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Free Online “Soul Care” Class with Dr. Larry Crabb

Do you ever feel paralyzed when a friend or acquaintance shares a personal struggle with you?  Do you find yourself feeling unsure of how to respond to hurts and wounds that are exposed in your simple church community? I wanted to point out a free online course, Soul Care 101, for anyone desiring to invest some time in becoming a better listener, counselor, and friend to those in our lives who share struggles with us.  Dr. Larry Crabb says that “Soul Care” is something that every Christian needs to be able to give.  Personally, I see “soul care” as another way of thinking about discipleship.  While I have not finished this course, I continue to find the lectures helpful and extremely practical and relevant to simple church ministry.  Check out the video below to hear… Read More »Free Online “Soul Care” Class with Dr. Larry Crabb

Why Not One Another Each Other?

Why Not One Another Each Other? – a simple way of thinking about how to spend time with your simple church family!  As I meet with people transitioning to simple church one of the more common questions I get is “What are we supposed to do when we meet together?”  This question is understandable as “what we do at church” each week is usually determined by the church staff and that, for the most part, has not veered to far from the Opening Prayer-Opening Song-Announcements-More Songs-Special Song-Sermon-Offering-Closing Song-Closing Prayer format–regardless if you attend a small church or a mega church.  Of course you could try this in simple church, but most have found that to be…well awkward.  So why not “one another each other?” Below is a list of the “one-another” and “each other” passages found… Read More »Why Not One Another Each Other?

Not to Abandon Community

By Nate Smith: It would be so much easier not to be in a simple church. It is simple because we meet in an apartment. It is not simple because it does not allow one another to stay where they are in their walk with Jesus….

Last Sundae – A Story of Healing (Updated!)

October 12, 2012: I thought I would briefly share a story from our simple church gathering last week: There is a couple in our simple church that have a tremendous desire to reach out to their neighbors.  They are prayerful about seeing a simple church birthed in their neighborhood, and while they patiently wait for that day to arrive, they have been busy loving their neighbors in the name of Jesus (and even some of my neighbors!)  One man on their street has cancer and they asked him if he and his family would like to receive prayer for before he goes back in for more tests.  They graciously accepted the offer and showed up at our simple church last week with a crew of friends and family.  We all joined in prayer for and… Read More »Last Sundae – A Story of Healing (Updated!)

Simple Church Training: Apostles

By Nate Smith October’s Simple Church leadership meeting was a discussion on the Ephesians 4:11-12 passage.  The conversation revolved around the apostle’s characteristics led by Chris Phebus.  Here are some notes that were gathered from Wednesday night: Apostle:  Someone who is sent Why is there a rejection of those who are called to be apostles?  This is due to the argument that this gift along with other gifts died out with the first century church.  However, it may be due to today’s church making excuses for not going out. How did Paul function as an apostle?  This part of the discussion was done in groups of two or three and then talked about in the large group setting.  Here are some characteristics: Sent to a specific group – Paul to the Gentiles Traveled to areas… Read More »Simple Church Training: Apostles

Fall Celebration – Oct 21st

This fall, join others involved in simple/organic/house church ministry as we come together to worship our savior around a campfire at Bluegrass Christian Camp!  On October 21 at 5pm, the Simple Church Alliance will host a celebration gathering with a fall flavor.  Come out to the Bluegrass Christian Camp and enjoy fellowship, hiking, roasting marshmallows, playing outdoor games and a time of worship around the campfire with others involved in organic church ministry from the region.  Everyone is welcome!  Bring a friend and let’s be encouraged by all that God is doing throughout the city and beyond! We ask each simple church (or individual/family if you are not presently involved in a simple church) to bring enough food for your group (sandwiches, sides, and deserts) to be placed on a sharing table.  The Simple Church… Read More »Fall Celebration – Oct 21st

Free Five Fold Survey

For the past several months, those involved in leading, co-leading, or considering to lead simple church communities have been examining the importance of the five-fold ministry laid out in Ephesians 4. You may recall that I encouraged everyone to consider if they tend to “function” as an Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, or Teacher (APEST). You may also recall that I pointed everyone to an online assessment that I later discouraged because I felt that it was not really helpful or accurate (and it cost money). Well, this week I found another online five-fold ministry assessment that is FREE. While I generally do not tend to be a big fan of these types of assessments, I actually thought this one had great questions and was helpful to a degree. Plus it was free. Did I say… Read More »Free Five Fold Survey

Luke 10:2 Virus & More

Hello folks! I wanted to share few thoughts with you all related to the Simple Church Conference. At the conference, many of you were introduced to the idea of the “Luke 10:2 Virus.” I would like to ask you all to join me in spreading this virus! As I think about it, there really is no greater need than for the Lord to send out laborers into His harvest. The harvest truly is plentiful and the workers are few! Here is the story Felicity shared at the Simple Church Conference 2012: Any church planting movement must be preceded and then surrounded by a prayer movement.  Prayer is essential to any move of God.  We need many prayer warriors who will spend hours on their faces before God crying out to Him that He move across… Read More »Luke 10:2 Virus & More

Tidal Wave (Video)

This video is one of the more thorough introductions to simple church available.   If you are considering simple/house/organic church or trying to gain a better understanding of the world-wide movement the God is currently initiating then this video is for you:

A Simple Celebration (Guest Blog)

A Simple Celebration by Nate Smith This past Sunday night was the Simple Church Alliance’s summer celebration.  A gathering of all the home churches in the Lexington area.  Unfortunately I was the only person from our home church that was able to go, but I represented well with suspenders and all.  I am grateful to attend the monthly leadership meetings and know quite a few people that I caught up with.  It is just refreshing to see everyone.  For me, even more refreshing seeing children.  I love living in downtown Lexington, but not seeing this age demographic on a regular basis I forget how awesome kids are. We started the evening with a meal and communion.  I love that this is a regular part of the majority of home churches.  It brings about casual conversation and… Read More »A Simple Celebration (Guest Blog)