Tag Archives: Mission

88: Evangelism or Discipleship? Must We Choose?

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What is the difference between Evangelism and Discipleship? Are they the same thing? Are they steps towards a goal? Is one more important than the other? Do they accomplish the same results? Must we pick one over the other as we attempt to fulfill the Great Commission? Tom and Gavin discuss these important questions.


Here is a link to Jess Ray’s song, Too Good

72: Inward or Outward Focus?

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One of the most common criticisms of Simple Churches is that they can become inwardly focused. We can meet together with the same few people each week, but we seldom invite visitors to our fellowship. Growth is stagnant. Outreach to unbelievers is weak. In fact, many Christians seldom interact with an unbeliever from day to day. Gavin and Tom discuss ways for small groups and simple churches to turn their focus outward toward a broken world that needs Jesus.

Episode Sixty Nine: When You Come Together Part Two

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We have talked about “being” church in recent episodes. Today, Gavin and Tom explore what “doing” church in a simple context looks like. What happens when a simple church gathers together each week? What goes on at a simple church meeting? What does a simple church do on the other six days of the week? This is the second part of a two part series.

Episode Sixty Seven: Do Churches Really Need Buildings and Budgets?

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As we continue to evaluate what a Simple Church is and what it does, we ask ourselves questions like, “What is absolutely necessary for a church to exist? What is optional? What things are hindering the church from being all that God wants it to be?” Today we look at two concepts of modern church – Buildings and Budgets. Are these things absolutely necessary to have a vibrant and growing church?

Episode Sixty Five: What Exactly IS a Church?

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Today, Gavin and Tom ask the question “What IS a church?” We can all describe church based on what we experience: a place to go, a group to belong to. But what do the scriptures say about who or what is the Church?

Watch this video to see the “triangle and square” concept Gavin described in the podcast:

Episode Sixty Four: Where Are We Going?

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After many months or years of doing the same things at church, do you ever stop and ask, “Where are we going with this?” As we start a new year, Tom and Gavin reflect on what it means to just be going through the motions of living the Christian life. The new year brings us an opportunity to rethink our commitment to living up to all that God has called us to do – individually and as a church.

Episode Sixty One: Refugees, Compassion, Security and the Church

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Today, Tom and Gavin discuss the recent promise from the Obama Administration of accepting more than 10,000 Syrian refugees, despite concerns that some of them may have ties to terror groups. Will we be compassionate to these desperate refugees? Is the risk of allowing potential terrorists into our country a real enough threat to prevent these refugees from coming to our shores? What is the Church’s stance on this complex issue? How should we treat refugees wherever they come from?