Allow me to encourage you with a story about a young man on the campus of the University of Kentucky who has jumped into “simple church.” He began with an announcement in his dorm that there would be a simple church meeting to discuss “church.”
No money. No church staff. No fancy program. Just one man faithfully praying for people in an apartment complex.
I recently received this email from Jeff Herron who along with his family are in the process of starting down the simple church path. I’m continually encouraged by Kingdom Minded “legacy” church folks who see the value in house/simple church and want to encourage simple church multiplication. May Jeff’s words encourage you and may we all join in praying for God to do a mighty work in the northern part of our state! Just wanted to pass along a quick update as an encouragement to you all. The senior pastor from the last “legacy church” (to use the Dale’s phrase)… Read More »An Encouragement From Pendleton, Co. KY
Beachheads The early hours of June 6, 1944 the Axis defenders saw, through the early morning haze off the Normandy Coast, a vast armada of Allied ships carrying hopeful liberators to those occupied shores. That wicked empire was secure as long as freedom’s defenders remained on distant shores. As young men dashed from plywood transports onto the blood soaked sands of invasion beaches named Juno, Omaha, Sword and Gold a watching world finally obtained the hope that the oppressor’s jack-boot would at last be removed from beloved homelands. A beachhead is the first fruit of invasion, a foothold that precedes… Read More »Beachheads – A Guest Blog by Joseph Horevay (Neo House Church Network)
The meal is potluck, or as we jokingly say, “pot-providence.” Everyone brings food to share with everyone else. When the weather is nice, all the food is placed on a long folding table outside. A chest full of ice sits beside the drink table. Kids run wildly around. They are having so much fun that they must be rounded up by parents and encouraged to eat. After a prayer of thanksgiving is offered, people line up, talking and laughing as they load their plates with food. In the middle of all the food sits a single loaf of bread next… Read More »The Lords Supper – The Reason We Gather?
Upon returning from a recent trip to India, a friend took me out for coffee to tell me of his encounter with a former nun, Sister Angelica, who has trained over 20,000 Christian “soldiers” to lead “troops” throughout her country. Below is a training handout that Sister Angelica uses while helping to start troops and train up new leaders. Some of this may seem odd to our western use of language and sensibilities. To be clear, I would not advocate starting simple churches here with such guidelines. That being said, I wonder if there are more than a few good… Read More »“Troops” in India
By Karla Duerson Gavin asked today, “In what way does God want me to be more childlike in my humility?” referring to Matthew 18:2-4 from the Bible. Nothing personal came to mind at first. Then later when I was cleaning up from our Simple Church gathering, something came. It was a new thought based on a familiar dilemma. Normally, after everyone leaves I busily and easily put all the dishes in the washer, scrape the leftovers into the garbage disposal, put the toys in the bin, place books on the shelf, but then I come to the elements. I go… Read More »Communion Lessons: Childlike Humility
“I really want to start following Jesus…what should I do?” If a friend asked you this question today, how would you respond? For me this scenario highlights the “church” paradigm shift that has transpired in my life and touches on a key reason why I believe so strongly in the simple church journey. For most of my life, I have thought the appropriate response to a disciple would look a little like this checklist: –“Find a good church”–maybe mine, maybe another if it would be a better fit. –Set up a meeting with the pastor of the church to talk… Read More »How Would You Answer?
I wanted to make everyone aware of a great FREE resource. I recently revisited Roger Thoman’s free ebook “Simple/House Church Revolution” and it is really a great resource for anyone considering simple/house church ministry. In addition, since it is free, sharing this resource with friends could be an excellent starting point to see who might be interested in joining you on the simple church journey! Always know that we are here to help train, encourage, and support you along the way so let us know who we can serve you! Click Here to Download From the back cover: Simple/House Church… Read More »Simple Church Revolution – Free Book
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.