Skip to content

Christianity

Baptisms in Harrison County, KY

Dillon Price and his family attended a simple church network gathering at Christmas through encouragement from the Roberts family, who have been part of simple church (and skate church) for many years. I have only spent a little time with Dillon, but he continues to remind me that it is truly God who is building His church—and that there can be great power in the simple encouragements we pass along. It’s beautiful to see their faith in action as they lead by example. I asked Dillon if he would mind me sharing this video, which he recently sent to me.  If you have a few minutes, you will be encouraged by watching it! Join me in praying for all that God is doing in Harrison County, KY! If the video above has issues, here is… Read More »Baptisms in Harrison County, KY

God’s Pace

This is the fourth post in a series reflecting on lessons learned from 15 years of experiencing simple church with my family.   Jeremiah 6:16 (ESV): “Thus says the Lord: ‘Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.’ But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’” When I first began exploring simple church, the thought that excited me most was the possibility of rapid multiplication. I was (and still am) convinced that what our world needs is more churches. To me, the only way that even remotely seemed possible was by lowering the cost and the bar of what we have traditionally defined as “church.” A few weeks ago, at a simple church gathering, we… Read More »God’s Pace

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

Keep it Simple Podcast #133 Bart Scarborough (Part 1) – Simple Church Conversations

Recently I was able to continue the “Simple Church Conversations” series by interviewing a good friend, Bart Scarborough. Bart is currently operating a spiritual retreat center in Georgia called The Ancient Way Farm. In this podcast we discuss the current unhealthy trend of frenetic ministry and encourage a more focused but slower, deliberate way of healthy ministry through reflection and relationship.  As you will hear me share in my introduction, the topics we cover in part 1 (and part 2 …coming soon) are very close to what I think God is up to in “simple” church.  I hope you enjoy and would love to hear your thoughts in person or in the comments below. Links referenced: Godspeed: https://simplechurchalliance.com/2020/04/17/godspeed-video/ To find out more about Ancient Way Farm, go here: https://ancientwayfarm.com/ Thanks for liking and subscribing and… Read More »Keep it Simple Podcast #133 Bart Scarborough (Part 1) – Simple Church Conversations

Not Officially Hosting House Church Anymore

I recently received and email from a woman that I had contact with several years ago when I was seeking to connect with others in Kentucky exploring simple/house/organic church.  She was trying to host a house church in her rural Kentucky home.  I thought this “update” was very interesting… not the least for the fact that she was no longer “officially hosting a house church anymore.” You know, I am not officially hosting a house church anymore. I really enjoyed that season of my life, but several of our families moved away and it just seemed like the season was over. . I now host a weekly potluck with a group of friends who are for the most part not Christians. It is an interesting assortment of people—a couple who have recently left the Jehovah’s… Read More »Not Officially Hosting House Church Anymore

What Is A Disciple And How Do We Make Them? (Part 2)

Recently,  I took the opportunity when speaking at First Alliance Church and the Simple Church Fall Celebration to answer two crucial questions that any follower of Jesus would do well to answer. The questions, which I addressed previously here, are:  1)What is a Disciple? 2)How do we make disciples? You can listen to the message entitled The Dirty D Word: D#$%@!&*%@! in your browser here: In the message I define a disciple as someone who loves Jesus, hears Jesus, and follows Jesus.  I then explain how making disciples primarily about connecting others to Jesus and His family such that they can love Jesus, hear Jesus, and follow Jesus.  I share how Jesus, when he gave the Great Commission, did not ask his disciples to do something that He had not modeled for them.  Thus connecting… Read More »What Is A Disciple And How Do We Make Them? (Part 2)