Lets talk about House Churches
 

This video moved me deeply.

http://vimeo.com/4678782

Who here participated in a house church?

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

We have home groups which basically operate like a house church in this video. It is a GREAT way to develop community among church members. I like Ralph Neighbor's way of looking at it when he says we can't get what we get in a large setting in a small setting and vise versa. He states that it is like two wings of a bird and with only one wing, you go in circles. I know there are others who have a different view of home/house meetings but I've found that they both work very well together.

It strikes me that at least some in the video came from mainline churches and I can see where they would think "pentecostal/spirit filled" like home group would be light years from where they were in their buildings.

It is just normal for us to do what they apparently think is so radical. I guess it is a matter of perspective. :D

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

There's a group that meets at my place. They bring food over at unannounced intervals and generally act like they care very deeply about whatever it is that they're saying. It's hard to tell exactly. They mumble terribly and speak in low tones punctuated with the occasional "Halleluiah," "Amen!" or "Praise the Lord!"

That, and my mind does wander afar when I can't make out what's being said. I could be an explorer in the Himalayas or Captain of a small sailing rig in the South Polar Sea, and someone else is going on about granny's bloomers being a "bifurcated garment."

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

That is a pretty good video. I enjoyed it.

One of the key elements that is often missed was mentioned in the first few minutes... house church is moving from the ordained to the ordinary.

People often view house church and cell groups as similar but they are vastly different in so many ways.

House church also isn't what you do until you can get enough people to rent a storefront either. House church is a group that sees where they are right now as all they ever plan on being as far as meeting circumstances go. There is not interest nor desire for a large congregation. The groups will multiply time and time again but this is what they want... this is where they want to be.

I look forward to the conversation.

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

Is house church done instead of or along with "church" church?

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

Instead of.

Cell church is done along with.

Of course due to the non competitive nature of house church, meaning that people feel free to move among groups, people might also feel free to visit "church" churches as well. That would be up to them.

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

Aren't cell churches used to grow some mega churches and substitute for sunday Night worship?

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

I believe that House Churching is the ideal model for the future. There is no way we can build enough buildings or programs for the billions of lost souls in our world. House Churcing allows us to take the church into the trenches. It allows a church to form, grow, and multiply where ever one has a roof and a Bible. House churches spread like wild fire in poor and persecuted countries. If we had a passion we could bring a mighty revival to the United States and I believe this church model would be a wonderful tool in that revival.

Not to mention... it's biblical.

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

As far as the substitution for Sunday Night Worship... that would differ from church to church.

But, IMO, the majority of the time cell churches are an effort on the part of "church" churches to react to and incorporate the house church movement while still maintaining the "church" church model.

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

Indeed. Father knows best. :)

I believe that America and the industrialized world at large has peaked as far as the effectiveness of the popular church model. People don't trust the model anymore. The time for the return of house church is, indeed, upon us.

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

It depends. There are advantages for both large gatherings and small gatherings. It seems like many successful churches on the Outreach Magazine 100 list use similar models of small group ministry. Here are two books that I read recently from 2 of the top growing churches in the nation that really made me think about how to do small and large together

Deliberate Simplicity: How the Church Does More by Doing Less
http://www.amazon.com/Deliberate-Sim...3&sr=8-1-spell

Sticky Church
http://www.amazon.com/Sticky-Church-...7169939&sr=1-1

Both authors have super huge churches with a very strong small group culture. Larry Osborne in Sticky Church says their actual cell attendance is like 80% of membership. I've been to his church in North San Diego... they run about 7000 in multiple services.

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

Friends,

Home Churches are not new. As a new convert to Christ in 1974 I was introduced to the concept. Matter of fact I have been in Home Churches far more than "meet in building" type Church. In those days it was considered Biblical Restoration among the Jesus People and Charismatic movement where I got started.

I dont think House Church is the answer to all problems. It is an excellent way to have closer fellowship. You do get some of the same kinds of problems you do in building type Churches.

Home meetings have taken on dramatic new possibilities in this internet generation.

We presently are using the Paltalk.com program for home Church.

While we are at home we connect with people around the nation and even the world! We can have audio communication with each other and even see each other for the cost of a web cam.

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

Just something I was pondering.... I know that 'internet church' will probably become much more popular in the years to come.... and will be the object of much ridicule.

I wonder what Jesus thinks of it? Does it fulfill the command to 'assemble'?

I think there is a lot of good potential there.... great for people who are in really remote locations. Sis. Alvear has shown us that even the remote areas of Brazil have internet stations. So a LOT of people could be reached at extremely little expense.

It could also really help people who have a hard time finding a local church who interpret the scriptures the same way they do.

