Microchurches: A Smaller Way

Microchurches is a follow up to Sanders’ first book: Underground Church: A Living Example of the Church in Its Most Potent Form. That book was a semi-autobiographical narrative laying out what Brian and his team have been doing at UNDERGROUND in Tampa, FL.Expanding on that content, Microchurches has two sections. The first is an argument that the small gathering is the simplest unit of the church. The second is advice on how to start microchurches. In the first section, Sanders asserts that a Christian gathering characterized by 1) worship (broadly defined—not merely the musical sing fest) 2) community and 3) mission is a church. This is a bold critique of institutionalized Christianity in the West.Sanders is not anti-big, he’s pro-small. He says that he’s not suggesting we dismantle the church into something more cellular, but that we understand church in a new way. So, he is not arguing for “small groups,” which many churches have. Rather, he is arguing that these small groups are churches, and not merely the programs of a larger institution.Here’s a quote: “It is the large Sunday gathering that bears the burden of proof in calling itself church” (p. 47). Why? It is not possible to live in community with a thousand people in a room, at least not in the way described by the many “one another” passages in the New Testament.The implications are many. For example, although we may not all plant microchurches, we are all responsible for the formation of our microchurches. He predicts a paradigm shift in the Western church to decentralized networks, away from institutions.Now he does anticipate and answer the question of authority and accountability, as he recognizes that there is a need for spiritual authority to counteract the potential for autonomy on the part of leaders of microchurches.One question he does not answer is whether or not people should be members of multiple churches. Some microchurches would appear to be organized around service ministries, which he subsumes under “mission.” I would suggest that we should belong to the Body of Christ at multiple levels of interaction; in microchurches as well as in a larger Christian fellowship which could be made up of many microchurches. Alternatively, microchurches could be networked together, as is common in India, China, and Africa.If you are a Christian in the West, you should read this book. For too many years you have been led to believe that theSunday worship service is church, which it is not. It is one thin slice of church.I have been involved in Home Churches for 20 years. Although there is a larger institutional structure in which they are networked together, each individual unit is recognized as a church by the leadership of the larger Christian Fellowship. Brian Sanders is right.

Brain's previous book Underground Church put language and expression to tons of stuff I was experiencing and feeling but could not articulate. He and rest of the Underground folks prayerfully, humbly and respectfully offer correction to current models of church opting for smaller, more unique, calling based expressions of church called Microchurch. The Microchurch inspires, empowers, and equips ALL to live their purpose. This book then does the impossible task of laying out broad practical steps that apply to each of our unique church expressions and preparing us to put them into action. The first portion of the book is a description and biblical explanation of Microchurch. The second then prescribes practical steps in identifying, describing and walking out the individual and fulfilling things God has set us apart to do. This could go on and on, however, the bottom line is I'm grateful to be holding it and I'm sure you will be too. Thanks Underground!

Brian Sanders never lets down. I was impressed by how he envisions and gives practical steps while still speaking in heart-stirring prophetic language. He rarely quotes anyone else and gives input from biblical texts to support his thoughts. This book is anything but dry yet provides a clear framework. He does a great job at allowing for room to disagree and decide on your own regarding the thoughts given. Well done.

This book handles a little published topic with excellence. One would expect such a book to be authored by a hayseed whose charisma sparked success that is neither scalable nor replicable. To my amazement, Sanders depth in this arena is peerless yet his presentation is understandable at a novice, lay level.I am convinced that this emerging paradigm is the future of the Western Church and the redemption of the mega-multi-church.Start here. This isn't cake and ice cream but it also isn't all carrots, cabbage, and roughage.Stay here. I am digging deep into Sanders' Underground to determine the model-less model for which I have been called.

This book is a brilliant-yet-brief primer on the need for followers of Jesus to simplify our practical ecclesiology to allow for the release of more missionaries into our neighborhoods, workplaces, and beyond. Sanders’ simple definition of “church” (where worship/mission/community intersect) frees those of us with missional ambition but little desire to wrangle the massive worship service-driven organizations we’ve known to strike out and plant something that brings the Kingdom to the small places we inhabit. This book could be revolutionary.

Micro churches are an innovative way to answer the cultures declining interest in large church institution. This is a great look at the impact smaller ecclesial expressions can have on expanding the gospel!

This book has a strong emphasis on engaging the world that most house church books miss. I also love his outline for starting micro churches. There is some ecclesiology missing in this missional emphasis, but overall this was a solid book.

Provides a clear view of what microchurches are, a helpful inward look at whether it’s something God is calling you to, and the practical framework to pursue it. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Really well written book, very concise and easy to read. I wish we'd had it before we started housechurch!