I was asked a fascinating question in response to the last couple of blogs on how an inward focused group can become more missional. Basically the question was: what do you do about mission if there is very little sense of community in your group? Here's a part of my response to the person who… Read More
Category: Church planting
In Matthew 5, Jesus says this (verses 14-16): “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way,… Read More
In one of the last posts, I looked at why it is important for inward-looking groups to become outward focused. Here are some ideas that might help: Spend time as a church asking God to give you his heart for missions and the people around you. Brainstorm around what unreached groups of people are in… Read More
A few days ago I posted 6 trends that I see developing and that we will see more of in 2011. The final one of these is a healthier DNA–more of an outward focus in making new disciples. Both mega- and micro-churches are currently growing mainly at the expense of the mid-sized community churches. I… Read More
This post is a follow up on trend number 4 from the last post, that we will see an increasing acceptance of simple/organic church principles across the legacy church spectrum. Back in the UK, in the 1970s and 80's, we were involved in what was then known as the "British House Church Movement." It was… Read More
Here are some of the trends I believe God is bringing into the body of Christ and more specifically into the simple/organic/house church movement that we will see in the coming year: An increasing emphasis on the Kingdom of God Groups on mission with God, listening to what he says to them and obeying what… Read More
First Corinthians 2:16 says this: For, “Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ. The body of Christ often has the mind of Christ. It is not something that is experienced so much individually as corporately. Together, we have… Read More
This is the first of several posts that look at how to follow the Holy Spirit when we gather. Everyone spends some time (10 minutes or more) on their own seeking God for what he would like them to bring. It might be a Bible passage, a thought, a picture, a song, a prayer need… Read More
Our friend Wolfgang Simson, likes to say that programs are what the church is reduced to when they don't know how to follow the Holy Spirit! The main difference between meeting in a house and simple/organic church is that we learn to follow the Holy Spirit when we get together. The key verse we refer… Read More
The fourth reproducible element from Acts 2:42 in our times together is prayer. Prayer is foundational. It takes many forms. It includes praise, supplication, intercession for unbelievers, prayer for each other, warfare and so on. Again, the Holy Spirit is very creative and as we listen to him and follow his leading, we will find… Read More