Simple Church

Book Review

Rainer, Thom S. Geiger, Eric. Simple Church. Returning to God’s Process for Making Disciples. B&H Publishing Group. 2006

Comment. Henry

The contents of the book are the result of a research project of a number of churches that have been designated as either ‘vibrant or comparison’ churches. The thesis is that there is a real concern among church leaders (and attendees) that church needs to become simpler. In response to that concern here is a ‘manual’ that gives direction to leaders who want to make this happen. This is an ambitious goal. Who would not welcome a return to a simpler life-style, etc? The intent of the book is admirable. The application of the concepts presented will be a real challenge in our culture of rapid change.

“In the midst of complexity, people want to find simplicity.” (8) There are many organizations that are committed to that concept, Apple, Google, etc. In churches doing ‘simple’ has taken on the characteristics of a revolution. Christ knew simple. “He is the original simple revolutionary.” (16) He summed up all the commands (there were 613) into two equal commands. “To have a simple church, leaders must ensure that everything their church does fits together to produce life change.” (26) Church leaders need to be designers not programmers.

Two churches are presented and compared to illustrate the contrast between a vibrant church and a comparison church. The comparison focuses on church statements, church leaders, programs, staffing, etc.

Many churches like many homes are in need of an ‘extreme makeover’. Such a make-over would focus on a design for discipleship, church ministry, “so people can be transformed by God’s grace”. (59) This becomes the responsibility of church leaders. The goal is to have a simple church, “a congregation designed around a straight forward and strategic process that moves people through the stages of spiritual growth”. (60) An expansion of this definition focuses on “clarity, movement, alignment, and focus”. (68) “The key is to choose the best. Eliminate the unnecessary.” (80) Three examples of presented of churches that are doing ‘simple church’. They are Immanual Baptist Church in Glasgow, Kentucky; Christ Fellowship (Eric Geiger’s church) in Miami; Northpoint Community Church in Alpharetta, Georgia.

Key to becoming a ‘simple’ church is having a clear concept of the ministry process. All programs must contribute to this process. Defining, illustrating, discussion and measuring are basic to bringing clarity to a ministry process. Strategic and sequential programming is crucial in producing spiritual movement in the lives of people, especially new believer

“Alignment’ has to do with “maximizing the energy of everyone” (165) in the ministry process. This is reflected in recruitment. Alignment requires accountability. “Integrating the same process in each ministry department makes a profound impact.” (179) This will provide unity. All new ministries must fit into the process.

The element of focus has five essentials. “You must eliminate nonessentials programs, limit adding more programs, reduce special events, and ensure the process is easy to communicate and simple to understand.” (204) (Sounds simple!!!)

Successful change is very much determined by timing. “Get there as fast as you can but not faster.” (231) The four steps that will result in a church becoming simple are:
Design a simple process (clarity).
Place your key programs along the process (movement).
Unite all ministries around the process (alignment).
Begin to eliminate things outside the process (focus).
(236-240)