All About Simple Church
When the phrase “Simple Church” is used, it’s referring to a church model that is so simple, anyone can achieve it anywhere they wish, from dorm rooms to coffee houses, park benches to hair salons and delicatessens. Other terms such as house church, open church, organic church, are often used, all referring to the same thing. In fact, a Simple Church can happen anywhere people tend to gather. Jesus said, “Where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am, in the midst of them.” Though many agree that The Church is the people, NOT the building or the institution, many of those same people recoil at the notion of Simple Church.
Here is some information that will answer many of the questions people are asking about this burgeoning
phenomenon…
SIMPLE CHURCH IS NOT…
*The establishing of a new denomination.
*The enemy of the traditional local church. In fact, this IS the local church with most of its participants doing BOTH. The person who participates in an Institutional Church will be a stronger Member for having taken part in a Simple Church as well.
*A Cell Group associated with an Institutional Church.
*A cult, although it is subject to demonic influences through men…just like its older Institutional Church sister.
*A mini-church meeting…each gathering is different from meeting to meeting.
*A reason to stop sowing finances.
*Pastor-led, but Spirit-led. Even a new believer could start a church in their home without feeling like the need for a trained professional to lead it, or the money to support such a person. Typically, the lack of a pastor encourages every person in the group to look for answers by searching the Scriptures and
looking to the Holy Spirit, rather than depending on a minister, or denomination’s interpretation.
*For spectators (1 Cor. 14:26).
SIMPLE CHURCH IS…
*An extremely New Testament concept: note how often the word “church” is used in reference to individual’s homes.
*Easily duplicable. At the end of 3 years, two elephants may become three. During that same period, two rabbits will become….LOTS MORE!
*A wonderful way for Christians to develop their Spiritual Gifts through regular use.
*A fabulous way for Christians to get to know and understand the many expressions of God through OTHER denominations.
*A great way to network and develop a true sense of Christian Community.
*A terrific evangelism tool as it allows us to bring the church to THEM!
*An ingenious method for achieving Church Growth throughout a community, thereby increasing the Christian impact on society.
*An emerging trend, currently adhered to by about. 43 MILLION American adults each month (not including cell groups).
*A concept that is being embraced by more and more denominations, most recently the Foursquare Church. Like the rest of us, the Roman Catholic Church appears to have recognized the need for laity leadership and a more intimate level of fellowship as a stop-gap to rapidly decreasing numbers in their own ranks. In 1988, Father Art Baranowski published Creating Small Faith Communities: A Plan for Restructuring the Parish and Renewing Catholic Life. His book was a blueprint for establishing small church communities of faith and prayer. (SOURCE: U.S. Catholic, Jan 2002 (Vol 67, No 1). Pages 18-23).
*Though they aren’t all alike, most allow themselves to be led by the Holy Spirit, not by a manmade hierarchical structure. For the most part, everyone is expected to participate and be looking for ways to use the gifts the Holy Spirit provides (1 Cor. 14:26).
*Admittedly, a strange concept to most Americans but quite common in the third-world and underdeveloped nations…the ONLY places on Earth where Christianity is growing, incidentally.
*Great for kids as they are allowed to interact with the adults,NOT ushered off to watch cartoons or puppet shows. What family ignores its children? There is no Junior Holy Spirit!
*Much more dynamic than a cell group because it lacks denominational oversight and influence…The Holy Spirit is allowed and invited to dominate each meeting. Though the very though of this often frightens many, truth is, it’s an incredible blessing in the fullest sense!
*A terrific way to sow finances back into The Kingdom. Without overhead, many Simple Church groups have a great deal of money available for assisting others who need help…widows, orphans, those who need a hand-up. Food pantries, missions, and the support of and sending out of Church-Planters (apostles) are now a very real possibility for Christian groups. No more salaries, paving parking lots,
buying playground equipment or new gargoyles for the cathedral!
*Not perfect! Any time we dare to get involved with other human beings with all our quirks, habits, bondages, baggage and sins, we WILL BE TESTED!
*Frequently difficult for those with years of denominational programming to easily embrace. A “detox” process often takes place which some people truly struggle with. Most find it’s well worth the effort to “get to the other side.”
*Likely to be different every time. Early believers not only devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and fellowship but the breaking of bread. So, we eat! Generally-speaking, we’ll fellowship, discuss the Bible, pray for one another, and worship God. We share our lives, not merely an hour, often meeting and ministering at other times during the week as well…as the Spirit leads. We are a warring clan and we
will learn about spiritual warfare. From fellowship to teaching, healing center to love feasts, we are becoming an army.
*About Training, Equipping and Releasing the Saints to do the work of the ministry. Loving God, loving each other and loving those who need Jesus.
The following is from the Foursquare Church website…
WHY SIMPLE CHURCHES?
Change is afoot in the body of Christ. The North American church is learning from the church in developing nations that simple, small group meeting are a viable expression of the local church. For decades, house churches have been a major part of the body of Christ in many parts of the world.
Now the church has “come home” to the United States too.
A number of researchers, Christian and secular, have noted trends in both church and society that indicate a growing interest in simpler, more relational forms of church. Regardless of whether we agree with what the research uncovers, we would be like ostriches with our heads in the sand if we
ignored what God is up to in our culture and the church. The trend towards simple church is accelerating at a remarkable pace. A recent Barna Group update showed a jump from 1% to 9% in house church involvement over the past decade. And in May 2005, leading organic church planter,
Neil Cole, estimated that the number of house churches in the United States had doubled from 2500 to 5000 in the previous 18 months. These are only two studies that alerts us to this
trend.
Currently developing is a much healthier, “friendlier” breed of house church leaders who are not antagonistic towards the traditional church and who wish to partner with traditional church bodies to see the kingdom extended.
Historically, our Foursquare family has led in the embracing of new things God is doing in the church. That,plus the mandate from God to reach the cities, where new strategies are absolutely required, means that it is appropriate for us to be the first major denomination in the United States
to fully embrace the simple/house church movement at a national level.
NOTE:
Help is available! To learn more, just ask. Traveling Ministers and Church Planters are criss-crossing the nation on a daily basis. Training is also available by phone, books, conferences and over the Internet.
Is God calling YOU?
Availability and Obedience are KEY!
More questions? “Ask that your joy may be full!”
Every blessing,
Michael Tummillo
A servant of God
http://www.YourTown4Jesus.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR His mission is to bring Discipleship and Encouragement to the Body of Christ. Since ’99, he has broadcast nearly 700 inspirational articles to his online subscribers and a dozen booklets on subjects sure to interest the thinking Christian and accelerate the process of spiritual development. He is the founder of t.e.a.m. ministries. An Author, Pastoral Counselor and Teacher, his eMail broadcasts, known as “Your Town for Jesus” are read around the globe. Subscribe at team1min@our-town.com.com
Author: Michael Tummillo
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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