Additional Teaching Aids
 
 

  
  
Sample of Reading Material 
  
  
Ways you can get involved 
  

1. Visit our website at OrganicNazarene.org

 

2. Subscribe to the newsletter click here

 

3. Find an community near you click here

 

4. Register your group click here

 

3. Use assessment tools click here

 

4. Register for web-based training

 

4. Become a mentor

  
  
  
   
Steve Cordle
  
  
Download a Power Point presentation on "Our Wesleyan Heritage"  
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Hugh Halter gives some very practical reason for the organic approach. He also gives numerous bits of advice for the organic church leader.
Welcome to the Nazarene Organic Church Network

The Nazarene Organic Church Network is an association of missional communities within the Church of the Nazarene that identify with the biblical mandate to love God, love others, and make Christ-like disciples.

  1. We are an association: Clergy and laity alike are invited to enjoy the benefits of learning and growing together through NOCN. We do this through the sharing of ideas and mutual encouragement. NOCN Taskforce Goals
  2. We are missional: We consider Jesus' mandate to GO and make disciples as part of our DNA. In North America, we serve a multi-cultural, multi-language population that is changing all the time.  Our cities, neighborhoods, barrios, coffee shops, and malls are filled with people who have never had a personal encounter with the Living Christ.  The focus of our mission is within the USA/Canada region. 
  3. We are Nazarene in both character and identity:  This means we enter into an environment that seems IMPOSSIBLE to reach with a message of total transformation, heart purity, and freedom in Christ. Galatians 5:1. We begin with the full message of holiness so that it always remains part of our DNA. Check out this video.

This introductory lesson is designed to provide a general overview of the Nazarene Organic Church Movement and help you understand what is meant by the Nazarene Organic Church. You will learn how the organic church concept is grounded in biblical, Wesleyan, and Nazarene tradition and see the many ways organic church makes sense.

 

At the end of this lesson you may want to explore the many ways you can become involved in the Nazarene Organic Church Network.  You may also choose to use this material as a resource to prepare and equip your own organic church leadership team.

 

It is our goal to simply provide information and lend you support and encouragement as you seek God's guidance in the area of organic church planting.

Our Heritage

 

Are you saying the Church of the Nazarene is going green? Well, in a sense, yes. The term "Organic church" is not a new term. It was Originally coined by T. Austin-Sparks who ministered in the 1920s until his passing in 1971. The term organic has also emerged from the many parallels Scripture makes between discipleship and the natural laws of sowing seeds, caring for the crop, and reaping the harvest.  (John 4:34-38, Luke 10:2; Mark 4:1-20; John 15:1-9

  

We embrace tried and true, historically proven and doctrinally sound methods of making disciples who make disciples and planting churches that plant churches. We can see some important illustrations of this throughout Christian history.

  <Read More>

 

1. Jesus set the Example:  Jesus expected his disciples to make other disciples and thus reach the world.  If one disciple won another person to Christ, and then both of those believers.... 

 

2. Tracing Our Wesleyan Roots: Wesley's combination of field preaching and small group ministry produced powerful results. Eventually, the message of the Gospel, along with the system of interlocking groups, spread all across England. As people were converted and the groups multiplied, towns were transformed. By the end of the eighth century, the nation of England had been deeply affected by what became known as the Wesleyan Revival.  (Steve Cordle)

 

Read more about our Wesleyan Heritage

 

3. Tracing Roots through Bresee...

 

Characteristics of Organic Church

 

 

The Nazarene Organic Church Network is a community of believers who understand that God can and does work in many ways. One way we've found works well in these times is a return to the ancient ways of going to the very places that people already live, work and play. Here are some common characteristics of this simple approach:
  
  • Organic Church is Incarnational: This means that ministry is not entrusted to only the professional clergy. We are all in this together.  Our desire is not to "bring sinners in" and "get them saved", but to go and share in life with the very ones we wish to touch with the love of Christ. This approach is very natural and incarnational instead of being structured and attractional.
  • Organic Church is Biblical: It is a natural expression of the church started almost immediately after Jesus returned to heaven.  During this time churches met both in small and larger group gatherings. Each is legitimate and can work well in the right circumstances. (Matthew 28:19-21; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:46; Acts 20:20)
  •  Matt Price Explains Scriptural Heritage 
    Matt Price Explains Scriptural Heritage
  • Reproducible: Since ministry is not left to the professional clergy, the expectation is that everyone is involved in making disciples who make disciples, allowing Christianity to spread like a virus (a good virus) throughout the world. With every new generation of believers we experience multiplication rather than addition.  
  • Localized: Discipleship can take place any time, anywhere, under any circumstance. People from any walk of life can form communities that are relevant to a specific language, culture, location, age, or interests.
  • Accessible: Since the organic church does not concern itself with programing, staff, buildings, and big budgets there is a very little cost in overhead.  This allows for generosity to be more focused on the mission; including participation in supporting the global mission of the Church of the Nazarene.
  • More Information: Video by Dr. Matt Price
  • Read More about our mission vision and values.
  
Values 

  

1. We want to remain true to the Gospel Through Proper Training and AccountabilityGalatians 1:6-10; 1 Timothy 6:20.

 <Read More>

I think if we have a brief word about our gospel message, our follow up (disciples meeting together in the harvest, immersed in the word and in prayer, seeking God's face through transparent relationships) and our goals (to reproduce), then we will in a sense allude to our heresy "anti-virus" without feeling like we need to over-cater to that fear.  That fear alone puts pressure back on us (takes it off of Jesus) and that's the danger there.  He will build his church

 2. Pure Motives: An organic leader should know that his/her motivations are biblically sound, well thought-out, and directed by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:1-5). It is also important to be aware of one's own personality, gifts, and passions and how these fit in to God's calling and direction. <learn more>

3. Lack of training and accountability: Starting an organic church alone can be very difficult and lead to feelings of isolation.  While this web-based training can be a valuable tool, it is incomplete.  We urge you to seek out a coach or mentor who can join you on your journey.  We also insist that you be accountable to your local and district leaders. This is what it means to be part of the Nazarene Network (2 Timothy 1:11-14)

4. Barrenness: It is easy for a group to become content and ingrown. Eventually it becomes exclusive and fails to reproduce other new and healthy groups. John 15:16

5. Powerlessness: One's own spiritual influence rises and falls in direct proportion to his/her personal relationship with Christ (John 15:1-9).  Intimacy with Christ is the cornerstone of the organic church movement.  

 

Ways You Can You Get Involved
 

1. Visit our website at OrganicNazarene.org

 

2. Subscribe to the newsletter click here

 

3. Find an community near you click here

 

4. Register your group click here

 

3. Use assessment tools click here

 

4. Register for web-based training click here

 

5. Share your story click here

 

6. Become a mentor click here