Outreach-via home church meetings

[Nicodemus1968]

Originally Posted by Amanah

Apostolic Order of Service
By Esaias

https://www.apostolicfriendsforum.co...t=House+Church

I don't believe there is a certain template that a church needs to follow. I know we usually follow a traditional service at times, i.e prayer, worship, testimonies, preaching, alter call, and then fellowship. Yet there have been plenty of times we just ministered to a need. No worship, no preaching just ministering to the present need.The church needs to be instant in season and out of season, we need to follow what the spirit wants. I have been in services and I'm sure others will agree, that we just prayed the entire service.

In my opinion, I feel the spirit is able to minister a lot easier in a home rather than a church building, especially with new converts. Thats why home bibles are so important, church buildings and the church service (in the building) can be intimidating.

[Amanah]

Originally Posted by Nicodemus1968

I don't believe there is a certain template that a church needs to follow. I know we usually follow a traditional service at times, i.e prayer, worship, testimonies, preaching, alter call, and then fellowship. Yet there have been plenty of times we just ministered to a need. No worship, no preaching just ministering to the present need.The church needs to be instant in season and out of season, we need to follow what the spirit wants. I have been in services and I'm sure others will agree, that we just prayed the entire service.

In my opinion, I feel the spirit is able to minister a lot easier in a home rather than a church building, especially with new converts. Thats why home bibles are so important, church buildings and the church service (in the building) can be intimidating.

[coksiw]

First century house gatherings were usually in the house of the one that could hold as many people as possible. The number was between 50-60 people, putting in perspective, 50% of churches in the USA has 75 or less members. I don’t think it is what most people nowadays expects as “house church”. The archeology is my source. Apparently, they also had city-wide meetings in Corinth.

Regarding meeting content, it is very likely they followed the synagogue style as many of the first Christians were devout Jews. Prayer, public reading of the Scriptures, with explanations, words of exhortation by any male in the congregation. Once in a while a topical teaching somebody will bring already prepared, and a meal also. I am not sold out on any specific order. Whatever is practical.

I don’t think the small gathering was normative or even the goal. Quite the opposite. Jesus himself beside the 12, had large gatherings, and more followers than the 12, from both genders. The meeting in houses in Act was not always to gather as a church but to evangelize or teach to households. So no all verses used to back house churches is appropriately used.

[Jito463]

Originally Posted by Nicodemus1968

I don't believe there is a certain template that a church needs to follow. I know we usually follow a traditional service at times, i.e prayer, worship, testimonies, preaching, alter call, and then fellowship. Yet there have been plenty of times we just ministered to a need. No worship, no preaching just ministering to the present need.The church needs to be instant in season and out of season, we need to follow what the spirit wants. I have been in services and I'm sure others will agree, that we just prayed the entire service.

We've had many services like that, where the Spirit of the Lord just moved on us, and we never got around to the "service". It was just about letting God do as He wills.

Originally Posted by Nicodemus1968

In my opinion, I feel the spirit is able to minister a lot easier in a home rather than a church building, especially with new converts. Thats why home bibles are so important, church buildings and the church service (in the building) can be intimidating.

The building isn't what matters, it's the people of God actually being sensitive to the moving of the Spirit. I don't think God cares if we meet in our homes or a building, so long as we listen to His Spirit and follow where He leads us.

[Nicodemus1968]

Originally Posted by Jito463

We've had many services like that, where the Spirit of the Lord just moved on us, and we never got around to the "service". It was just about letting God do as He wills.

The building isn't what matters, it's the people of God actually being sensitive to the moving of the Spirit. I don't think God cares if we meet in our homes or a building, so long as we listen to His Spirit and follow where He leads us.

[Amanah]

Beautifully written and simple to implement.
Thank you Brother Votive.

[votivesoul]

Originally Posted by Amanah

Beautifully written and simple to implement.
Thank you Brother Votive.

You're welcome. And thanks.