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2021 Simple Church Retreat (September 25-26)

Karla and I would like to invite you to join us and others from simple church communities across the region this September 25-26, at the Stanford Inn at Wilderness Road.  My prayer is that this time will serve to refresh and encourage you as we seek clarity about what Jesus is up to in our day.  In the spirit of simple church, there will not be long presentations to sit through, but rather conversations to explore and relationships to discover and develop with others whose pursuit of Christ has led them (or may be leading them) outside the religious institutions that can typically define God’s family. This spot can feel like a lonely place, but you are not alone! We would love to have you join us!  Details and Registration HERE.  (Registration Deadline Sept. 3) The Destination… Read More »2021 Simple Church Retreat (September 25-26)

Live Not By Lies – Book Discussion (Part 2) – July 25

Simple Church Alliance will host a book discussion on Live Not By Lies – A Manual For Christian Dissidents (Second Half of Book) by Rob Dreher (author of The Benedict Option) Sunday, July 25th, 2021 // 6PM-7:30PM 3060 Harrodsburg Road (First Southern Nat’l Bank, 2nd Floor) A light dinner will be provided and we do ask that you RSVP for this discussion by emailing us here. Part 2 – Resisting Soft Totalitarianism This month’s discussion we will focus on the second half of the book Live Not By Lies.  We will examine the ways Christians in the past have survived totalitarian oppression and consider Rob’s application for Christians in the future as “soft totalitarianism” becomes more prevalent in the United States.  How can Christians act now to prepare ourselves for a future where totalitarianism could impact… Read More »Live Not By Lies – Book Discussion (Part 2) – July 25

Live Not By Lies – A Book Discussion – May 23rd

Simple Church Alliance will host a book discussion on Live Not By Lies – A Manual For Christian Dissidents by Rob Dreher (author of The Benedict Option). Sunday, May 23rd, 2021 // 6PM-7:30PM 3060 Harrodsburg Road (First Southern Nat’l Bank, 2nd Floor) A light dinner will be provided and we do ask that you RSVP for this discussion by emailing us here. Why this book? A friend in simple church recently passed this book along to me. I have enjoyed a number of good discussions since then regarding the assertions and warnings presented in the book.  Are we living in  a time of growing “soft” totalitarianism? If so, what are we to do about it? If not, how is he wrong?  How might we learn from the perspectives of our brothers and sisters in easter Europe… Read More »Live Not By Lies – A Book Discussion – May 23rd

Discovery Bible Study in Simple Church

From my experience, a major obstacle standing in the way of many Christians engaging in discipleship, leading Bible Study, or helping start a simple church is the perception that they are an unqualified Bible scholar.  While deepening knowledge and understanding of Scripture is to be desired, the lie that we are not qualified is major tool of the enemy in keeping Christians from helping friends and family understand God’s Word and grow in their faith. However, for centuries missionaries have  helped new believers in places where no such qualified teachers exists to quickly and simply learn and teach others the Bible through Discover Bible Study (DBS).  DBS can empower any believer, regardless of Bible knowledge, to grow as a disciple and help others to do likewise as they trust the Holy Spirit to be the… Read More »Discovery Bible Study in Simple Church

Spring Network Gathering – April 10

UPDATE: We are good Saturday… Rain or Shine!  If rain, we will be in the large “tabernacle” on there grounds with plenty of space to spread out to your comfort level.  Plus putt putt will be indoors too!   Simple Church Friends, The Saturday after Easter (April 10th) we will host a Spring Network Gathering at Adventure Serve in Wilmore, KY!  We will be outside in their amphitheater and enjoy music, prayer, and and time of encouragement.  Also, Adventure Serve was the recipient of a portable Putt-Putt golf course and since it’s Masters Tournament weekend, I thought we’d have a golf championship of our own!  Bring family and friends, your own picnic lunch, and perhaps an outdoor chair if you don’t prefer picnic tables or wooden chairs (see pics below).  We will get started at 11:30Am… Read More »Spring Network Gathering – April 10

Sending Out the Roberts Family

Shortly after starting Simple Church Alliance, God placed our family right in the middle of a unique simple church community–the skate church with the Roberts family. I met Josh Roberts after hosting a the local skate shop in my backyard for a cookout and skating on our ramp. One of the kids on the team mentioned attending Josh Roberts’ baptism and how Josh’s life had radically changed. I knew I had to meet him.  Less than twenty four hours later, I was sitting with Josh at a local skate park hearing his story of how God grabbed his attention at a music festival and as a result was now following Jesus. Josh and I began a friendship that has continued to deepen. I was given the great opportunity to watch Josh begin growing in his new… Read More »Sending Out the Roberts Family

Simple Church Introduction Workshop

Saturday, March 27 / 9-11AM / 3060 Harrodsburg Road, Lexington, KY (First Southern National Bank 2nd Floor) / Free Breakfast provided. Covid-19 is teaching us many lessons about the modern faith community experience. Many sense that our experience of “church” will need to change if we are to learn from the realities that Covid-19 has exposed. Join us as we re-consider the New Testament church, discuss possible lessons we can learn going forward and how Jesus and his church can be experienced in simpler ways that can meet the challenges of a post Covid-19 world! During this workshop you will: *  Meet others who are simple/house church practitioners* Get answers to your questions about simple/house church* Understand the basics regarding the “Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How?” questions surrounding simple/house church.* Learn practical steps… Read More »Simple Church Introduction Workshop

Our American Stories: Receiving Wylie

Over the summer, my wife Karla participated in a writing class with author Leslie Leyland Fields.  Through that opportunity, a door opened to share Wylie’s story on the national podcast Our American Stories.  I helped her through the agonizing process of recording this story. (Karla often can’t get through cartoon stories without crying) and today it was posted on their website.  I’ve not shared a lot about our experience with Wylie on this blog. (Karla and I occasionally have done that over on her blog), but needless to say our world has been forever changed by Wylie.  I’m super proud of Karla for being obedient to write about Wylie as she sensed God’s calling to do that, for taking a writing class, and for sharing this story with the world through this platform.  You can… Read More »Our American Stories: Receiving Wylie

House2House is Back

Many years ago, when I first began researching simple/house church, House2House.com provide a wealth of knowledge and encouragement.  Over the past ten years, the site went through some changes and eventually disappeared.  Now it is back and fully updated and provides a ton of great resources for anyone interested in exploring simple/organic/house church. Tony and Felicity Dale, the founders of House2House, have been a tremendous encouragement to us and we have really benefited from their leadership along with Neil Cole who is also featured in the Video Training Series they have included on their site.  Both the Dales and Neil have attended our conference…that we hope will be able to resume in 2021! Visit www.House2House.com

A Note From Gavin 12.3.20

So one of my all-time favorite posts here on this blog is this one because it makes light of the obvious guilt aspect of this week’s “Giving Tuesday” social media campaign that comes directly after a weekend of binge buying by many consumers. With that being said, “Giving Tuesday” can serve as a great reminder of the importance of generosity. This past weekend during our simple church gathering I was reminded again of the incredible gratitude that our family has for receiving so many generous gifts.  Even this past week I shared in our family newsletter a prayer request concerning some medical bill negotiations. Just yesterday I received a call from the hospital to notify me that we now had a credit on our account!  Yes, it appears they have too much money from us!  We count… Read More »A Note From Gavin 12.3.20