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What Is A Disciple And How Do We Make Them? (Part 2)

This past Sunday I took the opportunity when speaking at First Alliance Church and the Simple Church Fall Celebration to answer two crucial questions that any follower of Jesus would do well to answer. The questions, which I addressed previously here, are:  1)What is a Disciple? 2)How do we make disciples? You can listen to the message entitled The Dirty D Word: D#$%@!&*%@! in your browser by  CLICKING HERE You can download the message entitled The Dirty D Word: D#$%@!&*%@! in mp3 format by CLICKING HERE In the message I define a disciple as someone who loves Jesus, hears Jesus, and… Read More »What Is A Disciple And How Do We Make Them? (Part 2)

Centered Set Thinking (Video)

How do you deal with other people who do not share your convictions about spiritual matters?  The following video is probably one of the most helpful teaching tools I’ve come across for addressing this issue.  In simple church, it is imperative that we do not become a “bounded” circle.  If we do so, we will become ingrown and die.  What would it look like in your life/simple church if you were to adopt “centered set thinking?”

Simple Church Training – Dec. 9th

Friday December 9th will be the only Simple Church Training of this month and I thought it would be good for us to discuss “simple church membership.”  As we continue to see new people visit the simple churches in the network and as we move toward becoming a self-sustaining network, questions about church membership are sure to arise.  Some of you will even be leaving membership of First Alliance to join this new work.  Please consider the following questions… What does it mean to be in member of a traditional church? simple church? Where do we see church membership in… Read More »Simple Church Training – Dec. 9th

What is God saying to your simple church?

I wanted to link this great post over at simplychurch.com.  Felicity Dale shares how her simple church community came together to sense God’s leading: Simple/organic churches can be inward looking. But when we seek Jesus, making him the center of everything that goes on and we ask him what is on his heart, we may find things change…   A few months ago, our simple/organic church spent time learning to listen to God. Each week we did different activities to hone those skills. One week, our activity was for everyone to spend 15 minutes alone asking the Lord the question, “What… Read More »What is God saying to your simple church?

“Missional House Churches” with Dr. J.D. Payne – Nov. 11

Come and join us for this special simple church training as we welcome Southern Seminary professor and author of the book Missional House Churches, Dr. J.D. Payne.  Dr. Payne will come and share his research on house church communities across the US that are living out the Great Commission.  Please come and learn more about this fascinating movement that his happening all around us!  Feel free to and bring your questions and your kids!  Childcare provided as well as pizza for all.  The even is free.  Please RSVP by emailing us here or at our event page on “The City”… Read More »“Missional House Churches” with Dr. J.D. Payne – Nov. 11

Free E-Book: Discipleship In Church Planting

There is a great free resource available online from Dr. J.D. Payne (who will be leading our time together this Friday for our special Simple Church Training).  The 55 page e-book entitled Discipleship in Church Planting includes some great thought-provoking questions for anyone seeking to make disciples and see church communities birthed and multiplied. Click Here To Get The Book Free!

What is a Disciple and How Do We Make Them?

I would like to suggest that two of the most important questions followers of Jesus will need to answer along their Journey with Him are: 1) What is a disciple? 2) How is one to make them? Given that Jesus’ famous last words were to “go into all the world and make disciples,” these questions deserve our time and consideration. As I have thought about these questions and posed them to others, I’ve noticed more questions come like these:  Do we make disciples by “getting people to go to church?”  Do we make disciples by doing a bible study with… Read More »What is a Disciple and How Do We Make Them?

Fall Cellebration November 6th!

Save the date and note that this will be our first time trying an evening celebration gathering.  We hope that you can come and celebrate all the God is doing in our city and beyond through simple church!  Chicken and beverages will be provided so please bring a desert or side dish and we’ll look forward to sharing this special time together! Simple Church Alliance Celebration Gathering @ First Alliance Gymnasium 2201 Old Higbee Mill Road, Lexington, KY            

Simply False: False Teaching In Simple Church

One of the most common questions I receive about simple church is,  “What happens if someone teaches something incorrect?”  It’s a good question with good news for an answer.  Simple church can allow for one of the most full-proof methods of discernment if we choose to use it. Often one or two people within Christian groups bear most of the responsibility to explain Scripture.  Usually these teachers/leaders remind hearers to compare the message with Scripture, but follow-up opportunities for questions, clarifications, or correction are rare especially if the message is given and received within the context of a large group. … Read More »Simply False: False Teaching In Simple Church

The Word of Christ

Colossians 3:16 Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Does the word of Christ dwell richly in you?  This was the question I posed to those attending the Summer Celebration Gathering a few weeks ago.  For simple church to work, the bar for discipleship truly has to be raised.  We cannot simply lower the bar for having church gatherings.  Everyone has to be disciples and making disciples simultaneously.  I’ve thought about this… Read More »The Word of Christ