How would Simple Missions work?

[Miguel]

If simple or organic churches wanted to reach the world for Christ, how would that work?

[Nik P.]

I think there are a couple different models out there. I've heard a lot about "church planters" who travel to exotic places to meet with the natives and get them started with house churches. I'm not sure that's the way I would do it because I'd want a real relationship with the folks that I was going to. I think I'd move to the place and then be a "tentmaker," provide some sort of service for money and also make friends to start house churching.

[Nik P.]

Also see the group Simple Missions.

[Leah]

We use a method called Chronological Bible Storying. You start with the Evangelism Track of stories, about 25-30 stories. Each time you meet you tell a story and then at the end of the story you have questions that help you see if the people listening understood the story. So in my opinion it is very simple. You meet, you tell stories, ask questions, have a tea and go home. It is also very effective. Let God's Word do its work, instead of us trying to do the convincing.

What is also great is that you can also meet for other purposes and then tell a story while you are there. For instance. I have taught Solar Cooking which is a very good skill for people who live in desolate land and are quickly burning up all the trees they have. The ladies come, we have a short lesson on Solar Cooking, we put something in the sun to cook. While we are waiting for it to cook, I tell stories. After a while we get the food from the sun and eat. They have enjoyed this very much. They have received a good life skill, and I have been able to tell them 2 or 3 stories from the Bible. I know another missionary lady who did a similar thing with a quilting class.

[Miguel]

What would make simple churches the best tool in God’s hand to foster missions?

Here is a list taken from the House2Harvest Blog. Examine each one for its validity and comment when appropriate.

Less baggage - not bound to traditional, denominational, institutional models
Able to move and respond faster.
Understands Simple Church life - since the churches planted in unreached areas are simple house churches who better to plant these churches than those who are already doing it?
More Appealing to Post-Modern and post-church cultures.
No Denominational administration - free of sterile policies and procedure, but organic.
Apostolic (DNA) - Workers sent with a message.
Makes Disciples rather than plants churches - When we make disciples, church happens.
Financial Ability and Flexibility
Realistic Accountability - relational not policy driven
No Overhead
Kingdom focused - not organization focused. Not “planting any flags” for a denomination or Missions organization. Plus the message is focused on the gospel of the Kingdom, and not a theological grid.
No Bottlenecks - Able to be more spontaneous and able to respond to God’s provenience.
Relational like other cultures
Reproducible - church is simple, and able to be done by anyone regardless of the amount of education. No seminary experts, big budgets, real estate deals needed.
Economical - less money is needed.
Open to Creative ideas
Team driven
No Clergy
Indigenous believers are empowered and released in their callings and giftings

[Nik P.]

Miguel said:

Makes Disciples rather than plants churches - When we make disciples, church happens.

Ha! I think that's what I was getting at in my first post. I don't quite understand the large simple church movements which focus on this type of church planting. Or, am I understanding it wrong? I am in the process of posting my simple theology and how that works in a hospital setting and I said the same as above. It is backwards to plant a church to make a community Christians. Rather, it is the living out of Christian community that makes a church. :)

P.S. Check out the blog on how House Church is Missional to the right. Also check out "Friend of Missional" for more information and connections.

[Nik P.]

Funding and supports for simple missions is being discussed in the group Simple Missions. Please help brainstorm!