Cole examined the fundamental presentation of the church in the New Testament. He sought to relate the ideal for what is “relevant” to the ancient example of the first century believers. Thus, Cole envisioned a church without reliance upon buildings, professional ministers, and expensive marketing. The church, as Cole presented it, should be a ministry-driven community of faith that is actively reproducing itself through church planting.
Cole highlighted the troubled, declining churches of modernity. Churches have been clinging to an out-dated, overly business-like mode of practice. Cole redirected believers to consider an organic approach as represented in informal house-style churches which may meet in restaurants, public buildings, coffee shops, etc. Cole charged believers with the responsibility to plant churches among their affinity groups. Formal ministries with an inward, hierarchal approach are not necessary or effective.
Cole’s bent toward an “either/or” approach seemed unnecessary. Certainly, organic, fluid presentations of the Body of Christ are connected with the practices of the first Christians. In particular, Cole’s writing provides for an excellent philosophy of ministry for small discipleship groups within the context of a local church. However, his discounting of traditional churches approaches the realm of extreme. Traditional churches have become accustomed to doing things a certain way for good practical and biblical reasons. Furthermore, Cole did not seem to address the need for thorough leadership development before deploying for ministerial responsibilities.
Cole was fresh and unconventional in his approach. His passion for church multiplication and evangelism resonates from his writing. Yet, the reader may not be persuaded that small church plants respond to the majority in our culture today. These small venues are valuable for evangelism and discipleship. However, I believe it will be a long time—or maybe never—until the most successful church plants are house churches. Cole’s vision for small, simple churches addressed the issues of personal transformation. Small groups are excellent environments for accountability and quick multiplication. Organic churches are presented as conducive to being portable, transparent and inexpensive. Simple churches can be effective in reaching the lost because they are not focused on buildings and budgets. Thus, the modern church can learn from Cole’s model of a viral movement of the Christian faith that is not institutional, but is authentic.
Cole’s writing style was engaging. He integrated examples from popular culture and from Jesus’ parables to illuminate his principles. The book pointed out the “elephant in the room”: the modern Western church is failing to reach the lost and to disciple believers. Cole pointed the reader to go back to basics of the New Testament in evangelism and church planting. Certainly, the church can learn a lot from the business culture. However, Cole advocated a different approach by meeting needs and presenting the Gospel. Cole leads an organization called Church Multiplication Associates. Perhaps with current economic crisis, this group and others like it will be in high demand as church planters seek for an inexpensive, effective alternative to the modern church planting movement.
