Comments on: Simple Church

By: mike watkins

mike watkins — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 03:49:19 +0000

This is a great book, and we are using many of these principles in our new church plant in Kiev, Ukraine. It is always more difficult to simplify a church that has grown large, complex and a bit scattered in their vision. We are enjoying applying these ideas in the very beginning. God bless

By: Christopher Stapleton

Christopher Stapleton — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 19:07:05 +0000

it’s a great book with some fantastic ideas…it’s really revolutionized the way our church approaches planning and programs.

thx for your consistently stellar insight

By: Steve Murphy

Steve Murphy — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:07:11 +0000

Powerful post. This will be the next book I read.

By: Jeremy Davidson

Jeremy Davidson — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:13:32 +0000

We just finished reading this as a staff last year and are evaluating of ministry process or lack there of. So far all of our key leaders have really enjoyed the book and come up with some great suggestions. Keep it simple stupid. You get that message in “Simple Church”, “Good to Great”, and “Made to Stick”.

By: Jeremy Myers

Jeremy Myers — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:16:03 +0000

I read it today too! Though I would not place it on my top five books. Here’s why:

First, it does not appear that they asked the growing churches they surveyed where their “growth” was coming from. Much of it could have been transfer growth.

Second, it seems they only surveyed larger churches (of 300 or more) and churches with buildings. It seems to me that some of the most “simple” churches in the country are house churches (of 30 or less). It would be interesting to see if his stats fit with house churches.

Finally, it seems that there is a real break down in the ability of the churches that were surveyed to get their people into community service (mission). Though the people may be progressing through the simplified discipleship track, few make it to the goal of mission involvement. I wonder if this isn’t because Mission should be placed first, as suggested by other books on the market (e.g. The Forgotten Ways).

Of course, despite these “complaints” of mine, I do think it is a really good book since most churches do need drastic simplification.

By: Strategy Central

Strategy Central — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:54:47 +0000

Staying Focused on the Long-Term

How committed are you to your mission? When you evaluate your organization do you find traces of previous compromise? Maybe the remnants of earlier cave-ins where you allowed your better judgment to be swayed by a quick fix? I devoured

By: Eric Geiger

Eric Geiger — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:43:23 +0000

Tony — thanks so much for the great feedback on Simple Church. Honored and humbled.

Your recent blog post on branding (sub-branding for us) is set to be a topic of discussion at our upcoming management team retreat — as we seek to further simplify our communication.

By: daleschaeffer

daleschaeffer — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 18:06:25 +0000

Sweet stuff…I’m on a message planning retreat right now at a killer retreat center and just finished reading this book today! You’re dead on in your review. I’ve had the book for 6 months and wish I’d read it sooner…a definite must read for anyone who leads organizational development.

By: brian

brian — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:32:01 +0000

thanks for that
it is also on my list, and I have even though about sharing it from the pulpit after reading

By: Brian Goodban

Brian Goodban — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:54:09 +0000

A simple revolution has begun; clarity, movement, alignment, focus….anybody up for a revival?! It’s coming.
Thanks Tony. I passed this on to some friends who were wanting to read Simple Church, but you NAILED it and it will save them time.