Simply Church: A House Church Perspective

Twelve reasons why we saw extraordinary church multiplication

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What principles allow rapid multiplication on the mission field?

Traditionally, follow up from an evangelistic meeting is done by taking people's names and addresses and asking them to attend church or go through some materials. This is usually remarkably ineffective.

In the context I described in the last post this would have been impossible because of security issues as well as illiteracy. Instead, a Luke 10/simple church pattern enabled the harvest to be conserved and then multiplied. 

Here are some of the reasons (apart from a sovereign move of God) that I believe this happened.

1. Prayer. The local church sponsoring the meetings has a 24 hour prayer room and much prayer was raised. Spiritual warfare was essential and very, very real.
2. A large, local church handled practical arrangements.
3. The local pastor was 100% involved and was willing to lose some of his best people (and their finance) to start churches in people's homes. Building the Kingdom of God was far more important to him than increasing the size of his church.
4. In a nation where there is much persecution of believers, disciples are often far more passionate about their faith than in countries where Christianity is acceptable. The harvest workers were "on fire" for Jesus.
5. The harvest workers responsible for follow up were trained in Luke 10 principles. They were taught how to pray for the sick and how to find people of peace.  
6. Follow up was done at a local level by gathering new believers in the homes of people of peace. The new believers were not expected to attend a church or even to go to the homes of existing believers (extremely dangerous in their context). For similar reasons, the groups were kept very small--family gatherings. 
7. People were trained in simple patterns that were easily duplicatable--for example, what to do when they gathered together. They were also geared towards oral learners.
8. The meetings were culturally relevant. They didn't appear Western.
9. The Gospel was sown widely--huge numbers attended. The new believers then gossipped the Gospel along relational lines. They have an uncle in the neighboring village? They go to him, tell him how Jesus touched them and offer to pray for his needs. When Jesus answers their prayer, they start something in his home.
10. Miracles, healings and testimonies were featured prominently.
11. Christian terminology wasn't used. People were invited to become "followers of Jesus"  rather than to become Christians. (Actually, the name of Jesus in that language was used). There was no implication of changing culture.
12. The evangelist, a Westerner, has a deep, committed, ongoing relationship to that nation and to the pastor he worked with. He has faith to see the nation changed. He doesn't live in that nation, but visits as the Lord provides opportunity.

 

Can missional, simple/organic church multiply the harvest? A story

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Simple/organic church is a great way to not only conserve the harvest, but also to multiply it.

We have a friend who is an evangelist in countries that are hostile to the Gospel. We originally contacted him because we were interested in the large healing/evangelistic meetings that, amazingly, he is able to hold in these countries. When he discovered we are involved in simple church, he asked to spend some time with Tony and me because the Lord had told him that he was to be involved in a different kind of church. So we spent a weekend with him, explained the principles of Luke 10 and answered his myriad questions.

A few weeks later he conducted a major meeting again, but this time, instead of his usual training for the church workers who were going to be involved in follow up of those who responded to the message, he trained them in Luke 10 principles, teaching them to look for people of peace, to pray for the sick and to start churches in homes.

The people came to the meeting in buses, often 150 to a bus. The harvest workers looked for people of peace in the buses on the way home after the meeting.

A few months after this meeting we traveled with him to this country to discover what had happened. The results were extraordinary.

A typical story went like this: "I started four churches following the meeting, but the people have told their friends and relatives in other villages about Jesus and now I have eight."

Two young men, aged 24 and 26, were so excited after one of the subsequent trainings that they didn't wait for the next harvest meeting. They started spreading the Good News right away, and six months later had 700 new believers in 25 churches.

The typical results of an evangelistic crusade in the West is that around 1% of those who respond are going on with the Lord a year later. In the nation we visited, thousands of churches have started.

What might happen if new believers were followed up using Luke 10 principles? 

 

 

 

 

A simple/organic contribution to global mission

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Over the past few months, we have had several people from a more traditional church background and who are in the process of leaving for the mission field visit the church that meets in our home.

The exchange has been valuable. Our "Jesus family" has rubbed shoulders with people sold out for the Kingdom who are literally giving up everything they know in order to take the good news into cultures that may be hostile to the Gospel. And those visiting us have tasted a simpler, relational style of church that seeks to follow the Holy Spirit when they come together and that is reaching out using Luke 10 principles into the different spheres of influence that people represent.

Many churches and mission agencies are using simple/organic church patterns on the mission field. These days, mega-churches and denominations do not ususally plan to replicate traditional Western styles of church when they get into a cross-cultural context. Mission sending agencies recognize that the most effective evangelism uses a simple/organic model of church that multiplies along relational lines. 

