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Save The Date: Simple Church Conference 2019

Hello friends! I just wanted to get this date on your calendar… September 21-22, 2019. We will be returning to the Wilderness Road Guest Homes and Rooms in Standford, KY this fall for our 8th annual Simple Church Conference! I hope you can make plans to join us! We will have more details coming soon.  If you are not on our newsletter, please email us to make sure you receive all the latest information on this conference and happenings with organic/simple/house church we are aware of in the region.  Thank you for stopping by and we hope to see you in September! More about The Wilderness Road Guest Houses in Standford, KY HERE.   Visit the Famous Bluebird Cafe Website

Francis Chan: Chuck E. Cheese Church?

In a recent Charisma magazine article, Francis Chan shared more on his journey from megachurch pastor to simple church planter. Chan doesn’t think the standard church model is wrong.  But he does think it’s often distracted from what matters.  He compares it to throwing a birthday party for his son.  He could invite a few friends over to celebrate his song and give him gifts.  He could also rent out Chuck E. Cheese and give everyone all the tokens they could want.  Undoubtedly more kids would come to the second party.  But it’s no longer a celebration for his son: “At some point, all the other stuff distracts us from quality interaction with the person himself.” Chan finds that offensive.  “I just think we need to return to people who love getting together to break… Read More »Francis Chan: Chuck E. Cheese Church?

“New Life” and “Family” Testimonies

The following is an excerpt from our friends in Jessamine Co, Kate and Kaleb, who lead a couple of simple churches there!  God continues to do amazing things through their availability to young men and women in need.  Read their entire newsletter here. // What’s Been Happening? New Life! The best thing I can share with you from the last couple of months is that a young girl named Kailee gave her life to Christ. Here’s the simple version of the story that I’m sure started a big party in heaven. Kailee started coming to our Wednesday simple church a few months ago with a group of her friends. She didn’t seem particularly interested in God, but she loves singing and we make a lot space for people to play music, sing, and hang out on… Read More »“New Life” and “Family” Testimonies

Network Easter Gathering – April 1

We want to invite all simple churches, their friends, and family throughout the region to come together this Easter Sunday morning (April 1st) for a time of worship and testimony! We are going to pack out The Prayer Room on Broadway for a lively morning of singing and stories of new life followed by a lunch at First Southern Bank Community Room for any and all who can join us! Worship and Stories of New Life! Have you or someone in your simple church experienced new life in Christ this past year?  Have they experienced a fresh start as a result of God’s work in their life?  We would love to hear from you!  Please plan to share a brief testimony during our time together and if possible let us know in advance.  Contact us (gavinduerson@gmail.com) if… Read More »Network Easter Gathering – April 1

Becoming A Church

Becoming a Church I often get to have conversations with people about the nature of a local church.  Some wonder, “Is my Bible study or small group a local church?  Why or why not?  Could we become a church?”  Even if not asked explicitly, these questions may tumble around in hearts and minds as we collectively wrestle with what it means to be the Body of Christ. – I have mentioned Zumé Project before and how many Christians find it to be a helpful tool in seeing the formation of disciple-making simple churches.  In the appendix of the Zumé Guidebook, there is an idea presented for a group exercise that I would like to highlight.  Perhaps, together with those in your life group, Bible study, or simple/house church, this exercise could be a great way to seek… Read More »Becoming A Church

2017 Year End Letter

Friends, Several years ago I had the picture in my mind of a harbor filled with families working to load up their belongings and family members into a multitude of sailboats. They each were getting in position to leave. They were not coming back. Each boat was filled with their family and friends and they were setting out on an incredible journey–a journey that no doubt would be filled with hardship and adventure, challenges and exploration of the unknown. Boats were loaded and friends and family were in place as they raised the sails. There was a slight breeze that began to blow. However, they knew that a powerful wind was coming and when it did, they would be ready to move. Call this a “vision.” Call it a thought or picture. Call it crazy.… Read More »2017 Year End Letter

Evaluating Your Simple Church (Part 1)

Evaluating Your Simple Church (Part 1) By Gavin Duerson How do we evaluate our simple church community?  We may shy away from examining ourselves because we can be afraid of what we will find.  However, when handled properly, taking time to assess your simple church can help your community grow into all that God desires for it to be. Jesus encouraged personal reflection and evaluation (Luke 10) as did the early disciples (1 Cor. 11).  Many of the letters we read in the New Testament include evaluations of the church’s activity.  Because God loves us and wants us to grow closer to Him, we should not fear asking Him to lead us in a time of honest reflection and evaluation.  In the same way that failing to have our health evaluated regularly is a mistake, I believe failing to have regular spiritual… Read More »Evaluating Your Simple Church (Part 1)

June 4 – Network Worship By The Creek

Please join friends of simple church for an awesome evening on Hickman Creek as we enjoy a time of worship and fellowship with our extended friends and family!   TIME: Sunday, June 4, 6-9 pm Music: We are inviting simple churches from the region to lead us in a set of worship songs.  If you or you simple church is interested, please let us know! RSVP: If you help lead a simple church, then please RSVP for the total number of folks coming with your group.  If you are not connected to a simple church community, then just RSVP for you, your family and friends.   CLICK HERE TO RSVP WHAT TO BRING: Each person or family will be responsible to bring their own picnic dinner (including beverages).  You will also want to bring a blanket and/or… Read More »June 4 – Network Worship By The Creek

Simple Church Tithe?

Recently, a blog post by John Piper about tithing the local church caught my attention for two reasons. First, John Piper stated that he would never say “you must give your tithe to my church.” I affirm this in regard to simple church and I appreciate this statement from one of the nation’s leaders in the legacy church.  Indeed, Piper points out in this article that the Bible offers no justification for a mandated 10% tithe to a local congregation. Secondly, his comments about giving to the local church highlight one of the blessings, if not advantages, of giving in a simple church: When we think about what churches need in order to survive and flourish, I think they need, roughly, a tenth of what their people have, and more. You can feel free to go beyond.  … Read More »Simple Church Tithe?