Simple Church

July 21, 2008 2:03 pm

Posted by: winfield

Simple Church, by Eric Geiger & Thom Rainer. Nashville, TN: B& H Publishing Group, 2006. 252 pages.

Simple Church is book based on the research on four hundred churches across the United States, which involves churches in all major denominations. Their findings conclude that simple churches are growing and healthy while complex churches are congested and struggling. Busy, complicated churches that are over programmed are out, and simple churches that have an unadorned process for discipleship is in. Churches are finding new freedom and vitality from simplicity. The purpose of the book is to introduce the strategic simple church discipleship process that moves people through different stages of spiritual growth (60).

So what is a simple church? A Simple church is, “designed around a straightforward and strategic process that moves people through the stages of spiritual growth. The leadership and the church are clear about the process (clarity) and are committed to executing it. The process flows logically (movement) and is implemented in each area of the church (alignment). The church abandons everything that is not in the process (focus).” (67-68).

The authors suggests that simple churches are thriving because they are implementing a strategic process that moves people through the stages of spiritual growth by using the following four concepts: clarity, movement, alignment, and focus (68). These four concepts form the synthesis of a typical simple church. Everything flows in and through these four concepts. One cannot help but see the logic in their thesis. Clarity leads to flow of movement, movement opens the way for alignment, and alignment is directly connected to focus.

Clarity begins with communicating the process so that people can clearly understand. For a church’s process to be effective, it must be clearly defined. The result is that a church’s leaders and people will have a clear understanding of its structure in order to move people toward spiritual growth. How can people act unless they clearly understand how they can get involved? Understanding precedes involvement and clarity precedes understanding. Simple churches have a clear process that everyone can understand. This is the opposite of a complex church, where it is often unclear how to become involved. Clarity should permeate every aspect of a church. The mission, visions, printed materials, sings, etc. should be crystal clear.

The second concept is movement. Movement is the sequential steps in the process that causes people to move to greater areas of commitment. Movement is all about removing the congestion. For movement to happen, Reiner & Geiger suggests that it is important to have a clear entry point into the process. Without a clear entry point, there is no beginning to the process (146). From that point, it is important to move people through the ministry process. Without movement, programs can and will become an end in themselves.

Movement means that church leaders should always be thinking of what is next. Simple churches are always seeking to take people to next steps. For instance, whenever a person becomes a new believer the church should have a new believers class designed to move them to the next step of the discipleship process. There is a direct connection between effective assimilation and a new members’ class (158).

Alignment is the arrangement of all ministries and staff around the same simple process (74). This ensures that the entire church is moving in the same direction. Too often churches can be divided over mission and vision because there is no real alignment. When there is no alignment in a church, calendars get over crowded, people can become divided, tired, and worn out. According to their research, it is vital that a church recruits and hires its staff based in part on their alignment and commitment to the ministry process (170). When everyone is on the same page, the result is that everyone’s energy is moving in the same direction. Likewise, it is equally important to implement the same process everywhere in the church.

The fourth and final concept is focus. Focus is the commitment to abandon everything that falls outside of the simple ministry process (76). Focus usually means that you have to learn to say “no.” Without a clear focus, a church can become cluttered and congested. Churches can become like spiritual pack rats that hold onto every program and ministry. Reiner & Geiger use the analogy of churches being like fast food restaurants with ever expanding ministries, programs, activities. The result is not that churches are better or healthier; rather the conclusion is that fast food spirituality is not healthy at all (200).

Focus means that churches should stay away from trying to implement every new ministry paradigm that comes down the road. There is a proliferation of contemporary ministry paradigms. If we are not careful, a lack of focus will cause scattering. Programs and activities outside of a focused ministry process will ultimately lead people in different directions. A critical evaluation of churches might find that a lack of focus is the source of division in most churches in North America.

Reiner & Geiger not only show the problem of complexity in the church but also articulate the simple four-part process that is a part of the simple church DNA. Clarity, movement, alignment, and focus are four concepts that form the matrix of the simple church revolution. This simple straightforward process will help many churches and church leaders. Never before has there been such a need to rediscover simplicity.

