Christian Living
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 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,
"PastorMike"
Workplace Chaplain
214.476.8792
PS: PLEASE PRAY as Saturday, July 14th, I
minister by phone to many people in Pakistan
via an interpreter who has, himself, established
nearly 900 Simple Churches. Two previous
meetings drew crowds of 350 and 1100
consecutively with signs and wonders
following. Even Muslims attended the open-air
meetings and were converted! Thank you!
PLEASE FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO AT LEAST 5 OTHER PEOPLE!
WE CAN REACH THE PLANET BY DAY'S END!
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
Reader Count & Comments
Date
I will be praying. I also work in a muslim setting. Maybe you can send me some material.Amen. Thank you.
I love going to a simple church. I'm glad to know of someone else out there who does also.
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 694 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Michael Tummillo or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 694 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.