Skip to content

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

Part 2: Italy

This is part 2 of a multi-part series on my recent trip overseas to visit with ministry leaders and specifically house/simple church leaders in Kazakhstan and Italy.  You can read part 1 about Kazakhstan here.  In he next several days I will be sharing some take-a-ways from this experience.  But for today… Italy I was greeted in Italy by John (Juan Carlos) and Betsy.  I met them through a common friend Ed Magnum during the pandemic.  Over the past several years, we have had many conversations online about simple church and they have been excited to be a part of… Read More »Part 2: Italy

Overseas Trip: Part 1: Kazakhstan

It’s extremely difficult to put into words what I experienced recently on a trip to visit leaders in the church and specifically house churches in Kazakhstan and Italy. In many ways these destinations provided a polar opposite experience. Yet many of my take-a-ways from meeting the believers in each place were the same and may have direct lessons for us here in America. In the next few days, I’m going to share about these experiences. Today is part 1: Kazakhstan.  Tomorrow I’ll share about my time in Italy and then a few posts on my take-a-ways from the experience.  I… Read More »Overseas Trip: Part 1: Kazakhstan

Church Is Simple! (An encouraging letter from a friend)

Karla and I recently were able to host two longtime friends who helped lead a simple church here in Lexington several years ago.  While their jobs have led them out of state, they have remained an important part of our extended family of faith.  I was so encouraged by a follow up email I received from Joy that I asked if she would consider editing it to sharing here on this site!  May it encourage you as well…  We had a wonderful time with Gavin and Karla and their kids on Sunday and are so grateful for the connections God… Read More »Church Is Simple! (An encouraging letter from a friend)

Simple Church Conference / Retreat – October 28-29

Come to Kentucky’s second oldest town this year to connect with and learn alongside simple/house/organic church practitioners from around the region at the 2023 Simple Church Retreat/Conference!  Since 2012, we have sought to host an annual overnight opportunity for Christians asking similar questions to come together for a time of equipping and encouragement—questions like: What is a church really? What are the challenges we would need to overcome in order to be a part of a simple/house church? Am I even allowed to start a house church and if so how does that happen? What are the joys and victories… Read More »Simple Church Conference / Retreat – October 28-29

Considering our “Why?”

Recently I was blessed to be able to spend some time with several simple church leaders from the region.  We discussed our recent experiences in outside-the-box types of ministry and considering our “why?” for staying the course.  Most everyone present has persevered with simple church for a long period of time through the joys and challenges of cutting a new trail. As we shared our motivations for continuing along the simple/house/organic church path and God’s work in it, several themes emerged.  Many voices echoed the values that led folks connected here to start thinking more simply about local church fellowship.  Similarly, there was… Read More »Considering our “Why?”