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24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
simple church, May 31, 2009
The book opens with a story about the Rabbit being able to reproduce at a quicker rate than the Elephant. This phenomenon is then likened to the monolithic nature of the mega church in comparison to 'simple church'. The book had my attention straight away.
The Rabbit and the Elephant is a book that is in good company with other writers taking an organic approach Christianity. Characteristically scripture is read through the lens of a house or small church perspective. Larger gatherings in the temples are viewed as the exception rather than the norm. Other 'organic' authors include Alan Hirsch, Neil Cole and Frank Viola, and all are mentioned in this book.
The following aspects of the book were salient for me. Firstly, the telling of stories. The authors relayed great stories of a range of "simple churches". What stood out to me was the willingness to give things a go. Being organic does not mean that initial vision necessarily is played out in how a group develops. Importantly, not all of the simple churches had happy endings. There was an element of reality in this.
The Role of women
I remember a story about the debate concerning the ordination of women in the Anglican Church Melbourne. A person asked Melbourne theologian Leon Morris for his opinion, and his reply was that there were women who led house churches in the bible. The Rabbit and the Elephant reinforces this position for me. There is a role for women in leading Church - ''simple house church'' or larger. If all are made equal this includes our potential for leadership.
Leadership
Leadership is presented as flat, and functional rather than positional. I liked the idea that if anything Leadership functions as more of a 'spiritual fathering mothering' role. The authors commented on the impact of finance on leadership - "whether we like it or not, it recreates the clergy/laity distinction". I would also add that it becomes "just a job" instead of a calling.
Finances
It is interesting that finances become far freeing for simple churches. The ability to bless others increases amazingly. I was surprised by the quote that it costs $1.5 million per baptism in the US. This suggests that from an economical standpoint churches are not being good stewards. The dominant model of western churches is not economically viable.
There were some issues mentioned in the book that I would have liked the authors to explore further. The issue of "Nothing for the kids"(p.182) was raised. I appreciate that there will be things that children can do with adults. But there will be discussion which will not be suitable for children.
Checks and Balances.
I'm not sure that this was covered. Authority was and I really like the point that authority is based on relationship not position. Yet I'm not sure how to safe guard others were mentioned, this is where I do think you need some checks and balances.
Conclusion
I think this is an excellent book. This book could be dangerous. It gives power back where it belongs. Not to those with a paid position or seminary badge. The book promotes a mindset that empowers anyone who wants to fulfill the great commission without being stuck in the prevailing narrow perceptions of church.
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
from an orthodox evangelical point of view, June 8, 2009
..."Why Small Is the New Big for Today's Church"
Tony and Felicity Dale start their book with this signature story from its title -- the difference between rabbits and elephants. I don't want to spoil the story for you, so suffice it to say, in their words, "Something that is large and complex is hard to reproduce. Something that is small and simple multiplies easily."
The whole rest of their book is filled with the same kind of refreshingly simple and sound wisdom, astute observation and sensitivity to what God is doing among the church today.
The real movement of simple church didn't actually begin with us in the west. Many of us know it started in the east, in China, spread to Korea and is also growing south of us in Southern America. Simple churches are springing up in Greece, in Africa, in eastern Europe (where newly built churches buildings are being torn down under all kinds of pretexts), and even in some Muslim countries. How can God multiply the church in countries that are actively, and increasingly, hostile to Christianity?
And just as importantly, in our own country, where sentiment towards traditional Christianity is changing from warm acceptance to open and active dislike, how can God revive His church here?
By bringing the center of attention onto His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who has managed to keep a good reputation among nonbelievers.
By bypassing the institution of church, which has lost its reputation with the general public.
By putting the gospel, worship, fellowship, and mission back into the hands of the people.
There are many excellent themes running through this book, including:
* The vital importance of Ephesians 4 unity among all believers,
* The beauty of simplicity,
* The importance of following God's lead,
* The critical necessity of prayer first and last,
* The supremacy of God's word, living and active,
* And trusting in what God is doing
Here's what's going to happen, though.
