Rainer on Leadership

Revisiting Simple Church: What Worked, What Didn’t

Listen Later

In 2006, Simple Church encouraged churches to streamline programming, clarify discipleship pathways, and focus on moving people toward spiritual maturity rather than filling calendars with activities. The book had a significant impact, shaping how thousands of pastors thought about ministry systems and structure. Nearly two decades later, Thom and Sam take a fresh look: What principles stood the test of time? What challenges emerged in practice? And how should churches apply Simple Church today in a ministry landscape that’s more complex, digital, and post-pandemic than ever?

    1. Churches never attain the ideal, but the process is what makes the book impactful.
    2. Simplicity does not mean minimalism. Cutting programs without replacing them with relational pathways can lead to disengagement.
    3. Alignment requires ongoing work.
    4. A church may simplify in one season but drift back into complexity over time. Continual evaluation is essential.
    5. Culture must change, not just calendars.
    6. The biggest challenge wasn’t restructuring programs. It was reshaping the mindset of members who equated activity with spiritual growth.
      7. Resources:
      • Upward Running
        • Upward Sports
          • Rooted
            • “Simple Church: Returning to God’s Process for Making Disciples” by Thom S. Rainer and Eric Geiger (affiliate link)
              • Certification in Simple Church Ministry
                • Church Answers Platinum Membership
                  • FREE Research Report! New Surprising Insights
                    • The Hope Initiative
                      • Episode Sponsors:

                      Upward Running for Your Small Group

                      • Turn your small group into a community on the move! Upward Running helps adults go from the couch to completing a 5K together. You provide the run coach, and we’ll equip them with training plans, resources, and support to lead well. It’s a fun, healthy way to grow relationships, encourage one another, and experience fitness and fellowship together.
                      • Learn more at Upward.org/Runcoach.

                        •  

                         

                        • The Rooted experience can help you create a discipleship culture that connects your people and leads to ongoing life change in Jesus. Rooted is…
                          • A proven plan for helping people connect to God, their church, and their purpose
                          • A sustainable way to launch groups
                          • An approach to discipleship that helps people step out of their comfort zones and experience life-changing rhythms of discipleship
                          • An opportunity to change the culture of your church
                          • Visit experiencerooted.com/churchanswers for free resources to help you learn more, including the What is Rooted? video and a free download of the Rooted experience framework and Rooted Workbook sample.

                            • The post Revisiting Simple Church: What Worked, What Didn’t appeared first on Church Answers.

                            ...more
                            View all episodesView all episodes
                            Download on the App Store
                            Rainer on LeadershipBy Thom Rainer
                            • 4.8
                            • 4.8
                            • 4.8
                            • 4.8
                            • 4.8

                            4.8

                            461 ratings

                            More shows like Rainer on Leadership

                            View all
                            Messages by Desiring God by Desiring God

                            Messages by Desiring God

                            1,653 Listeners

                            Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life by Tim Keller

                            Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life

                            16,086 Listeners

                            Renewing Your Mind by Ligonier Ministries

                            Renewing Your Mind

                            5,211 Listeners

                            The Briefing with Albert Mohler by R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

                            The Briefing with Albert Mohler

                            8,698 Listeners

                            Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast by Life.Church

                            Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast

                            10,788 Listeners

                            5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols by Ligonier Ministries

                            5 Minutes in Church History with Stephen Nichols

                            1,712 Listeners

                            The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast by Art of Leadership Network

                            The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast

                            2,287 Listeners

                            David Platt Messages by David Platt

                            David Platt Messages

                            1,448 Listeners

                            Light + Truth by Desiring God

                            Light + Truth

                            1,469 Listeners

                            New Churches Podcast by Send Network

                            New Churches Podcast

                            257 Listeners

                            The Emotionally Healthy Leader Podcast by Pete Scazzero

                            The Emotionally Healthy Leader Podcast

                            675 Listeners

                            5 Leadership Questions Podcast on Church Leadership with Todd Adkins and Dan Iten by Lifeway Leadership Podcast Network

                            5 Leadership Questions Podcast on Church Leadership with Todd Adkins and Dan Iten

                            360 Listeners

                            EST. - For the Established Church with Sam Rainer and Josh King by EST.church

                            EST. - For the Established Church with Sam Rainer and Josh King

                            155 Listeners

                            Group Answers Podcast with Brian Daniel by Lifeway Podcast Network

                            Group Answers Podcast with Brian Daniel

                            40 Listeners

                            Pastors Talk - A podcast by 9Marks by 9Marks

                            Pastors Talk - A podcast by 9Marks

                            719 Listeners

                            The Church Answers Podcast by The Church Answers Podcast

                            The Church Answers Podcast

                            269 Listeners

                            Making Disciples with Replicate Podcast by Replicate Ministries

                            Making Disciples with Replicate Podcast

                            489 Listeners

                            The One Thing by Reach Australia

                            The One Thing

                            10 Listeners

                            The Crossway Podcast by Crossway

                            The Crossway Podcast

                            637 Listeners

                            Rebuilders by Red Church

                            Rebuilders

                            295 Listeners

                            Fearless with Cissie Graham Lynch by Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

                            Fearless with Cissie Graham Lynch

                            1,128 Listeners