The healthiest churches in America:* Have a simple disciplemaking process* Have clarity about the process* Move people intentionally forward* Focus on the process elements* Align everything to the process

Simple Church Defined

A simple church is designed around a straightforward and strategic process that moves people through the stages of spiritual growth. The leadership and the church are clear about the process (clarity) and are committed to executing it. The process flows logically (movement) and is implemented in each area of the church (alignment). The church abandons everything that is not in the process (focus).

1. Clarity

A.Clarity is the ability of the process to be communicated and understood by people.

B.A clear blue print will help people understand and commit to the process.

5 Steps to Clarity:n Define the processn Illustrate the processn Measure the processn Discuss the processn Explain the process

2. MovementA.Movement is the sequential steps in

the process that cause people to move to greater commitment.

B.Movement is how someone is handed off from one level of commitment to the next level of commitment.

1) God produces spiritual transformation.2) Spiritual transformation moves people

to greater levels of commitment.3) Our ministry must place people in the

pathway of God’s transforming power.4) We must design a process that

partners with God to move people through the process of spiritual growth.

Movement in a Simple Church

5 Keys of Movement1) Choose one program for each step2) Clearly identify the process entry point3) Consider “now what” for each step4) Create a new converts follow-up program5) Design a new members course

3. Alignment

A.Alignment is the arrangement of all ministries and staff around the same simple process - all departments submit to the same process.

B.When a church is fully aligned, all ministries are operating from the same ministry blueprint.

5 Essentials of Alignment1) Ensure leaders know and own the process2) Create job descriptions based on the

process3) Implement the same process everywhere4) Unite people around the process5) Align new ministries to the process

4. Focus

A.Focus is the commitment to abandon everything that falls outside the ministry process – being willing to say “No” to things that do not fit the process.

B.Focus energy, resources, and attention on the process God has given our church.

5 Essentials of Focus1) Eliminate non-essential programs2) Limit adding programs3) Reduce special events4) Make the process easy to communicate5) Make the process simple to understand