I haven't read any of your books (yet!) but have enjoyed and appreciated your answers to the questions that get asked on your site.
I'm asking what's your perspective on the nature of 'local church'. In the past I was in the leadership team of a small church, where we spent most of our time focussed inwards, thinking about fundraising, increasing tithing, and getting new members. All that time, I knew that was far from God's heart and a mockery of true church.
After that, I spent some time outside the church system, decided after studying the scriptures that tithing was not a requirement of New Testament Christians, and got fed up with the whole 'club' structure of churches. I read a book called "Urban Tribes" which discussed how groups of friends are forming without particular structure or leaders, or even stated purpose, but they show real love and commitment to each other. The book is by no means about church or from a Christian point of view, but I couldn't help but feel that the people described in the book 'get' church more than any I'd experienced (except my family).
How do you see church taking shape? Is it organic? More like a family? Or is there a role for the more structured, organised church? Do things like setting a church up as a separate organisation tend to create a mindset that the church is something separate from the people who comprise it?
Answer: I like to think that God is potentially at least pleased by the church in all of its forms. You had a bad experience with a local congregation – but there are many good congregations where people are having wonderful, life-changing experiences. I think the urban tribe model is a legitimate model for churches, but I also think the Catholic Church is a valid model, as is the Presbyterian, Baptist, Anglican, etc. etc. I think what churches do and especially how they treat people are more important than their forms. I think you’ll find my two most recent books helpful on this question.