The Oikos Principle in Action

Empower Jesus followers to reach more people for Jesus.

Every believer in every nation reaching their oikos with the Gospel

According to the Barna Group, only 24% of church attenders even know what the Great Commission is.

That’s why we’re here.

Leverage the same ministry principle that Jesus taught and modeled for us! The principle that will activate your congregation to embrace the Great Commission like never before!

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What is the Oikos Principle?

Picture your life as taking place in a theater, one that’s filled with all of the people in your life. Some are sitting in the balcony. Others in the mezzanine. Still others are sitting down in the orchestra section. 

To some degree, they may all be able to see the way you behave or listen to what you say, but it’s those eight to fifteen people in the front row who have the best seats in the house to do both. The Greeks called that inner circle of “extended family” our oikos. 

When you ask someone, “What is the primary reason you decided to give your life to Christ?” the answer is typically not a what, but a who. Their answer will revolve around someone in their oikos 95% of the time. 

That’s the Oikos Principle!

What it is not…

It’s not an evangelism program. Oikos is like a worldview, a set of lenses through which we can more simply and efficiently align our lives with the Great Commission. 

It’s not an event. The Oikos Principle is the daily practice of being aware of those whom God has already place in your tight circle of relationships, not a one-time gathering of people you don’t know. 

It’s not a church emphasis. The Oikos Principle is a natural bridge between evangelism and discipleship, biblical objectives that were never intended to be separated.

It’s not a new idea! The Oikos Principle is what Jesus both taught and modeled in Scripture. 

"The oikos approach to congregational mission didn't just change the vocabulary of our churches. It reawakened their mission heart and revitalized their mission practice. When introduced to this concept, the most prevalent response of church members was, "We can do this. " And they did!"

Bert Downs, Former President, Western Seminary, Portland, OR

"This is biblical, practical, clear, and tremendously helpful. Effective ministry is actually simple and doable for every devoted believer."

Erik Thoennes, Professor and Chair of Theology, Biola University

"The oikos principle has brought clarity, focus, and simplicity to our ministry model. It has created common language for our church and galvanized Christ's primary method of changing our world."

Jeff Wheeler, Lead Pastor, Central Baptist Church, Sioux Falls SD

"The Oikos Principle not only helped the churches I pastored to remain outward focused, but now I personally observe how it transforms congregations all over the nation and in various parts of the world."

Dr. Tim Brown, Executive Director, Growing Healthy Churches

Common Questions

Absolutely. The Oikos Principle applies to every Christian regardless of the size of the church they attend.

Nope! The Oikos Principle is how God designed the message of the Gospel to spread, so it knows no denomination. We’ve actually presented the principle to almost every Evangelical Christian denomination and association of churches. Additionally, the Oikos Principle won’t interfere with any existing models of ministry you have running in your church. It will just energize them!

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