The simple revolution has begun. From the design of the iPod to the uncluttered Google home page, simple ideas are changing the world.
Simple Church clearly calls for Christians to return to the simple gospel-sharing methods of Jesus. No bells or whistles required, so to speak.
Based on case studies of four hundred American churches, authors Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger prove that the process for making disciples has quite often become too complex. Simple churches are thriving, and they are doing so by taking these four ideas to heart: Clarity. Movement. Alignment. Focus.
Each idea is examined here, simply showing why it is time to simplify.
Average Rating: 4 out of 5 stars(4 out of 5 stars)
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2.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Bruce Harp (Cleveland, TX), January 12, 2009
Simply put, churches need to re-evaluate their structure more often than every 10 to 20 years and reorganize or adjust accordingly. The walk of faith produces the silhouette of Christ in a church not an average of what the "vibrant" churches do.
2 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Tom Park (Chardon, OH), November 10, 2008
This book has a good message that the church needs to hear, However the message was lost on me in the constant grafts, I've read a considerable number of "church direction" and discipleship books but this was hard to read with an inspiration to apply.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Antioch Southern Baptist (Harrisonville, MO), September 17, 2008
This is a quick read, but have your hi-liter handy. The authors give you the process by which your church can be much more effective in making disciples. In a day of tight schedules, this book will help you determine what needs to stay in your church schedule and what needs to go, by using the process outlined.
3.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Howard Gunter (Jacksonville, FL), August 20, 2008
The writers are right on in encouraging churches to get back to basics and to God. Church is not the building, it's the people. If God wants your church to megasize, let it be by His hand. If God wants your church to be a small personalized church, let it be.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by FreedbyJC (Jacksonville, FL), July 30, 2008
You cannot get much SIMPLEr that this!
Buy one for every leader and then pray hard! It is not a program or a process but under K I S S the authors Keep It Super Simple for you to revitalize your church or organization and get it back on track!
and waych
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Richard Horn (Sterling Heights, MI), July 24, 2008
I found this book to be well written and the subject matter really hit the target. I agree with the authors that today's churches are becoming too much like a secular business with multiple departments more concerned with protecting their own budget, staff and projects. This is not the church that Jesus left us with and it is not the church that the apostle Paul propogated. Like the authors I believe that the church today must simplify, find its heart and mission and then stick to it.
1 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Butch A. (Spring Lake, NC), April 25, 2008
Simple this book is not.While the first few chapters our interesting by the time you get passed chapter 3 you will be questioning this books design and motive. The Idea of Clarity, Movement, Alignment and Focus are interesting this book does not present them very well. Save the time skip to chapter 3 and read the p.57 to 78. This is the only good part of the book. I'm wondering if the writer ever took a class on Technical Report writing. He talks of clarity but this book needs some work on being clear and focused. Great Idea poor presentation.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Dr. Freddy Cardoza (Kansas City), April 24, 2008
Though Geiger-Rainer's book, Simple Church, has been out for the better part of two years, it remains high atop church leadership sales lists, and for good reasons. This is simply a great book. It is one that deliberately helps church leaders, professors, and denominational leaders understand how to understand how to create a life-transforming process for church growth and more importantly, Christian discipleship.
Geiger-Rainer provide hard research-based evidence that four primary and guiding principles can be implemented into church ministries for impact and growth. This book has already been purchased by front-line church leaders, but many other have yet to get their copy. Other, newer, books have not replaced the need for this critical contribution and as one who trains leaders full-time, I agree with hundreds of thousands of others who have read this book-- it is a must-read and a MUST IMPLEMENT for every serious Century 21 church leader.
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