We are offering our next 1-hour zoom workshop on Introduction to House Church.

Time: Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at 5:00 pm Pacific Daylight Time

Sign up here if you are interested!

This introductory workshop is best for those who are newer to house church or still exploring.

We will cover several basic topics that will help you start or participate in an organic, house church:

1. Change Your Thinking from Institutional to Biblical and Organic
2. Learn the Four Elements of a New Testament House Church
3. Discover Five Ways to Start a House Church
4. Learn About the Dynamic House Church Gathering
5. Understand How to Make Room for Multiplication
6. Discover the Key to Sustaining House Churches
7. Q&A

More information here.

One of many authors writing books and articles on The Great Dechurching said: "We are experiencing the largest religious shift in US history – greater than the Great Awakenings, but in the opposite direction."

While this is undoubtedly true, especially in regard to the organized church, my question is: "Is this a negative thing or does it present one of the greatest opportunities this country has seen in a long time?

My concern is that we continue to look backward to when we expected the organized church to somehow woo people to Christ with its contemporary music worship and colorful sermons. In fact, to some extent we saw this happen in past decades. But at what cost?

Have we not come to trust and rely on the organization we call 'church' to influence the world for Christ and, in the process, lost what it actually means to be salt, light, and yeast in the world? As followers of Jesus, have we sometimes lost our deeper, intimate organic connection to Jesus that naturally resonates through us to the world because we became enamored with the potential of the 'wow' church to do it for us?

Perhaps we are in this situation 'for such a time as this.' Perhaps we will seek out community with people who encourage us to go deeper into Christ and then to be a light in a culture that is more confused, in-need, and lost than ever. May God help us. After all, the Spirit of God is individually and collectively residing in each one of us. In that reality lives the current Great Opportunity.

On October 13-14 our Canadian friends, Pathfinders, will be hosting a gathering near the geographic centre of Canada, Winnipeg!

"Yearning to reach others relationally? Interested in the fundamentals of simple/organic church? Rethinking what kingdom leadership looks like? Seeking to cultivate households of faith among specific people groups?"

Contact them here for more information.

Download the flyer here.

Paul tells the elders, "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive'" (Acts 20:35).

Our world is broken and, thus, the weak and hurting are everywhere. But we often fail to see them. They may look capable, speak with confidence, or display outer strength. They may be contentious or annoying. They may even be outwardly hurting, but we simply fail to see.

We had a young friend who seemed self-assured, confident, and outwardly together. I fully accepted her apparent strength and assumed her need of help was low. But my wife saw through that. She recognized this woman’s discontent at a deep level and was able to speak to it. This opened up a door for prayer and introduction to a God who loves, forgives, and leads. This happened because my wife saw what I failed to.

Help the weak. Love the weak.

Too often we contend with the weak rather than help because we only hear their outer diatribes as they rail against a world that is ‘not right.’ Maybe I disagree fully with their ideas and maybe they come across with pride and righteous certitude that raises my ire. But I try to remind myself that love is more than truthful words, otherwise, it is just a noisy clamor that is heard in the name of Christ all too often.

See the weak. Help the weak. Love the weak.

Early believers were known as those unusual people who would spend time in leper colonies helping the weak. Perhaps the church (ekklesia) will find a needed re-birth when our motivation reflects the same love and compassion toward the weak and we respond to the deep human needs that surround us.

We see wonderful growth in the church in Africa where the weak are easy to identify. More importantly, those who are reaching out are committed to helping and loving the weak and vulnerable. Yes, they are easy to see, but the workers also respond with love and care for the sufferers. This results in movements of Jesus-followers reaching and discipling Jesus-followers.

Help the weak. Love the weak.

Our world is broken. And people are broken. Perhaps when we begin to see this and respond with the one virtue we are to be known for we will see a new type of ‘church’ (ekklesia) spontaneously arise where we live, move, and work: simple Jesus-followers known for their love.

Asbury renewal among today’s younger generation…

and

The Jesus Revolution movie depicting the movement of God among young people 50 years ago…

I am reminded that God is able to draw people to himself:

• without the hype
• without the organized hierarchy
• without the charismatic leader
• without the programs and performances
• without the ‘professionals’
• without the plates, pews, and pulpits

Maybe we just need to take the risk to let go of all of that… and wait on the presence and movement of the Spirit.

Let’s keep it simple!