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Hospitality and Simple Church

Today, Tom and Gavin discuss hospitality and its impact on people. Hospitality – serving others – is not easy. It can be hard work and frankly, not many people know how to do it well. It seems to be a dying art in our modern culture. But if practiced consistently, hospitality can bring people closer to each other and to God. As followers of Christ, we would do well to rethink the importance of hospitality to our Christian witness. Thanks for liking and subscribing and sharing! Comments also are always welcome! Also available in audio only: Spotify link: https://tinyurl.com/msmwe4n6 Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/45n9j3u5 Website: www.keepitsimplepodcast.com More information on simple church here: www.SimpleChurchAlliance.com #housechurch #simplechurch #organicchurch #Christianity

Waiting and Watching In Ireland (By Sandra Haven)

‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord (Zechariah 4:6) It was just one week earlier that I went to the retreat in Stanford for the Simple Church gathering of various house church leaders.  That was on September 10th.  I wasn’t really sure why I felt prompted to go, just to say goodbye to good friends I thought.  I don’t know when or if I will return to the States so I thought maybe God would speak to me there about my unknown future.  Just one week prior to the retreat my sister came from Indianapolis and went to Simple Church with me.  She mentioned that God had prepared me to know how to start a house church in Ireland. The group also prayed over me on that day, words of… Read More »Waiting and Watching In Ireland (By Sandra Haven)

Simple Church Retreat Recap

Recently, we concluded our annual Simple Church Retreat. We were blessed to welcome friends from Alabama, Ohio, Eastern Kentucky and Central Kentucky to The Stanford Inn at Wilderness Road. This year our conversation centered around the idea of simple church as a way of life–not a “ministry” or “way of doing church.”

Hot Tub Baptisms

Recently we had the privilege of baptizing two of our children, Beau (12) and Neva (9). It was such a blessing for friends and family to join us for simple church and to celebrate this special occasion. It was wonderful to hear the verses they shared and the personal encouragements they passed along to our children as they publicly declared their desire to follow Jesus in their lives. How wonderful it is to celebrate the new birth that Christ has granted to all of us!  

Keep it Simple Podcast #134 Bart Scarborough (Part 2) – Simple Church Conversations

Check out round two with Bart Scarborough as we dive deeper into our conversation about what it means to walk with Jesus… and not run.  How the spiritual disciplines impact living in His love and help us to avoid religiosity.  UPDATE: We look forward to being with many of you this weekend at the Simple Church retreat!  We are welcoming so many new folks it’s going to be exciting to see how the Lord encourages us all!  Please let us know how we can serve and encourage you where you are as you seek to walk with the Jesus and his family outside the walls of the the traditional church!  Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer on thriftbooks here.  Henri J.M. Nouwen In The Name of Jesus on thriftbooks here.  Check out the… Read More »Keep it Simple Podcast #134 Bart Scarborough (Part 2) – Simple Church Conversations

Baptism Anyone?

A couple of weeks ago, the Farrell family in our simple church experienced the joy of baptizing their daughter Tori during our Sunday fellowship time. They used this tub (pictured) that we have available. That’s right…a good ole Kentucky baptism in a cattle trough! The thought occurred to me that there may be someone who wonders… Can I baptize someone? How would I go about hosting a baptism? Even though I do not presently participate in a church, could I be baptized? I would love to help you explore these and any other questions you have may have about baptism! Whether for your own decision or for someone else in your life, I’d be more than happy to loan you this tub and help you participate in the Great Commission! Go and make disciples, baptizing… Read More »Baptism Anyone?

Back 2 Basics (Part 2) – Keep it Simple Podcast #129

What practically are the basics when it comes to functioning as simple church? How do we let Jesus truly be the leader of the church and our times together as a church family? In part two, Tom and Gavin discuss the practical implications associated with experiencing the church family as people following King Jesus together!  Help the algorithms like this podcast by liking, subscribing, commenting, and sharing this episode on platform of your choice.  Thanks!   YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/4akPPQ4ypNE Also available in audio only: Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/show/6hIJbIDV340lDCXSAa1l10?si=03923399655a4de7 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/keep-it-simple-a-simple-church-podcast/id767718695?i=1000556808547 Visit the podcasts website: www.keepitsimplepodcast.com More information on simple church here: www.SimpleChurchAlliance.com

Back 2 Basics (Part 1) – Keep It Simple Podcast #128

What do we mean when we talk about house church, organic church, or simple church?  I’m really excited to share these next two episodes with everyone as Tom and I discuss this foundational question!  Today, a lot of folks mean a lot of different things when they talk about “church” and specifically house church.  In fact, my understanding of church and the role the local house church plays within the Kingdom of God has changed over my 10+ year house church expedition.  In this two part series Tom and I will go “back to the basics” of what it exactly we are learning regarding simple church.   I hope these videos help you in your journey!  If so, please like and subscribe to us on YouTube, Spotify, ApplePodcast, etc and leave questions and comments on… Read More »Back 2 Basics (Part 1) – Keep It Simple Podcast #128

Good Friday Worship and Prayer (Network Gathering)

You are invited to a Good Friday worship and prayer gathering on April 15th from 6:30-8pm!  Let’s come together this Good Friday at the Prayer Room on Broadway in Lexington, KY!  Local house church friends will lead this time of worship and prayer. If you would like to share a poem, song, or scripture during this time, come prepared to share it. We hope you can join us! This event is for all in the city and especially those of us in simple/house/organic church communities that are looking to connect and worship with others in the region.  RSVP’s are welcome but not required.  If you would like to learn more about the Simple Church Alliance and how we seek to connect and serve simple/house/organic church communities, visit www.simplechurchalliance.com or contact Gavin Duerson here. Prayer Room… Read More »Good Friday Worship and Prayer (Network Gathering)

Deconstructing – Keep it Simple #127

Christians “deconstructing” their faith has garnered a lot of attention recently.  In this new episode of Keep it Simple: A Simple Church Podcast, Tom and Gavin this trend and ask several questions that are relevant to those in simple church…