Can institutional birth organic?

Last month Margaret Slusher made a presentation on the State of the Church in North America. Without going into detail, let me just say that she presented a grim picture of our current situation. Now, Margaret didn't ask for the assignment, it was handed to her by the organizers of the International Church Planters Summit, which was held here in Orlando.

I remember asking myself, Why are we talking about the current state of churches in North America at an international church planter's meeting? I imagined what it must have been like standing with Jesus next to the temple in Jerusalem and hearing him say that this impressive structure was going to be torn down. Then I could imagine myself standing with him as he directed his apostles attention to the crowds of people, demonstrating his compassion for them and their overwhelming needs. I could almost hear his voice say, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few."

We love to focus our attention on magnificent structures. Physical structures can be quite beautiful and historically significant. Organizational structures can be impressive and can generate loyalty to an institution. However, Margaret's presentation made it painfully obvious that we have to turn our focus away from structures and see the people that Jesus died to redeem. Structure is supposed to support mission, not the other way around. So, how do we do it? I just read an interesting statement from Tom Billings in Daniel Sanchez's reader - Church Planting Movements in North America. I think Tom expresses well the need for a bridge between technocratic and organic, see what you think:

The institutional church can be a bridge or a barrier to successfully implementing a people group and church planting strategy. The idea of
"church planting" connotes competition and diminished resources for the institutional congregation. Many congregational leaders will be apprehensive or even fearful of such a strategy. Still the institutional church can be a tremendous resource of trained leaders; mature, passionate believers; prayer support; resource development and financial strength. By keeping the focus on penetrating lostness and making disciples, the fear of competition from starting other churches should be lessened.

Do organic churches need institutional structures? The answer is no. But, institutions can help fan the flame of organic movement. More importantly, the new must reach out to the old to help develop new structures that support the mission of the church. What do you think?