why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

For those that are ok with church building attendence and congregations larger than house church size, please list reasons.

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

This might sound funny but one reason that comes to mind is parking.

I live in a city that is packed with people and parking is often hard to find nearby let alone in front of the home. Can you imagine haveing 10 people or more parking their once to twice a week? Not only is that an inconveinence you'd have in cases having to cross busy streets and having to walk great distances to get to the house.

Aside from that its been in the news that neighbors complain and the city gets involved and declares such meeting illegal according to zoning laws

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

There have been a couple home cell groups shut down near here because of zoning issues and HOA complaints about people parking.

In fact, one Pastor spent time in jail over it.

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

that may be the one I saw in the news

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

Our church has once a month Men's and Ladies meetings at a home. It is becoming an issue. The home is getting too crowded, and all of the children have to play in the bedrooms during the meeting.

As a child, we had prayer meetings in our home, and all of the kids were in mine and my brother's bedroom. It was a DISASTER afterwards. Toys scattered everywhere, and many broken.

Homes just aren't very practical unless the group is really, really small and plans to stay that way. In my experience.

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

Grow and divide, simple.

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

why do you like church buildings for meetings?

Keeps me dry when it rains.

:thumbsup

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

Another cool thing I like about having a church building is a Nursery

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

It's not always THAT simple. Not everyone has a house they can host weekly prayer meetings for a half dozen or so people. Nor do they always want to. Someone might have to work late, be sick, need to leave town for some reason etc

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

I like music, so I like listening to the worship songs,I like getting my kids involve with activities the church is doing and it helps them with there social skills being around others there age also the adults small groups we get in and study together,as far as the preaching goes I enjoy it as long as it is kept mild mannered and not alot of shouting, and sweating....lol

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

When I was very young my Dad was very ill and bed ridden so we had prayer meetings, singing, worship and bible discussions in our home. Missing was the preached word calling for repentance, etc. however, my Dad did receive the HOLY GHOST so I am thankful for that time. I feel that a church building is more apt to draw a diverse group of people together and produce more growth to the Kingdom of God.

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

these are some of my reasons also.

well said.


I would also add that the church in a church building gives you a wider sense of belonging to something larger and more meaningful. my friendship circle is broader both in the number of people, and in the scope of who we all are.

I attend chuch with people form all economic levels, vary different professional and personal background and the ethinc mix of our church is vastly broader than what we find in our little corner of the world.

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

This past Sunday my Pastor started a new series through the book of the Acts of the Apostles. Thought it was pretty cool that he's giving this series since we've been discussing this at length.

Last night he mentioned house churches, the change from ekklesia to kirche, the effect of 300AD when Christianity became a national religion, and the meaning and purpose of the church - not a building, a people; not a monument, but a movement. We have a greater purpose than just meeting in a building. Wherever we go, we are the church. Our testimony should simply be What did you see? and What did you hear?

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

A church building is simply more practical the majority of the time.

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

Can adults and children be taught the same things at the same level?

I also like that we can baptize people right away instead of traveling to the ocean or a pool.

I like that I always have a place to go to where I can pray alone without interruption.

I like that my church family is not limited to just 10 people, which gives people a larger peer group to fellowship with.

Being hard of hearing even with hearing aids, I like that I can hear what is being preached.

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

I am speaking primarily of life groups, our church encourages everyone to join and attend life group each week. We have services in the building only on Sunday AM and special called services. All sorts of classes and teachings are available on Sunday morning, then assembly & worship at 10:45.

Our small group meets locally each Wednesday evening, this is flexible based on everyone's schedule. I am not an advocate on home church only.

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

I don't care where we but what is going on in the meeting.

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

That doesn't answer the question

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

Goodness, I can think of a whole lot of reasons why I prefer a church structure to a home church......

1) It allows for more growth (and after all, isn't that what we are supposed to do-bring people into the fellowship of believers?!)

2) Since the church can be larger, it allows more opportunity for people to connect with one another and on many different levels. For example, in my church there might be an older lady who I have developed a relationship with and when I need someone to mentor me, she might be who I would talk with. At the same time, because we are large enough to allow it, there might be a younger woman who looks to me when she needs someone to mentor her.

