"Now, but not yet..."

The transformation we are able to initiate is but a signpost to the coming Transformation.

To borrow from Bishop Wright, we are building a violin, (in itself a work of beauty, craftsmanship, and artistry), but we are still waiting for the Master to come and pick it up and play the beautiful melody we all long to hear (the beauty of the violin is a present reminder of the beauty of the coming music).

Mark, your historical examples are largely theological shifts. Organic church is an ecclesiastical shift -- another name for simple gathering, house church, lay-led, de-institutionalization, etc.. The last big ecclesial shift was the Protestant Reformation. I don't recall that it "crashed" after 2 or 3 generations :-)

There's another factor missing in your analysis: global social networking. The Internet is changing the face of religion, and making it less institutional, more relational, less professional, more broadly participative -- all central elements of the simple, lay-centered church.

great insight Mark, keep it coming

It already has transformed the world. Last stop is the west. Where were you when the church in China, India, Vietnam .... exploded?

The recipe for transformation seems to be:
1. Throw all the Christian leaders in jail
2. Destroy all the western customs and literature
3. Make it illegal for Christians to gather

If the devil were smarter - he'd put a building up on every corner, put a pastor in charge of it, not allow anyone but the pastor to participate, and force mandatory attendance.

"Every renewal movement in church history has either derailed immediately or produced temporary renewal at the expense of long-term unintended consequences."

In other words, give up now? Something tells me the Organic Church movement people aren't the bitter ones here.

Great article, great perspective. One of the issues I've seen with this movement, is it's impatience and lack of historical understanding or persepective. And yet God has proven that He uses such movements all the time.

Just as much as those involved in "organic" church say others just don't get what they are selling, they deny there is any validity to those who doubt that the latest "trend" (and that's what they seem to be...go to a "ministry conference" and walk the "expo hall" for "shwag") is going to have the theological grounded-ness or the historical tenacity or epistemological humility to actually be around to witness Christ's transformation of the world.

For those who refer to social media, I'm sorry, but all too often it's simply exchanging real relationship for the perception of relationship. Yeah, I know, I don't get that either. :)

Great article...it's got me thinking.

"What I worry about is the coming crash of organic church."

Do not worry. The organic church has been growing for over 2000 years. The gates of hell have not prevailed against her.

I second what Paul Petry said.

I really appreciate what the organic church is about. Many times we do tend to get caught up in making and maintaining new programs. We also expect the pastor to be the leader and voice of the church. We must recognize, however, that we are all called to spread the Word. It is not the job of only the pastor of the church, but it is our job as believers. It is for this reason that we should focus on training and sending out missional minded people rather than trying to think of more programs that we can start to keep people inside the walls of the church. Often times not only do the people of the church stay within the walls of the church rather than reaching out to the community, but it also leads to burnt out leaders and pastors of the church. It is for this reason that the idea of the organic church is one that I really appreciate. As far as worrying about failure of the organic church - we must also remember to depend on God, seek His will, and let Him carry out His plans. So often we need to remind ourselves not to take matters into our own hands by worrying, but give everything over to God. He is the ultimate authority and the one to be eternally praised!