Tony and Felicity are trained doctors and pioneers in the "simple church" concept. Now living in Austin, Texas they are helping individuals start simple churches. These are churches that are being started in individual homes with family members and friends. These churches are different from the legacy churches, mega churches and are not of any one denomination. These churches can be started anywhere. Tony usually picks a location, walks the location, talking with people. He finds a "person of peace" and focuses on them.
Small is Big
Tony & Felicity Dale, George Barna
Tyndale House Publishers
May 2011
Tony uses the Luke principal. Tony's method is to get to know the people over a meal as the people did in Acts 2. He lets people talk about what is bothering them. Soon the discussions develop into God's Word. The meeting may start out with only one or two people, but soon develops into more. When the total reaches 15 or 20 he urges someone in the group to start another church. These churches were previously started by believers, but are now being started by non-believers. Jesus told us to go out into the world and make disciples. This is what Tony and his crew do. Each disciple they make will in turn make other disciples. Not all of the small churches will survive, but the majority will. This does not detract from the legacy churches and some of the well known denominations are freeing their members to go out and start these small churches,
If we are susceptible to this idea, God will provide the strategy and the workers. Jesus has a strategy for an area - he will have one for your area, millions are moving into the small churches. The present reality in the West is that this growth is primarily being driven by Christians transferring from traditional churches; this is not true in places like India, China and some of the European nations. God is preparing and equipping people to bring in the harvest. God is using small, simple churches to multiply and spread the Kingdom at a rapid rate. These churches have no large elaborate buildings, no control by a large legacy church and no glory. All the glory and control is given to God.
Acts tells us that we must - GO - MAKE DISCIPLES - REACH THE NATIONS - BAPTIZE - TEACH OBEDIENCE
To start a small church one should use the Luke 10 Principles:
. Trust God to Provide the Strategy and the Workers
. Trust In God's Protection
. Trust God to Provide the Resources
, Trust God to Lead You to the Person of Peace
. Enjoy the Hospitality That God Provides
. Trust God to Answer Your Prayers
If God is leading you to step out and start a small church - listen to Him - He will provide what is necessary for you to succeed. If it is not God's will that you start a small church - you will fail.
Recommended for those who are believers and believe God wants them to step out in faith to start a new church. Also recommended for the non-believers who are seeking something but don't know what it is. The Dales' are excellent writers in getting the concept of starting a small church out to the lay people in words and actions they can understand.
