Listened to the pod cast today. Great discussions here, really appreciated your guys input on the article. I do have a question, about the decline in the Churches of Christ.

I noticed that there is a tendency to discuss the decline in context of the worship service. How much of the decline may be attributed to the centralized and/or institutional church rather then having an organic/breathing/fluid church? I have a hunch there is a connection but it is solely based on my experience and relationships.

Thanks for the pod cast, it was very thought provoking.

-Dan Jones

Dan, just throwing this out here (and others can comment): What is the look or feel of an "organic/breathing/fluid church" vrs. a "centralized and/or institutional church"? Can you have both?

Just stirring the pot a little :)

mw

Matt,
This is a fair question. In my experience I find that most churches that I have attended revolves around what happens on Sundays and Wednesdays. Not that this is not a relevant discussion, because I believe it is. But I would define an organic/breathing/fluid church as a church that is open to a way of living in community that embraces both worship and life together.

For instance in centralized and/or institutional church, the building becomes the focus of all activities, where as an organic/breathing/fluid church is not limited to location, but is experienced any where two or three gather. I am sure that it is possible to have both, I am just curious sense in my experience, there is a leaning to centralize church, this may or may not be a catalyst for decline.

Really just throwing ideas out there, I am hoping this makes sense though.

Matt, thanks for stirring the pot!

-Dan Jones

Glad to see you guys back up and running on the podcast.