The simple church movement is a loose network of Christian communities that seek to live out their faith in a simple, relational way. The emphasis is on small gatherings that meet in homes or other informal spaces, rather than large services and complex church programs. There are no official leaders or hierarchy, just brothers and sisters following Jesus together in meaningful community.
This approach is driven by a desire to get back to the roots of New Testament Christianity. In the first century, churches met primarily in homes, not special buildings. The focus was on loving God, loving each other, and reaching the lost. Complex structure, heavy institutionalism, and crowded programs came later. The simple church movement aims to recapture the vibrant family life of the early church.
Those in the simple church movement believe that the community of believers is the church. The church is people, not events, services, or buildings. Therefore, the goal is to foster meaningful relationships that allow people to know each other deeply and care for each other sincerely. The church is an extended spiritual family.
Gatherings are participatory, interactive, and flexible. There is no set “order of worship” or program. Members of the group contribute as the Holy Spirit leads. There may be prayer, Communion, Bible study, worship, testimonies, shared meals, and ministry to needs. But the focus is on living life together under Christ’s lordship.
Leadership is plural and shared. There is no senior pastor or permanent preaching role. Multiple brothers who evidence faithfulness and spiritual maturity can contribute to teaching and oversight. But the main leader is Jesus Himself, who is present and active as Head of His body.
In the simple church, discipleship happens through life-on-life relationships, not primarily classes and programs. You learn to follow Jesus by doing life alongside others who are following Him. Ministry flows out of who you are, not just what you do. Loving others is the program, guided by the word and Spirit.
Outreach happens through genuine friendships with those who don’t know Christ. Formal evangelistic programs may be used, but most growth comes through authentic relationships. Believers invite friends, relatives, co-workers, and neighbors to experience their loving community and see Christ’s work up close.
So in summary, the simple church movement seeks to recapture authentic New Testament Christianity through:
- Small, participatory gatherings in informal spaces
- Meaningful relationships and shared life
- Plural, shared leadership
- Discipleship through life-on-life mentoring
- Outreach through real friendships
This approach stands in contrast to the complex, institutional church models that have dominated Christianity in recent centuries. Proponents believe it facilitates deeper connections, more vibrant community, and greater faithfulness to Christ’s vision for His people.
Of course, specifics vary from group to group. Some networks and streams within the broader simple church movement have taken shape over the years. Here are a few examples:
House Churches
As the name suggests, house churches meet in private homes. They typically have 10-20 members and meet weekly. Participants often view themselves as an extended spiritual family. These small communities seek close relationships where people can be authentic and accountable as they follow Jesus together.
Simple/Organic Churches
Like house churches, simple churches meet in homes or cafes in small, interactive gatherings. Organic churches see themselves as living organisms that grow naturally through the power of the Holy Spirit. They seek to minimize top-down organization so that Christ can directly lead each group.
Missional Communities
Missional communities are small fellowships focused on reaching a particular neighborhood or network. They integrate worship, discipleship, and evangelism together in the context of doing mission. Instead of attracting people to a building, they go out to engage communities where they are.
Microchurches
Microchurches are even smaller than house churches, often having less than 10 participants. Gatherings may take place in a living room, restaurant, park, or other informal setting. The intimacy of the microchurch allows for deep relationships, accountability, and warmth not always possible in larger groups.
Simple/Emerging Churches
Emerging churches were an earlier iteration of the simple church movement among Generation X and Millennials. They had a strong focus on recapturing authentic, New Testament community and rejected rigid church structures. Many pioneering emerging churches eventually gave birth to present-day microchurches and missional communities.
So while names and formats differ, common threads run through the various streams. All aim to recapture the simplicity of the early church in some form. Relationships are valued over programs. Spirit-led participation takes priority over professional production. And following Christ in everyday life together eclipses attending an event once a week.
