One of the biggest changes I have noticed since leaving the institutional church, is the openness amongst Simple Church believers to question and review their original belief and practice. Becoming an organic Christian usually starts with the individual weighing up all their beliefs and practices against what the New Testament expresses, and also against what they see as the reality they have experienced and live in. Below I have written 13 basic doctrines and customs that I hear most Kiwi organic believers begin to question, in regards to the institutional church customs they have lived and acted within: REMEMBER ASKING QUESTIONS IS HEALTHY.

13 QUESTIONS CHRISTIANS ARE ASKING 

1. The emphasis on the church gathered instead of scattered (bringing people to church instead of going into the entire world).

2. The use of religious buildings versus meeting in the open air and house to house.

3. The phenomenal cost in time, effort, planning, finance and peoples lives, to simply keep a group of believers together (in an institutional setting).      

4. The doctrine of ‘covering’ and ‘accountability’ versus the principle of mutual submission.

5. The effort and cost required (and the fruitfulness) of spiritual programs in helping people become followers of the way.

6. The existence of denominations and organizations within the body of Christ.

7. The existence of professionals and hierarchal leadership in the Institutional church.

8. The ‘marketing’ of the Good News – directly working towards making a profit through the selling of materials and personal services(e.g. preaching).

9. The effectiveness and fruitfulness of alter calls and large evangelistic rallies to extend the Kingdom of God and the church.

10. The custom of the ‘sinner’s prayer’ being counted as salvation.

11. The custom of ‘accentuating the positive and eliminating the negative’ and the quasi doctrine of ‘Triumphalisim’.

12. In action putting organization and structure ahead of people. 

13. The doctrines of tithing 10% and of financial prosperity through giving versus the principle of giving all that you have.

And lot’s more! I have heard these questions and others raised on a weekly basis by faithful fruitful, non bitter believers. There answers vary, but the questions remain remarkably similar. I have not gone into detail with each question, as each one would require an e letter on their own. But if you have been asking questions such as these, be encouraged, you are not bitter, out of submission or alone. Thousands of others around the world are seeking and finding the answers to these questions. But be warned the answers may have unforeseen actions on your circumstances!