DLD 2022: 04 A Little Leaven (Steve Mapa)

In Defense of the Strategically Simple Church

Steve serves Mt. Rose Evangelical Free Church in Reno, NV. He and Jessica have a daughter and two sons.

Jesus compared the glory of the Kingdom in the earthly realm to a mustard seed - the smallest of all the seeds; to leaven - a little of which is sufficient to effect change in the entire lump. The upside-down nature of God’s Kingdom reveals that the right batch of small things has global power. A small child born in a simple village can change the world. A small batch of friends telling the story of that small child can turn the world upside down. The way up is down; first is last, greatest is least; the most dignified are the most servile; the wisest appear most foolish; the strongest are the weakest. In this elective we will examine the ecclesiological implications of God’s design and intention for small things. Less is more! Is simplicity a path toward truer discipleship essentials?