We are currently part of a fairly new simple church with about 30% new believers. The other evening, one of them mentioned that a friend had approached him to find out more about his faith. As we discussed how he might handle the situation, it became apparent that only a few of those present had… Read More
Category: Kingdom skills
In my last post on this subject, I looked at my personal journey and how God set me free from guilt-based religion. For me, that liberty came many years ago during my medical school days. I've not always lived in that freedom, but it has formed a basic backdrop for my life. My advice to… Read More
Mega churches are starting missional communities in many areas around the country. (Exponential, the largest conference available for church planters, has several organic church people speaking at the main sessions this year –I've even been asked to take a workshop!) But I haven't yet heard that many stories from slightly smaller churches. However, here's a great story… Read More
Why it is that very capable people do not take more initiative when it comes to things of the Kingdom? Check out this brief video. Within simple/organic church we can be like those fleas. If we are from a traditional church background, we may have become accustomed to passivity. We have become conditioned not… Read More
There were some great comments on my last post on whether to create community at the expense of being missional. I recommend especially clicking through to Chris Jefferies article. I'd also like to respond to a couple of posts about the organic nature of mission. Few of us enjoy the prospect of programmatic mission, and… Read More
Here are a couple more stories from when our group gathered with no other purpose than listening to God: A beautiful illustration comes from our gathering time in Basel, Switzerland. Our host had procured a bronze model of King Arthur and his knights surrounding the Round Table. The king and his knights had drawn their… Read More
Continuing the story of the listening gatherings: The next morning, we started to pray through the things D.B. had described. The first place we prayed was on a hilltop where the scene with the Native American man had taken place. We repented for what had been done to his people in that area and bound… Read More
How many sermons can you remember a month later? A year later? A decade later? When we were in medical school, we were involved in a controversial church plant–the Christians at the hospital decided they were a church. Since they spent most of their time in the hospital and experienced great fellowship together, it was… Read More
Several simple/organic churches had come together for a celebration gathering. At one point, it was suggested that people get into smaller groups to pray for each other. Over in one corner, a family–mom, dad, and their two kids–were praying together. Each had tears running down their faces. God was touching them. I was close to… 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