9 kinds of churches

Galen Currah,October 2007

 

1. Traditional.Mission-founded, these equate their forms with Christianity

Withsome notable exceptions, traditional churches tend to stagnate anddecline,preserving denominational identities, upholding clerical privilege overanageing membership. Those that would like to grow have mostly lost theiryoungand prove unable to meet the needs of the current culture. Traditionalchurchesremain costly to maintain, reproducing rarely and with difficulty,either bysplits or hives, within their own community, sub-culture and economicclass.

2. Mega-churches.These assemble audiences counted by thousands.

Foundedby extraordinarily-gifted visionaries, these churches may grow at theexpenseof smaller churches by offering more and better ministry programmes.Theyrequire a staff of highly-talented experts co-ordinated by competentmanagers.Unless these churches foster small groups, their membership fails tomaintaininterpersonal relations and notable personal development. Mega-churchesreproduce by identifying, sending and supporting the unusually gifted.

3. Liturgical.These historical churches endure over the centuries.

Variouskinds of catholic and orthodox churches persist as the national orethnicreligion in ancient populations, and now serve immigrant communities intheWest. Protestants, disgusted with shallow, superficial evangelicalism,havebeen converting into these churches that can offer them an experienceof divinemystery along with an expressive and captivating liturgy. Thesechurchesreproduce mainly by sending designated, supported clerics who followemigrantsand slowly catechize others.

4. Emerging.These traditional structures cater to popular cultural traits.

Thesewonderfully innovative churches, found in post-Christian regions,composed ofyoung, urban adults and of older adults seeking to prove relevant,understandthe mentality, needs, hurts and cultural expressions of those calledpost-modern. Incapable of appreciating systematic theologies, theseseekersafter spirituality and new followers of Jesus, express themselvesthroughcontemporary arts and music within compassionate friendship circles.Thesechurches reproduce mainly through intentional efforts of olderbelievers freedfrom traditional restrictions.

5.Cellular. Theselittle fellowships remain centrally-organized.

Insocieties that follow strong leaders, like parts of Africa, East Asiaand LatinAmerica, many Christian movements grow by continual evangelism withinsmallgatherings that remain integral to a central ?mother? church and?father?leader. Most seekers are evangelized and new believers discipled with?cell?groups. In order to serve increasing numbers both materially andspiritually,an hierarchy of paid and volunteer leaders most be trained andsupervised.These churches reproduce by hiving off cells under experienced leaders.

6. Open.These cells plan to meet at diverse times and venues.

Purposefullyavoiding traditional forms of controlled worship, these communitiesspecializein improvised worship conducted in public places, seeking to appeal tononbelievers. Their messages, songs and prayers relate to the immediateaudienceof those who watch and listen to them. Workers are trained on the joband newbelievers are discipled in homes and welcome centres.

7. House.These simplechurches can reproduce fast and inexpensively.

Simplystructured, unfinanced and lay-led, these little churches characterizemostpopular Christian movements historically and contemporarily. Meeting inhomesand anywhere convenient, these churches reproduce as needed toaccommodatefolks coming to faith in Jesus through existing social networks. Groupshepherds are coached in their work by more experienced leaders, oftencoordinatedby a Titus (1:5) or a Timothy (2:2:2).

8. Family. Thesehousechurches consist of near relatives and friends.

Wheremembers of an household come to faith at the same time, they may form akind ofhouse church. Growth proceeds into their extended family.

9. Contextual.These churches take the forms of a dominant religion.

NewChristian believers from Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist and Animistbackgrounds mayopt to conserve their cultural worship and structural forms, fillingthese withnew meanings as they trust and obey the Lord Jesus Christ. Thesechurches aremostly found in countries, regions and communities where authoritiesremainhostile towards Christianity. Some decline to call themselvesChristian, and theymay be accused of synchronism, especially if they are still learningthe NewTestament. These churches mostly reproduce like house churches do,except wheremissionaries provide them with salaries and foreign education.