Current experience shows that simple/organic patterns of church are less likely to provoke persecution in environments hostile to the Gospel.

The problem for many of the people going abroad as missionaries is that they have no experience of simple/organic church, even though that is what they plan to do on the field. So when they arrive on the mission field, they not only have to cope with a totally new cultural environment--language, customs, lifestyle; they also expect to work within an unfamiliar style of both evangelism and gathering.

This leads me to two conclusions:

1. People who have been involved in simple/organic expressions of church in their home countries are well-suited to involve in cross-cultural mission. If they have been involved in a healthy expression of organic/simple church, they are already accustomed to Luke 10 principles of mission and an informal, home-based style of gathering. But a single simple church or even network of simple churches, even though they may be able to provide financially, may not have the resources or experience to provide the cross-cultural training and support on the field necessary for someone going out as a missionary.
2. One of the contributions that the simple/organic movement can make towards global missions is to willingly work with mission-sending agencies, giving prospective missionaries a taste of what they are likely to experience on the field.

Are there ways we can partner together?

 

Quote: The dirty secret of missions

"The dirty little secret of missions is that we are sending missionaries all over the world who have not demonstrate the ability to make disciples who can make disciples. Most have not seen or participated in effective models of church-planting or discipleship at home, but we send them out in the hope that going cross-culturally will turn them into effective church planters and disciplers. This is wishful thinking at best, and it has to change."

Rick Wood, editor of Mission Frontiers magazine, taken from the editorial Jan/Feb 2011 (www.missionfrontiers.org)

Will we in the simple/organic church do any better?  The church in Antioch sent out their best when they sent out Paul and Barnabus.  Are we training up people who can make disciples and start churches in our own context before we send them out onto the mission field.

The good and the bad of missions

 

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Tony and I have been privileged to travel to various countries in all five continents and to see missions at work first hand.

First the good:

I was brought up, in a Christian sense, on the biographies of those on the mission field. I learned from Hudson Taylor (China), Amy Carmichael (India), James Frazier (Lisuland), Jim Elliott, (Ecuador) Helen Roseveare (Congo), Bruce Olsen (Colombia) and many others. I was inspired and challenged to live a sold-out life, to be willing to give my life for the sake of the Kingdom.

During my early days as a doctor, I had the privilege of working with several senior doctors who had been part of a revival that went on in Rwanda in the 1940s and 50s. They came back to the UK with the unmistakeable fragrance of Jesus on their lives. Their message was one of repentance and living a transparent life. What a privilege to work alongside them.

I know an American lady who has spent years living in the villages of North India. She has seen many hundred churches start and trains many church planters.

Another friend, Michele Perry, runs an orphanage in war-torn Sudan. She is seeing miracles and many are finding the Lord. Whenever I feel discouraged, her life inspires me--she was born with only one leg. What excuse do I have?

This past fall we were in Southern Russia with a lady from the UK who rescues people off the street. Most of them are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder from the wars with Chechnya and Georgia. She takes these people in to her center, sees them healed, trained and then sent out to various others parts of the country for the Kingdom.

Most people need no introduction to Rolland and Heidi Baker. Tony and Rolland went to a missionary school in Taiwan together. We have seen their extraordinary work in Mozambique at first hand.

I have learned much from others who have spent years on the mission field. People like Guy Muse,  David Watson, and Curtis Sergeant are profoundly influential.

We in the organic/simple church movement owe a huge debt of gratitude to the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptists. Much of what we have learned about church planting movements comes from their teaching and experience.

God is using many men and women to reach out to the nations cross-culturally. They are effective ambassadors of the Kingdom who are seeing much fruit from their work. In some cases, many tens of thousands of people have found the Lord because of their impact. The lives of these missionaries are an example to us all.

 

 

Simple/organic church needs simple/organic mission

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For some time now, I have been pondering the question, "What does it look like for simple/organic churches to get involved in mission?" I'm referring here to the role of what is usually known as "the missionary"--one who is called to leave their own culture and live in another nation, either short or long-term.

Here are some of the questions I have:

1. How, if at all, are simple/organic churches currently involved in missions?
2. How could/should their involvement differ from traditional mission work?
3. What is the most effective church planting training they can receive?
4. Who are the most effective people to reach unreached people groups?
5. Are there any mistakes of traditional missions that we can learn from and avoid?
6. How can this be financed?
7. How can people be supported in the field?
8. What language and cross cultural training is needed?

What other questions do you have?

For such a time as this...

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God has used house churches in many nations to avoid persecution--think China, the Middle East. Thankfully, here in the West, we are not in that same persecuted situation. But maybe there is another reason for the rise of simple/organic/house churches.

