We Interrupt This Series to Simplify Things

Okay church leaders, we're not done the Dangerous Questions series (a landmine question coming next), but here comes a quick break to share this.

I'm a bit of a passionate/crazy Simple Church advocate.  What's the philosophy of simple church?  Rather than offering a hundred programs in ministry, we offer very little in terms of ministry options at Connexus, believing that less is more. That philosophy is even reflected in our slogan... Real Life...Simplified.

So for adults, all we do is Sunday morning and community groups.  That's it.  We believe so strongly that community groups currently offer the best impact for life change that we don't want to muddy the waters.  We just picked our best option and we're running with it.  That's it.

I always challenge church leaders with this: if you can't explain your ministry strategy on a dinner napkin, it's too complicated.  If you can't say it in a sentence, you probably don't understand it. 

A simple ministry model is to church what Apple is to computing, what Toyota and Honda are to the automotive world.  Rather than offer dozens or hundreds of mediocre choices, they offer very few choices but what they do offer is high quality.  And as this article points out, it's working.  At least for Apple.  And one might argue for Honda and Toyota.

I know this is still controversial, but several years into a simple church model, I'm so glad we made the change.  It might not just be a good church model/business model, it might also be a great life model.  Pick a few things, and do them well. 

Just sayin'....

Comments

[Peter P]

I agree, the Church needs to simplify.

I'm not opposed to Churches having buildings but what I love about house church is that this is it. What you see is what you get.

We hang out at people's houses and when we feel led we worship together and pray together and if someone has something from God they want to share then they do. We also eat together, play together, you know, we're friends.

It's as simple as that. No getting dressed up and going somewhere at a set time on a set day. No programs and complicated systems - just come on over, we're next door!

[Allen Forget]

I don't think having buildings complicate things either until people make them complicate things. When historic buildings that, for many, represent the very faith they have then that is when the building thing becomes a negative. I see it alot!
Carey, gotta agree with the simple approach. I do that with our music program. It makes it easier to identify who we are and where we are going.
You are spot on about the Toyota thing as well. It was recently announced that they are the largest automotive company in the world now, surpassing GM. That has not been done in 76 years. Things are changing in the world at a rapid pace. I want to be changing right aong with it so that I can reach as many people as possible.
Peace

[Shawn]

I think the challenge as time goes by is to stay simple. Most things start simple but in our desire to build and improve they tend to become complicated.