For one thing, non-charismatics may curl up into defense position because the Dales are clearly charismatic. I can tell you as someone who has never operated in any of the "sign gifts," and who could not be properly termed a charismatic, I found the Dales' approach to be completely scriptural, solid and seasoned with salt. In fact, they several times, throughout the book, reassured the reader that you do not have to be charismatic to be involved with what God is doing in the "micro-church movement."
In fact, I had to agree with them when they said, on page 82, "In our experience, God seems to be blurring the distinctions more and more between charismatic and non charismatic believers." That would describe me and all the believers I know - and I know hundreds and hundreds of believers.
For another, those who have made orthodoxy (read "my church's catechism") of supreme importance may not like the Dales' methods. In fact, the authors have made a conscious decision to allow people to discover what the scriptures mean by applying God's word first to their lives, rather than to be taught what a particular catechism would say.
Personally I see this as an endorsement! But watch out for cranky naysayers who will shrill "heresy!"
The Dales also clearly support women's involvement in every aspect of church life, which may greatly bother those who feel women have been given only a limited role in Scripture.
Finally, those who are deeply invested in traditional church -- referred to as "legacy churches" in "The Rabbit," with gracious respect -- may find this book threatening, even though the authors repeatedly express their thanks and honor for what God has done through the institution of church. Those who prefer to remain in their traditional church can still start a simple church that meets at another time than their church service (as my husband and I are now doing).
In fact, the Dales' particular ministry, House2House is being actively supported by two mega churches, which they mention on page 194, and several more churches are described in "The Rabbit" which either support and encourage house churches among their members, or have transitioned into a network of house churches.
One aspect of "The Rabbit" which I particularly appreciated was the realistic approach. What God is doing right now is breath-taking. Thousands of churches worldwide are being started every year. Hundreds of thousands of people are becoming born again, and entering into an active living by faith. This is not merely lip service to the idea of salvation. This is the real thing! Still, in real life, there is also hard work, troubles, sometimes even death.
The Dales' do not hold back on cautionary tales and words of gentle warning. There will be those who go back to traditional church because simple church won't feel "right" after a while. There will be churches that blossom, grow, then die away ("We would rather have a church without the presence of the Holy Spirit be decently buried than maintained on life support indefinitely." I wish all of us had such practical and humble wisdom concerning dead churches). There will be churches that change from simple to traditional as a charismatic leader takes the glory and the control.
You will find in this book everything you need to start a simple church.
The methods "The Rabbit" explains come straight out of Luke 10, four simple steps. The format for the Bible study is so simple it's mind-blowing. Along with warm encouragement, engaging illustrations, and statistics provided by the Barna Group, "The Rabbit" offers an exciting tale that really, you would do yourself a favor by reading.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A dangerous book? You bet!, June 4, 2009
Many Christians affirm that Scripture is their "authoritative guide for faith and practice". However, when it comes to the "practice" of church there is a problem.
For instance, think about the picture that comes to mind when you say the word "church". How does that compare with the picture of "church" (or ekklesia)in the mind of Jesus and His disciples? The picture portrayed in the NT is that of a small, intimate, family-like group of people living life together. In many cases, this is not at all what is "practiced" in todays churches.
In "The Rabbit and the Elephant", the Dales take us back to the model of Church described in the Bible that we say we believe in. Turns out that there is solid Biblical basis for a rabbit (small) model of church. In addition, it turns out that this way of doing church is most effective for both deep personal transformation and for rapid multiplication.
So, this book is dangerous for clergy-centered, building-based (think $) churches that meet for an hour on Sunday mornings. And, if that kind of church is working for you, don't waste your time on this book. On the other hand, if you are one of the one million people (according to George Barna) who will leave the traditional church this year, then "The Rabbit and the Elephant" is exactly what you need.
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