Skip to content

Blog

Simple Church Alliance Blog

Job Openings…

Felicity Dale, at www.simplychurch.com recently ran some “wanted ads” for some of the leadership roles that you find in the Church. I thought it would be good for me to link the wanted ads here since many of the leaders involved in the Simple Church Alliance are presently studying simple church leadership and keeping a watchful eye out for those God has gifted in these areas.  Anyone interested in applying can simply contact me and we can arrange an interview 😉 (Click To See Ad) Wanted: Apostles Wanted:  Prophets Wanted: Evangelists Wanted:  Pastors Wanted:  Teachers

Upside-Down Leadership (Video)

Yesterday in our network gathering we watched the video below and had a lively discussion about all that is addressed.  If you are involved with us or interested in simple church (or leadership in general), then I would highly recommend that you watch this video.  I’m very grateful to the people at House2House for putting this together as it does an excellent job explaining what leadership in “simple church” is all about.  Indeed, your leadership is truly a gift to the body of Christ!

Trying To Play “Son House”

This past weekend I finally sat down to watch a documentary I have been eying ever since it arrived in theaters in 2008.   It Might Get Loud is a documentary on the electric guitar and three legendary guitarists: The Edge (U2), Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), and Jack White (The White Stripes). In the clip I’ve p0sted below, Jack White explains how the song, “Grinnin’ in Your Face” by Son House, affected him and the direction of his musical career.  Later in the film, he recounts that when forming The White Stripes, a band that featured only drums and a guitar (yet was hailed as innovative and original), that “all he was trying to do was play Son House.” For me, there have been several “Son House” moments in my life.  They have been moments where… Read More »Trying To Play “Son House”

Meeting Ideas (part 2)

I mentioned yesterday in our network gathering at FAC that we had access to several small group lessons on DVD.  Here is a list of the videos that should be arriving soon.  Feel free to let me know if your group would like to check out one.  Again, we wouldn’t want the video or discussion guide to replace trusting the Holy Spirit and having an open forum, but perhaps this could be a great way for your group to focus on a particular subject for a few weeks and possibly even a way to invite guests to join you for a targeted topic.  Note that some of the links also give you the option to preview the series. The Reason For God – Tim Keller The Me I Want to Be – John Ortberg Where… Read More »Meeting Ideas (part 2)

5 Encouraging Things So Far…

This was going out to the “prayer list” at First Alliance Church. Thought I’d share it here too! ————— Hello First Alliance!  God is continuing to grow and lead us in the formation of the “new church.”   Let us thank Him together for what He has done! Name. We have settled on a name: “Simple Church Alliance.”  We feel this name most clearly explains what we are:  an alliance of simple churches.  Plus, the use of “alliance” identifies us with the C&MA! Depth. God is really bringing a spirit of transparency into the groups.   As a result, real needs are being addressed. Connecting. We are beginning to see individuals and families who are not connected to the body of Christ start to identify with some of the simple churches. Partners. The C&MA Ohio Valley District… Read More »5 Encouraging Things So Far…

What is Organic Church?

Authors Neil Cole and Frank Viola  have both been involved in organic/house/simple church for some time and while they share many core beliefs about “organic church,” they do see it a bit differently.  Recently they took time to sit down together and address the question: “What is organic church?”  I’d be interested in your thoughts on what they have shared.  Feel free to share in the comment section below after reading.  Enjoy! CLICK TO READ ARTICLE

Meeting Ideas (Part 1)

I wanted to share some abbreviated notes from Frank Viola’s book Finding Organic Church.  Perhaps it may encourage you as we “learn how to meet” together in our simple churches.  Please note that, to my knowledge, the Frank Viola that wrote this book is not the same Frank Viola that played for the Mets and signed the ball above. Chapter 15:  Learning How To Meet : Meeting Content 1) Sing Together – without instruments, without a song leader or a music leader, learn lots of new songs together. 2) Share Together – Viola suggests the following “share together” exercises for the first six months (it could vary in time depending on the number in your group.) Exercise 1: Life Story.  Each person share their life story including their testimony of how they came to faith… Read More »Meeting Ideas (Part 1)

Men and Simple Church

I would like to make a short observation based on my experiences thus far…Men are excited about Simple Church. I have long felt that the modern church has a tendency to be primarily attractive to women for a host of reasons ( I will not get into these reasons here for the sake of time.  However, I do believe that the book Wild at Heart addresses this point quite well).  Dr. Albert Mohler, whose blog I enjoy reading regularly, once commented that “the Church at large is bereft of men who will lead: take initiative, seek out problems, and do their best to fix them.”  But why is this?  Certainly, sin and Satan deserve some credit. I also believe that us church folk rarely ask men to lead in real tangible ways.  Sure we have… Read More »Men and Simple Church

What Are Missional Communities?

A short great explanation of what missional community is all about.  As we are in the beginning stages of this new work, I have a growing sense that a missional mindset (see core values blog post) must be present from the beginning.  I continue to pray that each person individually and each simple church collectively would have a “focus on the harvest.” [vimeo http://vimeo.com/18406971]

1.19.11 Update

Well the ball is rolling! It has been a great blessing to hear from many of you about Sunday. I know that God is doing some great things in our group and I can’t wait for everyone to be as encouraged as I have been from all the stories from the different simple churches. This Sunday morning during the network gathering (10:45 at FAC), we’ll have ample time for this. God is definitely doing some cool stuff in our midst! I also was greatly encouraged, as I know many of you were, by my good friend Brian’s visit with us Sunday morning. I think he previewed many great topics for us that we will certainly need to continue to wrestle with in the coming days… childrens’ ministry, open meetings, missions, authority…just to name a few.… Read More »1.19.11 Update