We are a network of small, simple churches in Northern Kentucky that are working together to follow the biblical model of church best summed up in a single word – Body. We believe the Body metaphor in Scripture is the organizational structure God intends for us to use while building and planting churches. Churches must be founded on Christ-centered relationships and not buildings or gathering times and places.
We meet as a network the first Friday of every month at 7:00pm to build relationships with all those in our area involved in developing simple churches. We also have Gatherings in homes in and around Northern Kentucky during the week. Please contact us through this blog if you would like any information regarding our church network.
This blog is a place for us to publish ideas about doing church as a Body and to encourage discussion around this type of church structure.
Peace to you.
~ Jeremy Pryor
About the Contributors:
Name: Jeremy Pryor
Family: Wife (April) & Four Kids (Kelsey, Jackson, Sydney & Elisa)
Location: Fort Thomas, KY (2 miles from downtown Cincinnati, OH)
Occupation: Entrepreneur (AWEstores.com & MarketplaceEarth.com)
Favorite Movie: The Godfather (of course)
Favorite Quote: All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” — Edmund Burke
Educational Journey: 1 year at The Master’s College in Southern, CA, 2 years at Multnomah Bible College in Portland OR, 1 year at Multnomah Biblical Seminary and Western Seminary in Portland OR, a semester at Jerusalem University College in Jerusalem, Israel, a year a Fuller Seminary extention in Seattle, WA, 2 years at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Hamilton, MA.
Church Journey: 14 years at Evergreen Bible Chapel (Plymouth Brethern), 8 years at Christ’s Church Federal Way, WA & 2 years at Cedar Mill Bible Church in Portland, OR (non-demominational), 5 years in various Baptist Churches in Oregon & Marblehead MA, 3 years in the Vineyard and planting Simple Churches since 2004.
Contact: Please leave a comment so I can send you my email address
H i Jeremy,
Concerning “Church as Body”, the House Church movement has, no doubt many different ideas about “being the church” or “doing church”. Having been associated with the institutional church system for many years, and even a house group for a couple of years, my wife and I have come to the conclusion at this point in our lives, that Christians simply miss the real intended purpose for life. My view is that God did not create us to simply to have compulsory “meetings”, and that is what Christian life is all about. My personal belief is that our intended purpose, is that we become in the spiritual image of Jesus Christ, and that means we live a life in Christ 24/7. I no longer see true worship as having a meeting with like minded brethren, but rather I see worship as living life in the Holy Spirit. That means walking in humility, mercy, justice, love, and the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
It is ironic that Jesus Christ no where in all of His teachings ever stated “Blessed are those who go to church”, and it is also ironic that “going to church” and “tithing” are neither one—fruits of the Holy Spirit.
I have found that fellowship is a natural consequence of life, and forced fellowship, in the form of meetings, is an unnatural life style. Churchianity does not represent Jesus Christ, either to Christians or to the world, but represents the “clergy/laity” system of men. Not forsaking the assembling together certainly has nothing to do with a formal institutional
church setting, but rather a mutual fellowship. When that verse in Hebrews was spoken, it was spoken to a people, in a different time frame of human life, and during a time of persecution, and the assembling, was for mutual encouragement.
There is a great tendency for Christians to take a scripture out of context, with no regard to the historical setting, and make that scripture a major doctrine for all eternity. Personally, I have fellowship on the internet, on the telephone, at work, in the mall, and anytime, anywhere, without feeling compelled to “meet” in a formal meeting, as if that is what defines “following Jesus Christ”, and the key to salvation.
I am positive that the real Body of Believers, are simply all human beings in whom dwells the Holy Spirit. The one and only Head of that spiritual Body is Jesus Christ. I think it misses the point of being followers of Jesus Christ, to make Christians believe that to be a Christian means—either the institutional church, or home fellowships, as the definition of following Christ.
The real issue, is to simply live in the Holy of Holies in the presence of God Almighty, through Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Spirit, as a lifestyle.
That is not to say, that having meetings or fellowship is somehow wrong, but in my view, there is an over emphasis on “meetings” as the “way”, when the “Way” is Jesus Christ.
Cordially,
Van
Dear Jeremy,
I was a bit confused by your statements. “We believe the Body metaphor in Scripture is the organizational structure God intends for us to use while building and planting churches. Churches must be founded on Christ-centered relationships and not buildings or gathering times and places.”
God has brought my family and myself through many situations of learning. Having been involved in leadership within institutional churches and having also lead a house church situation, I fully believe that it is impossible for man to intervene on behalf of Christ. While humans are indeed involved in the physical process of being the church with each other in fellowship I believe that the Church is really a spiritual emodiment of those who live by faith and in turn are filled with His Spirit.
I believe that Christ alone builds His Church, His Body.
Your statement suggests that we have guidelines to use in building and planting yet those are not of a physical nature. If we really are His Body than is it not He that gathers us? Is it not His Spirit that organizes for His purpose any meeting of His Body? Without the physical structure of buildings and programs, and even in home church situations man attempts to intervene and ends up interfering with Christ’s purpose to be the only true Head of the Church.
I agree with you that there is an overemphasis on meetings. And what happens is that people are pulled into the doctrinal restraints. That particular institutionalization becomes their way rather than Jesus Christ being the only Way.
I would like to hear more about your simple Church network. What do people have a tendency to do when you gather together?
People are stepping out of the Church in droves. We think they want to be free to explore the possibilities of what God can do.
We have started an open source project that we think can make it easier for people to take a first step without having to burn all thier bridges.
I would love your take on it.
Steven
http://www.simplechurch.tv
http://www.thechurch.wordpress.com
The Salvation Army is about to start a non-traditional open church in inner city Nashville, TN. I’ve been asked to lead it. The vision is for Spirit-led, open participation gatherings. Thanks for your post on gathering skills. That is very helpful.
Please pray for us in this. I have a blog at christianchallenge.blogstream.com (leave off www)
I also blog on tennessean.com (go to community opinions)
Thanks,
Steve Simms
Our non-traditional open church was begun in March. It is going well. So far we haven’t had even one sermon. We share testimonies, worship, pray over one another, read Scriptures, and do whatever else the Holy Spirit leads us.
If you are ever in Nashville, visit us at 225 Berry Street, corner of Berry and Meridian Streets, within view of the Titans Stadium. (Map Quest will locate us for you.) We meet Sunday at 10:45 and Thursday night at 6:30. We prayer walk the community on Thusday mornings at 8:30.
For more info: stsimms@live.com
mycburch.org/berrystreetworshipcenter
Oops. That is:
mychurch.org/berrystreetworshipcenter
My wife and I was saved and filled in 07 in Calif. I’ve struggled for 29years finding suitable worship/ fellowship in the Holy Spirit. This seems to be common in the body. I’d like to fellowship/worship in northern Ky.
My husband and I moved to NKY recently, and we’ve been looking for a place to connect. Please email me with more info. Thanks!