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6500 New Churches A Year Needed?

Note: Originally posted on March 10, 20011 – This post continues to be one of my most recommended posts to those wrestling with the “Why simple church?” question.     Several years ago, a good friend recommended this post at www.plantingchurches.org. Here is an excerpt: According to census data, the population of the US currently is roughly 300 million.  In 2050, they project that they the population will be 400 million.  While many surveys suggest that 40% of Americans attend a church service regularly, that number is largely inflated.  According to David T. Olson’s book, The American Church in Crisis, in 2005 the number was closer to 17.5%.  That seems more realistic to me.  Multiple studies have also suggested that about 4,000 churches close their doors annually.  So let’s play with those numbers a little.… Read More »6500 New Churches A Year Needed?

Verizon Shows Us Relational Multiplication

Hey Gavin, have you seen this commercial? I like it because it visually shows how the body of Christ is meant to reproduce. Individually, we can all reproduce ourselves and make disciples. If you notice in the commercial, these people are just going about their business, hanging out with one another. Then BAM! They reproduce. Two becomes four. Four becomes eight. Eight becomes sixteen. Soon there are hundreds in the commercial. It is also a good visual example of how simple churches can reproduce themselves. No programs. No systems. Just natural. It is a strong image. I recently received this note from my good friend Tom LeCompte in Louisville, KY.  Tom is involved in simple church there and I thought his note and video provided a great illustration of relational multiplication so I thought I… Read More »Verizon Shows Us Relational Multiplication

Organic Gardening Principles

I can’t remember exactly where I got this list, but I believe it was from the CMA Greenhouse Training: Principles of Organic Gardening:   1. The key for growth in the farm or garden is in the health of the soil.   2. Organic farmers remove hindrances to healthy growth from the soil.   3. In an organic garden, a variety of plants and crops grow up together.   4. Organic gardeners don’t add chemicals that are not in their natural form.   5. Chemical nutrients may be added when they are considered a natural supplement to the soil   6. Gardeners tend their garden often and with care. The plants are inspected for pests.   7. When growth gets out of hand the farmer thins out some of the growth…sometimes by transplanting vegetation to… Read More »Organic Gardening Principles

Mega House Church (Rap)

Most of my life I have enjoyed satire.  Satire will often seek to approve of or accept as normal ideas that the satirist is actually seeking to attack.  Such is the case in this goofy song that applies attractional, hierarchical, personality driven, pulpit centered, church growth, clergy/laity ideas to simple/house/organic church ministry.

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!  

Simply False: False Teaching In Simple Church

One of the most common questions I receive about simple church is,  “What happens if someone teaches something incorrect?”  It’s a good question with good news for an answer.  Simple church can allow for one of the most full-proof methods of discernment if we choose to use it. Often one or two people within Christian groups bear most of the responsibility to explain Scripture.  Usually these teachers/leaders remind hearers to compare the message with Scripture, but follow-up opportunities for questions, clarifications, or correction are rare especially if the message is given and received within the context of a large group.  In simple church, there is greater chance for everyone to share and correct.  We see this in 1 Corinthians 14:  29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is… Read More »Simply False: False Teaching In Simple Church

Lessons From The Fields

Neil Cole recently posted an excerpt from the book Organic Church describing what he would do differently if he planted a church today knowing now all that he has learned over the years.  Since in simple church we urge everyone to think of themselves as a potential church planter, I thought that it would be good to point you to these very important lessons. Read the entire article with explanations HERE 1. Begin in the Harvest and Start Small. 2. Allow God to Build Around Others 3. Empower Others from the Start 4. Let Scripture Lead Not Your Assumptions 5. Rethink Leadership 6. Immediate Obedience in Baptism 7. Settle “Your” Ownership Issues

Go

“As the Father has sent me so I am sending you.” John 20:21 Currently, the Lord is reminding me to live sent.  The Father sent Jesus to the World.  He sent the Holy Spirit to us.  Jesus sent out the 12 and the 70.  Now he sends us to go and make disciples.  I am amazed at how easily I have strayed from this truth, especially since the heart of Simple Church is this: We all are priests sent into the world to make disciples. “Church” emerges organically when and where disciples are multiplied. I know and understand this, yet an intense pull inside me tries to set up shop and then tries to get outsiders to come in.  I saw this happen often when working with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  We would go… Read More »Go

What is Organic Church?

Authors Neil Cole and Frank Viola  have both been involved in organic/house/simple church for some time and while they share many core beliefs about “organic church,” they do see it a bit differently.  Recently they took time to sit down together and address the question: “What is organic church?”  I’d be interested in your thoughts on what they have shared.  Feel free to share in the comment section below after reading.  Enjoy! CLICK TO READ ARTICLE