The Oikochurch Journey

Matthew 16:13-20

Because of COVID, the whole church world is learning to play chess without the Queen.

Ecclesiology: “The study of the church; theology of the nature and structure of the church”

Our mandate from the Lord: organize our church family into Oikochurches so that we can equip, mobilize and communicate with the entire church without use of technology, by November 1.

What this IS NOT:
• A passive surrender to governmental control over the operations of the church.
• A desperate effort to survive as a church during a COVID ice age.
• A political or partisan statement of any kind.

What this IS:
• Obedience to the clear leadership of Jesus for ECC in real time.
• A return to an ancient model that is being globally effective in today’s world.
• A strategic initiative to be the church with more clarity, impact, and fruitfulness than ever before.

Our goal: Gather as the church weekly in homes, and gather in small groups on the Olympia campus for prayer, worship, spiritual care, and relational support.

What is the PURPOSE of the Church?
For over 2,000 years, the Church has existed for one reason: to change the world!

There are three inherent obstacles to disciple-making:
• Professional clergy
• Church buildings
• Weekend gatherings

4 Strengths of the Oikochurch model:
• Rooms at the church are expensive and limited.
• People grow best in circles, not in rows.
• The pre-Christians and prodigals in your oikos will come to a home long before they’ll come to the church building.
• Serving the spiritual lives of your oikos grows you faster and in a more fulfilling way than spectating at a large gathering.

What I am asking you to to:
• Embrace the power of Oikochurch.
• Engage the personal mission of Oikochurch.
• Enter into the organic systems of Oikochurch.