Simply Church: A House Church Perspective

Some Articles Worth Reading

I have come across several articles from various sources over the past few weeks that look at where Christianity is going in this country.  They are all in agreement.  There are significant changes occurring that are changing the spiritual face of the nation.  Read them...  and pray.

Here are four of them:

An article by Michael Spencer that was picked up by the Drudge Report at http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0310/p09s01-coop.html

An article in the Washington Post by an atheist on his perspective on the research at http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2009/03/america_land_of_the_free_think.html

An article in USA today using some of the same research at http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2009-03-09-american-religion-ARIS_N.htm

George Barna's research into what Americans believe at http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/12-faithspirituality/15-christianity-is-no-longer-americans-default-faith

The Current Economic Situation

In China, it took Communist persecution to drive the church outside the four walls of the building and into the community.  We all know the result:  a vibrant movement of house churches has multiplied across that nation with the number of Christians increasing one hundred fold. 

Could economic problems have the same result here in the West?

A few weeks ago I was at a retreat where there were several people in full-time Christian ministry--within missions and/or within the simple organic church movement.  The majority of these people, who were supported mainly through traditional means (denominations, mission agencies etc.) were facing questions about how they were going to be financially supported in the near future.

Already we hear of those in full-time ministry in legacy churches being laid off or having their salaries cut.  Many churches may have to close their doors for economic reasons.

Could God use this situation to produce a similar effect to what has happened in China?  Could this be a part of his plan in allowing a house church movement to arise at such a time as this?  Will we in simple churches have the maturity to rise to the challenge of supporting our own missions?

From Eternity to Here

  Frank Viola's new book, "From Eternity to Here" comes out this week.  This book is a beautiful portrayal of the church as the desire of God's heart.  It reveals God's intense passion for the Bride from the beginning of the ages. Taking the whole scope of the Bible from Old Testament love stories through the book of Revelation, Frank reveals that God's plan was always to create a bride for His Son.

This is a beautifully written book that puts our lives into the epic story God is creating through history.  Frank describes it as the most important book he will ever write.  You can get hold of a copy at www.Parable.com.  Check out the website for reader reviews at www.fromEternitytoHere.

Organic Leadership

I had the privilege of reading the manuscript of Neil Cole's new book, Organic Leadership a few months ago.  I found myself saying a resounding "Yes!" on just about every page.  It is the best book on leadership written from a simple church perspective that I have read.

On another note, I would appreciate your prayers for my 9 year old granddaughter, Anna.  A couple of weeks ago she came down with a mysterious illness called Henloch-Shoerlein purpura--an unpleasant condition consisting of a rash, arthritis and kidney problems.  Generally it lasts from 4 to 6 weeks and she should recover completely as long as she does not get kidney complications. She has had some kidney symptoms, although thankfully they are getting less at this point.   I have been in Colorado with the family for most of the past couple of weeks helping with Anna and her three younger siblings.