Next Level - Biotic Thinking

Last Sunday as elders met to talk about Church Development it was evident that a shift in thinking is needed for our churches to develop naturally. Hopefully we understand of WHAT tools to use checking the vital signs of living and healthy church (evangelism, ministry, worship, leadership, spirituality, structures, relationships, groups). Optimistically I hope we understand WHEN to focus on specific areas of growth (minimum factor improvement) restoring the balance.
We’ve been asking for a while HOW TO. The answer is simple – PARADIGM SHIFT! Or simply put – thinking differently through applying principles that govern all life.
June 4th 2005 I briefly introduced “Biotic Principles” contrasting these two pictures: Robot vs. Baby
Questions were asked: whose baby is it?
Did someone just had a new baby?
Is a baby shower being planned?

The real question is: do we see ourselves as a Living Body, an Organism? Are we maintaining a Mechanical Machine, an Organization? 10 month ago I ended with a promise to unpack biotic principles through natural living examples – never got to it.
There is really nothing we can do about church growth, and yet we ought to do something. God needs no handbook – we do. Sounds cool, but it is a false paradox. For God always cooperates and involves humanity in His work. He reveals His secrets and plans to His people. Apostle Paul says that believers are entrusted with the secret things of God. (1st Corinthians 4:1)
Our efforts of using right tools (that’s all the NCD is – a diagnostic tool) will get us nowhere unless God builds the spiritual momentum, unless our thinking is in sync with God’s plans, unless we check our actions according to principles recorded in God’s Word.
Let me re-introduce the 6 Biotic Principles: Interdependence, Multiplication, Energy Transformation, Multiusage, Symbiosis & Functionality. When making decisions remember:

• God’s Kingdom is a large connected system. Changes in one ministry will affect other ministries in the church and community. What are the “side-effects”?
• Healthy organisms do not grow endlessly but reproduce themselves.
• Energy already flowing, whether positive or negative, can be redirected to accomplish God’s purposes.
• Gifts and assets of people in changing environments and circumstances do serve multiple purposes.
• Mutual benefit of cooperative relationships is greater than operating separately.
• Each ministry needs to produce results in line with its intended purpose.