House Church - How It's Done.

[nahkoe]

I really, really miss the home church I was a part of when I was younger.

It was a pretty cool deal. I'm not sure when, or where, it started (I suspect one family over the rest, but I never asked). There were multiple meetings a month, on different nights, in different homes. Usually they followed a set pattern, every other Friday at 7, every Tuesday at 5, things like that. But not always. It was one group of people, but we very rarely all met together at once.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by nahkoe

I really, really miss the home church I was a part of when I was younger.

It was a pretty cool deal. I'm not sure when, or where, it started (I suspect one family over the rest, but I never asked). There were multiple meetings a month, on different nights, in different homes. Usually they followed a set pattern, every other Friday at 7, every Tuesday at 5, things like that. But not always. It was one group of people, but we very rarely all met together at once.

Yes'm... I need to start one here where I am. It is 20 miles any direction to a oneness work and there isn't a oneness church in this town at all.

So far I have taken the easy route and worked to help an already established church about 20 miles away.

[GodsBabyGirl]

Originally Posted by Aquila

The house churches I've attended were very simple models. One person hosted the group meeting in their home. There wasn't an official "pastor" in the sense that we understand it. The office of "pastor" is a calling... not a political position in the group. Therefore out of a group of 15 people 3 men or more might have the calling of "pastor" on their lives. This means that they work together as "elders" to spiritually shepherd the believers attending. Everyone's calling is acknowledged. Everyone was encouraged to search the Scriptures and bring what they felt the Spirit leading them to bring. All were encouraged to bring edifying messages. Rebukes were to be dealt with privately unless the individual continued in sinful rebellion. Everyone took turns sharing their "insight" or "message". The messages weren't intended to be very long or "profoundly entertaining". They were very short... but STRONG. There was little need for using drawn out illustrations or timed humor. It was just people sharing the Word and opening up together.

Something else struck me... there wasn't a push for "members". There was just a push for "sharing Jesus" with everyone. They weren't focused on building a congregation and getting a building, but instead the focus was "the Kingdom of God." This is why they didn't mind seeing new faces every week. They looked at it like they were opening their home and ministry up for all to freely visit and receive something from God. Individuals could stay or go as they pleased, their prayers were simply that the individual grew in their walk with Jesus and became more firmly rooted in "the Kingdom". They were strongly encouraged to have an "elder friend" they could turn to for spiritual advice and counsel. But for the most part it was really just a service to all who could come and go as they felt led.

It was really neat.

That sounds refreshing. These days people need to go somewhere where there is no pressure or complication. We have made fellowshipping so complicated in an attempt to draw more people, we have strayed away from the simplicity of the gospel.

Jesus didn't reach sinners in the church; He met them where they were. Wherever there was a need.

He only went into the church(es) to announce his ministry and to rebuke the religious.

Gives us all something to think about, uh?

Love & peace...

[GrowingPains]

Originally Posted by Pastor Keith

We just moved into a larger house, we rented it just because of its size for small groups. It is 2700 sq. feet. Two living areas, 5 bedrooms, 3 baths, and large kitchen set up for entertaining. I have anywhere between 15-50 people show up. This year we focusing much more on small group/House church than ever before, I am trying to raise our awarness and leaders who can take it and run with it.

Probably a good tax write-off too if you're using it for church purposes?

[GrowingPains]

Originally Posted by Aquila

You are right, house churches tend to have fewer drop in visitors. But for house churches the push is "personal evangelism" for every member. The Gospel is only shared as individuals share their testimonies and the message with other individuals. Sometimes I've seen tracts used, but it's typically encouraged that you speak and invite people by word of mouth.

House churches are often very disenchanted by the corporatized advertising of the church. Churches are typically trying to get lit signs, brochures, radio spots, and all this hoopla that the Apostles never used, all to attract visitors. House churchers believe that the best method is the simplest method... just have individuals share their stories, present the Gospel, and invite folks. Often house churchers get people's curiosity going by telling folks it's fine to be a Christian but don't go to church, be the church. Also house churchers emphasize that the house church rarely wants any money.

I believe there is a place for both traditional churches and house churches. However, I believe that house churches are far more biblical. Perhaps the very best model for America at this point is a traditional church with a cell group approach that is freestyle.

"Compell them to come."
If Apostles were here today, you think they'd ignore such effective tools?

[GrowingPains]

Those that do House Church, do you see a need for a once each quarter or month corporate worship setting or activity? It's always encouraging and refreshing to see a mass body of believers.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by GrowingPains

Probably a good tax write-off too if you're using it for church purposes?

Nope. Most house churches don't have official clergy or religious incorporation. They don't collect tithes and free will offerings are made specifically for the needs of it's members. I've never never known or read about a house church elder (pastor) who didn't work a full time job to support their family. There's absolutely no money in it.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by GrowingPains

"Compell them to come."
If Apostles were here today, you think they'd ignore such effective tools?

