Here’s a simple glossary for simple churches. It is not exhaustive by any means but will be helpful for people less familiar with the concept of simple church.

Simple Church

We use “simple church” instead of “house church.”  “House church” can have negative or weird connotations in our culture. “House church” can also communicate a closed mentality, instead of a missional mentality. Our emphasis is also on simple, not house. We believe in an ecclesiological minimum for the sake of replication, full functioning of the church body, and keeping ministry simple to keep Jesus central.  

Church

“Church” is the called-out people of God. Church is not a building; it is a body. The church gathers to be built up, and it scatters to bless the broken world. Church is not an event. Church is not something we go to. Church is something the people of God are. 

Missional

“Missional,” Ed Stetzer says, “means adopting the posture of a missionary, joining Jesus on mission, learning and adapting to the culture around you while remaining biblically sound.”[1]

We lovingly engage with the people around us. We do not shut ourselves off in “God ghettos,” we do not create Christian castles. Jesus said that we are to be lights in a dark world (Matt. 5:15). Also as the Father sent Jesus, so Jesus has sent us into the world (Jn. 20:21). So, we leave the “bubble,” learn the culture, love our neighbors, listen to others wisely, live in relationship, and look to connect with people who don’t yet know Jesus. 

Discovery Bible Study (DBS)

Discovery Bible Study is a helpful tool or methodology. It is a Bible study method used worldwide that is extremely simple, facilitating replication. It is very easy for people to lead the study even after just going through a DBS once (and that’s the point!). By keeping it simple, people can easily replicate it and pass it on. Importantly, each element teaches an aspect of discipleship. 

(Many simple churches use DBS in some form or another. For example, we use DBS in some evangelistic and discipleship contexts.)

APEST (apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd, teacher)

The traditional Western church thinks in terms of pastor/shepherd and teacher, maybe even evangelist, but the gift of apostles and prophets is often left out, in contradiction to Ephesians 4. We, as simple churches, want to see the full functioning of Christ’s body so that the saints are equipped, and the body of Christ matures (v. 12-13). 

(Alan Hirsch has written much that is helpful on this subject. For example, check out his book 5Q: Reactivating the Original Intelligence and Capacity of the Body of Christ.)

Four Fields

The “Four Fields” refers to a diagram-based training framework (based on Mk. 4:26-29) used as a training aid. It outlines the stages of kingdom growth: (1) Entering (praying and finding people of peace), (2) Sharing Jesus (sowing seeds/evangelism), (3) Growing (discipling), and (4) (4) Gathering as a Church (harvesting, equipping, sending on mission).

Person of Peace

A person of peace is a person who is welcoming and hospitable, and the Spirit uses them to help spread the gospel in their community. The term is from the New Testament, where Jesus instructed His disciples to find people of peace when entering a village.

Oikos Map

An Oikos Map is a visual prayer and evangelism tool. Oikos is Greek for “household.” An Oikos Map is used to map a person’s sphere of influence. The people we know where we work, live, and play: our family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. It is a visual reminder and prayer guide for people in our social networks. It emphasizes how reaching one person can impact their own social networks.

Notes

[1] Ed Stetzer and Daniel Im, Planting Missional Churches, 1.

*Photo by Redd Francisco