Editor’s Note:This post was written in the very earliest days of what would become the Simplicity Church Network. It reflects the process of letting go of old models, listening to Jesus, and learning to follow the Spirit into a new way of being the Church.   One of our objectives with Simplicity was to create a rapidly deployed, easily reproducible system of starting new work. As we launch our first work Simplicity Church – Corpus Christi I believe we are on track. Our total start up expense looked like this: Simplicity Church – Corpus Christi Startup Expenses • Texas Non-Profit filing – $25.00• 501(c)(3) affiliation filing – $595.00• Leasing deposit – $600.00• First month’s lease – $600.00• Liability Insurance – $373.00• Certificate of Occupancy – $211.00• Website domains – $20.00• Office supplies – $250.00• Postage $62.00 Total: $2,736.00

Ok, so I get my Secretary of State paperwork back for the non-profit corporation and we’re good to go, right??? Nope! I used my mailing address (P.O. Box) on the application, because I did not see a prohibition against it; however, the Lone Star State requires a physical address. On a brighter note I did get the bank account opened for Simplicity yesterday. I also had a friend challenge me on the need for a building. The location I am considering was impressed upon me as Simplicity was unveiled in my spirit, but my friend felt like I should focus more on the home/office/coffee shop organic expression and utilize free space if we need to do a public meeting. Simplicity is able to operate in both the organic and attractional modes, but I want to make sure I don’t jump ahead of the Lord, so I will be praying this through a little more. On that note, anyone reading this blog is always welcome to challenge my thinking and push back on my direction. Tonight I will be meeting with a couple who I believe God has set apart to play a key role in the life of Simplicity. It will be exciting to hear what God has been saying to them.

Editor’s Note:This post was written in the very earliest days of what would become the Simplicity Church Network. It reflects the process of letting go of old models, listening to Jesus, and learning to follow the Spirit into a new way of being the Church.   Yesterday we went to look at the building that I want to use for our first Simplicity church. This building was formerly used by a church planter I had begun to develop a relationship with, who was unable to remain in ministry for personal reasons. The building is a store front with 1,000 square feet, a bathroom and a platform. The carpet is fairly new and the walls have been painted in the not so distant past. The lease is $600 per month with a $600 deposit. Carol and I both felt this was the place (and I’m a firm believer in “beauty from ashes”). Elishba, our Indian ministry intern who is living with us commented: “It fits, it is very simple.” The landlord is supposed to fax the lease to me this week and I am trusting the Lord to provide for the deposit and first month’s rent. Currently all of the expenses are coming out of the Willis household budget, so hopefully we’ll have some donations coming in soon.