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Part 5: Cross Cultural Opportunities

In the last of my five part series, I want to share how my recent trip to visit simple church leaders and house church leaders in Kazakhstan and Italy highlighted the opportunities we have here for cross-cultural relational ministry.   Cross Cultural Partnership for House Churches I previously mentioned the wedding we hosted in Italy.  At this wedding, one Muslim man approached John wondering why they had done this. John explained that they are Christians, that the mother of the bride was a part of their community, and they were trying to help. The inquirer replied that he wanted to meet and learn more.   Christian freedom and hospitality are especially appealing to Muslim immigrants.  I learned that many immigrants, contrary to what we may think, are not coming to import their religion.  Many are disenchanted with… Read More »Part 5: Cross Cultural Opportunities

Part 4: Intentional Discipleship

Today is part four of a series on my recent trip to meet Kazakhstani and Italian house and simple church leaders.  In my last post I shared how the trip re-emphasized to me the importance of seeing church primarily as a “way of life.” Today I reflect on how the importance of intentional discipleship as a characteristic of this way of life was highlighted during my travels. Intentional Discipleship I was really encouraged that many people we encountered emphasized discipleship.  Cru and other ministries are making relational investments in many people by focusing on intentional discipleship.  David reminded me and others (as he has done as long as I’ve known him): Jesus didn’t call us to start churches but to make disciples.  In Kazakhstan, this is happening because disciples are intentionally inviting others into their… Read More »Part 4: Intentional Discipleship

Part 3: Church As A Way Of Life

Over the last two posts, I have shared some of my experiences on my recent trip to meet Kazakhstani and Italian house and simple church leaders.  Over the next few posts, I would like to some take-a-ways that I hope will continue to impact my life and those of us here at home. Church As a “Way of Life” On this trip, I was affirmed and encouraged by a key truth that I often repeat: being the Church is a way of life, not a meeting or a service.  In my humble opinion, decentralization will be a common feature of the Church in the years to come.  This cannot happen quickly enough in Kazakhstan where it seems that “house church” often can still be dependent on professional ministers and programs for training.  We know that… Read More »Part 3: Church As A Way Of Life

Part 2: Italy

This is part 2 of a multi-part series on my recent trip overseas to visit with ministry leaders and specifically house/simple church leaders in Kazakhstan and Italy.  You can read part 1 about Kazakhstan here.  In he next several days I will be sharing some take-a-ways from this experience.  But for today… Italy I was greeted in Italy by John (Juan Carlos) and Betsy.  I met them through a common friend Ed Magnum during the pandemic.  Over the past several years, we have had many conversations online about simple church and they have been excited to be a part of the Simple Church Alliance.  I was excited to meet them for the first time in-person.    John and Betsy and their two children moved to Osimo, Italy after a visit and their subsequent burden from the… Read More »Part 2: Italy

Overseas Trip: Part 1: Kazakhstan

It’s extremely difficult to put into words what I experienced recently on a trip to visit leaders in the church and specifically house churches in Kazakhstan and Italy. In many ways these destinations provided a polar opposite experience. Yet many of my take-a-ways from meeting the believers in each place were the same and may have direct lessons for us here in America. In the next few days, I’m going to share about these experiences. Today is part 1: Kazakhstan.  Tomorrow I’ll share about my time in Italy and then a few posts on my take-a-ways from the experience.  I hope you are encouraged from this series! Kazakhstan The purpose of my trip here was first and foremost to accompany my good friend David Toth.  David is a leader of a simple church in Ohio… Read More »Overseas Trip: Part 1: Kazakhstan

Church Is Simple! (An encouraging letter from a friend)

Karla and I recently were able to host two longtime friends who helped lead a simple church here in Lexington several years ago.  While their jobs have led them out of state, they have remained an important part of our extended family of faith.  I was so encouraged by a follow up email I received from Joy that I asked if she would consider editing it to sharing here on this site!  May it encourage you as well…  We had a wonderful time with Gavin and Karla and their kids on Sunday and are so grateful for the connections God forged for us in Lexington KY.  We’ll be part of the same family for all eternity! We had a blessed, divine appointment on Monday morning, and it began with memories of our simple church meeting… Read More »Church Is Simple! (An encouraging letter from a friend)

Simple Church Conference / Retreat – October 28-29

Come to Kentucky’s second oldest town this year to connect with and learn alongside simple/house/organic church practitioners from around the region at the 2023 Simple Church Retreat/Conference!  Since 2012, we have sought to host an annual overnight opportunity for Christians asking similar questions to come together for a time of equipping and encouragement—questions like: What is a church really? What are the challenges we would need to overcome in order to be a part of a simple/house church? Am I even allowed to start a house church and if so how does that happen? What are the joys and victories people are experiencing in simple/house church communities? How does house church play a role in the bigger picture of what God is doing? If you have questions like these or other similar ones, we know… Read More »Simple Church Conference / Retreat – October 28-29

Considering our “Why?”

Recently I was blessed to be able to spend some time with several simple church leaders from the region.  We discussed our recent experiences in outside-the-box types of ministry and considering our “why?” for staying the course.  Most everyone present has persevered with simple church for a long period of time through the joys and challenges of cutting a new trail. As we shared our motivations for continuing along the simple/house/organic church path and God’s work in it, several themes emerged.  Many voices echoed the values that led folks connected here to start thinking more simply about local church fellowship.  Similarly, there was a growing sense in the group that God desires oneness in His Body and that this unity was directly linked to our understanding and identification with the Kingdom of God. Personally, I was able to share… Read More »Considering our “Why?”

Rethinking Multiplication

At the beginning of our simple church journey, I was energized by the thought of rapid multiplication of churches. I read many Christian authors who describe the importance of simplifying our understanding of what constitutes a New Testament church so that multiplication can happen easily.  One of my favorite books to this day on simple church is The Rabbit and the Elephant.  This title was taken from the concept that simple things (rabbits) can reproduce easily and more quickly than Elephants. Many have sought out strategies and programs that will finally provide the secret sauce to replicate what God has done in terms of multiplying movements.  Multiplication gurus have been created.  Multiplication ministries and even businesses designed to consult toward multiplication in the church have formed with little to no effect.; however after 12 years… Read More »Rethinking Multiplication

Remembering David Griffin

This past week our simple church lost someone special.  David Griffin was our next door neighbor and a faithful pillar in our simple church family.  Loving and being loved by Dave has been one of the biggest blessings of hosting simple church on our street.  Simple/house church creates family and as we grieve the loss of Dave, I realize how true this is. I was honored to facilitate Dave’s Celebration of Life Service this past Saturday.  It was a true joy to hear others tell stories about Dave. His hilarious personality, love for others, and desire to always help people were common themes.  The stories of the jokes and laughs Dave and I shared could fill up pages. We experienced Dave’s love in so many wonderful ways.  He already is so greatly missed. I wanted… Read More »Remembering David Griffin