Roots

The giant sequoia trees in California can grow to be over 100 feet tall but have a root system less than 20 feet deep. They must grow in groves in order to support each other. This picture of connectivity and inter-dependency has been used as a modern parable for a new church structure. This new model is one of less focus on maturing believers and deepening their experience in the body of Christ and more of an outward focus on the lost and unchurched. The point of the metaphor is to say that individual church members are not limited in their outward influence on their environment by the depth of their knowledge or experience. It is meant to empower those who do not think they know enough about christianity to be effective in spreading the Kingdom of God.

Broad Shallow Base

While I see that the metaphor can be helpful in encouraging believers to step up or out of their comfort zone and participate in evangelism, I find it woefully inadequate as a metaphor for a church model or even an evangelical model. Interconnected roots do not make a solid foundation. In one sense I see how roots communicate fellowship but what is missing is the necessity. Other types of trees also grow in groves and many of them have deep root systems. Why should a church necessarily want a shallow broad base? Another problem with the metaphor is that very special conditions have to be in place for this type of tree to flourish. Its natural presence is actually restricted to Sierra Nevada, California. One would think that a metaphor for a church foundation should be a bit hardier and more universally applicable.

Rock

Interestingly there is a reason the sequoia trees have a shallow root system. It is because the top soil in the Sierra Nevada is very shallow and below it is solid rock. This rock is too dense for the sequoia roots to penetrate. I find this very relevant because it is precisely this metaphor the bible uses to describe the biblical foundation of the church. Not a root system but a rock. Specifically that Jesus is Christ, the Son of the living God (Mt16:16-18). Paul reiterates that no other foundation can be laid other than Jesus as Christ (1Cor3:11). And Jesus compares believing and acting upon his word as building a house on a rock as a foundation. He makes a point of saying that it is this kind of house that will withstand the storms of this world (Mt7:24-29). So we should not be depending on each other or building our church on a root system of interconnected community as a foundation but instead doing what the bible teaches us to do and depending upon the Lord firmly planting our foundation upon Him. It is in Him we have fellowship with each other. It is in Him we find the command to share with others the good news of the kingdom. It is in Him we find the resources to help and love. It is in Him we are empowered to carry out his commands.
It is in Him.

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