What is the difference between Evangelism and Discipleship? Are they the same thing? Are they steps towards a goal? Is one more important than the other? Do they accomplish the same results? Must we pick one over the other as we attempt to fulfill the Great Commission? Tom and Gavin discuss these important questions.
Here is a link to Jess Ray’s song, Too Good
One of the most common criticisms of Simple Churches is that they can become inwardly focused. We can meet together with the same few people each week, but we seldom invite visitors to our fellowship. Growth is stagnant. Outreach to unbelievers is weak. In fact, many Christians seldom interact with an unbeliever from day to day. Gavin and Tom discuss ways for small groups and simple churches to turn their focus outward toward a broken world that needs Jesus.
As we continue to 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 – Buildings and Budgets. Are these things absolutely necessary to have a vibrant and growing church?
Today, Gavin and Tom ask the question “What IS a church?” We can all describe church based on what we experience: a place to go, a group to belong to. But what do the scriptures say about who or what is the Church?
Watch this video to see the “triangle and square” concept Gavin described in the podcast:
After many months or years of doing the same things at church, do you ever stop and ask, “Where are we going with this?” As we start a new year, Tom and Gavin reflect on what it means to just be going through the motions of living the Christian life. The new year brings us an opportunity to rethink our commitment to living up to all that God has called us to do – individually and as a church.
Today, Tom and Gavin discuss the recent promise from the Obama Administration of accepting more than 10,000 Syrian refugees, despite concerns that some of them may have ties to terror groups. Will we be compassionate to these desperate refugees? Is the risk of allowing potential terrorists into our country a real enough threat to prevent these refugees from coming to our shores? What is the Church’s stance on this complex issue? How should we treat refugees wherever they come from?
A recent Supreme Court Decision has made Gay Marriage legal in all fifty states. But is “legal” the same as good, or right? In this podcast, Gavin and Tom discuss the ramifications of Gay Marriage for society and the church. How should followers of Christ deal with this topic in a biblical way? Are we “haters” if we disagree with society? What is the future of Marriage in America?
…to sign up for the fourth annual Simple Church Conference, August 29th and 30th in Lexington, Kentucky. Our special guests will be Tony and Felicity Dale! Come and see us in the beautiful Bluegrass region of Kentucky. For details and registration, click here:
Today we play highlights from last year’s Simple Church Conference held in Wilmore, Kentucky in September, 2014. One of our keynote speakers, Tom LeCompte, points out that within 20 years of Jesus’ resurrection, the early church had a strong influence on the known world and had “turned the world upside down.” Can the Church do the same in the 21st century? What would it take to reach the whole world in our time?
I think we can use the standard techniques for seeing how we are doing but also need to gauge our…
Awesome sauce. Great need to listen to again. A three month debrief how are we doing?
Thanks for listening! Thank you for bringing this to our attention. I fixed it and then checked several more of…
Recently found your podcast and working my way through all of them, but found the link for Episode 12 "Let's…
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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…