Growing, America has more churches than almost any other nation on earth. However, church attendance is steadily dropping. Fewer Americans are in church today than ever before and the number is growing every year. The traditional church is loosing America. Tell me... why is this so if these "effective tools" are so effective?

Think about it. My friend Scott started a house church with 7 individuals in his home. About a year later hey had grown to about 20 and divided into two different groups in two different homes. That was a little over years ago. He now has 6 groups meeting in different homes, each with over ten adult members. That's sixty people. Each church plans on multiplying again by the year's end producing an estimated 12 house churches with approximately 10 members each. And if after a years time these churches can multiple we're talking 24 different home groups with around ten members each. (So far 15 is the steady average). These groups will be spread throughout the city in nearly every quarter. If this growth continues. in 5 years their footprint will be larger than any church in town.

Simple Churches (also known as house churches) will start a church wherever they can find an accommodating roof. You can find them in houses, condos, half doubles, and large apartments. Some even meet in parks and public recreation facilities. They are dedicated to never owning "church property". You tell me which model has the greatest potential to reach America's inner-cities and suburbs. Also the mission of a house church isn't to gain "members". It's to train leaders and multiply by forming additional house churches. Scott once said that the vision he has from God is that every attendee attending house meetings become a host and perhaps an elder of a house church. Hosting is considered a BIG ministry. Some house church pastors pastor their groups in the large home of a hospitable attendee. This "gift of hospitality" is greatly cherished in the movement. If you own a large home... even if you're not called to teach or preach the Gospel, you can be a foundational part of the Kingdom of God by opening your home.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by GrowingPains

Those that do House Church, do you see a need for a once each quarter or month corporate worship setting or activity? It's always encouraging and refreshing to see a mass body of believers.

Some do. I'd encourage renting a facility to meet as a corporate body at least once a quarter. These meetings could be like a revival weekends with speakers from the fellowship speaking Friday night, Saturday morning, Saturday Evening, and Sunday Morning. House churches could then resume meeting in their designated homes Sunday night.

This way house churches will ever loose sight of the larger body of Christ.

[Aquila]

A powerful poem I found:

The Church and The World

The Church and the world walked far apart
On the changing shores of time:
The world was singing a giddy song,
And the Church a hymn sublime.
“Come, give me your hand”, cried the merry world,
“And walk with me this way.”
But the good Church hid her snowy hand,
And solemnly answered “Nay!”

“Nay, walk with me but a little space”,
Said the world with a kindly air,
“The road I walk is a pleasant road,
And the sun shines always there.
“My path, you see, is a broad, fair path,
And my gate is high and wide;
“There is room enough for you and for me
To travel side by side”,

Half-shyly the Church approached the world
And gave him her hand of snow;
The old world grasped it and walked along,
Saying in accents low:

“Your dress is too simple to suit my taste;
I will give you pearls to wear;
“Rich velvet and silk for your graceful form
And diamonds to deck your hair.”
The church looked down on her plain, white robes
And then at the dazzling world,
And blushed as she saw his handsome lip
With a smile contemptuous curled.
“I will change my dress for a costlier one”,
Said the Church with a smile of grace;
Then her pure white garments drifted away,
And the world gave her in place
Beautiful satins and shining silks,
And roses, and gems and pearls;
And over her forehead her bright hair fell,
Crisped in a thousand curls.

“Your house is too plain”, said the proud old world,
“I’ll build you one like mine;
Carpets of Brussels and curtains of lace,
And furniture ever so fine.
And he bought her a costly and beautiful home;
Splendid it was to behold;
Her sons and her beautiful daughters dwelt there,
Gleaming in purple and gold.
And fairs and shows in the halls were held,
And the world and his children were there;
And laughter and music and feasts were heard
In the place that was meant for prayer.
The Angel of Mercy flew over the Church,
And whispered, “I know thy sin.”
The Church looked back with a sigh
And longed to gather her children in.

“Your preachers are all too old and plain”,
Said the gay old world with a sneer.
“They frighten my children with dreadful tales
Which I like not for them to hear.
“They talk of brimstone and fire and pain,
And the horrors of endless night;
“They talk of a place that should never at all
Be mentioned in ears polite.
“I shall send you some of the better stamp,
Brilliant and gay and fast,
“Who will tell them that people may live as they list,
And go to heaven at last.”

“The sons of the world and the sons of the church walked closely,
Hand and heart,
And only the Master Who knoweth all
Could tell the two apart.
Then the church sat down at her ease and said,
“I am rich and in goods increased;
“I have need of nothing, have nought to do
But to laugh and dance and feast.”
The sly world heard her and laughed in his sleeve,
And mockingly said aside,
“The church is fallen, the beautiful church,
And her shame is her boast and pride.”