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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)

A Letter To A Church

In recent months, a simple church here in Lexington sent out a family to join a new family with the hopes of seeing a new simple church birthed.  It’s been very exciting to see how God is growing a new community of faith through the willingness of these families to “go” and not simply stay where they were most comfortable.  Recently, several members of the original  simple church wrote a creative letter of encouragement to this new simple church.  I was really impressed with the time and energy they put forth and I thought i would share it with you here.  Enjoy!  

Get The Picture?

At a recent simple church training, we discussed the importance of clearly communicating the values and vision of simple church. We challenged the leaders from each simple church to visualize simple church alliance. Below are a few of the images. How would you visualize simple church multiplication?

Simple Church Camp Out! (March 23-24)

Brice Burton in Somerset and Chris Phebus here in Lexington are going to head up a camping trip for simple church folks and their friends.   The camp out will take place near Somerset in the Daniel Boon National Forest.  You will be able to drive a car to the site.  We’ll have some mild hiking opportunities, caving, repelling, and there is a nice waterfall as well!  You can come for one night or two.  Tons of fun for whole family!!!  Contact Chris at Chris@phebusphotography.com to get signed up and included on all the details. View This Event On FACEBOOK

Easter Celebration!

The Simple Church Alliance will host an Easter Celebration Gathering on Easter Sunday, April 8th from 5PM to 7PM.  There will be a Communion Meal at 5pm followed by a time of celebrating our risen Savior through song, teaching, and fellowship!  We also hope to witness several baptisms this evening as well!  If you or someone you know would like to take part, please let us know.  We pray that you will be encouraged as you come alongside others participating in (or interested in) simple/organic/house church communities across the Bluegrass!  Please feel free to invite friends and family as well! The Simple Church Alliance will provide meat and beverages.  Please bring a side dish or dessert.  The Celebration will take place in the Gym at First Alliance at 2201 Old Higbee Mill Road, Lexington, KY.… Read More »Easter Celebration!

From Ordinary to Extroardinary: A note on the “Launch” (Audio)

A note on last Sunday’s official “launch” from First Alliance: I am very grateful to First Alliance Church for their encouraging words and support over the past year and a half and especially this past Sunday.  I only hope that ALL who are part of simple church felt encouraged and commissioned as Karla and I did.  My hope and prayer was that the focus of the “send off” was on Jesus and His call to all of us to go and make disciples.  I believe that for disciples and simple churches to multiply a bottom up, grassroots movement, must occur.  I’m convinced that leadership is a gift from God and a gift to the church and that Jesus’ leadership model was one of  servant leadership.  I believe strongly that discipleship and simple church multiplication is… Read More »From Ordinary to Extroardinary: A note on the “Launch” (Audio)

Launch Time!

If you are new to one of the simple churches in our area then it’s possible that you may not understand the role the people involved with First Alliance Church have played in helping us begin down the simple church path.  Not only have they made it possible for me to devote all of my energies to sharing the simple church vision with people in this region, but they have done something that I think is truly commendable:  Given permission.  By putting their blessing on the Simple Church Alliance, every member of their traditionally structured church as been encouraged to explore simple church.  In doing so they helped us all to embrace simple church as a response to God’s work in our world instead of a reaction to more traditional or institutional structures.  The leadership’s… Read More »Launch Time!

Women’s Retreat

From Karla Duerson: Women’s Retreat! Feb 24 Friday – Feb 25 Saturday 6:30 – 4:30 pm (EST) Bluegrass Christian Camp Athens Boonesboro, Lexington, KY, 40509 ———————————————— Maybe we will be having our own women’s retreat one of these days. I hope we do! In the meantime, I did want to invite you all to go to the FAC one at Bluegrass Christian Camp. I am signed up to attend. If there are some who want to go from our group, we are invited to stay at the Jirak’s home so we can make it “our own.” (The overnight accommodations at the camp are already filled). Here are the details from the FAC website: Refresh: Connection through Fellowship February 24-25 Bluegrass Christian Camp – Summit Retreat Center Take time away to listen, rest, talk, and refresh.… Read More »Women’s Retreat