SimpleChurch Journal http://www.simplechurchjournal.com/ House church blog, house church, simple church, organic church, simple church journal, simplechurch journal, interactive on house churches, church planting, emerging church. Developing a house church or simple church network. Understand the new wineskins and share practical ideas. House, church, blog, simple, home, emerging, new, wineskins, networks, spiritual, mentor, early, worship, churches, plant, Jesus en-US 2012-02-15T11:18:24-08:00 The Awakening Irreligious Church http://www.simplechurchjournal.com/2012/02/the-awakening-irreligious-church.html Mel Gibson, in the movie Braveheart, portrays the true story of the Scot revolutionary, William Wallace. The common folk were poor and routinely stripped of their lands and treated with contempt by their overlords. While the movie does not depict... Mel Gibson, in the movie Braveheart, portrays the true story of the Scot revolutionary, William Wallace.  The common folk were poor and routinely stripped of their lands and treated with contempt by their overlords.  While the movie does not depict all that motivated this young man, he was surely impacted by two significant turning points: the death of his father in a scuffle with an Englishman, and the murder of his wife under the direction of the English sheriff.  He took up the family motto: “"Pro libertate" - "For Freedom" and become both an avenger, hero, and martyr for the cause of seeing his people set free.  Wallace’s life experiences and tragedies helped awaken him to the oppression and abuse as well as motivate  him to say, “Enough!”

5498392_sIn the same way, all revolutions, resulting in greater freedom, are preceded by an awakening.  People wake up to the stark reality that they are not living as they could.  They have succumbed to various states of oppression or depression or subjugation, and they wake up to the harshness of their condition and say “Enough!”

Today, there is an awakening in the church taking place and a new cry for freedom.  The liberating of the church is happening.  It’s happening en masse.  It’s happening not by someone’s design, but simply because person after person has experienced something that is causing them to more fully awaken to their condition and say ‘enough.’

People are awakening from a tyranny that I place under the overarching term: religion.  Religion encompasses the dead spiritual systems that we substitute for life—life with Jesus.  Religion goes far beyond the oppressiveness of just legalism though that’s an important aspect of it.  It involves all of the forms of godliness—external and internal—that become substitutes and alternatives to real spiritual life and vitality.  These ‘forms of godliness’ can include:

  • The religious routines we follow that replace a vibrant, risk-taking life of following Jesus.
  • The church systems we set up that sustain themselves with activities and programs which many use to replace real relationship with Jesus and with one another.
  • The motivations we fall into that are about serving our own ego-identities rather than, truly, God’s Kingdom and purposes.

Freedom is the goal of all revolutions and this one is no different.  God is awakening His people because He has destined us for freedom so that we, in turn, may bring freedom to a world that is deeply oppressed and in need of what Jesus’ life and only Jesus’ life can bring.

Let’s explore some of the many ways that God is freeing His people from religion and unleashing His bride to serve His glory, reflect His presence, and follow his purposes to bring about life in a decaying world… (More to Come).

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NOTE: This is a stab at setting the stage for the first chapter of the "Irreligious Follower" book.  I will share a bit at a time as I try to organize the flow of the book!

Comments Welcome!

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]]> roger thoman 2012-02-15T11:18:24-08:00 Do You Have a Story to Share? http://www.simplechurchjournal.com/2012/02/do-you-have-a-story-to-share.html I am continuing to think through my next book with your help and collaboration. Your input has been awesome! For the background on this, you can go to my last post. Now, I want to ask you for stories. Your... Whats_your_story_000I am continuing to think through my next book with your help and collaboration.  Your input has been awesome!  For the background on this, you can go to my last post.

Now, I want to ask you for stories.  Your own stories (or maybe even others).  Real-life illustrations from real people walking out the truths of this book are needed!

Here are my key points for Chapter 1.  Can you share your experiences as they relate to these key points?

Chapter 1 Title: Jesus' Call to Uncompromised Followership

Point 1: God is always calling us to fresh encounters with Jesus

Point 2: Religion provides us a safe place to become ‘comfortable’ that can keep us from living out of fresh encounters.

