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Church 3.0: Upgrades for the Future of the Church
An expert practitioner answers to questions about the burgeoning organic church movement
Neil Cole's best-selling book Organic Church described the fastest growing segment of contemporary Christianity-the so-called organic church. Now in this next-step book, he answers questions about how to deal with theological and organizational issues that come up. He talks about issues such has what to do with finances, children, heresy, leader training, and rituals and ordinances. Without the top-down structure of a denomination, even people who are proponents of this small, house-church model worry that they are not doing it right.
Offers an important resource for anyone involved with or thinking of starting an organic or house church Addresses practical issues of theology, rituals, doctrinal heresy, how to handle children, finances, and other important questions Written by an acknowledged expert who is now and has been for over twenty years an organic church planter and practitioner A new Leadership Network title and follow-up to Organic ChurchChurch 3.0 offers solid information about organic churches based on Cole's extensive experience in starting, nurturing, and mentoring in the organic church movement.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 22, 2010
62 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
About the author
Neil Cole
60 books36 followersNeil Cole was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. While studying at CSULB he encountered the Good News of Jesus Christ and turned his life over to Him, never looking back. His journey in God's kingdom brought him to serve in a mega church, a local community church and now small rapidly multiplying organic churches that meet in homes, campuses and places of business all over the world. Neil travels around the world sowing the seeds of God's kingdom, catalyzing the development of organic church networks and coaching leaders. He has been married for over 26 years to Dana and has three adult children--Heather, Erin and Zach.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
June 13, 2020
Great insights that challenge many common practices in our church culture today. This book made me think and is calling me to consider the concept of church through the eyes of Jesus. A must read for anyone wanting to live Christianity outside the walls of the church building.
January 21, 2014
I found this book to take the same trajectory as many of the nonfiction, information laden books I read. The first third of the book I was captivated and fascinated. I read every sentence and took copious notes. As the book wore on though I began scanning more and more, reading the headlines, and skipping larger and larger sections that seemed unnecessary and superfluous.
In Church 3.0 Neil Cole explains and espouses the organic church model, a model he terms church 3.0. Learning about the church model was very informative and interesting. Beginning in chapter four however he begins comparing the organic church movement to other movements that are happening across the country and the world. Perhaps this is the postmodern in me (he discusses postmodernism and its effect on culture and the church fairly extensively in chapter one) but I grow suspicious of anyone who knocks down other Christian movements as being wrong. In my opinion and having been part of many different church movements throughout my lifetime I strongly believe God works through all of them. I strongly dislike any time Christians tear one another down- which is what Cole seems to be doing to other church movements. Why can't we just accept that God reaches people in a multitude of ways and get along? Why is it so important that one way of doing church and worshipping God is the "right" way?
I agree with many of Cole's conclusions based on my own study of the Bible and personal experiences. I just don't like the tone he seems to convey in the latter chapters of his book. I understand, of course, that this book's purpose is to espouse the benefits of the organic church movement, but that doesn't change the fact that it makes me uncomfortable that there is a strong tone of superiority that comes off the page.
I'd recommend the first three chapters of the book. They are enlightening and educating. I'd even hesitantly recommend the rest of the book, but not for intensive reading or study.
In Church 3.0 Neil Cole explains and espouses the organic church model, a model he terms church 3.0. Learning about the church model was very informative and interesting. Beginning in chapter four however he begins comparing the organic church movement to other movements that are happening across the country and the world. Perhaps this is the postmodern in me (he discusses postmodernism and its effect on culture and the church fairly extensively in chapter one) but I grow suspicious of anyone who knocks down other Christian movements as being wrong. In my opinion and having been part of many different church movements throughout my lifetime I strongly believe God works through all of them. I strongly dislike any time Christians tear one another down- which is what Cole seems to be doing to other church movements. Why can't we just accept that God reaches people in a multitude of ways and get along? Why is it so important that one way of doing church and worshipping God is the "right" way?
I agree with many of Cole's conclusions based on my own study of the Bible and personal experiences. I just don't like the tone he seems to convey in the latter chapters of his book. I understand, of course, that this book's purpose is to espouse the benefits of the organic church movement, but that doesn't change the fact that it makes me uncomfortable that there is a strong tone of superiority that comes off the page.
I'd recommend the first three chapters of the book. They are enlightening and educating. I'd even hesitantly recommend the rest of the book, but not for intensive reading or study.
November 15, 2023
Overall good book.
There are lots of hidden gems and nuggets of wisdom, but ultimately they got lost.
Worth a read if you are looking a looser and simpler forms of church and discipleships, but not a necessary read in my opinion.
