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.

Copyright © 2010, All Rights Reserved

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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Simple Church - 5 Community Bio-Dynamic

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I am the true vine and my Father is the farmer. Every branch of mine that he flies, fruit, and every branch that bears no fruit, purgeth which may bear more fruit. Now is the word that you heard from me. Abide in me and I in you. As a branch can bear fruit by itself does not, unless it abides in the vine longer than you can do unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the poles isWhoever remains in me and I in him, bears much fruit: for without me you can do. If anyone does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch of the voice and dried, and men gather them and throw them into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want, and it is with you. This is my Father glorified, that many are bearing fruit and become my disciples. - (St. John 15: 1-8) KJV (emphasisMine)

Organic compounds

One of the best known parables of Jesus is the vine and the branches. It 'a metaphor for the mind, vital and fruitful relationship between Christ and the Church together.

I especially like this metaphor because it shows not only the direction of Christ, but also an allusion to the organic relationship and dependency among the faithful to each other.

1) This emphasis on organicthe essential function of all believers in Christ, the source of our spiritual life and fruitfulness (John 3:04 ET, Col 3:4).

2) This parable also illustrates the interdependent nature of the Body of Christ (Eph 4:16).

Since the branches to become one with the vine, we are members of one other to be recorded, in particular, and to share the same spiritual life of the vine (Romans 0:05, 1 Cor. 12:27).

is maintained the ratio of vinesfarmers (the father), and the relationship of Christ with the Church is assured by the Father through the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:16 clock, 1 Cor. 12:13).

Although one can easily see the vital link between the vineyard and the vine that is often overlooked important symbiotic relations and mutually beneficial branches to one another (Ephesians 4:15-16) is.

This report is also an important spiritual and fruitful talks with the EUAgency of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12.12 to 13, Eph. 4:4).

The life of the organic body

As the metaphor of the vine and the branches to help us understand how life experiences and organic body care within a local community of faith, like the construction of the church?

There are three things we need to recognize the life and practice to get your body all the benefits of organic products.

1) We always need to recognize the direction of Christ and practicesdiscern his presence in our midst (Matthew 18:20).

2) We must always recognize and distinguish the body of the Lord when we meet others through the recognition of management and organic gifts and call of a horn that we have a mutually beneficial cooperation (Romans 12:3-17: first 11, 29).

3) We must always recognize and practice with the same care for one another (cf. 1 Cor. 12.12 to 27).

In each garden is "a load of weeds or potentialviability, growth, hamper productivity of the vine. In this case, inside the church, the faithful profess the weeds of the House, false apostles, deceitful workers, (2 Cor. 11:13). What are we doing that?

That is a shame, he stressed the need for the work of the farmer, who by the Holy Spirit, the winemaker. He is responsible for ensuring the viability and fertility of the vine, and will separate over time (Lk13:6-9)

Often in the early stages of a local church, it is difficult to distinguish a weed from the true vine. The most important thing to remember is that the Holy Spirit is the work todress and maintain the garden so is to live a fruitful, place of production and security for all "(Genesis 2:15).

The relationship of life of the vine and branches, underlining the need to remain faithful to Christ and Christ in believers. Fertility is only possible because ourspiritual unity and vital relationship with Christ. For Christ said of this relationship,

... Because without me you can do anything "(Jn 15:5) to do.

Moreover, if we take credit for the work of grace in our lives, we must understand that this is indeed the Christ, who did the work and the production of fruit in the lives of believers through the Holy Spirit dwells.

Justice, peace, joy, soul, etc., all are the work of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 2:07;Gal.5: 22).

Bio-Community

The biological dynamics of five communities are: partnership, community, intimacy, vitality and fertility.

1) the relationship is the main consequence of intellectuals and vital union between Christ and believers. We are called together in unity (Psalm 133:1; be Eph. 4:3, 13.)

Two), Fellowship: To the extent that our life in Christ, unity with one another depends on the quality of our relationshipsand communion with Christ. It 'then must first experience with the community in British Columbia, and all.

Although the common meals, prayer meetings and worship are expressions of intimacy and communion also experience times when the faithful gather outside of regular meetings of the church koinonia house or a scholarship.

3) Privacy: As all believers, Christ is called to an intimate experience and knowledge, we are called tointimate communion with each other. Intimacy depends on the quality of our community. If members of the House of the Church, a degree of trust, intimacy reach achieved. Transparency, transparency, honesty, courtesy and mutual respect are the hallmarks of a healthy and vibrant community of faith.

4) Beauty: As the spiritual bond between Christ (the vine) and the believers (branches) is essential so that the quality of the organic mass of local life in faithHall.

Vitality is the result of a common life, which results from the symbiotic, interdependent relationship of mutual benefit to members of a local faith community. Vitality provides for fertility, what level of joy by members of the House of the Church occupied with experience.

Five) Fruit: If the relationship and friendship, intimacy and vitality are now the result of fertility. There are three levels of fertility in the vineyarddepends on the quality of the above, are: fruit, more fruit and much fruit.

It must be said that fertility is a process that takes time. The vitality of the Church House, depends on the intimacy between Christ and believers and the faithful. Intimacy, according to the quality of scholarship and is measured by the degree of trust that exists in the relations of members of a local faith community.

The ultimatethe mental, vital and fruitful Union is the glory of God Jesus said:

My father is glorified in mind that stretch far .. "(John 15:8), emphasis added.

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