The world situation is becoming increasingly uncertain.  Questions and confusion abound. High unemployment and, according to a United Nations report, "the failure of policymakers, especially those in Europe and the United States, to address institutional and regulatory deficiencies... adds to existing risks for the global economy." Economic chaos is potentially a real risk.

Just recently, we met with a couple who lead a legacy church. The finances are no longer there. They have to let go their building and the husband is looking for "secular" work. (I put secular in quotes because whatever job we have, we are all called to be full-time for the Lord.) They see this as a huge opportunity from the Lord to follow their calling within a simple/organic framework.

I am no prophet of doom and gloom, but if there is a major economic depression to come, many more churches may have to close their doors for lack of funding. Already across the church landscape, church leaders are being asked to cut back or find other work, and giving to missions has suffered.  While I'm fairly sure that many mega-churches, or those with their buildings already paid off will survive, simple/organic churches with no buildings and no paid staff may be one of the few options left for many others. 

Could God be raising up the simple/organic lifestyle of church for such a time as this?

 

How do you invite people to something that is Bible-based?

 

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We love to start churches with people who do not yet know the Lord. I'm often asked, "How do you do that? How do you transition a normal conversation into one about spiritual things?"

The last two posts have been guest posts by John King on Discovery Bible Studies, an interactive Bible study pattern that God is using in many different parts of the world. I came up with several questions as a result of his posts, including this one.

Me:  Give me some examples of simple ways to invite other people--especially those who are not-yet-believers--to join in a Discovery Bible Study. 

John:  The way that seems to work best for the people I have trained is to say something like, “I learned something new about God recently.” They only tell what came up in their recent DBS when someone gives permission by saying something like, “Well, what did you learn?” Jesus warns his followers, “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces” (Matthew 7:6).

Too many believers attempt to ram the Word down the throat of not-yet-believers and wonder why they don’t appreciate it. We need to use discretion. When an interest is shown, then give them a brief summary statement about God’s character or about a blessing that he recently gave. Keeping this short is critical because they may only be curious, not open, yet. The goal is to see if that truth or blessing resonates with this person. Then if the person wants to know/experience more, she/he will let you know. Spend the bulk of your time looking for those who God is preparing to hear the gospel. These are the people who will be blessed by a Discovery Bible Study.

Me: Are there any particular pockets of people you find most responsive to DBS

John: The common denominator that I see is “everyday people.” Believers who have viewed themselves as unprepared to make significant contributions to the spread of the kingdom find DBSs empowering. Different people have told me months/years after their training that what excited them is they had always assumed they were not qualified to share the gospel with others because they did not go to Bible College. These comments always take me to Paul’s statement that apostles, prophets, evangelists and pastor-teachers are called to “to equip [God’s] people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Ephesians 4:12). Often, the more highly educated a person is the less likely he/she is open to the idea of the Holy Spirit speaking to everyone through the Word.

Me: You used some fairly “mature” Scriptures with this group. Do you find you can use this kind of Scripture with not-yet-believers, or would you choose something more basic?

John: All not-yet-believers will eventually need to experience a series of studies we call “Discovering God.” This is a mixture of Old and New Testament texts that allows them to discover the character of God. These passages are powerful because they will eventually replace the core worldview stories by which these people live. God can use “mature” passages to bring them to faith, but even then they will need to work through these texts to reshape their deepest thoughts and also they will need to know them so they know where to take other not-yet-believers.

Choosing appropriate passages is critical. Connecting with heart-felt needs/passions is one of the works of the Holy Spirit. Read through the proclamations in Acts and you will discover great diversity. God’s final answer for our problems is always Jesus, but we have an incredible storehouse of ways to connect with people and avoid the “one-size-fits-all” approach. 

Me: Can you describe a little more of the reproductive movements you have catalyzed? I'd love people to gain some sense of the overall picture of what you are doing and to catch a vision for what can happen through DBS.

John: God has blessed me to be able to start reproductive movements in Africa and in the U.S. I have also trained people in Asia and Europe, but I have not heard whether or not reproductive movements have begun, yet. In West Africa there has been abundant fruit borne in a formerly war-torn nation. Folks there use the Discovery approach in all their group studies. They use it with great fruit in the prison system. They use it when they train Muslim business men in a Leadership Training. Scriptures provide us with a wonderful resource of transformative themes that result in our lives being blessed. Here in the U.S. there is a multi-site legacy church that uses the discovery approach with their discipleship groups.

 

 

 

 

Guest post by John King: Keep It Reproducible (part two)

John King trains church planters in the use of inductive Bible studies called Discovery Bible Studies. This is proving to be an extremely effective church planting tool in many different cultures. I read his blog regularly.

