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Gavin Duerson

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

What is Simple Church?

This would be a great place to start if you have come to this blog in an attempt to figure out what in the world is going on at First Alliance with regards to the formation of a “simple church network.”

So What Are We Going To Do When We Meet?

As we approach what I am calling the “soft launch” of a simple church network (Jan 16), questions concerning what exactly we are going to do when we meet seem to keep surfacing. Perhaps you are wondering this as well? It’s amazing how tempting it can be to try and answer this question for everyone. So far on this journey, I’ve become increasingly aware of how much we (including myself) like to have our spiritual lives dictated to us.  Just come to ____.  Just read _____.  Just do _____.  Just pray like ____.  Just worship God like _____. We like… Read More »So What Are We Going To Do When We Meet?

The Weeks Ahead

Hello Everyone! I hope you had a Merry Christmas!  Our family is heading out in just a few moments to Atlanta to visit family but before we go I wanted to drop you a short update. * This coming Sunday, we will be meeting at our home again for those who are “co-leading” a simple church (4pm – if we can all try to be here then that would be helpful since school starts Monday). * Jan 9th, Steve is going to be commissioning Karla and I in both services.  We are going to have a commissioning service for all… Read More »The Weeks Ahead

Neil Cole: Short Audio Teachings

I would encourage you to take a listen to some of these short audio teachings from Neil Cole.  You can listen to them on your computer or download them to your ipod, etc.  I think you will especially find the entry on “Starting Awakening Chapels” (4:50) to be of interest in light of the journey we are on here. VISIT AUDIO PAGE AT CMA RESOURCES HERE

Sharing the Gospel Video

Below is the video we watched in the “No More Spectators” class today at First Alliance.  The video is of Mark Cahill witnessing/sharing the Gospel at the Pride festival in Atlanta, GA.  Enjoy this facinating dialogue and feel free to post your thoughts below!  Also, you can find out more about Mark Cahill here:  http://markcahill.org/ [youtube=http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=wktyFckX-cQ]

Acountability? – A New Barna Study

Because the underlying theme of the Christian life is one of being transformed from a selfish and self-driven individual to one who lives for and surrenders control of one’s life to God, the practice of accountability for life choices and behavior is central to that process of transformation. Yet, a national survey by the Barna Group among people who describe themselves as Christian and involved in a church discovered that only 5% indicated that their church does anything to hold them accountable for integrating biblical beliefs and principles into their life… Go HERE to read the entire findings of the… Read More »Acountability? – A New Barna Study

a simple church network visualized

Below is a short power point presentation we used at the “preview lunch” last Sunday to try and paint a picture of how we see this “simple church network” developing.  Perhaps the one thing that this presentation does not reflect is the geographic nature of the “simple church” communities.  We expect that many of them will develop along geographic lines, although it is also highly probable that some will develop more along relational lines that may not necessarily be geographic in nature.  For example, as members “express” their faith and live out the Great Commission, it might be that those… Read More »a simple church network visualized

What is the Gospel?

Today in the “No More Spectators” class at First Alliance Church, we had a great discussion around the question, “What is the Gospel?”  While open to everyone, this class has been of special importance to those of us going on this “simple church” journey together.  The thing I love most about “simple church” is that the emphasis ends up not being on “church” at all–but on all believers becoming active participants in the Great Commission (as apposed to “spectators”). In our journey from spectator to disciplemaker, perhaps no issue is more crucial than understanding the Gospel. So what is the… Read More »What is the Gospel?

Introducing…Jesus Christ!

Below is the link to download/listen the message I shared at First Alliance yesterday entitled Introducing…Jesus Christ! A friend of mine told me this morning that it was “the best 20 point sermon he had ever heard.”  I’m not sure exactly what he meant by that…  I’ve also linked the video that I showed at the beginning of my message.  The video is shows Steve Harvey introducing Jesus. Listen To “Introducing… Jesus Christ!” Here Steve Harvey Introducing Jesus Christ… [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvCd_ANIKys]

Geckos and Elephants

I found this quote on a recent post over at movements.net.  It’s a great illustration that I think you will enjoy.  The notes below are from Bill Hodgson on why Geckos are Better role models than elephants (Movements.net is a great site and worth spending some time on!).   The simplest form of church is the most adaptable, flexible, versatile, resilient and reproducible to multiply out in different contexts. Asian Elephants – Life span: may live more than 50 years?Gestation: 21 to 22 months?Number of young at birth: 1. Asian elephants a considered rare, especially in the wild. They are… Read More »Geckos and Elephants