A recent Wall Street Journal article* extolls the virtues of hierarchical structures in an increasingly networked society. Tom and Gavin examine this article in the context of church. Is hierarchy good or harmful when applied to ecclesiology? How much hierarchy is needed for a church to function? How much does it take to become toxic? How do we find the right balance?
*In Praise of Hierarchy, by Niall Ferguson https://www.wsj.com/articles/in-praise-of-hierarchy-1515175338
What do we look for in a leader? Is the leader of a Simple Church always the person with the right training, the right personality, the right gifts and abilities? Or is Simple Church leadership less complicated? What makes a leader among a group of Christ-Followers? Listen as Tom and Gavin discuss Biblical Leadership for the Simple Church.
Watch the Upside Down Leadership Video:
As we evaluate what a Simple Church is and what it does, we ask ourselves questions like, “What is absolutely necessary for a church to exist? What is optional? What things are hindering the church from being all that God wants it to be?” Today we look at two concepts of modern church – Professionals and Programs, and we ask, “Are these things absolutely necessary to have a vibrant and growing church?”
For more information about “P.O.U.C.H.” Churches:
http://www.churchplantingmovements.com/images/stories/audio/CPM_Summaries/15_POUCH_Churches.mp3
https://tangiblethoughts.wordpress.com/2009/05/19/church-planting-movements-by-david-garrison/
Participating in a simple form of church means that everyone is encouraged to contribute to the church’s regular gatherings. This can be a great way to hear from God by hearing what He is teaching others. But what happens when there is someone in your midst that interferes in that communication process? What do you do with the person who perhaps talks too much and won’t let others speak? Or what about a disruptive person? A false teacher? In this second part of two episodes, Tom and Gavin discuss what can be done when your meetings are “hijacked” by insensitive people.
Participating in a simple form of church means that everyone is encouraged to contribute to the church’s regular gatherings. This can be a great way to hear from God by hearing what He is teaching others. But what happens when there is someone in your midst that interferes in that communication process? What do you do with the person who perhaps talks too much and won’t let others speak? Or what about a disruptive person? A false teacher? In this first of two episodes, Tom and Gavin discuss what can be done when your meetings are “hijacked” by insensitive people.
In this podcast, Tom and Gavin continue their interview with Forrest Head of Big Life At Home Ministries. For years Forrest has labored to help plant simple churches overseas and train their leaders with great success. For the past several years, Forrest has been applying Simple Church planting principles in North America. Could we see the same spontaneous growth in the North American Church that has been so prevalent in other parts of the world?
Here is a link to Forrest’s Ministry Website:
For most of the 20th Century, the church was a prominent part of our culture. Even if some people never attended church, the institution of church had much more respect than it does now in the early 21st century. It seems that the church is not as attractive as it used to be in our society. If this is true, what are the ramifications for church today, whatever form it may take? How will the church make disciples of the people in our society if the society has little interest in Christianity or the church? Listen as Gavin, David and Tom discuss this topic.
To read the article referenced in this podcast go here:
http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=42798
To find out more about Dave’s ministry:
http://www.following2lead.com/
Join us at the Simple Church Conference on September 20th and 21st at Wilmore, Kentucky! Click on the picture above for more information.
Sometimes, both leadership and training are unfortunately downplayed within Simple Churches. But is this a good trend? Don’t we need leaders? And don’t we need to train them? And what would this training look like? From Mentoring Relationships to formal Seminary Education, Tom and Gavin explore various ways to equip leaders in the Simple Church. Part 2 of 2 parts.
To see the “Turtleman Rap”
Tom, Gavin and Matt discuss leadership in the Simple Church. Who are the leaders? What are their qualifications? How are leaders chosen? What are their responsibilities? We explore some of these issues.
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Keep It Simple: a Simple Church Podcast 
Tom and Gavin: Thanks for finding and sharing the video from Chan. He really does get it! Another brother who…