There are lots of hidden gems and nuggets of wisdom, but ultimately they got lost.
Worth a read if you are looking a looser and simpler forms of church and discipleships, but not a necessary read in my opinion.
April 5, 2013
This is my seventh or eighth book detailing how the American Christian church needs to evolve if it wants to stay relevant and reach the world for the sake of the gospel. In Church 3.0, Cole argues that the early church immediately after Christ’s crucifixion/resurrection/ascension was version 1.0 (Cole uses the analogy of operating system versions), and the institutionalized church beginning about 300 A.D. was version 2.0. Since then, we have been stuck in an obsolete version for 1700 years, hence the need for version 3.0. Like the other books, Cole calls for a more missional church model, although he doesn’t condemn the church growth model as most other books have; he simply sees the current church growth model as ineffective, and that a missional model would spur far larger and quicker growth. Similarly, Cole’s call for discipleship partially roots itself in the belief that only through the scalability of discipleship can the church grow exponentially quicker and larger and more effectively. Cole calls for improved training of church leadership, with a move away from the Pastor-as-CEO model, to pastors with deeper understandings of theology and apologetics and communication skills. Cole’s prose throughout is far more intellectual than other books of this kind; others tend to be more exhortative, pointing to Scripture as if the reader didn’t understand how the early church operated. While Cole uses Scripture to back up his points, he also uses research studies, practical examples, and organized charts and graphs to make his points. On the plus side, I appreciated the practical, academic nature of many of his arguments. On the other hand, Cole utilizes a lot of acronyms and terms throughout, which got both confusing and annoying (especially because I was reading half a dozen of these books at the same time). Overall, I found this among the better half of the what-is-wrong-with-the-church books I’ve read. Recommended.
January 25, 2024
Though I cannot say I would agree with every detail, this book has some valid points that no one can deny. Below are some takeaways that helped me:
Churches might not be multiplying because we need a change before God can bless what we are doing.
We need to replace old ways of thinking of the church with Scriptural, healthy, fruitful, and reproducing ways.
“It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.” — Epictetus
Far too long, Christians have said ideas are Biblical just because they tagged on a few verses (often time taken out of context).
If we were to take a survey in our congregations of those saved by events or by influence of family and friends witnessing, we’d find out that most are saved through the witness of family and friends. We know this, yet focus more on events than we encourage and equip individuals to influence their family and friends.
We focus on attractional church methods when 3 out of 5 young people today said they would be willing to study the Bible or listen to their friend/family share their beliefs.
We need to shift from an organizational model to relational model.
Church is not to be sedimentary (come and see us), but sent (going to find others).
Buildings, budgets, and big shots take up the biggest part of our church budgets, yet our cities are not being affected with the Gospel.
We shouldn’t start churches to make disciples rather make disciples to then start churches.
We seek to make our church more appealing when we should be asking ourselves how is our witness in the jobs and places within our community.
Church is not the agent of change, Jesus is.
We much switch from an institutional way of church to an influential; share Jesus everywhere.
Church is not a what but a Who.
We do an injustice to the Lord by reducing church to a one-day-a-week activity.
The Lord didn’t say, “Oh ye of little strategy” but “Oh ye of little faith.”
If we can’t produce healthy disciples, we will not produce healthy leaders, and if we cannot produce healthy leaders, we will not produce a church planting movement.
We are not commanded to multiply churches rather multiply disciples, and they will multiply churches.
Paul started churches that did not depend on him. We must learn to help others depend on God and not on us.
The DNA of a church is more important than the model of the church. The early church’s model looked different, but they were about the Word, fellowship, and purpose.
Many studies have been done showing the number 150 is the maximum number people can get to know before they feel disconnected. The studies, both secular and religious, go to prove that more churches are better than large churches over 150.
Attempting the mega church model is sacrificing the role of a shepherd for the role of a rancher.
We seem to think that large gatherings are more impacting, but Jesus spent the majority of His time with the disciples.
Smaller groups can impact much more than larger crowds. This seems contradictory to our thinking, but it has been proven over and over again throughout history.
It is not just about converts, it is about igniting new messengers into the world.
Churches might not be multiplying because we need a change before God can bless what we are doing.
We need to replace old ways of thinking of the church with Scriptural, healthy, fruitful, and reproducing ways.
“It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.” — Epictetus
Far too long, Christians have said ideas are Biblical just because they tagged on a few verses (often time taken out of context).
If we were to take a survey in our congregations of those saved by events or by influence of family and friends witnessing, we’d find out that most are saved through the witness of family and friends. We know this, yet focus more on events than we encourage and equip individuals to influence their family and friends.
