Here is a transcript of an interview involving Wafa Sultan, an Arab/American Psychologist in Los Angeles and an anonymous Muslim Cleric, broadcast on Al-Jazeera TV (Quatar) – February 21st 2006. Click here to view it on line.

Could Christians learn something here?

A vicar gave a “provocative” sermon aimed at winding up members of his congregation with whom he had disagreements a Church of England ecclesiastical tribunal costing £500,000 has heard. Amongst other things, the Rev Dr Tom Ambrose, 60, is accused of using a 2002 Palm Sunday service to provoke parishioners and it has also been alleged that he spat at a church warden.

Here is a re-cap of what this site is really all about. 

What is 'unstructured church'?

Unstructured Church comprises believers who want to follow of Jesus rather than men. Unstructured folk have realised, that people cannot organise others into becoming better followers of Christ.

Why are Christians going 'unstructured'?

Sincere Christians of all age groups, backgrounds, and from all denominations are moving to the unstructured lifestyle. They are those who have come to see that much of Christian practice today is not what is found in the Bible and who, as J.C.Ryle puts it, have cast off, “the husk, the skin and the shell” of religious practices, and who seek to fellowship with others on a truly biblical basis.

• Most feel a genuine call of God; they sense a 'growing conviction', to come away from organised religion.
• A lot are unable to find a church that does not have its own particular 'slant' on doctrine.
• Many sense a controlling spirit in the leadership of their church that is affecting or directing their personal Christian walk.
• Some sense that churches today are 'not right' but they can’t put their finger on why.
• A few have been badly hurt by their church and are unable to go back into the church system.
• Some have actually been asked to leave their church because they expressed their concerns to their leaders, or expressed a different doctrinal view to that held by their leadership.

Unstructured church folk sense that the ‘fellowship’ found in churches is little more than a warm indifference. That it is not deep enough, not caring enough; in short, not ‘the real thing’: and who seek something more meaningful, in a truer expression of fellowship with others who also love the Lord Jesus, without the restriction of denominations, controlling leaders, and set patterns of behaviour, worship or general 'churchy-ness'.

Overwhelmingly, however, there is a sincere and increasing realisation that the churches of today bear little or no resemblance to the biblical Church of the New Testament and there is a strong urge to get back to the basics.

How biblical is unstructured church?

The folks who have ‘gone unstructured’ see it as entirely biblical. That is the point.

It is a completely different concept that seeks the truth and spontaneity of the early Church of the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles. Something that is far removed from the centuries-old traditional way of churches much of which is seen by those who have an unstructured church lifestyle to be totally unbiblical and man-created.

There is no evidence in the New Testament that the early assemblies were centrally organised or that each had a hierarchical leadership. On the contrary, they seem to be very much “unstructured“.

How do people meet in unstructured church?

It depends on what you mean by ‘meeting’. There is no set pattern. Some meetings are fairly regular at certain places and involve the majority of the local assembly. Some are spontaneous at different localities and times, where people meet in smaller numbers.

After centuries of conditioning, it is very difficult for Christians to think of church activity as being anything other than ‘going to a meeting’ for a service of religion in a church, or to an event involving worship and probably a speaker in say a church hall. Unstructured church life doesn’t focus on things like that.

It’s flexible friendship in a common belief in Christ Jesus, led by the Holy Spirit.

Do I have to stop going to church if I join the unstructured church?

Not at all. Anybody can just become unstructured in their Christian life.

It’s not about joining a new organisation because unstructured church is not an organisation nor an institution.

It merely comprises people who desire to do the will of the one true God as revealed through his Messiah Jesus and to fellowship with other believers in a community as Jesus wants us to.

Unstructured church is what you do in your normal way of life. At home, at work, wherever the Lord leads you to be in fellowship with other believers.

Probably the single most significant characteristic of unstructured church is the absence of any difference between the sacred and the secular. Its not like being a member of a church and going to events at set times of the week and then getting-on with your daily life in the secular world for the rest of it.

For those who have ‘gone unstructured’, its all just part of kingdom living as a community of believers, joined to each other as one body. The best analogy is of an extended family living in the same part of town.

What about worship in an unstructured church?

Worship is praising God in words, music, dancing or any other way any time and anywhere, as one is moved to. It can be organised or spontaneous. People in unstructured church are open to all types.

What is meant by ‘worship’ in the churches (a church service) is not biblical. The Bible says nothing about church worship. Neither incidentally, does it say anything about Christians meeting for regular corporate worship.

