What Do You Mean By "Simple Church?"

Here I sit in front of my computer, iced in once again, unable to get out into the world today. The road outside my window glistens like an outdoor ice-skating rink.

I lean back in my desk chair, exhale, and wait for the Holy Spirit to reveal my journal topic.

And then I hear the unmistakable question in my heart-mind: What do you mean by “simple church”?

I’ve been asked this in different ways ever since I began referring to myself as a pilgrim—simply walking with Jesus—and to these encounters as simple church appointments.

If I’m honest, simple church is my way of simplifying life as a follower of Jesus. My life before Jesus was complicated and difficult. There was always another war to fight, another battle to engage.

But Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:30 (NKJV), “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” I believe Him.

I also believe my life is no longer my life. I don’t separate it into personal, professional, and spiritual segments. It’s all His life now—lived through me.

That’s how life becomes simple.

Every day.
All day.
I am simply walking with Jesus.

Whether I’m sitting on a park bench, having coffee at McDonald’s, picking up pizza, or moving through countless other everyday encounters, my purpose is either simple ministry or simple church.

The difference between the two isn’t the setting—it’s the people.

If I’m with someone who doesn’t yet know Jesus, the moment becomes ministry—relational evangelism.

If I’m with fellow believers, the moment becomes edification—simple church.

For me, this doesn’t need to be complicated. When I complicate it, I quickly become a super-Pharisee.

So what do I mean by simple church?

I mean gathering with at least one other follower of Christ—anywhere, at any time, on any day.

Simple church is always about Jesus.