Categories
Church planting

One sad fact of transition you need to know

It’s a sad fact, but one that you need to face up front. You will lose people. When you transition from a legacy church to a network of simple churches, not everyone will come with you. For many, the legacy church has been their whole life, and when you suggest a paradigm shift as major… Read More

Categories
Church planting

How do you transition from legacy church to a network of simple churches?

The answer is: slowly! Photo credit: Balaji.B (Creative Commons) I know several legacy churches that have successfully made the transition to a network of simple/organic churches. When I’ve asked their leaders about the process, they have always told me that its been a lengthy one–a couple of years to complete. Usually they have taken about… Read More

Categories
Church planting

10 hurdles to overcome in making the transition from legacy to simple church

If the Lord shows you that you are to make the transition from legacy to a network of simple/organic churches, there are a number of obstacles to overcome. (This post assumes you are in a position of church leadership.) Many people in your church do not share your vision for the transition. It’s not what… Read More

Categories
Church planting

To transition or not to transition: that is the question

As the simple/organic movement becomes more mainstream, and the financial trends force more and more traditional churches to cut back economically, then many churches are asking the question: should we transition our legacy church into a network of simple/organic churches? Photo credit: Dan4th (Creative Commons) Every church needs to hear from the Lord about their… Read More

Categories
Church planting Kingdom skills

Multiplication tools: passing it on

Does your simple/organic church have an impact beyond the gathering? There’s a simple tool to help with that.   Photo Credit: Kalexanderson (Creative Commons) In the interactive Bible study pattern that we most frequently use and teach to others, four symbols help people share around the passage: A question mark: do you have any questions… Read More

Categories
Church planting House church

Slow multiplication or fast multiplication? Your choice.

When it comes to multiplying simple/organic churches, your pattern of multiplication will determine whether you multiply quickly or slowly. Photo credit: archer10 (Dennis) Busy (Creative Commons) Many people assume that the way to multiply a simple/organic church is to add new people to the church that meets in your home until it has outgrown your… Read More

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Church planting

What might it look like when big and small work together?

Photo credit: brendan.wood (Creative Commons) The rabbit and the elephant have very different strengths. Different sized churches do too. Rabbit sized churches: Can penetrate into every nook and cranny of society reaching people who would never darken the door of a church building Have the potential to multiply rapidly along relationship lines Foster community and… Read More

Categories
House church Organic church Simple Church

What problems is the simple/organic movement facing?

Photo credit: Donna Grayson (Creative Commons) Simple/organic church has become mainstream here in the United States. According to the statistics, although the rate of growth is slowing down, 3-5% of the adult population of this country now finds their primary form of fellowship within a home or similar context. While at most levels this is very… Read More

Blurring the distinctives

One thing I’ve observed over recent years is that the Lord is blurring the distinctives between groups of Christians. Photo credit: Several seconds (Creative Commons) It used to be that charismatics and non-charismatics were divided by theology. They looked down on each other–the non-charismatics thought that charismatics were flaky, all froth and no substance. The… Read More

Categories
House church

7 shifts towards organic

Many churches are looking to become increasingly relevant to the society around them by shifting to a more organic form of church. Photo credit: Michael | Ruiz (Creative Commons) Here are some of the shifts toward organic: We’re moving from being building and event focused to lifestyle and family focused. Church is no longer an… Read More