House churches/Organic church, your opinion?

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Nitehawk013

This town is only about 15 minutes from our church via the highway. I am of the opinion we ought to "go" and take the gospel to other cities rather than expect everyone to come to us though. My Pastor would disagree. He wants me to go there and then work on bringing the people back here. If I go with the backing of our church, I would feel obligated to do just that. If i go on my own, I am not looking forward to feeling like an outsider to those i have been in church with for 17 years. I am praying about what steps to take next. God will show the right path to take.

There is no surer path than that my friend.

[Nitehawk013]

I have considered that as well.

I have a hang up in that however. It may be petty of me, but I REALLY have an issue with tithing doctrine. My Pastor is a diehard "You'll go to hell if you don't tithe" type. I disagree with that whole heartedly.

So how can I go and try to win souls and then introduce thwem to a church that will then tell them they will go to hell if they don't hand over 10%+ of thier income? I'm not sure I can do it.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Nitehawk013

I have considered that as well.

I have a hang up in that however. It may be petty of me, but I REALLY have an issue with tithing doctrine. My Pastor is a diehard "You'll go to hell if you don't tithe" type. I disagree with that whole heartedly.

So how can I go and try to win souls and then introduce thwem to a church that will then tell them they will go to hell if they don't hand over 10%+ of thier income? I'm not sure I can do it.

Well... it sounds a bit complicated for you. You have to be true to your convictions. You might want to go "independent" focusing on "family church" for a while with your family. Read the materials I suggested. They can help you.

Remember, your salvation isn't predicated upon attending a building. It's predicated upon your union with Christ through the Holy Ghost. Be an "incarnation of Christ" (for lack of a better term). Christ desires you to be one with Him, an extention of Himself. You are a son. Walk in that authority and understanding. You'll need your family to believe in the vision God's given you 100%. If they don't, they'll suffer in the transition and you'll become very frustrated... and spiritual damage with all parties could result. You might want to "frequent" a local assembly once a week to keep a "fresh perspective". Don't get rooted there if you don't intend on staying. Me and a friend of mine essentially have a metro-church where I work. A simple gathering of a handful of believers that meet during lunch when we can to encourage, share scripture, and pray for one another. It's nice. So you can start at work, in a coffee shop, etc.... and invite people to your home. Remember... FOOD is a central piece in house church fellowship. Always break bread. Often people will come over for dinner and Bible study where they will not attend a church building. But friend... that's a house church. House church isn't a scaled down model of the institutional church. Your goal is to give away leadership... not have it. Build spiritual leaders. It's not a corporation or an organization... it's a "family". The family is the model for house church. Elders are like the elders (fathers and grandfathers) of a family. Those who attend are brothers and sisters. House church isn't to be a manditory "meeting". It's a time of togetherness that's encouraged. Also, your house church doesn't have "members". Use the term differently than the traditional church. You have "brothers and sisters". Let them come and go at will. Many might attend a traditional church somewhere but get their fellowsip needs met in your house church. Encourage their growth in Christ... don't emphasize house church vs. traditional church. Your home is a place of refuge along the path of their spiritual journey... not the end of it. There will therefore be a flow. If a house church begins to get "members" and solidifies with the same faces... it could get real stagnate.

Go in Christ!

[Nitehawk013]

That is the way I look at it already. I would ideally have a house church primarily, with the hopes that down the road someday, if the members of the houses wanted, we could perhaps get a building specifically for our larger gatherings and perhaps a once a week or so "corporate" service that would be more traditional in nature. It would provide a regular connection to the other house members and allow for the "feel" of larger meeting sthat we do all enjoy for the most part. I see the benefit of both styles of church. I liek your hybrid idea that you said you currently attend.

I also feel that if members prefer the traditional church they should be able to go to a traditional church and not feel bad about it. I wish the traditional church leaders wouldn't act like those who prefer house church or small groups are just rebellious or anti-social church haters. We are all the body, and the body should accomodate all types.

I would like to maintain fellowship and friendliness with my home church and other traditional churches in the area. I don't fear proseletizing or "sheep stealing". I don't believe in those terms. They aren't your sheep or my sheep! They are God's sheep! If God leads someone to a traditional church for a season then they should be free to go there and not be shunned by the church they may have moved on from.

The territorialism in the traditional church format makes me kinda sick. If someone feel sit is better for their soul and their family to go elsewhere, evenif it is a house church, then a real man of God wouldn't pitch a fit and act like the new Pastor was stealing somethign from him.

Ok..that was a bit of rambling. My apologies.

[TGBTG]

Originally Posted by Nitehawk013

That is the way I look at it already. I would ideally have a house church primarily, with the hopes that down the road someday, if the members of the houses wanted, we could perhaps get a building specifically for our larger gatherings and perhaps a once a week or so "corporate" service that would be more traditional in nature. It would provide a regular connection to the other house members and allow for the "feel" of larger meeting sthat we do all enjoy for the most part. I see the benefit of both styles of church. I liek your hybrid idea that you said you currently attend.

I also feel that if members prefer the traditional church they should be able to go to a traditional church and not feel bad about it. I wish the traditional church leaders wouldn't act like those who prefer house church or small groups are just rebellious or anti-social church haters. We are all the body, and the body should accomodate all types.

