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Thoughts on Giving (Guest Blog)

Thoughts on Giving, by Matt Wheeler I am excited about giving.  Don’t get me wrong, I can be as tight-fisted as anyone and have a long way to go, but this is one area that God has really blessed my family and me.  My wife Kristy and I were blessed to be trained by Gary Montgomery and others on living with a Biblical view of possessions and have participated in and lead a couple of small groups on this topic.  Did you know that there are over 2,300 verses on money and possessions?  The Bible talks about bribes, borrowing, financial planning, and even whether or not you should co-sign for someone.  Jesus spoke extensively about these topics–even more than he spoke about love.  But I believe that the overarching theme is that everything that we… Read More »Thoughts on Giving (Guest Blog)

Summer Celebration – This Saturday!

Simple Church Celebration This SATURDAY Hey folks! Just a quick reminder that this Saturday the Simple Church Alliance will host a “summer celebration” gathering! Saturday, June 22 Bluegrass Christian Camp 7463 Athens Boonesboro Road 5pm- ??? We look forward to enjoying a relaxing and fun evening celebrating Jesus together with others involved in simple churches from around the region.  Here are a few reminders for our time together: FOOD It will be a potluck.  Simple Church Alliance will provide drinks, plates, napkins, and eating utensils.  Please coordinate with your simple church food so that there is enough entrée’s, side items, and desserts to cover everyone in your group (including any guests you may bring).  If you are not in a simple church, just bring enough for you and/or your family.  We’ll put it on the… Read More »Summer Celebration – This Saturday!

Outside The Walls (By Nate Smith)

How can the world engage in a conversation about Jesus when I am always inside those comfortable walls?

The Holy Spirit has been moving in my heart about the need to start some sort of conversation in coffee shops and bars throughout the city. These are places people gather to strike up natural conversation. It is also a place where others go to be alone, people watch and listen in on others.

Verizon Shows Us Relational Multiplication

Hey Gavin, have you seen this commercial? I like it because it visually shows how the body of Christ is meant to reproduce. Individually, we can all reproduce ourselves and make disciples. If you notice in the commercial, these people are just going about their business, hanging out with one another. Then BAM! They reproduce. Two becomes four. Four becomes eight. Eight becomes sixteen. Soon there are hundreds in the commercial. It is also a good visual example of how simple churches can reproduce themselves. No programs. No systems. Just natural. It is a strong image. I recently received this note from my good friend Tom LeCompte in Louisville, KY.  Tom is involved in simple church there and I thought his note and video provided a great illustration of relational multiplication so I thought I… Read More »Verizon Shows Us Relational Multiplication

Messaging Muslims: An Evangelistic Opportunity

  I have a close friend who regularly encourages and challenges me in my walk with Jesus.  Not only has he helped me greatly to understand what “church” can look like outside traditional walls, but he continually encourages me to consider the opportunities that America affords believers in the task of global evangelization.  After living in the Arab world off and on over the past several years, he has discovered one of the most effective means for initiating relationships and Gospel conversations with Muslims is… Facebook! Below is a document he is making available for anyone who would like to join him in this engaging Muslims online through Facebook.  The more people who volunteer, the wider the net is cast.  What I appreciate most about his approach is that simple, very well thought out, and… Read More »Messaging Muslims: An Evangelistic Opportunity

Baptizing The Imagination

Listen to some very thought provoking talks from a recent conference on the importance of the imagination in the live of a believer and in the Kingdom of God.

Church In My Dorm?

Below is a short encouragement and follow up from this blog post: Gavin came to speak at the Perspectives class on UK’s campus a few weeks before the end of the semester. After hearing about the simple church movement, I had an idea that I couldn’t get rid of: start a church in my dorm. So many people and things were telling me not to go forward with it; it was too late in the semester, I was crazy, that’s heretical. But I went for it anyway. God’s movement stirred up some commotion in my dorm. Everyone was talking about the home church in Patterson. I was able to openly preach and discuss with atheists and others who have fell away from faith. I was able to talk one-on-one with three girls and one guy… Read More »Church In My Dorm?

Women need other women!  Around here we don’t gather at communal water wells or shared clothes lines.  So, we’re creating space.  We’re making time for being together in the form of a retreat.  We need it and it will be good.  Sue Clark has invited Simple Church ladies and their friends for a day at her farm.  Lunch will be provided.  We will start at 10Am and end by 5pm.  Teaching, singing, small group prayer, communion and an extended personal reflection time are all scheduled.  Please email Karla Duerson (karladuerson@yahoo.com) to make your reservation and receive your retreat e-packet with important details.View this event on Facebook here Narrow Gate Farm 3580 Vince Road – Nicholasville Details Report a map error Date/Time Date(s) – 05/19/2013 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Location Narrow Gate Farm Category(ies) Grassroots… Read More »

May Simple Church Training (New Location)

This month our “simple church training” will have a different feel as we move our site out to the Wheeler’s new farm in Nicholasville (6-8PM)!  Come and join others leading simple church ministries (or in the process of starting) for a refreshing time of fellowship and worship around the fire.  We will also view and discuss a short video that gives and overview of simple church leadership as well.  If you have never joined us for a “second Wednesday of the month” this would be a great time to start and bring a friend as you will learn will get a great picture of what simple church leadership is about and meet others on the journey!   Kids come too this month as there are plenty of fun things for them to get into (including… Read More »May Simple Church Training (New Location)