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Resurrection Day Communion (By Jeff Herron)

March 27, 2016 — Resurrection Day, by Jeff Herron Unexpectedly volunteering to serve communion with Darah at the Resurrection Day gathering of the Simple Church Alliance network. Can’t remember acting in this capacity before. Starting to think right away about what words I might say as people come up to receive the elements. There’s that passage in Corinthians somewhere about not being unworthy, but I can’t remember it well enough. Maybe the more traditional “the body of Christ, broken for your sins…”, but I can’t really recall exactly how that one goes either, and I’m not much for formulaic incantations anyway. Realize there’s a bit of pride in the mix, wanting to seem competent and experienced at something I don’t really have any experience with. Figure I’ll just say or not say as the Lord… Read More »Resurrection Day Communion (By Jeff Herron)

A Simple Church Gathering Format

If there is one thing I am not a fan of, it is trying to come up with a formula for “church.”  Simple Church at its core is about following Jesus and allowing him to lead us as individuals and as a local church.  There is great opportunity to experience Christ this way in the context of simple church.  When you are simple in form and not tied to meeting times and agendas, you can experience a lot of freedom in what you do when you get together for “church.” That being said, I think that it could be a mistake for leaders to not have a loosely held plan to help those in your simple church community focus on Christ and do the things that we see the church doing in the New Testament.… Read More »A Simple Church Gathering Format

Influence

Below is a photo of my good friend Chuck Dickerson and me.  Originally, Chuck and I met back when I worked for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  Chuck is the assistant gymnastics coach at the University of Kentucky and is originally from Texas.  I was reminded today of Chuck’s story as we were doing our weekly study together.  We have been looking at the Seven Signs in John and today, when discussing the boldness of the man born blind as he stood in front of the Pharisees a healed man, Chuck recalled the boldness of a young gymnast he met back in 1998… Benita Mueller was fifteen years old.  She had pleaded with her then club gymnastics coach to go to church with her.  Chuck finally gave in and after attending church with her for two… Read More »Influence

Easter Network Gathering

Join us for a picnic*, fellowship, worship, encouragement, and an Easter egg hunt for the kids!  Let’s come together to celebrate our risen Lord with simple church friends and family from across the region.  We will meet inside from 10:30-12:30 and the trails will be available afterwards for you to enjoy throughout the day.  If you are a current simple church leader, it is very helpful if you can email and RSVP  for your group by Good Friday.  If you would like to share a testimony, poem, song, story, prayer, etc., come ready to do so.  If you have questions contact Gavin beforehand. Simple Church Network Easter Gathering Easter Sunday, March 27 10:30 AM – 12:30AM Raven Run: 3885 Raven Run Way, Lexington, KY 40515 *Coffee will be provided at the beginning and during our Celebration.  However, everyone is… Read More »Easter Network Gathering

LexPray! 24:7 This Week!

Hey Y’all… LexPray! This Easter, we are hosting a week of prayer along with others in the Body of Christ in the city of Lexington.  Several years ago simple churches in Lexington came together to host a 48 hour prayer room.  It went so well that we wanted to do it again this Easter.  In the process of putting this together, it has grown into a city-wide effort with several churches and ministries joining in!  Our friends at the new prayer room in Lexington are excited to host and we want to invite everyone in the Body of Christ to consider coming together to pray!  We are believing in faith that we can fill up every slot on the calendar, Monday through Sunday morning the week of Easter (March 21-27, 2016)! Consider how you can take part:… Read More »LexPray! 24:7 This Week!

Podcast: What Is A Simple Church?

In episode 2 of the all new Keep it Simple Podcast, we address the question “What is a simple church?” In order to answer this question, we begin by taking a look at what is absolutely necessary for a local church to exist.  Our search leads us to answer other questions like, “What are non-negotiable and what is optional when it come to ‘church?’” “What things are hindering the church from being all that God wants it to be?” In this podcast we will also look at two aspects of modern church that usually are considered essential– Professionals and Programs.  We re-examine their necessity for a vibrant and multiplying church to exist. Listen Below!     For more information about “P.O.U.C.H.” Churches: http://www.churchplantingmovements.com/images/stories/audio/CPM_Summaries/15_POUCH_Churches.mp3 https://tangiblethoughts.wordpress.com/2009/05/19/church-planting-movements-by-david-garrison/ For all the podcasts, subscribe on iTunes or visit http://www.keepitsimplepodcast.com

Creation / Evolution Discussion with Dr. Sarfati on March 30

Is Evolution Important? Is there really a case to be made against it? As with many topics, the world has declared the debate over and the science settled. But is that really the case? Simple Church is sponsoring Dr. Jonathan Sarfati from Creation Ministries International for a talk on Wednesday, March 30. Dr. Sarfati will be speaking on “Design, Deluge & Dilemma”. Come and hear Dr Sarfati expose the bankruptcy of the evolutionary myth.  You’ll be amazed to see how weak the scientific evidence for evolution is. This talk is child friendly so don’t hesitate to bring children and invite anyone you think might benefit from it. There will be a 55 minute presentation followed by a Q and A session. Feel free to call me Rich Jirak 859.797.2351 Lafayette Church of the Nazarene 264… Read More »Creation / Evolution Discussion with Dr. Sarfati on March 30

Podcast: What Is The Church?

What is the Church? In our first episode of the Keep it Simple Podcast , (or “second season” as some might like to call it) Tom and I discuss this basic question.   You can subscribe on iTunes at this link, or listen directly to the podcast below: This podcast episode refers to this YouTube Video:   About The “Keep it Simple Podcast” For over two years now,  Tom Lecompte and I have co-hosted the simple church podcast “Keep it Simple.”  Tom, from New Covenant Fellowship (a house church network in Louisville, KY) and I originally started the podcast because we thought it would be a good opportunity to connect and discuss simple/house/organic church issues we were wrestling with.  Two years into it, we are still going and now we want to “relaunch” the podcast with a specific focus… Read More »Podcast: What Is The Church?

Simple Church and The Arts

At first glance, it may seem that simple or house church would actually be a bad expression of church for people of faith who are interested in participating in the arts.  (I have had more than one conversation with others stating their love to play or sing on the “worship team” as a reason that they are unable to consider starting a simple church with their spouse.)  Since gatherings are usually small and lack a stage, there certainly are boundaries on the art that can be shared in the Body during “church.”  However, the lack of a large crowd and a church stage creates numerous opportunities for the artist (or would be artist) who is a part of a simple church. JD Payne, in a recent blog post over at Missiologically Thinking, echoes many of my thoughts on… Read More »Simple Church and The Arts

Simple Church Hangout March 2 (Hosted Online by Pendleton Co. Ekklesia)

You are invited to open your laptop or phone and join our good friends in Pendleton Co Kentucky as they host a simple church hangout to discuss “Gatherings, Meetings, and Discipleship” Gatherings, Meetings, and Discipleship – We would like to discuss together the role gatherings and meetings play in the making of disciples. We would love to hear what God is saying to and doing in the lives of everyone involved in or trying to start a simple church. We hope all will be encouraged and challenged to take new steps of faith! – Jeff and Darah Herron Simple Church Hangouts are a great opportunity for you to connect with others in simple church–especially if you are a part of a simple church in an area where a local network is yet to form!  Starting in 2016, our… Read More »Simple Church Hangout March 2 (Hosted Online by Pendleton Co. Ekklesia)