Point 3: Breaking out of our comfort zones can mean facing the religious/cultural hindrances that we have become accustomed to.  This can be difficult!

Point 4: Desire is key.  How much do we really want to engage fully with the amazing Person, Jesus—no matter the cost.

Friends, I don’t know how this collaboration will work, but if you are open to sharing some of your own stories here as comments, what a gift to me and to others!

Comments (Stories) Here!

]]> roger thoman 2012-02-07T15:09:08-08:00 Working Title and Thesis for the 'Irreligious' Book http://www.simplechurchjournal.com/2012/01/working-title-and-thesis-for-the-irreligious-book.html Based on your input (recorded here and here) and my own convictions, I have come up with my first attempt at a working title and thesis for my next book. The word ‘working’ means that it’s still being worked on... Irreligious-headerBased on your input (recorded here and here) and my own convictions, I have come up with my first attempt at a working title and thesis for my next book.  The word ‘working’ means that it’s still being worked on and is, therefore, NOT in final form.  This is why I bring it to you!

Working Title (as of today): Becoming & Making Irreligious Followers of Jesus

In short, you might say that this is a book on discipleship: the power and simplicity of being and making disciples.  I do believe that this is the heart of the ‘simple church’ movement and church planting movements.  More here from an earlier post.  BUT, I also believe that the terms and practices of ‘discipleship’ and ‘making disciples’ are vastly misunderstood which is why so many miss out.

So, with that title in mind, here is my working thesis (at this point):

1. The love and grace that Jesus has for us is bigger than we realize.

My note: I don’t think any book should be written that does not, in the end, call all of us to a deeper walk and relationship with Jesus.

2. The life of a follower (one who follows and makes followers) is a life of adventure, joy, and freedom far greater than we realize.

My note: This point goes to the core of what’s on my heart as I hope to fully explore the dynamics of being and making disciples.  We can discuss this further together and I attempt to clarify what I’m after and, again, get your input.

3. The religious traditions of our Christian culture continue to be a greater hindrance to the life God has for us than we realize.

My note: I know many of you share this ongoing concern that the life Jesus has for us must be engaged in without the religious encumbrances that so often dilute and/or distort His image in and through us.

Note that your input from the past couple of weeks here has greatly informed my outline!  Look forward to more insights from ‘the gang.’

Comments?

]]> roger thoman 2012-01-24T12:09:58-08:00 Organizing Your Thoughts on What Hinders the Western Church http://www.simplechurchjournal.com/2012/01/organizing-your-thoughts-on-what-hinders-the-western-church.html Two weeks ago I asked for your help in identifying the key hindrances in the Western church. I did this to inform me with your insights as I work on my next book. Your responses were many and amazing! I... Yellow-organizing-foldersTwo weeks ago I asked for your help in identifying the key hindrances in the Western church.  I did this to inform me with your insights as I work on my next book.

Your responses were many and amazing!

I have organized those responses into the three primary categories they seem to fall into.  Below is a mini-version of my notes.  You can download my full notes here.

Key Hindrances:

1. Our relationship with God

  • Lack of intimacy with God
  • Not listening
  • We don’t know Him as He is
  • We don’t know His word and/or we are lackadaisical about it

2. Our involvement in religious traditions and legalism

  • Religious attitudes
  • Man-made traditions
  • Religion and pride
  • Comfort-seeking in our church life
  • Me-centered in our church life
  • Consumer mentality as a Christian

3. Our followership (our walk as disciples)

  • Lack of obedience to Jesus alone
  • Lack of obedience to all of Jesus’ commands
  • Not making disciples
  • Not surrendered wholly
  • No passion for the lost
  • Compromise

Again, I only printed the first few responses and you can see the full list here.
Very, very helpful!  More coming…

]]> roger thoman 2012-01-24T11:58:02-08:00 Writing My Next Book With Your Help! http://www.simplechurchjournal.com/2012/01/writing-my-next-book-with-your-help.html It was so invigorating to receive the comments from my last post in which I asked for input on what y’all see as the major hindrance in the church in the West. Because of the value of this input, I... WritingIt was so invigorating to receive the comments from my last post in which I asked for input on what y’all see as the major hindrance in the church in the West.