When people come together in the unstructured way without liturgy, pattern, or formula, the Holy Spirit moves them to worship God in His way, as He directs at that time.

This may be as simple as just a few prayers, or lot more, as the Holy Spirit leads.

What do unstructured church people do at their meetings?

Share whatever they feel may benefit others. All those who attend tend to be involved. Unstructured folk are careful to keep any organising to a minimum, so that it does not interfere with God‘s agenda.

Remembering, of course, that unstructured Christians, don’t necessarily have regular corporate worship meetings, when they do come together certainly music often features, as does the singing of ‘psalms and spiritual songs’. Bread may be broken, or a full meal may be the focal point. Someone may bring a word of prophecy – all as the Spirit leads. Often Scripture is read and talked about. Rarely is the interpretation of Scripture left to one person, a speaker for example.

Perhaps the test is as someone once said, “When the mystery, the visual, the ritual, the touch and the beauty of religion are removed, what is left?” Unstructured folk would say a lot is left in their way of being church rather than going to it. 

What do unstructured folk do during the week? Do they have house groups?

They meet individually or in smaller groups usually in their homes, or wherever else it happens to be suitable. They certainly don’t have churches!

What about 'forsaking the assembling of yourselves together'?

This is perhaps the most common ‘challenge’ by Christians who still go to churches to those who have come away from them.

Critics of unstructured folk always seem to quote this verse (Hebrews 10:25) from the Authorised Version. Whereas most

Translations say "meeting together", the AV says "assembling together", which sounds a little grander, and perhaps gives the impression that we ought to be “at something”, like perhaps a church service?

“Assembling” does not mean regular weekly assembly of the whole local church. It simply means people gathering together any time in any numbers.

And it means not dividing the local assembly by continuing to meet in different churches under different denominations. If anything is, “forsaking the assembling of yourselves together”, then that is!

Is the unstructured church not just Christians who can't or won't come under proper church authority?

Yes, many unstructured folk would say that they can't or won't come under church authority.

This is usually expressed as the authority of a pastor: many Christians have been subject to excessive use of authority being exercised on them by pastors, often against their own sense of their calling of God.

But the real question is, whether authorities in churches are biblically "proper" or not. Unstructured folk think they are not.

Is the unstructured church not just full of Christians who have a 'bee in their bonnet' perhaps because they've been hurt, or have fallen out with their Pastor?

No, that is not strictly true. but there is no doubt that there are such to be found in it. They are no less children of God, however, for this.

There are those who have been hurt by churches and who find comfort in unstructured church, as they realise that they will not have to go through it again. However, the unstructured way is not full of such Christians.

Unstructured folk are not just disaffected ‘floating’ Christians unable to find a ‘home’.

The truth is people who have abandoned the structures of institutionalised religion have often felt the call of God to come away from organised religion; from spiritually dead churches; from what they sense is unrighteous control being exercised on them; and most often from false doctrine being imposed on them.

Who are the leaders of the unstructured church?

"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant...  for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren" (Mat 20:25-26 and 23:8). Unstructured folk take care to uphold this commandment.

How do you get teaching in the unstructured church?

Everybody shares his or her understanding. This takes place during meetings of the whole assembly, meetings of smaller groups, or between individuals on variety of occasions. Most tend to participate.

Rarely does lecture style teaching take place. More often, it is ‘comment-in-the-course-of-life’ teaching all as led by the Holy Spirit.

What covering is there in the unstructured church?

It is the covering of the Holy Spirit on each individual, which comes through the Messiah Jesus. Those who have gone unstructured don’t see “church covering” as valid. They see it as a dogma of the religious structures, and not biblical.

The focus of unstructured folk is on Christ Jesus, they don’t want their attention to be diverted to men, or by men.

How can the unstructured church possibly fulfil the Great Commission?

Individuals can witnesses as God provides opportunities in the course of their lives. This witness is most effective and as important today, as it was in the early church.

In fact as Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35). Unstructured folk would say that it is their lifestyle with each other, at home, around their neighbourhoods, at work that is the true witness of Christ and His redeeming love to the world. Not going to churches, but being The Church in action that creates a longing in the unsaved for what Christ’s people have.

Isn’t the unstructured church just house church under a different name?

No, not at all.  The unstructured church bears no resemblance whatever to the House Church Movement.

Isn’t the unstructured church just the same as my church house group?

No, absolutely not. Church housegroups are just ‘mini-church’; characterised by remaining under the control direction of the church sponsoring them (usually of one minister).