The first part of this post, the story about how a group trained in this pattern has been able to multiply effectively, can be seen here.

The first week I had the twenty present to get into four groups of five and select a facilitator by identifying who had most recently gotten a speeding ticket. I called those four over to me, having them bring paper and pen. I gave them the 8 Questions . As I told them the questions that drive the discussion time, the rest of the participants were taking notes also. Then they returned to their groups and started the process.

Question 1—“What is something good that has happened in your life or the life of a loved one during the last week?” went fairly quickly.

Question 2—“What is a struggle or challenge you or a loved one is facing?” took more time. Since these ladies know each other pretty well, many were transparent. Little did we know that God was going to powerfully use one of these struggles!

One of the participants has cancer and has undergone multiple bone marrow transplants. She is on disability and receives food stamps. She had received a letter saying her food stamp allotment had been miscalculated. The state needed to recover almost $1,000.00 from her that had been over-paid. How could she make it while they recovered such a large amount?

Question 8—“Which of the struggles could you as a group help with by developing a plan?” set them on the course of trying to raise money. The next week the larger group was informed of the need and asked to contribute as they were able. Our motivation was increased as we were informed that someone who heard about the need agreed to match whatever was given. Almost $600.00 was deposited in their “God box!” With the match the complete need, with some to spare, was met in one week.

The passage studied in that first Discovery Bible Study was Ephesians 1:1-14. In verse 3 we read, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Their text for the second week (when the “God box” was used) was Ephesians 3:14-21. Here Paul praises God as the one “who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (v. 20).

This group of ladies took the training and began living it immediately. They started inviting other friends to go through the same texts in the same way as had been done in their groups of five. Some passed on the training to the ones who were unable to attend that first week. Others trained their husbands and children and now their family devotional times are following the format. One of those families has a son who is on a travelling soccer team. The mom excitedly mentioned what she had been learning to the other soccer moms and now they plan to do a Discovery Bible Study whenever they are at practices and between games.

What happens when the format is simple and straightforward? What happens when everyone hears from God’s Word and shares what they are hearing? What happens when people begin obeying what they hear God calling them to do? They get to “taste and see that the Lord is good!”

 

Guest post by John King: Keep It Reproducible (part one)

John King trains indigenous church planters to teach others to do
simple inductive Bible studies.  This approach has been used
throughout sub-Saharan Africa and has contributed to the planting of
thousands of new churches there. His blog can be found at:
http://johnkking.wordpress.com/

I asked John to write this guest post to help people to understand Discovery Bible Studies, which are a pattern being used to start churches in many parts of the world. I recommend checking out his blog, especially the post on the 8 Questions  to understand it further.

 

Little did I know what could happen in four weeks?

The new team that I work with recognized we need intercessors. One member was convinced he knew the perfect couple and he recruited them. After seeking God’s heart, they agreed. As they explored how we have been blessed to catalyze reproductive movements, the wife expressed interest in how to facilitate Discovery Bible Studies.

This lady has been leading a group of women for years. Their weekly gatherings range from twenty to thirty-five in number. Some have come to the group out of a recovery ministry that recognized they needed love, support and mentoring from mature Christian women. Here’s what the group leader wrote me about this group:

Let me give you a little info about this awesome group of ladies God has put together. About 70% are single, several with children. We have many Mary Magdalenes who have experienced the grace of God in wondrous portions. About half have no church background. The other half has come out of a strong legalistic background. I tell them I sometimes think it takes more grace to change a “self-righteous person” than an “unrighteous person.” Somehow God has taken the lies of both and shown us the beauty of new life through Jesus and the full salvation that is ours through the blood covenant of the New Testament and a strong family has emerged.

We have had two groups birthed from us in the last year. One is another ladies group that meets during the day. The other is in the local workhouse. A lady that came to our group 3 years ago from a life of addiction and all that goes with it, including lots of jail time, now leads a 10 week women’s study to women who are sitting where she has been.

They have been a discipleship group (without calling it that) for quite a while. My job was to equip them in sharing what they already know with others. Their biggest challenge is that their existing group is hard to recreate because it is dependent upon an older, strong, mature “Mamabear” matriarch to lead.

I was informed the group will have a retreat two weeks after our last session. Their theme is “Reigning in Life” concentrating on the “inheritance of the saints...here on earth.” I selected texts from Ephesians that fit this theme, holding their interest, and giving them good experiences in discovery.

When I shared this with “Mamabear” she replied, “Oh, now I’m excited. Ephesians is one of my favorite books!!!!”

For weeks I struggled to identify the passages, but had real peace when I saw this. The Wednesday before I started training them, they read Ephesians in their gathering time. The well was primed!

The second part of this post will appear on Wednesday