Because of the value of this input, I am considering writing this next book transparently, the whole process beginning to end, right here on SimpleChurch Journal.

The benefit of doing it this way is:

  1. Your insights will continue to shape and bring depth to the book
  2. Accountability for me to keep writing

The Decision Not to Pursue Professional Publishing

In order to pursue this direction with you guys, I will have to settle the issue of not pursuing professional publishing.  Although I have a publishing house asking about my next book (which is a far cry from having an offer) I am leaning toward publishing myself, again, for the following primary reason:

This allows me to give it away which has been a huge benefit in developing countries.  Because my last book (Simple/House Church Revolution) was self-published, it was easily accessed in these poorer countries and translated into several languages without any copyright issues.

The downside?  Probably less exposure to Western audiences since it will not have the marketing power of publishers.

This is definitely an experiment beginning to end.  Any thoughts?

Oh, the specific topic of the next book?  Okay… next post!

Comments here!

]]> roger thoman 2012-01-19T09:48:00-08:00 Online Course: Sign-Up Now http://www.simplechurchjournal.com/2012/01/online-course-sign-up-now.html The next online Simple/House Church Course begins on February 1 and you can sign up now. Only 9 spots remain! Why consider this course? It’s fun (I think). It’s interactive with lots of opportunity to share and hear from others... Backpacker The next online Simple/House Church Course begins on February 1 and you can sign up now.  Only 9 spots remain!

Why consider this course?

  • It’s fun (I think).
  • It’s interactive with lots of opportunity to share and hear from others who are on a similar journey.
  • It provides a lot of great material that challenges our perspectives and paradigms in order to help us shape our own non-traditional journey.
  • It can even be life-changing as it helps set our course as pursuers of Jesus in the context of simple church life.

Who is this course for?  It’s ideal for those who are newly exploring simple/house churches or who are in the process of starting simple/house churches or networks of simple/house churches.

Read more of the description here and sign up now on a first come, first served basis. 

No need to journey alone!

]]> roger thoman 2012-01-17T12:45:48-08:00 What's YOUR Opinion? The Number One Hindrance in the Church Today? http://www.simplechurchjournal.com/2012/01/whats-your-opinion-the-number-one-hindrance-in-the-church-today.html As I begin to think through a new book idea, I want to listen to YOUR insights! Would you take a moment and help me complete the following list which I will then turn into a poll: “What’s the number... ListeningAs I begin to think through a new book idea, I want to listen to YOUR insights!

Would you take a moment and help me complete the following list which I will then turn into a poll:

“What’s the number one hindrance in the church of the West today?”

Here are possibilities I already have down:

  • Religious attitudes and structures
  • Legalism
  • Lack of obedience
  • Selfishness and overly concerned about comfort
  • Materialism
  • Worldly distractions
  • Not enough understanding of God’s grace
  • Overly-comfortable grace
  • Lack of prayer

This is just a start and I need more!

Once I have your input, I will come up with the top 12 contenders and then create a poll out of it for my research!

Your help is appreciated!

“What’s the number one hindrance in the church of the West today?”

Please comment here or, if you receive this by email, you can reply!

]]> roger thoman 2012-01-10T09:22:43-08:00 Decentralized and Constantly Emerging Movement http://www.simplechurchjournal.com/2012/01/decentralized-and-constantly-emerging-movement.html Church—as a true expression of the life of Jesus—must always be a decentralized and constantly emerging movement. This is the way living things manifest! They spread, grow, and reproduce themselves. Religion is a breeding ground for death as it seeks... DecentralizedChurch—as a true expression of the life of Jesus—must always be a decentralized and constantly emerging movement.  This is the way living things manifest!  They spread, grow, and reproduce themselves.

