Skip to content

Blog

Simple Church Alliance Blog

“Missional House Churches” with Dr. J.D. Payne – Nov. 11

Come and join us for this special simple church training as we welcome Southern Seminary professor and author of the book Missional House Churches, Dr. J.D. Payne.  Dr. Payne will come and share his research on house church communities across the US that are living out the Great Commission.  Please come and learn more about this fascinating movement that his happening all around us!  Feel free to and bring your questions and your kids!  Childcare provided as well as pizza for all.  The even is free.  Please RSVP by emailing us here or at our event page on “The City”… Read More »“Missional House Churches” with Dr. J.D. Payne – Nov. 11

Free E-Book: Discipleship In Church Planting

There is a great free resource available online from Dr. J.D. Payne (who will be leading our time together this Friday for our special Simple Church Training).  The 55 page e-book entitled Discipleship in Church Planting includes some great thought-provoking questions for anyone seeking to make disciples and see church communities birthed and multiplied. Click Here To Get The Book Free!

What is a Disciple and How Do We Make Them?

I would like to suggest that two of the most important questions followers of Jesus will need to answer along their Journey with Him are: 1) What is a disciple? 2) How is one to make them? Given that Jesus’ famous last words were to “go into all the world and make disciples,” these questions deserve our time and consideration. As I have thought about these questions and posed them to others, I’ve noticed more questions come like these:  Do we make disciples by “getting people to go to church?”  Do we make disciples by doing a bible study with… Read More »What is a Disciple and How Do We Make Them?

Fall Cellebration November 6th!

Save the date and note that this will be our first time trying an evening celebration gathering.  We hope that you can come and celebrate all the God is doing in our city and beyond through simple church!  Chicken and beverages will be provided so please bring a desert or side dish and we’ll look forward to sharing this special time together! Simple Church Alliance Celebration Gathering @ First Alliance Gymnasium 2201 Old Higbee Mill Road, Lexington, KY            

Simply False: False Teaching In Simple Church

One of the most common questions I receive about simple church is,  “What happens if someone teaches something incorrect?”  It’s a good question with good news for an answer.  Simple church can allow for one of the most full-proof methods of discernment if we choose to use it. Often one or two people within Christian groups bear most of the responsibility to explain Scripture.  Usually these teachers/leaders remind hearers to compare the message with Scripture, but follow-up opportunities for questions, clarifications, or correction are rare especially if the message is given and received within the context of a large group. … Read More »Simply False: False Teaching In Simple Church

The Word of Christ

Colossians 3:16 Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Does the word of Christ dwell richly in you?  This was the question I posed to those attending the Summer Celebration Gathering a few weeks ago.  For simple church to work, the bar for discipleship truly has to be raised.  We cannot simply lower the bar for having church gatherings.  Everyone has to be disciples and making disciples simultaneously.  I’ve thought about this… Read More »The Word of Christ

Twelve Advantages to Simple Church

I am reading Wolfgang Simpson’s book The House Church Book: Rediscover the Dynamic, Organic, Relational, Viral Community Jesus Started.  In this book, he highlights twelve advantages to house church and I would like to share them with you.  From what I have read so far, I would also like to encourage anyone looking for a concise and clear understanding of the simple/house/organic church movement to pick up a copy of this book. 1.  Discipled Multiplication 2. Persecution-proof structure 3. Freedom from church growth barriers 4. More efficient involvement of a higher percentage of people 5. A break from the pastoral… Read More »Twelve Advantages to Simple Church

Simple Church Music Ideas

Last week in our simple church gathering, several of us shared songs with the group that held a special meaning to us and our journey with Christ.  It was a simple and significant meeting idea that I’m sure we will repeat in the near future.  We sang some songs together while others were played for everyone to listen to.  Sharing songs in this way allowed us to deepen our friendships with one another as we learned how music has impacted our walk with Christ.  I shared this idea with our leaders and Elizabeth Harris replied to me with an idea… Read More »Simple Church Music Ideas

Curtain Call (Song)

In my last post I shared a song with you from my friend John Hatfield that dealt with “going.”  I find that the difficult part about going is leaving.  Last year, when I left my position with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes it was very difficult.  I love FCA and all the people that I worked with are in many ways like family.  While I continue to remain involved, there is no denying that “going” has changed my relationships a great deal with the people I served with.  This was the hardest part about going in a new direction that… Read More »Curtain Call (Song)

Where Will YOU Go? (song)

I’ve probably thought more about “going” and the words spoken by Jesus in the Great Commission more in the past two years than my entire life combined. Going may mean that we actually physically leave our residence and make an address change. Often, however, the call to “go” is more about leaving behind a state of comfort and moving to a place of deeper trust in Christ. For a follower of Jesus, it’s impossible to stay where you are and go on mission with Him. He will continually call us all to new places. My good friend John Hatfield wrote… Read More »Where Will YOU Go? (song)