. It is a metaphor that illustrates the spiritual, vital, and fruitful union shared between Christ and the church.

I particularly like this metaphor because it not only depicts the Headship of Christ; it also alludes to the inter-dependent and organic relationship of believers to each other.

1) This organic relationship underscores the vital dependence of each believer upon Christ, who is the source of our spiritual life and fruitfulness (Jn. 15:4; Col. 3:4).

2) This parable further illustrates the inter-dependent nature of the Body of Christ (Eph. 4:16).

As the individual branches are one with the vine, so we are members one of another, are members in particular, and share the same spiritual life of the Vine (Rom. 12:5; 1 Cor. 12:27).

As the relationship of the Vine to the branches is maintained by the husbandman (the Father), likewise the relationship of Christ to the church is maintained by the Father through the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:16; 1 Cor. 12:13).

Although we can readily see the vital relationship between the Vine and the branches, what is often overlooked is the important symbiotic and mutually beneficial relationship of the individual branches to each other (Eph. 4:15-16).

This relationship is also an important spiritual and fruitful union maintained through the agency of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:12-13; Eph. 4:4).

Organic Body Life

How can the metaphor of the Vine and the Branches help us to understand how organic Body life is experienced and maintained within a local faith community such as the House church?

There are three things we must recognize and practice in order to experience the full benefit of organic Body life.

1) We must always recognize the Headship of Christ and practice discerning His presence among us (Matt. 18:20).

2) We must always recognize and discern the Lord's Body when we meet by recognizing both organic leadership and the gifts and calling of one another as we develop a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship (Rom. 12:3-17; 1 Cor. 11:29).

3) We must always recognize and practice having the same care one for another (see 1 Cor. 12:12-27).

Within every garden exists' a potential for weeds to encumber or hinder the vitality, growth, and productivity of the Vine. In this case, within the House church the weeds are professing believers, false apostles, and deceitful workers (2 Cor. 11:13). What do we do about this?

Although this is unfortunate, it underscores the necessity of the work of the husbandman who through the Holy Spirit is the dresser of the vineyard. It is He who is responsible to ensure the vitality and fruitfulness of the Vine, and He will do the separating in due time (Lk. 13:6-9)

Often, in the early stages of a House church it is difficult to distinguish a weed from the true vine. The important thing is to remember that the Holy Spirit is at work todress and keep the garden so that it will remain a fruitful, productive, and safe place for all to dwell in (Gen. 2:15).

The vital relationship of the Vine and branches underscore the necessity of the believer abiding in Christ, and Christ in the believer. Fruitfulness is only possible because of our spiritual union and vital relationship with Christ. For Christ said of this relationship,

...for without me ye can do nothing (Jn. 15:5).

Furthermore, lest we take credit for this work of Grace in our lives, we must understand that it is indeed Christ who is doing the works and producing the fruit in the life of the believer, through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Righteousness, peace, joy, souls, etc, are all the work of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:7; Gal.5:22).

Organic Community

The five dynamics of Organic Community are: Relationship, Fellowship, Intimacy, Vitality, and Fruitfulness.

1) Relationship: is the primary result of the spiritual and vital union between Christ and the believer. We are called to be in unity with one another (Psa. 133:1; Eph. 4:3, 13).

2) Fellowship: In as much as our life is in Christ, our unity with one another depends on the quality of our relationship and fellowship with Christ. Therefore, fellowship must be experienced first with Christ and then with one another.

Although the common meal, prayer, and worship gatherings are expressions of intimacy and fellowship, there should also be times when believers get together outside of the regular House church gatherings to experience koinonia or fellowship.

3) Intimacy: Just as each believer is called into an intimate experience and knowledge of Christ; we are called into intimate fellowship with one another. Intimacy depends on the quality of our fellowship. When the members of the House church achieve a certain level of trust, intimacy is achieved. Transparency, openness, honesty, courtesy, and mutual respect are characteristics of a healthy and vibrant faith community.

4) Vitality: As the spiritual union between Christ (the Vine) and the believer (the branches) is vital; so is the quality of organic Body life within the local faith community.

Vitality is therefore the result of a living union which flows from the symbiotic, inter-dependent, and mutually beneficial relationship of the members of a local faith community. Vitality lends itself to fruitfulness, which is evidenced by the level of joy experienced by members of the House church.

5) Fruitfulness: When relationship, fellowship, intimacy, and vitality are present the result is fruitfulness. There are three degrees of fruitfulness in the Vine depending on the quality of all of the above; they are: fruit, more fruit, and much fruit.

It must be said that fruitfulness is a process which takes time. The vitality of the House church depends on the intimacy between Christ and the believer and of believers to each other. Intimacy then, depends on the quality of fellowship and is measured by the degree of trust that exists in the relationships of the members of a local faith community.

The ultimate end of this spiritual, vital, and fruitful union is the glory of God. Jesus said:

Herein is my Father glorified in that ye bear much fruit.. (Jn. 15:8) emphasis mine.

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Simple Church - 5 Dynamics of Organic Community

In 2006 Charles Smoot founded The Grace Network, a "Church Planting Movement" (CPM) based in Maui, Hawaii.

In 2009 Charles and his wife Helen founded Simple Church Ministries of Lancaster, a local House Church community dedicated to the message of Sovereign Grace, House church evangelism, and discipleship.

A published author of the book "Fallen From Grace," Charles and his wife Helen enjoy planting House and "Simple" churches and encouraging those who are called to House church ministry.

You can find out more about Charles and Simple Church Ministries at http://www.CharlesSmoot.org.

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