I would like to maintain fellowship and friendliness with my home church and other traditional churches in the area. I don't fear proseletizing or "sheep stealing". I don't believe in those terms. They aren't your sheep or my sheep! They are God's sheep! If God leads someone to a traditional church for a season then they should be free to go there and not be shunned by the church they may have moved on from.

The territorialism in the traditional church format makes me kinda sick. If someone feel sit is better for their soul and their family to go elsewhere, evenif it is a house church, then a real man of God wouldn't pitch a fit and act like the new Pastor was stealing somethign from him.

Ok..that was a bit of rambling. My apologies.

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Nitehawk013

That is the way I look at it already. I would ideally have a house church primarily, with the hopes that down the road someday, if the members of the houses wanted, we could perhaps get a building specifically for our larger gatherings and perhaps a once a week or so "corporate" service that would be more traditional in nature. It would provide a regular connection to the other house members and allow for the "feel" of larger meeting sthat we do all enjoy for the most part. I see the benefit of both styles of church. I liek your hybrid idea that you said you currently attend.

I also feel that if members prefer the traditional church they should be able to go to a traditional church and not feel bad about it. I wish the traditional church leaders wouldn't act like those who prefer house church or small groups are just rebellious or anti-social church haters. We are all the body, and the body should accomodate all types.

I would like to maintain fellowship and friendliness with my home church and other traditional churches in the area. I don't fear proseletizing or "sheep stealing". I don't believe in those terms. They aren't your sheep or my sheep! They are God's sheep! If God leads someone to a traditional church for a season then they should be free to go there and not be shunned by the church they may have moved on from.

The territorialism in the traditional church format makes me kinda sick. If someone feel sit is better for their soul and their family to go elsewhere, evenif it is a house church, then a real man of God wouldn't pitch a fit and act like the new Pastor was stealing somethign from him.

Ok..that was a bit of rambling. My apologies.

Excellent thoughts.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Nitehawk013

That is the way I look at it already. I would ideally have a house church primarily, with the hopes that down the road someday, if the members of the houses wanted, we could perhaps get a building specifically for our larger gatherings and perhaps a once a week or so "corporate" service that would be more traditional in nature. It would provide a regular connection to the other house members and allow for the "feel" of larger meeting sthat we do all enjoy for the most part. I see the benefit of both styles of church. I liek your hybrid idea that you said you currently attend.

I also feel that if members prefer the traditional church they should be able to go to a traditional church and not feel bad about it. I wish the traditional church leaders wouldn't act like those who prefer house church or small groups are just rebellious or anti-social church haters. We are all the body, and the body should accomodate all types.

I would like to maintain fellowship and friendliness with my home church and other traditional churches in the area. I don't fear proseletizing or "sheep stealing". I don't believe in those terms. They aren't your sheep or my sheep! They are God's sheep! If God leads someone to a traditional church for a season then they should be free to go there and not be shunned by the church they may have moved on from.

The territorialism in the traditional church format makes me kinda sick. If someone feel sit is better for their soul and their family to go elsewhere, evenif it is a house church, then a real man of God wouldn't pitch a fit and act like the new Pastor was stealing somethign from him.

Ok..that was a bit of rambling. My apologies.

A can honestly see how you feel and I agree. The reason why so many pastors appear to be territorial is the result of bad theology (sheperding movement) and perhaps a side effect of the institutional system itself... because they need members and money to keep the system alive. Without it... they have to close the door and seek employment elswhere. Sadly, they need our money. And sadly, many good men and women of God are in a trap where they must ask for it or go under. They are essentially slaves to their own system.

As for house churches being accepted... you might want to read Wolfgang Simson's, Houses That Change the World (.pdf copies are free off the net). It outlines how seriously Christians with the house church conviction have been persecuted down through the ages.

[Amanah]

I'm stepping out of bounds here with this thought no doubt, but, I'm betting when people represent a source of income to you, that is where you begin to get very possessive of them, particularly if you have big mortgages on church and home.

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by AtlantaBishop

I LOVE House Churches (gatherings, fellowships, networks meetings, groups, communions, love fests or what ever you call them) because they keep most of the really weird people (that don't believe in Church) away from our church! I highly recommend them to some on this forum! ;-)

House church people do believe in church. I've seen quite a few weirdos in traditional church settings.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Aquila

A can honestly see how you feel and I agree. The reason why so many pastors appear to be territorial is the result of bad theology (sheperding movement) and perhaps a side effect of the institutional system itself... because they need members and money to keep the system alive. Without it... they have to close the door and seek employment elswhere. Sadly, they need our money. And sadly, many good men and women of God are in a trap where they must ask for it or go under. They are essentially slaves to their own system.

As for house churches being accepted... you might want to read Wolfgang Simson's, Houses That Change the World (.pdf copies are free off the net). It outlines how seriously Christians with the house church conviction have been persecuted down through the ages.

Yep...

And I've been involved with a number of home missions works across 3 states. I was never the pastor... I was just often called on to help get such works started. The part that was always so disheartening to me was this...

As SOON as there were enough people to put a load of a monthly rent off we went to a store front. And then as SOON as there were enough people to buy a place and burden them under a mortgage note off we went to a building.

I'm not against anybody who does church the modern way... under my current circumstances I do it myself... but I just don't see where God ever created a system that had to be maintained with monthly monetary flow. The only consistent monetary load there should be on a church is that of ministering to the various members and their needs. Reaching out to one another and helping as we see fit.

Some places have unbelievable monthly outgo and I think it's just a shame.