Simple Church Defined

Simple church is a re-definition of church as a Christ-centered community established primary on relationship both to God and to the other members of the group. The term "simple" is used to denote the movement of many traditional church characteristics to the category of non-essential, or even unhelpful, in this model of church. A simple church may meet anywhere, with or without religiously trained persons or clergy, may not have any formal liturgy, and little if any programmatic or institutional structures. To facilitate relationship, discipleship, multiplication, mobility, and member ownership, a simple church is usually a small group of no more than 20-25 persons who meet weekly, if not more often. [Read the whole wiki here.  Also check out House church.]

When we say "simple church", we're talking about a set of values about who we are as communities of believers.

• By 'simple church,' we mean a way of being and doing church that is so simple that any believer would respond by saying, "I can do that!"
• By 'simple church,' we mean the kind of church that is described in the New Testament, not constrained by structure but by the needs of the extended family (oikos), and a desire to extend the kingdom.
• By 'simple church,' we mean a church that listens to God, follows His leading and obeys His commands.
• By 'simple church,' we mean spiritual parents raising spiritual sons and daughters to establish their own families (oikos).

What's It Like? 

During our gatherings, we pray together, study and discuss the Bible, sing, share our victories and struggles, share the Lord's Supper and often have a meal together.  We take seriously the idea that, "when you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation," so we encourage people to come ready to participate.  We have no set liturgy, no spectators, no distinctions between laity and clergy.  In fact, from group to group our gatherings are really very different, seasoned with the cultural flavor and experiences of the people who come.  Even with all these differences, all our churches have this common DNA:

1. D - Divine Truth: They draw their direction and inspiration from God's truth as revealed in the Word and in their lives.
2. N - Nurturing Relationships: They invest their lives in others by loving and being loved so that everyone can grow healthfully.
3. A - Apostolic Mission:  Apostle means "one sent."  Just as Jesus sent the first Twelve to impact the world, he commissioned them to send all those they had reached with the Good News, including every member of our churches.

Enter the Simple Church stream

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