How do you deal with other people who do not share your convictions about spiritual matters? The following video is probably one of the most helpful teaching tools I’ve come across for addressing this issue. In simple church, it is imperative that we do not become a “bounded” circle. If we do so, we will become ingrown and die. What would it look like in your life/simple church if you were to adopt “centered set thinking?”
Friday December 9th will be the only Simple Church Training of this month and I thought it would be good for us to discuss “simple church membership.” As we continue to see new people visit the simple churches in the network and as we move toward becoming a self-sustaining network, questions about church membership are sure to arise. Some of you will even be leaving membership of First Alliance to join this new work. Please consider the following questions… What does it mean to be in member of a traditional church? simple church? Where do we see church membership in… Read More »Simple Church Training – Dec. 9th
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. … Read More »Simply False: False Teaching In Simple Church
Colossians 3:16 Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Does the word of Christ dwell richly in you? This was the question I posed to those attending the Summer Celebration Gathering a few weeks ago. For simple church to work, the bar for discipleship truly has to be raised. We cannot simply lower the bar for having church gatherings. Everyone has to be disciples and making disciples simultaneously. I’ve thought about this… Read More »The Word of Christ
I am reading Wolfgang Simpson’s book The House Church Book: Rediscover the Dynamic, Organic, Relational, Viral Community Jesus Started. In this book, he highlights twelve advantages to house church and I would like to share them with you. From what I have read so far, I would also like to encourage anyone looking for a concise and clear understanding of the simple/house/organic church movement to pick up a copy of this book. 1. Discipled Multiplication 2. Persecution-proof structure 3. Freedom from church growth barriers 4. More efficient involvement of a higher percentage of people 5. A break from the pastoral… Read More »Twelve Advantages to Simple Church
Last week in our simple church gathering, several of us shared songs with the group that held a special meaning to us and our journey with Christ. It was a simple and significant meeting idea that I’m sure we will repeat in the near future. We sang some songs together while others were played for everyone to listen to. Sharing songs in this way allowed us to deepen our friendships with one another as we learned how music has impacted our walk with Christ. I shared this idea with our leaders and Elizabeth Harris replied to me with an idea… Read More »Simple Church Music Ideas
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.… Read More »Lessons From The Fields
I recently attended an introductory meeting for new workers with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. The more I continue to learn about A.B. Simpson the more I’m convinced that he would be all about simple church if he were with us today. The Alliance originated because of Simpson’s conviction that “Jesus Only” was all we needed. He broke away from the traditional established church of his day because of the extra biblical mandates that had excluded Italians he led to Christ from worship. He realized that the “noble people” in the pews were interested in a “conventional parish for respectable… Read More »A.B. Simpson and Simple Church?
What does it look like for a simple church leader to live out the core values identified by the Simple Church Alliance? Here are some thoughts (WARNING: Think of the picture painted below as a picture of who God is calling us to be as leaders–not a picture of where we are now or where you need to be to start leading a simple church. I’m not sure I know anyone who fits this description perfectly) Community – When a simple church leaders think of their “church family” they think of their simple church community. They focus on a few… Read More »Core Values Lived Out – The Kind Of Leader We Hope To Be
In the last few years I have been exposed to all types of new terms related to churches and small groups. One such term is “missional community.” There seems to be a push in the western church to think of small group ministry not as bible studies, fellowship groups, “life” groups, etc. but as missional communities. As I have read literature and spoken with those involved in the missional community movement, I have wondered what the difference is between a missional community and a simple church. It seems that a simple church should be a missional community. However it also… Read More »The Difference Between A Missional Community and A Simple Church