#185: Industrial Church and Discipleship

Summary

In this podcast, Frank Viola explores authentic discipleship and the concept of Organic Church, contrasting it with the mass-produced, assembly-line nature of Industrial Church. He emphasizes living by the indwelling Life of Christ as the foundation of true Christian growth, sharing practical guidance, personal stories, and metaphors to illustrate spiritual vitality. Viola discusses his books, including *Pagan Christianity*, clarifying their intended audience and the importance of sequels for full understanding. Listeners are introduced to free resources, seminars, and podcasts, empowering them to deepen their spiritual journey while highlighting the unique, creative, and Spirit-led nature of genuine church life and discipleship.

Takeaways

• 📖 Frank Viola emphasizes the importance of living by the indwelling Life of Christ as the central aspect of true discipleship.
• 🌱 Most modern discipleship teachings neglect the principle of Christ living in the believer, which is essential for authentic Christian growth.
• 📚 Viola's free ebook, 'Discipleship in Crisis,' explores damaging myths about discipleship and offers guidance on accessing Christ's life within.
• 💡 Effective discipleship goes beyond 'pray and read your Bible'; it involves practical, experiential ways to live by Christ's life.
• 🔥 Pagan Christianity, Viola's 2008 book co-authored with Barna, sold over 187,000 copies and addresses institutional church issues, but was written for a narrow audience.
• ⚠️ The book Pagan Christianity is not meant for traditional churchgoers or pastors seeking to apply it mechanically; misapplication leads to misunderstanding.
• 🏛️ Viola critiques the 'industrial church' model, comparing it to an assembly line focused on quantity over spiritual depth and creativity.
• 🎨 He contrasts this with 'organic' or 'artistic' church and discipleship, emphasizing uniqueness, authenticity, and the divine touch in every believer and community.
• ⚾ Personal anecdotes, like watching Reggie Jackson's 1977 home run, illustrate Viola's method of drawing inspiration and delivering impactful messages.
• 💻 Viola provides a variety of free resources, including podcasts, ebooks, seminars, and YouTube content, accessible via his website, FrankViola.com.
• 🙏 While donations are optional, they are welcomed to support the costs of podcasts and resources Viola provides freely to his audience.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of Frank Viola's blog 'Beyond Evangelical'?

The blog 'Beyond Evangelical' focuses on themes related to the deeper Christian journey, particularly moving beyond Evangelicalism. It covers topics like God's Grand Mission, the deeper Christian life, missional Organic Church, rethinking the status quo, personal articles, and humorous articles. Subscriptions to the blog are free and come with resources like digital books and a seminar.

What is the missing ingredient in discipleship according to Frank Viola?

Frank Viola believes the missing ingredient in discipleship is living by the indwelling Life of Christ. He emphasizes that this aspect of the Christian life, central to New Testament teaching, is often neglected in discipleship training, leaving many Christians unaware of how to live by Christ, who indwells them.

Why does Frank Viola think many Christian discipleship teachings are ineffective?

Viola argues that most Christian discipleship teachings are ineffective because they fail to address the critical aspect of living by the indwelling Life of Christ. He claims that many discipleship programs neglect this concept, focusing instead on methods like reading the Bible and prayer without teaching how to live by Christ’s life within us.

What is the significance of the ebook 'Discipleship in Crisis'?

The ebook 'Discipleship in Crisis' is a free resource that addresses myths and damaging views related to discipleship. It also introduces the critical concept of living by the indwelling Life of Christ, providing guidance on how to access this life in the Christian walk.

How does Frank Viola describe the difference between industrial church and organic church?

Viola contrasts industrial church with organic church by describing the former as a system built on efficiency and mass production, much like an assembly line, which focuses on reaching the largest number of people. In contrast, organic church is centered around authentic, unique expressions of Christian community that prioritize individual relationships with Christ and avoid the mechanical, standardized approach of industrial church.

What is the '4-letter word' that governs industrial church, according to Viola?

The '4-letter word' that governs industrial church is 'more' – more people in the pews, more tithes, and more volunteers. This focus on quantity often leads to average and mediocre experiences, which, according to Viola, are uninspiring and lack spiritual depth.

How does Viola describe the experience of true discipleship?

Viola describes true discipleship as an organic, unique journey of living by the indwelling Life of Christ. It is a process where the disciple learns to access and express the life of Christ within them, producing authentic transformation and spiritual fruit rather than conforming to a one-size-fits-all program.

What was the impact of the book 'Pagan Christianity' according to Frank Viola?

Viola acknowledges that 'Pagan Christianity' has had a significant impact, selling over 187,000 copies. It sparked conversation and controversy, especially among those dissatisfied with the institutional church. However, he clarifies that it was never intended as a standalone book, but as part of a series that explores the flaws of institutional church and presents alternative models like organic church.

What are the sequels to 'Pagan Christianity' and why are they important?

The sequels to 'Pagan Christianity' are 'Reimagining Church,' 'From Eternity to Here,' and 'Finding Organic Church.' These books are crucial for understanding the full argument of 'Pagan Christianity,' as they offer a deeper exploration of the biblical and historical foundations for alternative expressions of church life. Without reading the sequels, many readers misunderstand or misapply the message of the first book.

Why does Viola believe the term 'organic church' is sometimes misused?

Viola notes that the term 'organic church' has been hijacked over time, losing its original meaning and significance. While it was intended to describe authentic, Christ-centered communities that are led by the Holy Spirit, some groups have co-opted the term to describe different models of church that may not fully embody the true essence of organic church as he envisions it.