OC, organic church
IC, institutional church
Organic Church, here are two: 1 Neil Cole’s definition:
I have come to understand church as this: the presence of Jesus among His people called out as a spiritual family to pursue His mission on this planet. 1.footnote
2Frank Viola’s definition:
By “organic church,” I mean a non-traditional church that is born out of spiritual life instead of constructed by human institutions and held together by religious programs. Organic church life is a grass roots experience that is marked by face-to-face community, every-member functioning, open-participatory meetings (opposed to pastor-to-pew services), non-hierarchical leadership, and the centrality and supremacy of Jesus Christ as the functional Leader and Head of the gathering. 2. footnote
Institutional Church: any church headed primarily by one man (it can be a woman), usually a pastor of the congregation and is considered as clergy, and usually in total control (if not told what to do by a elder or deacon board). Typically there are few others who participate in the meetings. A worship leader is usually viewed as a second tier clergy.
Organic Scripture most often quoted: 1 Cor. 14:26 What shall we say brothers: When you come together, EVERYONE (this means you and me) has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. ALL OF THESE must be done for the strengthening of the CHURCH (ekklesia). CAPS and (paranthetical) emphasis mine, bd.
2nd Organic Scripture most often quoted: 1 Pet. 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that YOU MAY DECLARE the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. CAPS emphasis mine, bd.
T. Austin Sparks – Often quoted minister of the gospel who coined the phrase, “organic expression of the church”, hence organic church. 3. footnote
1. http://www.cmaresources.org/organic-church-definition
2. http://frankviola.org/2010/01/11/what-is-an-organic-church-a-plea-for-clarity/
3. http://frankviola.org/2010/01/11/what-is-an-organic-church-a-plea-for-clarity/
Jesus Gets Organic 