The last couple of days I have reread portions of a book called “Simple Church” by Thom Rainer & Eric Geiger.  These guys literally looked at hundreds of churches all over the country, big and small, and various denominations.  The results they found are pretty startling.  They summed it up with this statement -

“In general, simple churches are growing and vibrant.  Churches with a simple process for reaching and maturing people are expanding the kingdom.  Church leaders who have designed a simple biblical process to make disciples are effectively advancing the movement of the gospel.  Simple churches are making a big impact.  Conversely, complex churches are struggling and anemic.  As a whole, cluttered and complex churches are not alive.”

These are pretty powerful statements.  Although they are bold, you can’t argue with the extensive research they did.  The way in which we do ministry at Eagle Brook is something that the 5G team (the team I lead) looks at every day.  We constantly ask questions like, how easy is it for someone to get connected?  What sorts of environments do we need to create for people to connect?  How can we get people connected into a life-changing small group?  How can we help people discover how God has wired them and help them begin to serve?  Or, how can we help people take the next step in the spiritual journey?

BUT, as we discuss these questions and more, we constantly come back to the quote above and others from the book.  With the thousands of new people coming through our doors at 3 campuses, if we don’t make the process of getting connected and growing in your faith simple, nobody is going to win.  And to be honest with you, this isn’t an option.  We have to help people encounter God and grow in their relationship with Him.  How easy has it been for you?  Any thoughts?