ReCAST is an acronym for our core values at ReCAST Church, and the “s” stand for simplicity. It honestly seems like a naive core value for a church to hold to. The more relational connection that are made and the more time passes, the more complex things get, right?
Simplicity as a core value does not mean that things will always be easy or never get complicated . . . but what it does mean, is that we will hold to a simple path toward spiritual maturity. I can try to explain it, or I can borrow the words of a man who wrote about simplicity over 50 years ago. He wrote about complexity back then . . . before the web, cable TV, video games, cell phone plans, roll-over minutes, and he never had to ever call technical support!
He Says, “Every age has its own characteristics. Right now we are in an age of religious complexity. The simplicity which is in Christ is rarely found among us. In its stead are programs, methods, organizations, and a world of nervous activities which occupy time and attention but can never satisfy the longing of the heart… if we would find God amid all the religious externals, we must first determine to find HIM and then proceed in the way of simplicity… we must simplify our approach to Him. We must strip down to essentials (and they will be found to be blessedly few).” A.W. Tozer
I am convinced that in a frenzy of “over-owning” everyone else’s spiritual growth, the church in America has inadvertently communicated that our value is only in the programs that we have to offer. We have appealed to American self-centeredness and have kept people busy . . . and don’t we all know that busy means growth and progress . . . But God desires for His church to be about HIM.
It is my hope that as ReCAST continues to simplify our approach to God, we find that we draw closer to Him AND experience a more profound ministry in our community.
