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Gavin Duerson

husband. dad. simple church alliance. inside joke music.

Hospitality and Simple Church

Today, Tom and Gavin discuss hospitality and its impact on people. Hospitality – serving others – is not easy. It can be hard work and frankly, not many people know how to do it well. It seems to be a dying art in our modern culture. But if practiced consistently, hospitality can bring people closer to each other and to God. As followers of Christ, we would do well to rethink the importance of hospitality to our Christian witness. Thanks for liking and subscribing and sharing! Comments also are always welcome! Also available in audio only: Spotify link: https://tinyurl.com/msmwe4n6 Apple… Read More »Hospitality and Simple Church

Waiting and Watching In Ireland (By Sandra Haven)

‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord (Zechariah 4:6) It was just one week earlier that I went to the retreat in Stanford for the Simple Church gathering of various house church leaders.  That was on September 10th.  I wasn’t really sure why I felt prompted to go, just to say goodbye to good friends I thought.  I don’t know when or if I will return to the States so I thought maybe God would speak to me there about my unknown future.  Just one week prior to the retreat my sister came from… Read More »Waiting and Watching In Ireland (By Sandra Haven)

Simple Church Retreat Recap

Recently, we concluded our annual Simple Church Retreat. We were blessed to welcome friends from Alabama, Ohio, Eastern Kentucky and Central Kentucky to The Stanford Inn at Wilderness Road.

This year our conversation centered around the idea of simple church as a way of life–not a “ministry” or “way of doing church.”

Hot Tub Baptisms

Recently we had the privilege of baptizing two of our children, Beau (12) and Neva (9). It was such a blessing for friends and family to join us for simple church and to celebrate this special occasion. It was wonderful to hear the verses they shared and the personal encouragements they passed along to our children as they publicly declared their desire to follow Jesus in their lives. How wonderful it is to celebrate the new birth that Christ has granted to all of us!  

Keep it Simple Podcast #134 Bart Scarborough (Part 2) – Simple Church Conversations

Check out round two with Bart Scarborough as we dive deeper into our conversation about what it means to walk with Jesus… and not run.  How the spiritual disciplines impact living in His love and help us to avoid religiosity.  UPDATE: We look forward to being with many of you this weekend at the Simple Church retreat!  We are welcoming so many new folks it’s going to be exciting to see how the Lord encourages us all!  Please let us know how we can serve and encourage you where you are as you seek to walk with the Jesus and… Read More »Keep it Simple Podcast #134 Bart Scarborough (Part 2) – Simple Church Conversations

Keep it Simple Podcast #133 Bart Scarborough (Part 1) – Simple Church Conversations

Recently I was able to continue the “Simple Church Conversations” series by interviewing a good friend, Bart Scarborough. Bart is currently operating a spiritual retreat center in Georgia called The Ancient Way Farm. In this podcast we discuss the current unhealthy trend of frenetic ministry and encourage a more focused but slower, deliberate way of healthy ministry through reflection and relationship.  As you will hear me share in my introduction, the topics we cover in part 1 (and part 2 …coming soon) are very close to what I think God is up to in “simple” church.  I hope you enjoy… Read More »Keep it Simple Podcast #133 Bart Scarborough (Part 1) – Simple Church Conversations

Simple Church Retreat 2022 (Reg. Deadline Aug 22)

————- SEPTEMBER 10-11 REGISTRATION DEADLINE MONDAY, AUGUST 22nd!  DESCRIPTION Connect with and learn alongside simple/house/organic church practitioners from around the region at this year’s simple church retreat. We will take 24-hours to refocus on what simple church is about. Simple church leaders from the region will be facilitating times of encouragement as we look together into God’s Word, and enjoy meals at the Bluebird Cafe!  Come and be refreshed and encouraged by communion with friends and Christ “In total there are currently (mid 2021) at least 22.6 million house churches worldwide with a total of around 300 million members. They are,… Read More »Simple Church Retreat 2022 (Reg. Deadline Aug 22)

Baptism Anyone?

A couple of weeks ago, the Farrell family in our simple church experienced the joy of baptizing their daughter Tori during our Sunday fellowship time. They used this tub (pictured) that we have available. That’s right…a good ole Kentucky baptism in a cattle trough! The thought occurred to me that there may be someone who wonders… Can I baptize someone? How would I go about hosting a baptism? Even though I do not presently participate in a church, could I be baptized? I would love to help you explore these and any other questions you have may have about baptism!… Read More »Baptism Anyone?

A discussion with Nick Sefton – Beacon Indianapolis

Recently I had the opportunity to sit down with Nick Sefton. Nick and some friends started Beacon–a house church ministry in Indianapolis.  In this inaugural segment of the Keep it Simple podcast called  “Simple Church Conversations,” I chat with Nick about his experiences and all that he has learned from trusting God on this adventure in Indy. Nick and I get into some really good subject matter.  I hope you enjoy it and get some some encouragement from what God is doing all around us! Thanks for liking and subscribing and sharing Keep it Simple: A Simple Church Podcast! Comments… Read More »A discussion with Nick Sefton – Beacon Indianapolis

Join us for Coffee and Music with Zach Winters, Turtledoves, and Dana Vogel – July 22

Karla and I would like to you to join us for a special evening of music with Zach Winters, Turtledoves, and our friend Dana Vogel. I learned of Zach Winters several years ago when he was touring with Josh Garrels, another artist that Karla and I have enjoyed. We immediately became fans of Zach after hearing his songs which reflect both the beauty and truth of God. While we spent months in the hospital with our daughter Wylie, Zach’s album Love is a Garden really encouraged us during a difficult season of life. His song Give Thanks (below) was my… Read More »Join us for Coffee and Music with Zach Winters, Turtledoves, and Dana Vogel – July 22