Perhaps today, more than ever, it is vital that we grasp the significance of the simple/house church paradigm. Let's look at why this is so important.

1. Simple / House Churches are Removing Hindrances

Eugene Peterson (translating Ephesians 1) expresses the essence of what the church really is: "The church is Christ's body in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence." Yet, as my wife and I travel throughout the world, we see the church so often hindered by organizational forms and structures that are not necessary. By reducing or eliminating these human-made restraints, the church can be unleashed. My wife, Brooks, wrote these words after returning from Africa:

The Revolution is happening - it's happening all over the world. We are in a Reformation. Acknowledge it or not. Be a part of it or not. Jesus longs for his church to come alive, to become a living, breathing, organism. He longs for us to be in a real, live, intimate relationship with Him, regardless of others - and then in real, live relationship with our families - earthly and spiritual. And, He's begging us to come alive, be who we are as individuals, alive and free in Him, telling the world who and what He has done for us.