3) Sometimes I have something going on in my life that I don't want the whole church to know about, but want to go to an altar to spend time in prayer. In a small group of only 10-20 people, it is much more likely that everyone is going to know each other on a MUCH more intimate level and so, instead of being to go to God to seek HIS answers, people will tend to want to give advice to one another even if you have not sought out that advice :)

4) A larger church would allow for many more different opportunities for ministry. It might not be my gift to do music, but it is someone else's. But my gift might be organizing a free clothing give-away to reach out to the needy. That might not be your gift, but your gift might be teaching,..... you get the picture.

5) I wanted my kids involved in a strong support group thru church when they were in school so that when they ran up against something tempting them, they could lean on their friends in the school building to help support them. In a small group, you might only have one or two youth. That's not alot of support.

That's 5 of the reasons I like the church building and prefer a church of at least 60-100 people. There are many more reasons.

But having said that, I also have to tell you that one of the things I really love at our church are the small groups. We come together on Sunday mornings as a whole. And we all do different ministries as a whole (missions work both local and foreign, youth activities, etc.). But we also have some very powerful small groups that meet weekly. Our Tuesday Ladies' Bible Study is one of them. We have about 15 of us and we are a very tightly knit group, but we are always open to new people joining us. In fact, we just had 4 or 5 more join us 2 weeks ago when we started our newest study on the book of Nehemiah :) Tuesday is my favorite night of the week :)

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

The house church in Acts 2 had 3000 converts in one day.

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

I like going to the biggest and nicest church in town, where the members dress the best and drive the nicest cars and live in the biggest houses.

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

That was more like a "street revival" than a house church. ;)


Do you really think the majority of Christians think like this? I really don't believe they do.

didn't you know that they all fit in a house???

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

Must have been a mighty big upper room, then...much like a large church building. :heeheehee

LOL!!!

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

Ya, a really small house with the words Police Box on the outside. It was MUCH bigger on the inside!

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

I dunno. We're pretty prideful bunch.

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

Some people take pride in going against the mainstream, tradition, and going to house church in casual clothes. Js. People who are proud can be prideful in anything; it's an individual attitude thing, not a religious thing.

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

:highfive

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

Really? It was a house church before it even began?

You sure?

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

My thoughts exactly! If a building where people are meeting, whether it be a church or a home has become too small for the group meeting... it can divide and the work of the Lord can continue to grow. WE are not to be building an earthly kingdom, but the Kingdom of God which is meant to multiply and divide.

Keeping it real, and keeping it simple is how to really advance the kingdom of God...

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

I find no scripture which teaches the church 'began' with the 3000 converts on Pentecost.

Sorry!

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

First mention of church after the outpouring of the Holy Ghost in the upper room is Acts 2:47:

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

I meant on that day, the day of Pentecost. How do you have it beginning as a house church?

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

Was there no 'church in the wilderness'?

What is the 'church'? It is the congregation, the ekklesia, the qahal, of the Lord.

Been around at least since Sinai, and I believe it wouldn't be unscriptural to say it goes back to Abraham, at least. Possibly Noah, and possibly all the way back to the days of Seth...

But I do not know of any scripture which teaches the church came into existence on the day of Pentecost.

If anything, that was the day the church was baptised with the Holy Spirit, completing it's transition into the New Covenant.

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

What in the world are you talking about? I didn't say anything about anything 'beginning'.

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

I ask again. How do you have the church at that point in time being a "The House Church"?

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

????

The church was a house church, they met in a house -

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

Seems pretty obvious to me, Prax.

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

The word "house" could be used in a generic sense for any kind of building, even the Temple.

Here is the thing, whatever kind of building it was, it held at least 120 people not to mention the possibility those unbelieving Jews that confronted Peter. That is a very large room.

They were all sitting in that room when this happened

Act 2:2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.

Then when those unbelievers spoke up about this event the Apostles all stood up to represent the new faith

Act 2:14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.

It also had to be located where all those visiting Jews, there for the day of Pentecost celebration, could hear of this event

Re: why do you like church buildings for meetings?
 

BTW this goes to a point I tried to make earlier. Some buildings, maybe even homes, were used as "halls" for guests to meet in, hold weddings, eat passover...it's akin to someone renting out a place to hold meetings