We focus on attractional church methods when 3 out of 5 young people today said they would be willing to study the Bible or listen to their friend/family share their beliefs.
We need to shift from an organizational model to relational model.
Church is not to be sedimentary (come and see us), but sent (going to find others).
Buildings, budgets, and big shots take up the biggest part of our church budgets, yet our cities are not being affected with the Gospel.
We shouldn’t start churches to make disciples rather make disciples to then start churches.
We seek to make our church more appealing when we should be asking ourselves how is our witness in the jobs and places within our community.
Church is not the agent of change, Jesus is.
We much switch from an institutional way of church to an influential; share Jesus everywhere.
Church is not a what but a Who.
We do an injustice to the Lord by reducing church to a one-day-a-week activity.
The Lord didn’t say, “Oh ye of little strategy” but “Oh ye of little faith.”
If we can’t produce healthy disciples, we will not produce healthy leaders, and if we cannot produce healthy leaders, we will not produce a church planting movement.
We are not commanded to multiply churches rather multiply disciples, and they will multiply churches.
Paul started churches that did not depend on him. We must learn to help others depend on God and not on us.
The DNA of a church is more important than the model of the church. The early church’s model looked different, but they were about the Word, fellowship, and purpose.
Many studies have been done showing the number 150 is the maximum number people can get to know before they feel disconnected. The studies, both secular and religious, go to prove that more churches are better than large churches over 150.
Attempting the mega church model is sacrificing the role of a shepherd for the role of a rancher.
We seem to think that large gatherings are more impacting, but Jesus spent the majority of His time with the disciples.
Smaller groups can impact much more than larger crowds. This seems contradictory to our thinking, but it has been proven over and over again throughout history.
It is not just about converts, it is about igniting new messengers into the world.
February 12, 2020
4.49 stars. A top-to-bottom summary of the whats, whys, and hows of house church ministry (which Cole calls "organic church"). Church 3.0 makes a powerful, biblical, and practical case for house churches as the only vehicle for a disciple-making, church-planting movement that multiplies in several streams to the fourth generation and beyond.
"Organic" does not mean "unorganized"—Cole ably sketches the practicalities of how house churches are structured and how they do day-to-day ministry, including topics such as children, the sacraments, and finances.
If you care about participating in an explosive spread of the gospel to save lives, this book could be your game-changer. It certainly moved me further down a winding path of thinking and practice I have begun walking on. What is missing is a bridge from Church As We Know It (Church 2.0) to Church 3.0, both for an individual and for an organization. Maybe Cole secretly believes that no bridge exists, especially for the latter.
"Organic" does not mean "unorganized"—Cole ably sketches the practicalities of how house churches are structured and how they do day-to-day ministry, including topics such as children, the sacraments, and finances.
If you care about participating in an explosive spread of the gospel to save lives, this book could be your game-changer. It certainly moved me further down a winding path of thinking and practice I have begun walking on. What is missing is a bridge from Church As We Know It (Church 2.0) to Church 3.0, both for an individual and for an organization. Maybe Cole secretly believes that no bridge exists, especially for the latter.
December 4, 2018
Two five star ratings on the same day - I don't think that's happened in a good long time. I have watched a couple Cole videos, and really like what I saw. This book confirms much of what I'd come to believe of his grasp of the needs of the modern church. Highly readable, Cole has much to offer in the way of understanding the struggles of discipling in the modern context. I believe I shall have to buy a hard-copy or Kindle companion go back over some more salient passages I want to share with others.
October 3, 2017
I had some doubts in the beginning but it is not a book against the organized religious forms but can be a good addition to existing structures, some challenge and inspiration, of course, also some things to debate. I especially liked the parts about the different New Testament churches and the today examples.
April 2, 2018
An excellent book on "organic" church and operating a church with a missional mindset and mode. Cole does a great job touching on both the theological basis for such a church as well as addressing practical questions.
Read
December 27, 2017uitdagend!
January 21, 2014
Neil Cole is one of the best voices talking about a new Church for the 21st century.
As with many of those voices really he is talking about going back to Scripture and seeing what is there to bring to the Church of the third millennium.
Although I do not agree with everything he says in his book there is a lot of great material contained within it.
I intend on writing myself a note for when I complete seminary to go back and re-read this book as it will remind me why I want to be involved in Church leadership.
I would encourage all Christians to read Cole's book. It is challenging, insightful and brings up many questions about the failings we can see in the way the Church has been run in the past. Cole has made all this very readable and clear and has a good 'command' of Scripture.
