In the summer of 2020 I re-read “Simple Church” by Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger. And honestly enjoyed it more the second time!
It has a very basic premise……
We make church growth too complicated.
The book has a fictional story of a Pastor who just came back from ANOTHER church growth conference with ANOTHER book that is certain to bring growth into the church. Yet he finds in his office (while surrounded by dozens of church growth programs) that none of them actually work.
The problem is we try to develop extensive plans with lots of steps, but those plans are never implemented!!
Instead Rainer and Geiger encourage us to develop a process.
The difference between a process and program is it’s focused on clear, simple steps of discipleship. Then those same steps are applied to EVERY PART OF THE CHURCH! Eventually the process will become part of the church culture, and people will live it out without even thinking.
This idea of process instead of programs can be applied to the Christian life as well. Many of us look for a complex system or program of personal growth. Those programs are impressive with their countless steps. But how many times do we actually apply it?
It’s better to have a simple process of growth that is repeated constantly.
I am grateful for “Simple Church” Because it reminds me church growth won’t be easy, but it doesn’t have to be complicated.
Johnhwilburn.org 