You can spot the characteristics:

• Groups led by someone delegated from the church authority; unstructured church meetings are led only by the Holy Spirit.
• Common denominational doctrine; in the unstructured way, it is a matter for each local assembly whose focus is just on the Bible. 
• Prescribed days for meetings; flexibility and the absence of pattern characterise the unstructured way.
• People attend to receive rather than to contribute; when unstructured folk come together it’s flexible friendship in a common belief in Christ Jesus, led by the Holy Spirit.
• The purpose is usually pre-programmed Bible study with uniform study programmes for all groups; for those who are unstructured, the purpose is common fellowship.
• Attendance is required (or at least expected); the unstructured scene is a community in Christ where people live according to His leading.
• Lack of embedded-ness in the local community; unstructured folk are deeply embedded in their own locality. That is the point – ALL believers in community unity with no denominational differences to part them.
• A mindset that the groups or cells are still part of a Church; there is no denominational tribalism in the unstructured community.
• A common vision, dream or formula set by main-church leaders; unstructured folk have only one common dream – the return of the Messiah and upholding His name and teaching in the meantime.

The list could go on but these are just some of the main characteristics.

What is the doctrinal position of the unstructured church?

It is a matter for each local assembly. There is much greater freedom to discuss various views, without any pressure to “tailor“ doctrines to any particular denomination. People in unstructured church are generally more ready to discard human traditions, which have distorted or even replaced biblical truth.

Do you worship God if you don't go to church?

Already dealt with in Q "What about worship in an unstructured church?"

Who do unstructured church Christians tithe to?

There is no tithe. There is nothing to tithe for. No paid ministers, no buildings, no expenses etc.

It is up to the members of each local group which areas of God's work they want to support and how. Often, individuals finance their own personal outreach from their own pockets.

If there's no structure and organisation, how does the unstructured church do outreach events?

Organising an outreach event on a larger scale is not prohibited but it is not seen as relevant. In the churches, outreach has as its primary aim, the object of getting people to go to church. Unstructured folk don’t see it that way.

Outreach is virtually always done on one to one bases as opportunities arise in the belief that long-term personal witness produces more lasting fruit, while in organised campaigns most of the grain tends to fall on rocks or on a shallow ground.

Surely you have to go to Church to get proper fellowship with other Christians?

Fellowship is not just a meeting of all once a week in one place. In Acts 2:46 we read that they met also in each other houses daily.

That is the aim of those who have gone unstructured even though at present, unstructured assemblies usually consist of geographically widely scattered people, and that means personal contact on frequent basis between groups or individuals is hampered.

Doesn't the Bible tell us that we must meet on a Sunday for worship?

It certainly does not. There are two passages in Paul's letters (Acts 20:7 and 1 Cor 16:2) and one in the Revelation to John (Rev. 1:10) which people wrongly interpret as instructions for Sunday worship.

The ‘first day of the week’ meetings referred to in those passages are actually a Saturday evening in each case. The early Christians (being Jews of course) were in the habit of fellowshipping together after the Saturday Shabbat had ended at sunset (as, indeed Jews to this day do around the world and in the modern state of Israel)

The reference in the Revelation to John clearly means a reference by him to being in ‘The Lord’s day” i.e. the ‘day’ when Christ Jesus will return; the very purpose of the Revelation itself.

Isn't the unstructured church just another denomination?

It is not, although some people might regard us as such.

What about taking communion?

New testament is not clear whether it should be a ritual observed regularly, or whether we are simply to remember Christ's death whenever two or three or more followers of Jesus have a meal together.

Unstructured folk are as unsure about that as anyone. Some ‘take communion’ with each other, some dine together and ‘break bread’ it is all a matter of personal conviction.

One thing that is certain, communion as a ‘sacrament’ is the invention of religious men, it is not biblical.

Don’t I have to be accountable inside a proper structured church?

Each believer is accountable to our Father in heaven through the Messiah in everything every moment of his or her life.

People in unstructured church regard themselves as no less equally responsible than people in organised religion.

How do I join the unstructured church?

You don’t really join it. It’s not an organisation do you see? The best way is just to ‘become’ part of the unstructured church.

Reach out and start meeting with other believers whom you know, outside of the regular church meeting programme that perhaps you’ve been used to. Meet daily, or at any frequency you feel drawn to. You don’t have to be ‘churchy’.

Just start fellowshipping with each other and talk: about your life; your needs; other’s needs; about a particular Bible passage; pray.

Above all pray! And ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to others of a like mind and similar calling.