Biblical Foundations
Those in the simple church movement look to Scripture to defend their convictions. Here are some of the key biblical foundations that motivate them:
The early church met primarily in homes
“Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.” (Acts 5:42)
“Greet also the church that meets at their house.” (Romans 16:5)
“The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.” (1 Corinthians 16:19)
“Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.” (Colossians 4:15)
“To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker—also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home.” (Philemon 1:1-2)
Church is about close relationships, not events
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 12:10)
“Love one another deeply, from the heart.” (1 Peter 1:22)
“We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.” (1 John 3:16)
Church gatherings should be participatory
“When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.” (1 Corinthians 14:26)
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:16-17)
Leadership should be shared
“To each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good… God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.” (1 Corinthians 12:7, 28)
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (1 Peter 4:10)
“The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.” (1 Timothy 5:17)
Ministry flows from the Spirit working through each person
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-6)
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10)
“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-13)
Advocates believe that moving toward New Testament Christianity will require shedding some traditions and habits built up over centuries. For many, pursuing truly biblical community has led them out of institutional churches into simple churches in homes, cafes, and other informal spaces instead.
Critiques and Responses
Of course, more traditional churches have frequently criticized and challenged simple/house church adherents as well. Here are some common critiques and how proponents have responded:
Critique: They are dividing the body of Christ
Response: Most in the simple church movement do not see themselves as dividing the body. They view institutional churches as an expression of Christ’s body just as they are. There is room for diversity of form within the overall unity of the global body of believers.
Critique: They are opposed to leadership and accountability
Response: Simple churches actually have high expectations for mutual accountability within each community. And they do have leaders, just not in formal offices. Leaders earn influence relationally by demonstrating Christlike maturity over time.
Critique: Their groups are too small and will struggle to grow
Response: Some simple churches grow large enough to multiply into new groups. But many intentionally prefer to stay small to facilitate real relationships. Depth is valued over breadth.
Critique: They focus too much on relationships
Response: Relationship are central because they see biblical community, not events, as the essence of church. But most also have solid Bible teaching and pursue genuine Christian growth, not just warm relationships.
Critique: They lack resources and accountability structures
Response: Simple churches believe the Holy Spirit’s presence and the Bible’s teachings are the greatest resources needed. And close personal accountability outshines distant institutional accountability.
The Simple Church Today
Estimates suggest millions of Christians worldwide are now part of some form of simple, organic, or house church. Many advocates believe this approach better achieves New Testament ideals of authentic, loving community and informal, Spirit-led gatherings.
Of course, traditional churches have great strengths as well, including programs, specialized ministries, trained leaders, and large budgets. There is room for diversity within the body; one size does not fit all.
But for Christians hungering for more intimate connections, interactive gatherings, informal networks, and deep accountability, the simple church movement offers an appealing alternative. It provides the opportunity to strip away rigid structure and traditions, refocus on relationships and living on mission, and rediscover the power of simple, Spirit-led Christian community.
The simple church is not a magic solution or perfect model. Challenges and weaknesses can arise over time, just as in any church. But this back-to-basics approach resonates with those seeking authentic New Testament faith lived out in meaningful Christian community.
More than a style preference, the simple church movement reflects foundational convictions about the essence of church. Proponents believe church should be about close, loving relationships empowered by the Spirit; not institutional structures, rigid rituals, and religious performance. Faith must shape all of life, not just a Sunday morning event.
Simple churches meet in an endless variety of forms and networks across denominations. But at their best, they create space for dynamic community, where the presence of Christ is palpable, God’s word is obeyed, and people are equipped to serve God’s mission in the world.
For those drawn to the simple church, this promise of vibrant first-century community makes the various tradeoffs involved more than worthwhile. They find great joy, authentic growth, and meaningful relationships in this simple, Spirit-led approach to being the body of Christ. The simple church movement offers a path for those who wish to peel away layers of tradition and return to New Testament ideals. By God’s grace, it bears real fruit in transformed lives, which remain the ultimate validation of any church model.