Simple Church Book Review
Simple Church
Book Critique
Natasha Hill
DSMN620
Dr. Rick Garner
Liberty University
According to Rainer & Geiger “A simple church is designed around a straightforward and strategic process that moves people around through the stages of spiritual growth. The leaders and the church are clear about the process (clarity) and are committed to executing it. The process flows logically (movement) and is implemented in each area of the church (alignment). The church abandons everything that is not in the process (focus) (pgs.68-67). The first section of the book discusses the need for churches to simplify. Many churches have become cluttered in the sense that they have made it difficult for people to receive the simple but yet powerful message of Christ. So cluttered that many people are busy doing church instead of being church (pg.19). When churches are complex they tend to produce spiritual stagnation which causes people to remain stuck in the same place spiritually for years. It is not enough for a church to have a full calendar with endless programs, there must be a process in place that moves people through the stages of spiritual growth. If we want to have churches that are alive, Rainer & Geiger advises leaders to step back, look at their church with fresh eyes and see the whole picture (pg.23). They must also understand what the church should be doing, why they should do it and how they can structure the church to carry out its purpose. As part of this examination process the church must look at the current programs and ministries implemented to determine what they contribute to the whole. Ultimately a simple church must design a simple discipleship process that is clear and moves people towards spiritual maturity. According to Rainer & Geiger simple church leaders are designers who design opportunities for spiritual growth. While complex church leaders are programmers who run ministry programs (pg.26). During their survey process
Book Critique
Natasha Hill
DSMN620
Dr. Rick Garner
Liberty University
According to Rainer & Geiger “A simple church is designed around a straightforward and strategic process that moves people around through the stages of spiritual growth. The leaders and the church are clear about the process (clarity) and are committed to executing it. The process flows logically (movement) and is implemented in each area of the church (alignment). The church abandons everything that is not in the process (focus) (pgs.68-67). The first section of the book discusses the need for churches to simplify. Many churches have become cluttered in the sense that they have made it difficult for people to receive the simple but yet powerful message of Christ. So cluttered that many people are busy doing church instead of being church (pg.19). When churches are complex they tend to produce spiritual stagnation which causes people to remain stuck in the same place spiritually for years. It is not enough for a church to have a full calendar with endless programs, there must be a process in place that moves people through the stages of spiritual growth. If we want to have churches that are alive, Rainer & Geiger advises leaders to step back, look at their church with fresh eyes and see the whole picture (pg.23). They must also understand what the church should be doing, why they should do it and how they can structure the church to carry out its purpose. As part of this examination process the church must look at the current programs and ministries implemented to determine what they contribute to the whole. Ultimately a simple church must design a simple discipleship process that is clear and moves people towards spiritual maturity. According to Rainer & Geiger simple church leaders are designers who design opportunities for spiritual growth. While complex church leaders are programmers who run ministry programs (pg.26). During their survey process
References: Rainer, T. & Geiger, E. (2006). Simple Church. Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group.