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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… 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… 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… 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… Read More »My conversation over at Pastor to Pioneer

Giving Tuesday

Today is Giving Tuesday, and while we know many requests are coming your way, we pray you’ll consider partnering with us as a family as we continue serving through Simple Church Alliance. No gift is too small. Our heart and calling is to train, equip, encourage, and connect simple church leaders and house church communities across our region. We’ve seen God at work in living rooms, around kitchen tables, and in small gatherings where people are discovering the beauty of following Jesus in simple, relational ways. Your support directly sustains our family and allows us to walk alongside these leaders—providing… Read More »Giving Tuesday

Network Christmas Gathering – December 21

The Advent season is here! Karla and I have enjoyed following along with the Advent Project at Biola University over the years. Perhaps you’ll find it to be a refreshing way to prepare for Christmas as well? And speaking of Christmas… Come together with Simple Church communities and friends this Christmas for a special potluck lunch! We will enjoy Christmas music, a reading of the Christmas story, and anything else you’d like to share. Our food theme is soups, so please consider bringing a warm soup or chili to share with everyone (and perhaps some bread to go with it).… Read More »Network Christmas Gathering – December 21

Simple Church Network Gathering – October 26

Several simple church communities are coming together this Sunday for a time of fellowship and encouragement, and you’re invited! This will be a great opportunity to meet others involved in simple churches across the region and to learn more about what simple church is all about. Our gathering will be relaxed and informal—we’ll pull everyone together briefly to share and hear a bit about each simple church represented. Adventure Serve is a wonderful place for kids to play and enjoy the outdoors, and if it rains, we’ll still have plenty of space to gather comfortably indoors. Simple Church Fellowship Sunday… Read More »Simple Church Network Gathering – October 26

Why Simple Church? Here are 10 Reasons…

Q. Why Simple Church? A. The state of church attendance in our country as a whole is not positive.  While some positive signs of increased interest in church attendance have emerged in the younger population since COVID, the overall trajectory does not look good.  Why would simple church be any different? Here are a few reasons we think simple church (and similar communities) can help connect a disinterested world to Jesus and his family in the days to come: Stronger Relationships – Smaller gatherings foster deeper, more authentic connections compared to larger, more anonymous settings. Accessible and Flexible – Simple… Read More »Why Simple Church? Here are 10 Reasons…

2025 Simple Church Retreat

Sign up today for the 2025 Simple Church Retreat at the Stanford Inn at the Wilderness Road in Stanford, KY September 27-28.  Enjoy a wonderful time with others involved in simple church communities across the region, in this event’s thirteenth year! Space is limited so register today and get all the details HERE. The Registration Deadline is August 28th.  Too far away to join us? Bad timing?  We are always available to help you host a similar weekend in your neck of the woods!  Contact us for more details.

Francis Chan – God’s Beloved

I saw this podcast making the rounds on social media and had a few friends mention it to me before I finally had a chance to listen. I’ve written here before about how I’ve felt a connection to Francis Chan and his journey with house church as it was about a year after we started Simple Church Alliance that he left his megachurch to eventually begin house churches in California. What’s so wild to me is that while the conversation is promoted as primarily about house church (he does discuss the story of moving to a house church approach in… Read More »Francis Chan – God’s Beloved