Could a small (but growing) movement of simple/organic church-lifers lead to a revolutionary impact upon world missions? There is something deep inside of me that says the answer to this question could be a resounding “YES.”
The promise is still in place: that all the people on earth will be blessed… through us. (Gen. 12:3). And, Jesus’ promise that all nations (literally, ethnic groups) would hear the Good News before the end comes (Matt. 24:14).
The needs are still great: 13,000 of the 27,000 people groups in the world are still unreached. Additionally, 9.7 million children die annually from the direct effects of poverty. Almost one in four people on the planet live in extreme poverty. By the way, extreme poverty is more than not having enough; it is often accompanied by a degrading sense of powerlessness.
Yet the kingdom of God is moving forward. Each of us is an integral part of that. AND, yes, progress is being made in each of these areas!
So, what does that have to do with simple/organic/house church folk?
Imagine With Me!
Consider what God might be doing through the simple/house/organic church movement!
- He might be providing a way for many, many leaders and missionaries to be raised up. The core value of simple church—everyone participates—provides a platform in which everyone gets involved, everyone grows spiritually, everyone discovers his/her spiritual gifts and calling, and everyone lives a 24/7 lifestyle of following Jesus. That sounds like a platform for developing fruitful influencers and missionaries to me!
- He might be providing a way for financial resources to flow not into church buildings but, rather, into the streets of our own neighborhoods as well as the harvest fields around the world!
- He might be preparing an entire generation of believers who are not going to merely live “culturally-appropriate” Christian-religious lives, but who will step into more radical lifestyles that reflect the Jesus way of life.
- He might be getting ready to create a whole new thrust that could impact our entire planet through a small group of “revolutionaries” who believe that we are the church, the embodiment of Jesus, and not just church-goers.
