Simplicity & Missional Formation

[Jonathan Hanegan]

I hardly ever read the same book twice. However, there are a few exceptions. I first read Richard Foster's book Freedom of Simplicity: Finding Harmony in a Complex World about ten years ago. It had a great impact on my life. Now that so much in my life has changed, I've decided to read it again.

I really appreciate Foster's motivation for simplicity: it is not a hollow piety but a desire to make more space for God in our lives and to create more possibilities for serving others. I highly recommend this book! I'll end with a paragraph from the book:

Jesus Christ and all the writers of the New Testament call us to break free of mammon lust and live in joyous trust. Their radical criticism of wealth is combined with a spirit of unconditional generosity. They point us toward a way of living in which everything we have we receive as a gift, and everything we have is cared for by God, and everything we have is available to others when it is right and good. This reality frames the heart of Christian simplicity. It is the means of liberation and power to do what is right and to overcome the forces of fear and avarice.

Richard J. Foster, Freedom of Simplicity: Finding Harmony in a Complex World. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, 1981 (2005).

[James Nored]

Jonathan, I too like Foster. I have read his book on Prayer, which is great. Thanks for highlighting this book.

With our overly complicated lives, simpilicty has a great appeal for people. Spiritually, we do need to have space for God in our lives. Americans in particular need this. Is there more space in Hispanics' lives, I wonder?

On a different but somewhat related topic, I like the work "Simple Church" by Thom S. Rainer on simplicity in church structures and ministries.