What are the negatives? You would, of course, still need to reach out to your local community. Personal contact is the backbone of Christianity. But if your 'church' was conducted via internet, would you be violating some portion of scripture?

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

I don't think one would be violating any portion of scripture... but I do think it wouldn't fulfill the purpose of church... which is meant to be intimate fellowship.

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

I think that internet church falls short of the blessing of face to face fellowship. There will certainly be instances where internet church will simply offer opportunities not available otherwise and for those situations we should rejoice.

But, for myself, if I have an opportunity to see, greet and fellowship with my brethren face to face then it is certainly my preference.

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

Agreed.

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

Well, everyone could turn on their webcams. :D

I agree, it's far from ideal. But I do think it will afford opportunities to evangelize remote areas.

And once those people are saved, and they begin to evangelize their communities, then it begins to really fulfill the great commission.

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

There are some people that JUST will not go to church - if they can view a service online and feel God I see nothing wrong with that. It could be a tool to "get the to church"!

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

Much depends on how we define "Church". How about this definition?

15: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 1 Tim. 3:15-16

If Church is the "pillar and ground of the truth" that brings us to the conclusion that a great number of groups that meet in buildings may NOT qualify as a Church.

As to personal contact I can assure you I have closer more intimate fellowship with those I gather online at Paltalk.com with than if I were attending a local group whom I felt were upholding doctrinal error.

I learned long ago that membership in a group you have strong issues with is a dead end street. If you dare to speak any of your disagreements with them you are an "Absalom".

When you challenge things such as why they teach against beards or why its a sin for a female to trim their hair you are being "rebellious".

One would hardly DARE to question big important doctrines like the pre trib rapture or the resurrection of the dead or Biblical perfection. You are seen as nothing but a trouble maker.

So here is a Biblical alternative! Meet in your home with whoever will meet with you. Then you can put THAT MEETING online in a situation where you can audibly speak to each other and even SEE each other.

It works much better for me than to go to a local Church and check my mind and my beliefs at the door as I enter.

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

Interesting thoughts, Michael.

I do know that doctrinal discussions can get much deeper online than they generally do 'in person'. My beliefs have been challenged more, and I've had to dig deeper into the Word to see if it supports my belief, since I've been on AFF than at any point previous in my lifetime of church attendance.

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

Absolutely.

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

(Now I'm doing a Pel and responding to my own post. ;) )

At church when the preacher preaches, you feel pretty uncomfortable if you disagree. If he says something, and in your head you're thinking - 'I don't think that's right. No, that scripture does not mean that.' - it can make you feel like you're being rebellious.

Someone told me that they feel like they shouldn't even bother to study things out for themselves, because they will think something means one thing, and then the preacher will get up and say it means something else. So they just figure - why bother? Just let the preacher figure it out and tell me. The preacher's right, and you're wrong (if you disagree) is pretty much the prevalent attitude in a lot of churches.

But online..... our position doesn't matter. The Word does. If ManofWord (who is pastor) says the Bible says something... if it doesn't say that, about five people will immediately point it out. (not saying he does that, just using him for example, sorry MOW ;) ) It truly is iron sharpening iron. I'm very careful when I post that the Bible says something, because I know it had better say it, or I'm going to get called on it. And I think that's GREAT.

This seems to be something that is really missing in our current church structure. I wonder if it will be more successful in a home group setting?

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

"behave in the house of God". Is that not referring to a particular place or gathering?

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

I have commented that this is a good video.

I was wrong.

This is a great video. I had not seen it all the way through until just now and, as Apocrypha said, it moved me deeply.

It moved me to tears. Thanks for sharing this video Apocrypha. I have forwarded it on to many in an email.

I would like to say that, for myself, house church calls to me like nothing else has. My wife and others have told me time and time again that I would make a great pastor at a church. I have considered it and have even preached for several months at a church considering making a move in that direction. But I can't shake the knowledge that there is no escaping the nature of the beast.

House church is the only model that I know of that will not eventually force you into the same road that the other churches go down. You will eventually get a store front. This will cause bills. You will eventually buy land and build a building. This causes more bills. You will eventually be worried about offerings and money. You will eventually have to push for that big offering not even realizing that you have already spent away money that could have ministered to the needs of the people.

There is no escaping it no matter how good your intentions are and no matter how honorable a person you are. It is the nature of the beast and you can't fight it. You can only choose to not join with it.

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

Well yes I think so. Dont get me wrong. I think its preferable to meet with as many believers as possible in the right context. When Paul spoke of gathering together he meant the New Testament Church that was founded on the apostles doctrine.

Churches of today IMO do not compare with the ones in the first century. If we just look at "Apostolic Churches" for example. If Oneness and Acts 2:38 were the only teachings of note they would be fine.