Religion is a breeding ground for death as it seeks to monitor, control, and keep everything within the confines of predictability.  This can, in no way shape or form, reflect the living power of a Jesus who is at work to raise people out of death, out of oppressive forces, out of darkness, out of slumber, into the light of His life, glory, and radical purposes to change a world.  In three and a half years Jesus initiated a movement that today continues to infuse the world with His living, powerful Spirit through over 1 billion followers!  He is alive and on the move.

Even in the natural, decentralized movements are recognized as having the greatest potential for change in our world:

“In a world of rapid and unpredictable change, the leading social entrepreneurs and the millions of changemakers with their tentacles and sensors touching every corner of the globe represent a far better mechanism to respond to needs than we have ever had before—a decentralized and emergent force that, if properly financed, governed and wired together, remains our best hope to construct a framework of solutions that can keep pace with our problems and create a more peaceful world.” David Bornstein

The church, the expression of Jesus, is always meant to be a decentralized, emerging movement led by the Spirit of God.  “Decentralized” because no one can control it, no religion can contain it, and no organization can claim it.  “Movement” because it is an unleashed force that is designed, by its nature, to cover the earth like waters cover the sea.  “Emerging”*** because it continually brings forth new life in new places and, as it does, emerges in the most unlikely situations and ways.

Our traditional religious approaches to church and Christianity can never serve the movement that Jesus initiated and that is being renewed today.  But Jesus followers—loving Him, surrendering to Him, seeking Him, following Him radically into the world—can and will.

***Note: Please don't make any association between my use of the word "emerging" and the loosely defined "emerging movement."

Comment Here!

]]> roger thoman 2012-01-05T10:41:29-08:00 Cross-Cultural Missions from the Organic Perspective http://www.simplechurchjournal.com/2012/01/cross-cultural-missions-from-the-organic-perspective.html Felicity Dale has written some excellent posts on cross-cultural missions as it relates to the simple/organic/house church movement. I think this conversation is so important, so I just wanted to highlight these writings: The Good and the Bad of Missions... Felicity Dale has written some excellent posts on cross-cultural missions as it relates to the simple/organic/house church movement.  I think this conversation is so important, so I just wanted to highlight these writings:

The Good and the Bad of Missions

Missions: the Bad!

Missions: the Ugly

Quote: the dirty secret of missions

When Western finance does more harm than good

Guest Post by Roger Thoman (yours truly): 5 Pitfalls of Missions

Motivation for Mission

I look forward to seeing these types of discussions among all simple/organic folk!

 Comment Here!

]]> roger thoman 2012-01-05T10:28:29-08:00 I Sold My Soul for Church Attendance http://www.simplechurchjournal.com/2012/01/i-sold-my-soul-for-church-attendance.html I know that all too many of us can relate to this pastor who recently resigned when his dream church did not materialize as expected: For 10 whole years before I started Courageous Church I dreamed of it being one... I know that all too many of us can relate to this pastor who recently resigned when his dream church did not materialize as expected:

For 10 whole years before I started Courageous Church I dreamed of it being one thing, started it as another, then spent the next 3 years trying to get it back to the church of my dreams.  I own this. The vision of my heart was for a committed community of people that first and foremost served God in radical ways in inner city Atlanta...  Sunday morning would simply be the time when those people came together to celebrate and honor God and invite others into our Monday-Saturday adventure.

Instead, I started a super cool Sunday worship service centered church with 700 people and spent the next 3 years begging thousands of people to help me be the hands and feet of God by fighting child trafficking and caring for widows and orphans.  I was advised by the best church planting experts in the world to go this route, but in the end it was my decision and it was the wrong one.   I sold my soul for church attendance in our first week and could never quite get it back.

Ouch!  I know that feeling oh so well.  This very honest post on the challenges of professional church building are potent.  Here is one more tidbit from this ex-pastor:

People L.O.V.E to hear about radical change.  They just don’t love making it.

And that applies to ALL people regardless of what type of church expressions they hang their hat on, eh?

Read Shaun's full post(s) here.

Comment Here!

]]> roger thoman 2012-01-05T10:19:41-08:00