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How Do I Help Develop A New Simple Church Leader?

How does a simple church leader help develop a new simple church leader? This was the question posed to those leading simple churches in our area at a recent training. Here is a list of what the groups came up with: * Identify and encourage leadership qualities in others * Spend time with potential leader * Pray for potential leader * Give opportunities to lead * Champion their calling–as a leader/disciple maker * Lead/Watch – Lead/Help – Help/Lead – Watch/Lead * Learn along side of potential leader * Continually point leader to Christ (not to us) * Listen and Obey the Spirit as He leads us * Be fully committed to the paradigm of simple church (It is difficult to help others become leaders if you are not convinced internally that simple church is a… Read More »How Do I Help Develop A New Simple Church Leader?

Guest Blog: A Transition To Simple Church

By Nate Smith Church has always been a part of my life. I have a ton of relatives that are ordained and it goes back generations. Personally, I have found the aspect of going to church very frustrating. I am a bit of a nomad. I have moved every year for the past 4-5 years. I have made good friends in the places I have lived, however, church has been… disappointing. First, I am not a morning person. Maybe, I should be excited to go to church at 10 am and awkwardly greet the person in the pew next to me as I accidentally yawn while trying to introduce myself. It is slightly embarrassing. Second, how does an introvert like myself fit into this kind of a setting? I sometimes shut down when there is… Read More »Guest Blog: A Transition To Simple Church

Simple Church Alliance Summer Picnic

Join simple church communities from around Central Kentucky as we come together for a summer picnic!  Sunday June 24, 5pm @ Shilito Park Shelter #1.  We’ll enjoy music via an “open mic,” Cornhole Tournament, Fellowship, Food, and a crazy fancy head-wear/hat contest. Details on the event page HERE See this even on facebook HERE

Why Simple Churches Do Not Work

Over the past year and a half, I have observed simple church “not working” for a variety of reasons.  Just this morning before I hit the “publish” button on this very post, I spoke with a gentleman on the phone who was wondering aloud about his family’s future in simple church.  It is certainly not uncommon to question if simple church is going to work out for you–especially when the Christian culture offers many other church options that seemingly offers a path of least resistance.  Perhaps this is where you are now?  As with any conflict, I always find it helpful to really plead with the Lord to show you what He desires to do in you through your confusion and discontent.  In addition, I always find it helpful to seek counsel from those who… Read More »Why Simple Churches Do Not Work

An India-Sized Vision

I know that India is a big place but how can I keep running into her in Kentucky?  My new office is next to a fabulous ministry called “Fishhook International” which does work in India, a medical student who recently visited our simple church just returned from India, another couple I’ve recently met recently shared with me about their travels to India, and I recently learned that two other young men involved in simple church desire to travel to India in the coming years.  Then yesterday I receive this email that originated from a couple working with others to plant simple churches in Northern India: I am writing to you from the eastern reaches of the state of Uttar Pradesh, north India. The mercury topped 110 degrees today and, even though it’s late in the… Read More »An India-Sized Vision

Discipleship Tool: Life Transformation Groups

How do I make a disciple?  Make no mistake, there is no formula or ten step process for making disciples.   However, when Jesus told the disciples to “go and make disciples of all the nations,” I have a strong feeling they knew how to do what he was talking about.  After all, they had been discipled by Jesus and observed first-hand “the way” Jesus turned them into one of His disciples!  I have posted briefly some of the discipleship principles we see Jesus live out, a full message on the subject, and the crazy “Turtleman Video” illustration here. But how can we put these principles into action?  How might we practically start making disciples… who can also make disciples?  I can’t reiterate enough that there is no formula for it.  However, as I have pondered the… Read More »Discipleship Tool: Life Transformation Groups

Guest Blog: Giving In The Simple Church, By David Toth

By David Toth There area number of perspectives from which to discuss the issue of giving in the simple church. Some are the 1) theological, 2) practical, 3) mission, 4) strategic, etc. These brief paragraphs take a practical approach and mention some of the more encouraging aspects of giving in the simple church (an organic house church sized body of believers). In the simple church we can be encouraged that most of our giving can be directed to missionaries, orphans, local apostolics, and needy people. This reflects giving in the early church for the needy in the church and outside the church (orphans, widows, the hungry, etc. (Acts 2:44-45; 11:28-30; 8:1-3; Luke 10:30-37). And for supporting missionary type leaders like Jesus, Paul, Peter, etc (Matt 27:55-56; Luke 10:7; John 13:29; 1 Cor 9:1-14; Philip 4:15-16;… Read More »Guest Blog: Giving In The Simple Church, By David Toth

Campus Ministry Lessons – Part 2 (The Vanderbilt Situation)

Several months ago, a lady in our simple church requested prayer for Christians involved in student ministries at Vanderbilt University.  The situation at the school was recently addressed in a blog post by Dr. Albert Mohler.  The article highlights how Vanderbilt University, a school founded by Methodists for the purpose of providing students a Christian education, now is “embarrassed” by their tradition and even requiring religious organizations to allow anyone, regardless of their religious beliefs, to run for office. In more recent months, Vanderbilt’s administration decided to push secularism to the extreme — launching a virtual vendetta against religious organizations on campus. Officials of the university informed religious groups that had been recognized student organizations that they would have to comply with an absolute non-discrimination policy. This means that religious organizations (primarily Christian) must now… Read More »Campus Ministry Lessons – Part 2 (The Vanderbilt Situation)

Campus Ministry Lessons – Part 1 (Somerset, KY Revival)

God is up to something in Somerset, KY.  Last year, a group of students from the Pulaski County High School FCA begin to meet on Sunday evenings to pray for their friends–that Christ might transform their lives.  This same small group of students decided to have a “youth rally” last Wednesday.  This youth rally has now turned into what would seem to be a real Spirit-led revival as hundreds of students from their school, neighboring schools (Somerset and Southwest Pulaski High Schools), and adults from the community have continued to show up every night since.  They have even had to change venues to accommodate the people.  Nearly 1300 came to 1st Baptist Church last night to meet with Jesus and hear stories from students with a hunger to follow Christ.  “Every night more and more… Read More »Campus Ministry Lessons – Part 1 (Somerset, KY Revival)