In other areas they teach as much error as other groups. So altho I do think there should be a local gathering to me that truth is not bigger than the truth of contending for the faith once delivered to the saints.

So to me to have a house Church just to be different makes no sense. To have house Church when your doctrine is the same as a larger Church nearby makes no sense.

Paul said altho his body was not there that he was indeed present with the saints who were far away from him.

5: For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. Col. 2:5

Isnt that much like meeting over the net?

Here is an example.

There is no Apostolic Oneness Church in your area. Only Baptist, Lutheran, Anglican and Methodist. You hear that you could meet online from your home with a Oneness group on Paltalk.

What would a Oneness Pentecostal do?

Could your online meeting "in spirit" be the house of God?

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

It's according to WHO's home you are in!

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

Who fills the office of bishop in a house church?

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I am somewhat ignorant, but it seems to me that in Acts 2:46, house "church" was done in addition to temple attendance, not instead of.

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

There would be multiple bishops as there come those available who fulfill the biblical requirements for being one.

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

(After re-reading my post I want to state from the start that I am simply posing questions. Reading my post the questions seem a little confrontational and pushy... I don't mean them to be that way. I am simply posing a few questions.)

Is it your opinion that the Christian church attended temples to worship?

Do you feel that the jews were allowing Christian church services to go on in them and were allowing people to worship Jesus in the synagogues & temples?

I think that they were going to the synagogues & temples quite often but these trips were in outreach. This is why they kept throwing them in jail for preaching Jesus in the synagogues and when they released them they told them.... I'm going to let you go but don't go preaching Jesus in the temples anymore...

After which they made a bee line to the temple and started preaching Jesus again.

They certainly did attend the synagogues & temples but I don't see any biblical reason to feel that this was where they held Christian services that recognized Jesus Christ as the Messiah. The recognition of Jesus as the son of God was what got Jesus hung on the cross in the first place.

I don't see the jews then turning around and allowing services perpetuating this same doctrine to be held in the temples & synagogues.

They certainly went to the temples & synagogues regularly... but they were attempting to reach the jews who had not yet received Jesus as their messiah.

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

I know that for a while I was involved in a home church is was one of the sweetest, closest times I have ever had with others. We truly shared each other's burdens up close and personal.

It was a very special time.

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

When my church has something that involves small group, and there is participation from everyone, it feels so much more vibrant and real. Sitting in a church service, you can sometimes feel so detached.

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

Yes.

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

I just listened to the link - - it's good and they are right.

I was attending a home meeting when I lost my job. I asked for support and prayer with my friends in the home meeting. Immediately, one of the ladies asked me to send her my resume the next day. I did, and her boss called me the next day and hired me on the spot. I have been at this job now for 16 years. I started out making $6K more than the job I lost.

I believe in home meetings!

Could this have happend in a big church - of course, it could have. But, this intimate setting helped it happen much quicker!

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

I think the difference is the onus is on YOU! There's no program, there's no just sitting back and letting someone else do it all - - YOU participate, YOU WANT to be a part of it because of the intimate setting.

Sometimes in church you get too busy "doing church" that you aren't having church, and it's easy to just sit back and let others do the work.

Everyone is involved in home meetings - you look forward to sharing, you find out your strengths can be used - encouragement, prayer, sharing a thought of something you've gone through to help someone, helping them personally, etc. It's a challenge.

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

Same here. Have U seen this one yet? Good and informitive:thumbsup http://vimeo.com/4521963


The phrase "God trying to get back his church", has had my attention for a time now. 2 years ago, I had a good friend tell me of the vision he had recently had while driving down the road, meditating. He said that he "pictured"(or however he worded it) God handing like a toy church building to a particular pastor, letting him hold it for a brief time, and then he felt God kinda like reached out as if to ask for it back. The Pastor handed it to him, but then would not let go of it. My friend said he felt God look at him, as if to say "See", (he wouldnt let go)." Bear in mind my friend, strongly believes in the 5 fold ministry. Maybe, his vision was real, maybe it was his mind working overtime. Either way, I have not forgotten it.

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

Thats the same video we were originally talking about :)

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

This one is "Tidal Wave".

The one you 1st posted is "When you come together"


2 different videos. Same ideas.

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

Oh sorry :)

Ya they are both by www.house2house.net

Re: Lets talk about House Churches
 

I am not a proponent of huge churches, but the closeness some of you have described in "house church" can still, and must be, nourished in small churches. As pastor of a small church (70-100), I used to think it must be nice to pastor a huge one. Now, I think once a church reaches a certain size (not always the same size!) they should start another work in a nearby location.