Traditional vs Organic Church

This comparison of church structure shows the differences between those of the traditional church, such as Protestant denominations formed out of the Reformation, and first century small group, relational church structure. The Scriptures mention in several passages that a church met in someone's house. The Scriptures also describe believers meeting in Solomon's porch which is not a house. The house in itself is not the issue. The brotherhood, oneness and sharing of church life with other believers is the major point to be emphasized regarding location and size of a meeting. A person's house does offer a feeling of warmth which helps people relate in a more intimate fashion than a commercial building. It depends on the particular situation. The emphasis in the Bible concerning church leadership is a plurality of eldership that functions alongside the other believers as examples of how to walk with Christ. Below is a general comparison of traditional vs organic church. Keep in mind that there are variations on both sides from one assembly to another. It is definitely possible for a traditional church to incorporate some of these organic practices into their system in order to transform their assembly into a body that more closely resembles the New Testament pattern.
Traditional vs Organic Church
Traditional Church
* Single Pastor Led
* Single long sermon delivered by Pastor
* Predominance of clergy/laity relationship between elders and members
* Participation in the service predominantly by the clergy only
* Educated pastor knowledgeable in the Scriptures
* Tends to include the traditions of man in doctrinal beliefs or methods of operation
* Services conducted in a commercial building
* The Lord's supper is ceremonial with a wafer and thimble of grape juice
* Congregation size is large
* Strong financial giving commitment by members
* Senior pastor receives a full-time salary from the church offerings
* Engaged in a wide variety of ministries outside of the Sunday service
* Offers the opportunity to receive personal counseling and instruction
* Widely accepted by the United States culture
* Requires a lot of money to function
* Incorporated under the state using the 501(c3) structure
Organic Church
* Pleural Elder Led
* Interactive meeting structure with multiple teachings and input from more than one person
* Brotherhood between elders and other members emphasizing oneness in Christ
* Participation in the service by many members
* Education and scriptural knowledge can be lacking in some organic churches
* Tends to eliminate the traditions of man in doctrinal beliefs and methods of operation
* Services conducted in a private home
* The Lord's supper is celebrated as a full meal between all the members
* Congregation size is small
* Many organic churches do not collect any offerings
* Elders generally all work a full-time job and support themselves
* Many organic churches tend to focus mainly on themselves and ignore outside ministries
* Offers the opportunity to receive personal counseling and instruction
* Considered countercultural in the United States by many Christians
* Requires very little money to function
* Not subject to the state in any legal form
19 The assemblies of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you much in the Lord, together with the assembly that is in their house.
1 Corinthians 16:19

46 Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart,...
Acts 2:46

11 Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things. 12 By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. They were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.
Acts 5:11-12

1 Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem, saying, 2 “Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their hands when they eat bread.” 3 He answered them, “Why do you also disobey the commandment of God because of your tradition? 4 For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to .’ 5 But you say, ‘Whoever may tell his father or his mother, “Whatever help you might otherwise have gotten from me is a gift devoted to God,” 6 he shall not honor his father or mother.’ You have made the commandment of God void because of your tradition. 7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, 8 ‘These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 And in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrine rules made by men.’”
Matthew 15:1-9

6 Now these things, brothers, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that in us you might learn not to think beyond the things which are written, that none of you be puffed up against one another.
1 Corinthians 4:6

All Bible quotations are from the World English Bible (WEB)

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