Cultural Missionaries

July 19, 2008 3:41 pm

Posted by: winfield

As the Father sent Jesus, He also sends us into our time and culture. Mark Driscoll says, “It is imperative that Christians be like Jesus, by living freely within the culture as missionaries who are as faithful to the Father and his gospel as Jesus was in his own time and place.” We have been chosen by God to live in this time and place in order to fulfill the mission of God. Christians must strive to always be like Jesus, our perfect example. Jesus said, “the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45) This scripture beautifully embodies the task of Christian ministry. To be a minister is to be a servant. We are to serve and give our lives for others. Serving is the example that Jesus gave; therefore we should follow it.

As the church we are called to care for a lost and dying world that is in desperate need of a savior. Too many times we compartmentalize the different ministries of the church. We have viewed social ministry as something we do on one hand and evangelism on the other. God is calling the church to rediscover the biblical model of holistic ministry. Jesus met both the physical and spiritual needs of the people He ministered to. As the Body of Christ on earth we are His representatives to a lost world. Therefore what we do and say are of eternal importance.


Every day in United Sates, there are literally millions of people who are living in poverty in the shadow of our nation’s great wealth. Hunger and poverty are quickly becoming a serious epidemic in U.S. Every month close to twenty million Americans go hungry. According to the census, over 35 million people live below the poverty line, up 1.3 million from 2002. Most of our nations poor are children and elderly. There are over 50,000-orphaned children in America. There are many more people in every city of our nation who are homeless and can’t even provide basic needs such as food and clothing. In addition, drugs, domestic violence, and illiteracy are harsh realities for many people.

Who are these people in need? Where do they live? Where can we find them? They are in our cities, communities, and small towns. They are our neighbors, fellow church members, and even family members. They are not numbers or mere statistics, but they have names, faces, and feelings. More importantly they have real needs that can be helped by the church. Government organizations alone cannot reform or solve the problem. The problem usually has a spiritual root. Rather than giving up on the problem, the church is already equipped with the answer. We are called of Jesus Christ to go beyond the gate and minister to a lost and hurting world. The church must build up the waste places and become repairers of the breach! (Isaiah 58:12). We have a scriptural mandate to touch our cities and communities with love and compassion. Our churches can make a difference one person and one family at a time through care ministry.

The key is thinking outside of the box. We need think of new ways to reach our communities for Christ. There are a number of ways that you can do effective community ministry. Depending upon the need in your community, your church can start an art ministry to reach local artists, start a food pantry, serve meals to the elderly, offer literacy training, or start an after school program for at-risk youth. Our church began an art-mentoring program that has reached hundreds of at-risk youth in our community and in South America (www.IAMissions.com). Community ministry shows people in the community that you care.

We will never know what the needs of our community are until we begin to get outside of the four walls of the church. It is amazing how little church people actually interact with non-churchgoers. Matthew 9:35, tells us that when Jesus went out into all the cities and villages he saw that the multitudes were weary and had compassion on them. As Jesus went into the community He saw the needs of the people. When you get into the community you will begin to see what the needs of the people are. The place to start is by assessing the needs of your town or city. Make a personally inventory of the needs, and then you will be able to meets the needs of your community.

I think that God is bringing about a renewed awareness for social ministries in the church. For too long the church has focused solely on numerical conversions while forgetting about the need to minister to the whole person. In the past social ministry has been looked at as something that only liberal Christians do because they lack the spiritual aspect of the Christian faith. There may have been some abuse, but that is no excuse for us to neglect social ministry all together.

God is concerned about the needy, destitute, hurting, poor, and orphans of the world. The word of the Lord tells us that we are commissioned to care for those around us who cannot care for themselves. Too long we’ve tried to stick band-aids on wounds that will not heal over night. Being missional is going into places where the world doesn’t want to go. Ministry is very dirty. If we are going to make a difference we must roll up our sleeves and join in the work of Jesus among the poor and disenfranchised of this world. Find the needs of your community and begin to fill them by being a missionary to your city and community.

Art Auction to Support Nicaragua Mission Trip

July 16, 2008 3:24 pm

Posted by: winfield

This coming Sunday we will have an art auction featuring local art by artists from our church. 100% of the proceeds will go toward their mission trip to Nicaragua in August. Under the leadership of Billy Diggs, a group of six to ten people is going from our church to Nicaragua. Billy is the founder of Surf Missions International, a non-profit ministry dedicated to impacting coastal communities with the gospel of Christ. They will be working with some of the poorest children in the country. They will also be linking up with one of our members Dawn Grey, who is an artist who is currently living in Nicaragua using art to inspire and encourage children and youth.

