Ranges Community Church

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> Leadership

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> 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.

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> Finances

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> 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.

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> There were some issues mentioned in the book that I would have liked the authors to explore further. The issue of (pg 182) “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. (flesh this one out more Scott. What did they propose? Do you agree with what they said, or think they needed to explore it further?

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> Checks and Balances. (What do you mean by 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.

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> Conclusion

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> I think this is an excellent book. I am not surprised that I like it. The book was endorsed by a few authors that I have previously read and reviewed. I suspect that may be partly why I was asked to review The Rabbit and the Elephant. 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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> Both Tony and Felicity Dale are leaders in the house2house network. It is very similar to the Australian OIKOS network.

I was invited by Tyndale Publishers to participate in the blog tour of ‘The Rabbit and the Elephant, why small is the new big for today’s church’, by Tony and Felicity Dale.

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.

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 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.

It is interesting that finances become far more 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 that how to safeguard others was mentioned, and I believe this is an important part of checks an balances.

I think this is an excellent book. I am not surprised that I like it. The book was endorsed by a few authors that I have previously read and reviewed. I suspect that may be partly why I was asked to review The Rabbit and the Elephant. 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.

Both Tony and Felicity Dale are leaders in the house2house network. It is very similar to the Australian OIKOS network.