Simplicity
Beyond
What did he say?
2
“I would not give a fig for the simplicity this
side of complexity, but I would give my life
for the simplicity
on the other side of complexity.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes
Is Simple Good?
3
Merriam-Webster:
“not hard to understand or do”
Examples:
A simple-minded person
A simple task
How do we usually hear it?
4
Simple = simplistic . . .
. . . without discernment
Then what about . . .
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”
Leonardo Da Vinci
The Problem
5
Modernity’s search for truth has led to a
complexity that is not sustainable.
“The automatic,
default direction
of progress is towards
escalating complexity.”
Richard Swenson
Just vs. Simply
6
“Reduced speech leads to reduced lives.”
Walter Brueggermann
There is a force for reduction in this world
and a force for wholeness and
completeness.
Just SimplyComplexity
Simply Jesus
Jesus: Lord of the Sabbath
– Matthew 12:11-13
Just Simply
The command to
rest does not
restrict the mission
of the King.
Just ignore those
old-fashioned rules.
Complexity
The Jewish Law of the Sabbath
Jesus: Forgiver of Sin –
John 8:1-11
Just Simply
Simply go and sin
no more.
Just let her fade into
the shadows in her
sin to face her fate.
Complexity
Sin and consequences in the
Jewish culture.
Our Response
The Cloud
11
• Identify complexity for what it is.
• Face it without fear.
• Seek truth in the complexity.
Just SimplyComplexity
The Reduction
12
• Resist the temptation to say “Just.”
• Don’t look for the easy way out.
• Recognize that speed leads to
reduction – truth takes time!
Just SimplyComplexity
The Simple Truth
13
• Respect the complexity – Lean into it!
• Look for the patterns.
• Look at it in a transdisciplinary way.
• Look expectantly for the truth.
Just SimplyComplexity
The Bigger Picture
14
Complexity isn’t bad . . .
but it isn’t the goal.
“Simplicity is the seal of truth.” Latin Proverb
Just SimplyComplexity
Examples
Searching to be On Mission
Just Simply
Simply understand
the core motivations
of searchers.
Just make your
website more
engaging.
Complexity
The complex data behind people’s criteria when
searching for a mission agency.
Searching to be On Mission
Just Simply
A simple book.
Complexity
A full research report
Stopping Malaria
Just Simply
“If you think you are too small
to make a difference, try
sleeping in a room with a
mosquito.” - Compassion
RBM's vision is of a
world free from the
burden of malaria.
Complexity
Malaria is a complex disease with many factors
that contribute to its spread and impact.
Tearing down a
Chinese Church
Just Simply
The Chinese Church and
Chinese govt. are
negotiating
power/relationships as the
country deals with a growing
Christian population.
Chinese
government
persecution!
Complexity
Zoning regulations, corruption, leader’s opinion,
proximity to govt. buildings, lack of compromise
Key Takeaways
24
• Reject the temptation to reduce.
• Lean into the complexity but don’t stop.
• Seek out the simple truth that brings
insight.
Just SimplyComplexity
GMI Connection
www.gmi.org
www.facebook.com/gmi.org
www.pinterest.com/gmiresources
Jon Hirst – jhirst@gmi.org / @JonHirstGMI
Resources For Insight

Simplicity Beyond Complexity

  • 1.
  • 2.
    What did hesay? 2 “I would not give a fig for the simplicity this side of complexity, but I would give my life for the simplicity on the other side of complexity.” Oliver Wendell Holmes
  • 3.
    Is Simple Good? 3 Merriam-Webster: “nothard to understand or do” Examples: A simple-minded person A simple task
  • 4.
    How do weusually hear it? 4 Simple = simplistic . . . . . . without discernment Then what about . . . “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Leonardo Da Vinci
  • 5.
    The Problem 5 Modernity’s searchfor truth has led to a complexity that is not sustainable. “The automatic, default direction of progress is towards escalating complexity.” Richard Swenson
  • 6.
    Just vs. Simply 6 “Reducedspeech leads to reduced lives.” Walter Brueggermann There is a force for reduction in this world and a force for wholeness and completeness. Just SimplyComplexity
  • 7.
  • 8.
    Jesus: Lord ofthe Sabbath – Matthew 12:11-13 Just Simply The command to rest does not restrict the mission of the King. Just ignore those old-fashioned rules. Complexity The Jewish Law of the Sabbath
  • 9.
    Jesus: Forgiver ofSin – John 8:1-11 Just Simply Simply go and sin no more. Just let her fade into the shadows in her sin to face her fate. Complexity Sin and consequences in the Jewish culture.
  • 10.
  • 11.
    The Cloud 11 • Identifycomplexity for what it is. • Face it without fear. • Seek truth in the complexity. Just SimplyComplexity
  • 12.
    The Reduction 12 • Resistthe temptation to say “Just.” • Don’t look for the easy way out. • Recognize that speed leads to reduction – truth takes time! Just SimplyComplexity
  • 13.
    The Simple Truth 13 •Respect the complexity – Lean into it! • Look for the patterns. • Look at it in a transdisciplinary way. • Look expectantly for the truth. Just SimplyComplexity
  • 14.
    The Bigger Picture 14 Complexityisn’t bad . . . but it isn’t the goal. “Simplicity is the seal of truth.” Latin Proverb Just SimplyComplexity
  • 16.
  • 17.
    Searching to beOn Mission Just Simply Simply understand the core motivations of searchers. Just make your website more engaging. Complexity The complex data behind people’s criteria when searching for a mission agency.
  • 18.
    Searching to beOn Mission Just Simply A simple book. Complexity A full research report
  • 20.
    Stopping Malaria Just Simply “Ifyou think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping in a room with a mosquito.” - Compassion RBM's vision is of a world free from the burden of malaria. Complexity Malaria is a complex disease with many factors that contribute to its spread and impact.
  • 23.
    Tearing down a ChineseChurch Just Simply The Chinese Church and Chinese govt. are negotiating power/relationships as the country deals with a growing Christian population. Chinese government persecution! Complexity Zoning regulations, corruption, leader’s opinion, proximity to govt. buildings, lack of compromise
  • 24.
    Key Takeaways 24 • Rejectthe temptation to reduce. • Lean into the complexity but don’t stop. • Seek out the simple truth that brings insight. Just SimplyComplexity
  • 25.
  • 26.