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Twelve Advantages to Simple Church

I am reading Wolfgang Simpson’s book The House Church Book: Rediscover the Dynamic, Organic, Relational, Viral Community Jesus Started.  In this book, he highlights twelve advantages to house church and I would like to share them with you.  From what I have read so far, I would also like to encourage anyone looking for a concise and clear understanding of the simple/house/organic church movement to pick up a copy of this book. 1.  Discipled Multiplication 2. Persecution-proof structure 3. Freedom from church growth barriers 4. More efficient involvement of a higher percentage of people 5. A break from the pastoral… Read More »Twelve Advantages to Simple Church

Simple Church Music Ideas

Last week in our simple church gathering, several of us shared songs with the group that held a special meaning to us and our journey with Christ.  It was a simple and significant meeting idea that I’m sure we will repeat in the near future.  We sang some songs together while others were played for everyone to listen to.  Sharing songs in this way allowed us to deepen our friendships with one another as we learned how music has impacted our walk with Christ.  I shared this idea with our leaders and Elizabeth Harris replied to me with an idea… Read More »Simple Church Music Ideas

Curtain Call (Song)

In my last post I shared a song with you from my friend John Hatfield that dealt with “going.”  I find that the difficult part about going is leaving.  Last year, when I left my position with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes it was very difficult.  I love FCA and all the people that I worked with are in many ways like family.  While I continue to remain involved, there is no denying that “going” has changed my relationships a great deal with the people I served with.  This was the hardest part about going in a new direction that… Read More »Curtain Call (Song)

Where Will YOU Go? (song)

I’ve probably thought more about “going” and the words spoken by Jesus in the Great Commission more in the past two years than my entire life combined. Going may mean that we actually physically leave our residence and make an address change. Often, however, the call to “go” is more about leaving behind a state of comfort and moving to a place of deeper trust in Christ. For a follower of Jesus, it’s impossible to stay where you are and go on mission with Him. He will continually call us all to new places. My good friend John Hatfield wrote… Read More »Where Will YOU Go? (song)

Lessons From The Fields

Neil Cole recently posted an excerpt from the book Organic Church describing what he would do differently if he planted a church today knowing now all that he has learned over the years.  Since in simple church we urge everyone to think of themselves as a potential church planter, I thought that it would be good to point you to these very important lessons. Read the entire article with explanations HERE 1. Begin in the Harvest and Start Small. 2. Allow God to Build Around Others 3. Empower Others from the Start 4. Let Scripture Lead Not Your Assumptions 5.… Read More »Lessons From The Fields

Our Role and God’s Role

Can you cause a person to grow spiritually?  When it comes to disciple making, what is our responsibility?  At a recent Greenhouse Training event hosted by CMA Resources, we examined the following text from Mark 4: 26 He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29 As soon… Read More »Our Role and God’s Role

Summer Celebration – August 28

We are looking forward to getting the entire network of simple churches together for a Summer Celebration Gathering!  We don’t do it often, so when we do it is truly a special occasion!  We hope that you will make plans to join us–even if you are not presently a part of simple church and are simply wishing to get a glimpse into what simple church is about. Where:  First Alliance Gym When: Sunday August 28th Time:  9:00AM Potluck Breakfast, 9:45 Celebration Gathering You can RSVP on The City or with you Facebook Account Here:  http://bit.ly/nTQTEj Please bring a breakfast dish… Read More »Summer Celebration – August 28

A.B. Simpson and Simple Church?

I recently attended an introductory meeting for new workers with the Christian and Missionary Alliance.  The more I continue to learn about A.B. Simpson the more I’m convinced that he would be all about simple church if he were with us today.  The Alliance originated because of Simpson’s conviction that “Jesus Only” was all we needed.  He broke away from the traditional established church of his day because of the extra biblical mandates that had excluded Italians he led to Christ from worship.  He realized that the “noble people” in the pews were interested in a “conventional parish for respectable… Read More »A.B. Simpson and Simple Church?

Divided? (Video)

Have you ever received an email about a someone’s favorite cause and includes the line, “If you really love Jesus then send this on to 10 people.”  Such emails drive me nuts!  I love Jesus and I happily trash those emails. With that being said, I realize that the message in the video below could come across in a similar fashion.  It could end up sounding to some like I am trying to say, “If you love Jesus then you will not send your kids to youth group, Sunday School, etc.”  To be clear, this is not my intent.  In… Read More »Divided? (Video)

What Do We Mean By “Simple Church?”

I would like to share with you a simple answer to this question from the good folks at House2House.com.  House2House is a great site with lots of great resources for simple church folks and it also provides a national directory of simple chruches.  You might enjoy reading the quote below directly from their website. (from House2House.com) What do we mean by ‘simple church?’ Some call them house churches. Some call them organic churches. Some call them simple churches. We prefer to just call them churches. They are rapidly multiplying, simple communities of believers, meeting in homes, offices, campuses, wherever God… Read More »What Do We Mean By “Simple Church?”