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The Bible and Simple Church

The Bible holds a central place in the life of a Christian. My journey in simple church has included important lessons about how we teach, learn, and apply the Bible to our lives and communities. Traditionally, many people receive most of their Bible instruction through Sunday preaching and teaching. Bible study is also often emphasized, usually in a teacher-and-class environment or through a facilitated workbook. All these things can be good and important, but simple church calls us to think differently about how we learn and how we help others learn the Bible. Two things are essential: personal ownership and learning to follow the Holy Spirit as He leads us into truth and understanding. A healthy, simple church does not center its meetings on the teaching gift of one person. Instead, it creates space for… Read More »The Bible and Simple Church

Simple Church Retreat October 3-4 – Register Today!

Friends, Karla and I could not be more excited to welcome everyone back to Stanford, KY, for our annual Simple Church Retreat. We look forward to this time each year as an opportunity to connect with all of you. It is our deepest prayer that our time together will be a source of encouragement and refreshment for any believer in need of a reset—especially those of you who help facilitate simple or house church communities across the region. If you are new to house church or simple church, or perhaps simply asking questions about what it really means to be the church, this retreat is a wonderful opportunity to connect with others on similar journeys and take part in conversations that will hopefully help you discover God’s direction for this season of your life. You… Read More »Simple Church Retreat October 3-4 – Register Today!

Baptisms in Harrison County, KY

Dillon Price and his family attended a simple church network gathering at Christmas through encouragement from the Roberts family, who have been part of simple church (and skate church) for many years. I have only spent a little time with Dillon, but he continues to remind me that it is truly God who is building His church—and that there can be great power in the simple encouragements we pass along. It’s beautiful to see their faith in action as they lead by example. I asked Dillon if he would mind me sharing this video, which he recently sent to me.  If you have a few minutes, you will be encouraged by watching it! Join me in praying for all that God is doing in Harrison County, KY! If the video above has issues, here is… Read More »Baptisms in Harrison County, KY

God’s Pace

This is the fourth post in a series reflecting on lessons learned from 15 years of experiencing simple church with my family.   Jeremiah 6:16 (ESV): “Thus says the Lord: ‘Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.’ But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’” When I first began exploring simple church, the thought that excited me most was the possibility of rapid multiplication. I was (and still am) convinced that what our world needs is more churches. To me, the only way that even remotely seemed possible was by lowering the cost and the bar of what we have traditionally defined as “church.” A few weeks ago, at a simple church gathering, we… Read More »God’s Pace

Unity With Your Spouse

This is the third post in a series highlighting key lessons I’ve learned over the past 15 years exploring simple/house/organic church with my family and friends.  “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Matthew 19:6 (NIV): Marital Unity and Simple Church There is an overarching lesson that I’m sure will be referenced in many of these entries over the next several months, and it deserves its own post. That lesson is this: simple church is more about what God wants to do in you than what you are going to do for Him. Today, I want to focus on how this lesson applies to married couples exploring simple expressions of church. For those with spouses, simple church often becomes about cultivating unity in… Read More »Unity With Your Spouse

It Takes Courage

This is Part 2 of a series of posts sharing lessons I have learned over the past 15 years of exploring simple/house/organic church with my family and friends. Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it It Takes Courage In the first post, I shared part of the story of how we got started. Prior to 2010, the Lord had begun opening my eyes to how the Church could be different. A church planting class at Southern Theological Seminary introduced me to church planting movements around the world. This was eye-opening for me. I had always had… Read More »It Takes Courage

15 Years In…

This is the first in a series of posts sharing our family’s story and takeaways from over 15 years on the house/simple/organic church journey.   In August of 2010, I stepped away from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes staff to pursue what is now Simple Church Alliance. We began by partnering with First Alliance Church—a legacy church with a vision for church planting. Over time, that vision shifted. Rather than launching traditional satellite campuses, they chose to support a house church network planting strategy. Looking back, I’m continually reminded how unique that decision was. I’ve heard on numerous occasions, “I’ve never heard of a legacy church doing this,” from people who would know if it had been done before. Perhaps First Alliance was one of the first churches of its kind to invest so heavily… Read More »15 Years In…

Good Friday Network Gathering

Update… Thanks to all who were able to join.  We are grateful for the Phillips family leading us in praise and worship and for the opportunity to reflect on the significance of Good Friday!  We are also grateful for the news the Roberts family received during our time together that a heart donor had been found for Katherine (She now has the heart and is in recovery!).   ——- You are invited to join friends of Simple Church Alliance at this year’s Good Friday Worship and Communion Gathering in Lexington at the Prayer Room on Broadway. We will come together to worship, share communion, and tell stories of God giving hope in the midst of the darkest situations.  We hope you will join us, whether you are a longtime participant in a simple/house church fellowship… Read More »Good Friday Network Gathering

My conversation over at Pastor to Pioneer

Recently, I joined Britton Smith and the podcast over at Pastor to Pioneer. In short, Pastor to Pinoneer a ministry to pastors of legacy churches who find themselves longing to transition to a pioneering ministry that focuses on relational discipleship over programs, and on simple and organic expressions of church rather than the more traditional approach. We chatted about being a college mascot and making goofy music, but eventually we got into the story of Simple Church Alliance—and even how the arrival of our special needs daughter, Wylie, has played a role in reshaping my understanding of why I’m as passionate about simple church as ever. Perhaps you would enjoy this conversation and story. You can check out Episode 90 of the Pastor to Pioneer Podcas, entitled “Loving Others, Not Spiritually Managing Others” here: YouTube:… Read More »My conversation over at Pastor to Pioneer

Merry Christmas!

My heart is still full from our time together at the Christmas network gathering on Sunday! I’m so grateful for everyone who was able to come and share such a rich time of prayer, worship, and fellowship with others in simple church communities from the area! I know many who expressed a great desire be there to connect with others but were unable to attend. Please know that we are praying that you are encouraged in your faith and comforted by the Holy Spirit. You are not alone in this journey, which can often feel discouraging at times. If you ever find yourself in that place, I hope you will reach out—we are here to serve and walk with one another. If you are not currently receiving these blog posts in your email inbox, you… Read More »Merry Christmas!