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To Those Who Have “Unplugged”

I just wanted to write a post to those of you who are a part of simple church—specifically those of you who I have the privilege of knowing and working with locally. Most days I spend time visiting with people interested in “simple church” and all that it entails.  While many people see that simple church is a natural and Biblical way for making disciples and seeing the Kingdom grow, yet as I am sure some of you know, it is very difficult to “unplug” from the traditional church and the programs and services it offers. So, I just wanted to take a break to say “thank you” for your willingness to go down this road together.  I know you are exploring simple church out of obedience to Jesus—not for me or anyone else for… Read More »To Those Who Have “Unplugged”

What Do We Do At A Simple Church Gathering (Video Part 2)

In this video Erik addresses the question of how a simple church can be formed and what the church does at a simple church gathering.   He has some very practical ideas and as you can see it is simple.  I love his last point about praying that God would show you pockets of people who are “culturally averse to the American way of doing church” and being available to see a seed church formed.

8 Ways To Start A Simple Church

There is no formula for how to start a simple church.  The Holy Spirit must be the Initiator and Leader if a real church community is to be birthed.  Even still, I have seen several ways God can use you to give birth to a new simple church family! 1. LTG – As you and a friend or two begin a Life Transformation Group (LTG) and you see that LTG multiply into two LTGs, a simple church can be formed. It’s logical and natural that you say, “why don’t we all share a meal together?” If married, the husband’s and wife’s LTGs can come together weekly for simple church! There are many advantages to this because the multiplication of disciples is the building block of the new simple church! 2. Just Start Gathering – Sometimes… Read More »8 Ways To Start A Simple Church

Our Year In Simple Church (part 4) By Luke Long

I was introduced to the idea of simple church this year. After meeting with Gavin a few times, I started a simple church in the honors dorm at UK. Meeting twice a week, we attracted dozens of brilliant students that had written off church for life. After school ended for summer, this incredible group of people created an online bible study that met three times a week online using a video conference site called Google+. In July I left for Hong Kong, and gave the administrative responsibilities for the group to Steven, a man who had never read the Bible before summer 2013. By the end of the summer, the group had read Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, John and Matthew. The Spirit was moving powerfully in my friends’ lives, and fruit was evident already. Fall semester… Read More »Our Year In Simple Church (part 4) By Luke Long

Our Year in Simple Church (part 3) – By Jeff Herron

This was really the first year we considered ourselves “doing” simple church, and it has been full of winnowing away, learning what really matters, and growing in love. We have been stretched in every way and are much better for it! As the year started, we were several months in to our decision to stop attending Sunday morning worship services at a local church. We felt called to be more directly involved in our local community, and had started attending this local church as part of that leading, but after only a few months we sensed the Lord had other plans. So we learned to enjoy sleeping in on Sunday mornings and to focus on nurturing our relationship with the Lord more directly and personally, without any sort of “pastor” as a mediator and without… Read More »Our Year in Simple Church (part 3) – By Jeff Herron

Our Year In Simple Church (Part 2) – By Elizabeth Harris

2013 was like the summer I trained to be a life guard—when I had to tread water holding bricks above my head.  There just wasn’t much easy. Moving to our new town in North Carolina, navigating a new, demanding job, keeping up with four home schooled children and then one on the way.  We treaded a lot of water with bricks over our heads.And we missed our Simple Church network there in Lexington something awful. We started with Simple Church from its inception.  We grew—we prayed—we changed–we learned to be the church, not just go to church—we experienced God work around us in remarkable ways, and then a new job pursuit came, and we accepted.  You all, Simple Church, sent us so well.  With all kinds of prayers and support that lasted this whole, long year. We spent a lot of… Read More »Our Year In Simple Church (Part 2) – By Elizabeth Harris

Our Year in Simple Church – by Travis Spann

I recently asked several simple church leaders to write a short summary of their year in simple church.  This is the first in a series of posts that will feature their responses.  I pray that their unique experiences and stories provide encouragement for you in your journey.  (Would you like to contribute? There still is time to share your story too!  Send it by email and we’ll pass it along!)   Our involvement in the simple/house church world has continued to develop and change this past year. In October of 2012, Charis and I joined up with a couple of families in Wilmore to “take the next step” in our house church experience. The people we joined are dear brothers and sisters in Christ who we had been praying with on Saturday nights for a… Read More »Our Year in Simple Church – by Travis Spann