Keep It Simple, Church. Our complex mission statement We are sent to bring people to vibrant faith and mature character in the Lord Jesus Christ So that.

Keep It Simple, ChurchKeep It Simple, Church

Our complex mission statementOur complex mission statement

We are We are sentsentto bring peopleto bring peopleto vibrant to vibrant faithfaithand and maturemature charactercharacter

in the Lord Jesus Christin the Lord Jesus ChristSo that they will So that they will do His works do His works on this earthon this earth

and and teach others teach others to do the sameto do the same

Keep It Simple, ChurchKeep It Simple, Church

The Mission of God in Two Words:The Mission of God in Two Words:1.1.EvangelismEvangelism2.2.DiscipleshipDiscipleship

The evangelism part:

We are sentWe are sentto bring peopleto bring peopleto to vibrant faithvibrant faith

in the Lord Jesus Christ

The Discipleship Part:

We are We are sent sent . . .. . .to bring peopleto bring peopleto to maturemature charactercharacter

in the Lord Jesus Christin the Lord Jesus ChristSo that – (destiny) they will So that – (destiny) they will do His works do His works

on this earthon this earthand and teach others teach others to do the sameto do the same

Plain Talk:Plain Talk:

1.1. Evangelism = Have babiesEvangelism = Have babies2.2. Discipleship = Raise kids!Discipleship = Raise kids!

Keep It Simple, Church

SIMPLE CHURCH, Returning to God’s Process for Making Disciples, by Thom S. Rainer and Eric Geiger, Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, 2006

Four characteristics of a simple Four characteristics of a simple church:church:

1.1.ClarityClarity

Four characteristics of a simple Four characteristics of a simple church:church:

1.1. ClarityClarity

2.2.MovementMovement

Four characteristics of a simple Four characteristics of a simple church:church:

1.1. ClarityClarity2.2. MovementMovement

3.3.AlignmentAlignment

Four characteristics of a simple Four characteristics of a simple church:church:

1.1. ClarityClarity2.2. MovementMovement3.3. AlignmentAlignment

4.4.FocusFocus

Keep It Simple, Church

““A simple church is a congregation A simple church is a congregation designed around a designed around a straightforward and strategic straightforward and strategic processprocess that moves people that moves people through the through the stagesstages of spiritual of spiritual growthgrowth.”.”

Keep It Simple, ChurchKeep It Simple, Church

The Inductive Approach:The Inductive Approach:““Trace your entire journey Trace your entire journey

from baby believer to from baby believer to church leader.”church leader.”

Keep It Simple, Church

The Common Elements:The Common Elements:

1.1.We belongedWe belonged

Keep It Simple, Church

The Common Elements:The Common Elements:1.1.We belongedWe belonged

2.2.We believedWe believed

Keep It Simple, Church

The Common Elements:The Common Elements:1.1.We belongedWe belonged2.2.We believedWe believed

3.3.We becameWe became

The Three BsThe Three Bs:

1. Belong2.2. BelieveBelieve3.3. BecomeBecome

Institutional vs. Organic Thinking

Institutional Thinking

1.1.BelieveBelieve2.2.BelongBelong3.3.BecomeBecome

Organic Thinking

1.1.BelongBelong2.2.BelieveBelieve3.3.BecomeBecome

Belong FirstBelong First

““Belonging before believingBelonging before believing””• Build relationshipsBuild relationships• Form communityForm community• Eat togetherEat together

• Play games togetherPlay games together• Tell stories togetherTell stories together• Sing togetherSing together

• Laugh and love togetherLaugh and love together

Keep It Simple, Church

belongbelong

BELIEVEBELIEVEbecomebecome

Keep It Simple, Church

BelongBelongBelieveBelieve

BECOMEBECOME““That we may present every one mature in That we may present every one mature in

Christ (Colossians 1:28)”Christ (Colossians 1:28)”

Simple Harvest Vineyard:Simple Harvest Vineyard:

BELONGBELONG to His people to His people

BELIEVEBELIEVE in Jesus in Jesus

BECOMEBECOME like Him like Him