Simplicity is one of four phases in this church year’s theme/focus, Discipleship Pathway. These themes aim to address the barriers and challenges (i.e. stagnancy) experienced by our congregation today.

The simplicity phase is “not just a reset” or deleting of activities for the sake of change but an assessment of our spiritual life, both individually and as a community.

This assessment is not about what we want but what God wants of us in the midst of our individual and/or communal challenges. Simplicity is about God’s design for life, not how God can fit into our own design.

Define: Simplicity is less of ourselves and more of God.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. – Matthew 11:28-30

He must become greater; I must become less. – John 3:30”

“Less of ourselves” / The Problem

Our lives are shaped by what we choose to fill them with. As John Mark Comer states, “Our time is our life, and our attention is the doorway to our heart.”

Many of us try to balance material possessions and activities, believing we can have everything we want. However, each addition comes with a cost, whether in time or money.

Our anxiety and the fast pace of life are linked to our heart’s desires, which don’t always prioritize what is best for us. The good life God designed for us isn't one we create or manage ourselves. It's about recognizing how He shapes our best lives according to His design for us. That's what it means to live a life centered on God.

Feeling stuck, anxious, tired, or burned out often reflects our relationship with Jesus and where we focus our attention. It’s essential to release control to God and shift our lives away from self-centeredness.

“More of God” / The Solution
What do you think more of God means? What is more?
God desires not for us to carry more but to have more of Him, to be more with Him, and to be more like Him. He invites us to take on His yoke instead of the burdens we create for ourselves. He wants us to live at the pace and quality of life He designed for us.

Having more of God means not just doing more for Him, but seeking the personal transformation that comes from His presence within us.

Life-changing transformation stems from spiritual practices inherent in discipleship, or the Jesus lifestyle. This involves examining His practices and teachings and applying them to our lives today.

We must ask ourselves: What would Jesus do if He were in my position? Would He engage in this activity or purchase this product? Does this choice allow God to pour out His love, joy, hope, and peace into my life, or does it hinder my connection with Him?

To clarify, the life of “less of ourselves and more of God” is not easy. The ease Jesus refers to isn’t about comfort; it involves many valleys and requires significant faith. While it’s a narrow path, it feels easier because we walk with Jesus. Even when challenges loom large, Jesus is greater and has a plan for us. Following Him will always be easier than any path we choose for ourselves.

To simplify our lives, we should ask ourselves two key questions:

1. What will help me experience more of God?

2. What will bring about personal change?

How do my daily activities, including my ministries, possessions, and priorities, help me experience God more deeply and facilitate transformation in my life?

As an individual:

Simplicity involves cultivating contentment by critically evaluating our actions and possessions. We can ask ourselves:

Will this help me live at the pace Jesus modeled and taught?
Does this create space for God to fill me with His love, joy, hope, and peace, which I can then share with others?
Am I growing in the fruit of the Spirit? How do others perceive my presence?

As a disciple in a local church:

Our church lives can become overwhelming with all the different programs and ministries happening every week. If not careful, we can lose sight of the purpose of all these ministries and end up burning ourselves up without experiencing the closeness to God and the growth they are meant for. Church ministries are ways of being in the kingdom of God for disciples, and they need to be lived into as disciples to be fruitful and life-giving. Questions to ask and reflect on are:

Do I know my calling?
Am I clear about what God wants me to do in this season?
Am I fulfilling my purpose, or am I taking on more than I should?
How am I demonstrating my commitment and love to the local body of Christ today (John 13:34)?
What areas am I serving in at the moment?

1) Create an inventory of areas I am serving in and ministries in the church I am part of.

2) Take time to reflect on whether I am serving because:

God has called me to this role
It aligns with my gifts
It brings me joy and bears fruit OR
If it's time to step back from certain areas that were meant for a specific season, allowing others to take over

What is the core ministry God is calling me to serve in, especially if I'm involved in multiple ministries? Is there one ministry I should consider stepping away from?
How do the ministries or programs I participate in (not necessarily serving in) bear fruit in me AND in others?

As leaders of the local church:
As leaders, our evaluation of church ministries should reflect our lives as disciples. Instead of merely deciding which programs to cut or add, we should ask what God desires for His people and how He intends to lead them out of stagnation. Our focus must be on Christ and His teachings, rather than on our own subjective feelings. The changes we seek should be rooted in the way Jesus discipled others. Key questions for leaders to consider include:

Have I been intentionally discipled?
Are you growing as a disciple?
What fruits are you bearing?
How can we reshape our ministries to be life-giving during this season?
Are there tasks or focuses we should reduce or eliminate? What distractions are we facing?
Do we understand what God desires more of in our church?

Prayers:

God’s prompting to see the fullness of life that He wants us to have.
Wisdom and discernment in making changes (big or small) to simplify our lives so we can see more of God daily.
God to give guidance for our deacons and leaders of what He desires to see in our ministries, and what steps we need to take to get there.
God to help our pastors and leaders exemplify a simplified, vibrant life in Him.

If you would like to further the conversation on discipleship, the discipleship pathway or “simplicity” contact calvin.sun@sccefc.ca he would love to hear from you!