Model and Organic approaches to revitalization
Tuesday, March 11th, 2008The ‘model’ approach, sometimes called ‘mechanistic,’ focuses on what the church does. Books like The Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations by Bishop Robert Schnase help churches improve what they do. In the case of Schnase’s book, we improve five essential practices: hospitality, worship, faith development, mission and service, and generosity. Schnase challenges church leaders to examine each of these practices (what they are doing) and urges them to ramp up. Our hospitality should be radical in its impact, for instance. Our generosity extravagant.
The organic approach starts with whom we are as a church. We ask questions related to the very nature of the church. We take a look at ourselves and ask, “Who are we and what is God calling us to be?” Organic approaches to church development include Natural Church Development and The Discovery Church Journey. These are processes that help a church be honest with itself and to make changes in the way they are which then leads them to change what they do.
The church needs both organic and model approaches. We need to look honestly at ourselves and we need to focus on what we do to bring about a greater measure of health and vitality to our congregations. Both approaches underscore that we cannot continue to do business as usual if we are to be faithful stewards of the gospel in the twenty-first century.