Gravitational Pull of Complexity

We are all familiar with gravity ... it is why I can't dunk a basketball! Gravity is a force that always brings things back to where they started. As a church the gravitational pull is always toward complexity in ministry. To have lots of options, lots of silos, lots of communication, lots of needs. It is easy to get complex it is hard to get simple.

We've worked hard to be a simple church ... to do a few things we believe are the best forms for people to be transformed and make a difference. We realize that we can't or want to do everything. But just like your garage over time you add a ministry or collect another opportunity and before long you have gravitated back to complexity.

It is hard to stay simple. Some will feel like it is too strategic or controlling, some will feel like you are not meeting enough needs, some just like adding stuff all the time. But the reason you fight for simplicity in my mind is three fold. First as the book Simple Church did so well is show that more transformation happens when a church can stay simple and clear.
First simplicity provides the platform for clarity so a church can get really good at what they do and it is clear for people what's next.

Secondly staying simple as a church actually provides margin for people to be more organic and creative with personal ministry dreams. People have time to have relationships, people have time to make a difference in the community by being involved. Simplicity provides margin for people to live out the mission as a body and also individually.

And finally the most important gift you have been given as a church is your leaders. They are usually great people, responsible people, people who know they don't just go to church, they are the church. What you will find when you get complext is that same group of leaders is doing more and more and over time they will feel more used than useful. We have to prioritize care and investment in our leaders and a simple model can help you do that.

So fight gravity, say no to some good things, and care for your leaders well.