Brent Mcoy will also be going on the trip. Brent is the director for International Art Missions is a group of artists who use arts education to bring hope and healing to children, communities, and countries around the world. They are a group of professional artists from different backgrounds who want to use their gifts and talents to help children realize their creative potential.

You can check out his website at www.iamissions.com. Here is a picture of Brent and his wife Kelly at one of our last art shows. You can make donations to the thier trip by purchasing, art or donating directly to our website. Follow the link to the donation button at the bottom of the front page.

FundRaiser for Cystic Fibrosis

July 11, 2008 8:46 am

Posted by: winfield

The following post is from Nate at Nags Head Church whose wife has Cystic Fibrosis.

"This is a mini-fundraiser in preparation for the 2nd Annual Great Strides Walk for Cystic Fibrosis.

Grits Grill is the BEST breakfast on the beach, and it's twice as good when they serve it up for dinner. This restaurant is NEVER open for dinner/supper, but our friend, Patrick and his staff are working for free that evening and have graciously agreed to donate 100% of the proceeds to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation!

You might even be served that night by me (I don't know why, but that might attract a few people...)! You can eat in or take out, and you'll get a lot more than pancakes on your plate!"

You can find more information about how you can get involved and make a difference by checking Nate and trcia's blog at http://www.cfhusband.blogspot.com.

Submission

July 10, 2008 8:36 am

Posted by: winfield

How many times have you and I missed out on God’s blessings simply because we are unwilling to submit to God’s will for our lives? To submit to God, means that we must bring ourselves under the rule and the mission of God. We can overcome life’s greatest challenges by submitting to God’s plan and obeying His instructions. Submitting to God helps us realize that He is in control and that he will take care of us.

The root of submission and obedience is founded in a basic understanding of God’s sovereignty. The Bible begins with the words, “In the beginning, God.” The Bible affirms that God has no beginning and He has no end. There was never a time when God was not. As Christians, we must believe that God is over all things, including the devil, time, and humanity. God, the great Creator of all things, upholds, directs, and governs all creation from the greatest even to the leas, by His sovereign will and holy providence. In his foreknowledge, He also governs and directs the affairs of the nations. He rules over all and is the only true God. His plans and purposes cannot be thwarted or overturned. He works all things together for good to those who love him according to His will. God’s presides over the destinies of all of the men and women of the world.

Victory comes when we submit our lives to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. When we begin to understand that He is God and that we are His children then we fully submit to His plan and purpose for our lives. When we submit to God and obey His word He will give us victory in every area of our lives; spiritually, physically, financially, and emotionally. Let’s look at the book of Joshua for guidance on how we can live victorious Christian lives from obedience to God’s Word.

The Bible says obedience is better than sacrifice. He could have told them to play a game of chess in order to win, but He didn’t. They were commanded to march and that’s what they did. Whenever we obey God, no matter how silly it may seem, He promises in His word to bless us. God always honors obedience. Victory comes through obedience!

STUDY THE BIBLE

July 05, 2008 8:09 pm

Posted by: winfield

As we begin to study the book of Corinthians, I would like to encourage you to read along and study in your Bible. Here is a few thoughts that may help you as you try to read and understand the Bible. As you begin to read it every day, it will cause you to grow and mature spiritually. As you study the Bible, it will strengthen your faith, speak to your heart, and guide you in all of life’s tough decisions. As you continue to read, the Bible God will reveal His plans and purposes for your life. Take some time to see what God is trying to tell you from His Word. The Bible is one of the best ways for the Lord to speak to us.

There are several suggestions that I would like to offer for getting the most from studying your Bible. First, study your Bible daily. There is no substitute for a regular and systematic study of Scripture. You would be surprised how much you will gain from a daily study of the Bible. Thirdly, allow time to meditate on the Bible. People try to read the Bible like a novel, without allowing time to take it to heart. Forth, memorize Scriptures. Make some note cards and memorize several scriptures every week. Last, share what you learn in the Bible with others. Teaching is one of the best ways to reinforce what you have learned.

Study the Bible. Do it! You'll be amazed at what you find!

Coming Soon: Originals CD!

July 03, 2008 12:15 pm

Posted by: winfield

Our church's worship team has been working hard for the past two months in the recording studio recording for an upcoming worship CD entitled "Originals."

The recording should be finished in the next or two and then we will send it off to be duplicated and ready for distribution here at church. Jesse and the band have done an amazing job! We are planning to have the CD back sometime the first of August.

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