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Discipleship Tool: Life Transformation Groups

How do I make a disciple? Make no mistake: there is no formula or ten-step process for making disciples. However, when Jesus told His disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations,” I believe they understood what He meant. After all, they had been discipled by Jesus and had observed firsthand the way He made them His disciples. When it comes to making disciples, we can look to how Jesus discipled the apostles and how they replicated His methods as they discipled others. I addressed seven key principles here, but the first overarching principle I see in disciple-making is this: we seek to help others learn to depend on Jesus—not us—above all. Neil Cole helped me see a tangible context for applying Jesus’ way of discipleship today. Life Transformation Groups (LTGs) are simple, reproducible,… Read More »Discipleship Tool: Life Transformation Groups

Guest Blog: Giving In The Simple Church, By David Toth

By David Toth There area number of perspectives from which to discuss the issue of giving in the simple church. Some are the 1) theological, 2) practical, 3) mission, 4) strategic, etc. These brief paragraphs take a practical approach and mention some of the more encouraging aspects of giving in the simple church (an organic house church sized body of believers). In the simple church we can be encouraged that most of our giving can be directed to missionaries, orphans, local apostolics, and needy people. This reflects giving in the early church for the needy in the church and outside the church (orphans, widows, the hungry, etc. (Acts 2:44-45; 11:28-30; 8:1-3; Luke 10:30-37). And for supporting missionary type leaders like Jesus, Paul, Peter, etc (Matt 27:55-56; Luke 10:7; John 13:29; 1 Cor 9:1-14; Philip 4:15-16;… Read More »Guest Blog: Giving In The Simple Church, By David Toth

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!  

Simple Church Cross Cultural Missions?

How can simple churches engage in God’s work outside of their oen cultural contexts?  Felicity Dale at simplychurch.com has written about this very subject and in a recent post writes: How are people in simple/organic churches currently actively engaging in cross-cultural missions? People move with their job. Because they already are familiar with simple church principles of mission (find a person of peace and start something around them), it is natural for them to make disciples and start churches in their new location. People go with a traditional denominational entity or other mission sending agency. They are supported financially in full or in part by their local simple/organic church or network of home churches. Again, they understand missional principles from their experience at home. People within organic church organize teams to go on short-term mission… Read More »Simple Church Cross Cultural Missions?

Lessons Learned In 2011

I have read several books about simple church this year.  These books have helped me, but my deepest lessons have come through actually “doing” simple church.  I would like to share a few truths I’ve learned during the course of the past year: *  God is at work in the United States (and specifically in Kentucky) initiating a discipleship/simple church movement. *  My family and I can obediently express our faith outside the traditional church structures. *  Observing the Lord’s Table together with the Body, within the context of a meal, is more powerful and rich in meaning than I thought possible. *  The challenges involved with including children in simple church gatherings are insignificant when compared to the blessing they are to the community. *  The traditional church CAN play a significant role in… Read More »Lessons Learned In 2011

The Best Way To Start A Simple Church…

…Is to start a simple church! I’m not sure where I read that, but I believe it to be true. With a new season upon us why not trust God to take you on a discipleship journey and start a simple church? I have met with several folks who have expressed interest and a few that are going to make the leap this year. Why not join them? You never know what God will do unless you step out of the boat. Certainly don’t get out of the boat unless you hear Jesus calling you, but if you do hear him, then step out and allow God to take you to the land that he will show you! If that is you, then allow me share a few thoughts with you on getting started remembering… Read More »The Best Way To Start A Simple Church…

Centered Set Thinking (Video)

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?”

Simple Church Training – Dec. 9th

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 the New Testament? How will we know who are members of our simple church? How does our understanding of the Kingdom of God influence church membership? Let’s come Friday night ready to share thoughts and… Read More »Simple Church Training – Dec. 9th

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

The Word of Christ

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 a great deal and it is truly hard to imagine how the Word of Christ could dwell in someone richly apart from a steady diet of His word.  Without written copies of Christ’s words accessible,… Read More »The Word of Christ