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Gavin Duerson

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

The Power of a Quiet Life

I wanted to make a short post encouraging all here to check out this recent message from Francis Chan: The Power of a Quiet Life. I am speaking at a baccalaureate service for Allan County Scottsville high school this Sunday (prayers appreciated) and in preparation have been thinking of many of the ideas that Francis shares in this talk. It is such a timely message for all of us! If you find yourself feeling the pressure to constantly update the world about your life on social media or if you are someone who just wonders if your life is big… Read More »The Power of a Quiet Life

A Conversation With Wayne and Sara Jacobsen – June 1 (ALMOST FULL)

NOTE:  ONLY A FEW SPOTS LEFT! On Saturday, June 1st we will host a conversation with Wayne and Sara Jacobsen here in Lexington, KY from 10am to 4pm.  Our conversation will address many of the topics in Wayne’s writings including the books Finding Church and He Loves Me. Over the past several years, I have handed out more copies of Wayne’s book Finding Church than any other as I have sought to encourage others to see the New Testament church in a simpler light.  What is more, Wayne has really helped me understand the vital connection between understanding the nature of… Read More »A Conversation With Wayne and Sara Jacobsen – June 1 (ALMOST FULL)

Good Friday Gathering – March 29 6:30PM

Simple Church Alliance Friends… We are hosting a worship gathering on Good Friday, March 29 at 6:30 PM at The Prayer Room on Broadway in Lexington (1218 South Broadway, Lexington, KY)! We’d love to have you join us! We will have coffee and some light refreshments. RSVP’s are appreciated. If you would like to share a song, testimony, or Easter related reading come prepared to do so! Feel free to contact us if you have any questions! See you on March 29th!

More Law Than Love?

Is it possible that I could be unintentionally presenting God more as law than love, and if so, could I be a stumbling block to to others hearing and receiving the Good News?

Am I Willing To Be Misunderstood?

“Am I willing to be misunderstood?” I saw the title of a recent substack article from my friend, singer songwriter, and poet Zach Winters and it mediately cut to my heart. I thought about you here at this site. What a question! I can so easily fail to step out in faith and ever say anything of substance because I am afraid that others will misunderstand me. I want to share things and ask questions here that I haven’t. I have been misunderstood before and it can be debilitating. I’ve attempted to share things on this very site that others… Read More »Am I Willing To Be Misunderstood?

Merry Christmas From Simple Church Alliance!

It was wonderful seeing so many of you at this year’s Christmas Gathering! Those unable to come were missed!  We pray that all are able to enter into His rest and joy this Christmas and that in the coming year you will experience the reality and depth of His love more than ever before! We hope to see you soon!  I leave you with a poem the Richard Jirak shared (via Malcolm Guite) at our Christmas Celebration and some photos from our time together. Kenosis by Lucie Shaw In sleep his infant mouth works in and out. He is so… Read More »Merry Christmas From Simple Church Alliance!

Christmas Network Gathering Dec 17

We will host a network Christmas gathering for all friends of Simple Church Alliance on Sunday, December 17 at 10am.  This will be a potluck meal and time of encouragement and Christmas music.  We hope that this can be a great way for us all to connect over the busy Christmas season.  We do ask that everyone please RSVP and let me know if you would like to bring a side dish or dessert by Sunday Dec. 10.  We will provide meat and beverages.  If you are a part of a simple church community and would like to rsvp for… Read More »Christmas Network Gathering Dec 17

Part 5: Cross Cultural Opportunities

In the last of my five part series, I want to share how my recent trip to visit simple church leaders and house church leaders in Kazakhstan and Italy highlighted the opportunities we have here for cross-cultural relational ministry.   Cross Cultural Partnership for House Churches I previously mentioned the wedding we hosted in Italy.  At this wedding, one Muslim man approached John wondering why they had done this. John explained that they are Christians, that the mother of the bride was a part of their community, and they were trying to help. The inquirer replied that he wanted to meet… Read More »Part 5: Cross Cultural Opportunities

Part 4: Intentional Discipleship

Today is part four of a series on my recent trip to meet Kazakhstani and Italian house and simple church leaders.  In my last post I shared how the trip re-emphasized to me the importance of seeing church primarily as a “way of life.” Today I reflect on how the importance of intentional discipleship as a characteristic of this way of life was highlighted during my travels. Intentional Discipleship I was really encouraged that many people we encountered emphasized discipleship.  Cru and other ministries are making relational investments in many people by focusing on intentional discipleship.  David reminded me and… Read More »Part 4: Intentional Discipleship

Part 3: Church As A Way Of Life

Over the last two posts, I have shared some of my experiences on my recent trip to meet Kazakhstani and Italian house and simple church leaders.  Over the next few posts, I would like to some take-a-ways that I hope will continue to impact my life and those of us here at home. Church As a “Way of Life” On this trip, I was affirmed and encouraged by a key truth that I often repeat: being the Church is a way of life, not a meeting or a service.  In my humble opinion, decentralization will be a common feature of… Read More »Part 3: Church As A Way Of Life