As with many of those voices really he is talking about going back to Scripture and seeing what is there to bring to the Church of the third millennium.
Although I do not agree with everything he says in his book there is a lot of great material contained within it.
I intend on writing myself a note for when I complete seminary to go back and re-read this book as it will remind me why I want to be involved in Church leadership.
I would encourage all Christians to read Cole's book. It is challenging, insightful and brings up many questions about the failings we can see in the way the Church has been run in the past. Cole has made all this very readable and clear and has a good 'command' of Scripture.
December 29, 2015
Reading through the book you are constantly reminded that much of what we do in “Church 2.0” is driven by tradition and custom. Cole digs through the various elements of what is called church to discover what is essential and how the changing cultural landscape is transforming how we think of church. One of the most insightful aspects of the book is his study of groups by size and the purpose each serves. As he points out the church has, unfortunately, been attempting to accomplish its function using groupings that are not appropriate for the task at hand. An example is using mass meetings as discipleship venues when this is a task better accomplished in a smaller more intimate setting. Even if you do not agree with everything he says, Cole makes you think and evaluate what you are doing “as church” and what you are doing it.
December 15, 2010
Church deconstructed and reworked. Great principles for the new church. When reading books about the church I find that often I read the first three or four chapters, lose interest and then put it aside. Many of the authors make their statement and then seem to just restate their premise or add detail to support it. This was one of those that I put aside in the middle because Cole was repeating things that I had read in previous books. When I went back to it later, I found some more ideas and principles that apply to discipleship and starting churches.
December 15, 2023
Revolucne myslienky o prvej cirkvi, o druhej(terajsej) cirkvi a o tretej cirkvi a ako by mala vyzerat. V niecom sa vratit na zaciatok a v niecom sa uplne reformovat a nazerat na bezne zauzivane sposoby a zvyky inac. Neviem, ci vsetok je aplikovatelne a potrebne, minimalne kniha zmenila moj pohlad aj na manazment ludksych zdrojov a ako fungovat s ludmi, vyhody decentralizovanej cirkvi, nastrahy budovania megachurchov. Dobre citanie pre vsetkych krestanskych lidrov, ktori maju ambiciu nieco konstruktivne budovat.
September 1, 2013
Having read Cole's earlier works on Organic Church, this volume puts things together nicely. While not being repetitive, Cole addresses issues from earlier books and references them while putting practical pieces in place for individuals looking to consider a new model of church.
One of the most practical books on the topic. Essential reading if you are at all interested in the Organic Church movement or are looking for a new and effective way to make disciples of Jesus Christ.
One of the most practical books on the topic. Essential reading if you are at all interested in the Organic Church movement or are looking for a new and effective way to make disciples of Jesus Christ.
November 15, 2010
awesome book! Our churches need to upgrade. Many churches have lost the presence of Jesus in their churches because they're too busy with buildings and salaries and numerous other "business" worries. As he said, "We need to plant Jesus, and let Jesus plant His church."
It's all about His presence, and many churches have sadly lost sight of that.
It's all about His presence, and many churches have sadly lost sight of that.
April 13, 2012
So far, this book is amazing, building on the concepts of Alan Hirsch and others. Neil Cole is an implementor, so he moves beyond the theoretical to the practical realities of how the church can be upgraded. I'm finding it very readable and enjoyable as it sparks my imagination in what our next steps are.
Read
December 5, 2010The ideas in this book are an interesting way at looking at church for the 21st Century--especially for people who are sick of the megachurch culture. However, the writing style doesn't do much for me, so I only skimmed a few chapters.
April 17, 2012
Nearly finished this book. He's probably moved on slightly since writing it but a very useful overview of what the church is like at present and a sound challenge to stereotypical thinking and practice.
April 25, 2013
Wow....take a peak into the rebirth of the church via Church 3.0! Discuss how Cole's thoughts/ideas in this book apply to mainline churches, existing denominational systems, and budding "church plants"! GREAT, "sticky" stuff to chew on!
August 26, 2014
I love the questions that this book raises concerning the foundational elements of church. Though I do not agree with all of his answers, I believe that the discussions this book provoked were invaluable.
August 8, 2010
Best book so far on organic church, churchplanting and church...
October 1, 2010
Bouwt verder op Alan Hirsch's eerder werk.
July 2, 2011
This is the follow up to Organic Church. I think it is brilliant, but as it contains chapters that address a number of questions regularly fielded by the author, it is a bit drier to read.
June 15, 2012
If you care about church models read this book!
January 31, 2014
Powerful book! It's not for your average Christian
September 15, 2014
I liked the leadership principles in this book.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews