House Churches

[TakingDominion]

That is all great info. Thanks for replying!

That all sounds wonderful, especially the food

I love fellowshipping with the people of God, no matter the setting.

It makes me think of the churches that are going to the "small groups" format for their midweek service. Small groups are basically a very informal gathering (usually in someone's home) where people get together for the purpose of discussing the word. I think they are trying to capture, in a small way, the intimate setting you have described for fellowship, worship, prayer, etc.

However, I still love Sunday morning and Sunday night church!

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by TakingDominion

That is all great info. Thanks for replying!

That all sounds wonderful, especially the food

I love fellowshipping with the people of God, no matter the setting.

It makes me think of the churches that are going to the "small groups" format for their midweek service. Small groups are basically a very informal gathering (usually in someone's home) where people get together for the purpose of discussing the word. I think they are trying to capture, in a small way, the intimate setting you have described for fellowship, worship, prayer, etc.

However, I still love Sunday morning and Sunday night church!

[CC1]

I attend a 115 year old factory church, not a house church. No food but we do have some decent coffee, tea and hot chocolate available in the foyer.

[peter83]

Originally Posted by TakingDominion

In the interest of Forum unity and brotherly love, I wanted to start a thread that Esaias and Aquilla can agree on...

Seriously though, having never been part of a house church, I have a few questions for the members that have, or currently attend a house church. These questions are not meant to offend or start an argument. This is purely to satisfy my curiosity.

What do you like most about attending house church?

What do you miss about attending a corporate church congregation?

Do house churches have a pastor?

Is there a set schedule of services and order of service?

Do you take up any tithes or offering?

What if your group outgrows its current house location?

1 It is a wonderful thing see how your house can be a bless for many people.If you open your house for meetings sure you will be blessed.
2 Many responsibilities . You have to give your place for meetings or search every time a house.Also what happen if the church has many members? How big is that house?But the good thing is that , you will not have to think of money to rent a place!
3 I think if a house is church, then yes has to have all what a church has.
4 I think the church has to plan specific times for meetings and yes every church has their order. I know churches that some times they change the worship and the preaching depend of what they fill the Spirit wants to be in that day.
5 I think house churches today start because of economic difficulties that restrict the church,so in order to avoid this they find the cheapest method for meetings.When we meet in houses yes we take offerings.
6 Yes i think you have to think of a "big place" so you go back to regular church solution or you ask a member to offer his house too. So with that principle you must always open new churches and always make disciples in order to be leaders too.
I know a movement that is growing in this manner. Although i am not a part of them.https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...dro0Kt_6wM0kv_

[Michael The Disciple]

I agree with much that has been said about house Churches here. In the early days of this movement in the modern times it was the "Jesus Movement" of the 1960's and 70's that made good use of the house Church.

I was part of one such group form 1975-1977. Our emphasis in those days was street evangelism. We would take to streets on weekends (usually after dark) and search the streets of Dayton Ohio for sinners.

We went to the streets, the airport, bowling alleys, stores football games and bars. Practically anywhere you might find people! This made for quite a dynamic when when we would return from off the streets.

We all would bring back testimonies what had happened while we were out. We baptized some, prayed for some to receive the Holy Spirit baptism. We prayed for the sick right out on the streets.

We became a very close knit group in those days. We spent time at each others homes fellowshipping and discussing doctrine. At one point we rented a building close to downtown. From there sinners would come in off the street asking about Jesus. Yet we still went on the streets as I recall even at 10 degrees!

How sad I was when our leader left the group and the fellowship scattered in different directions. So in summation I agree with much that has been said in this thread already, just adding to it the joy of evangelism.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by peter83

1 It is a wonderful thing see how your house can be a bless for many people.If you open your house for meetings sure you will be blessed.
2 Many responsibilities . You have to give your place for meetings or search every time a house.Also what happen if the church has many members? How big is that house?But the good thing is that , you will not have to think of money to rent a place!
3 I think if a house is church, then yes has to have all what a church has.
4 I think the church has to plan specific times for meetings and yes every church has their order. I know churches that some times they change the worship and the preaching depend of what they fill the Spirit wants to be in that day.
5 I think house churches today start because of economic difficulties that restrict the church,so in order to avoid this they find the cheapest method for meetings.When we meet in houses yes we take offerings.
6 Yes i think you have to think of a "big place" so you go back to regular church solution or you ask a member to offer his house too. So with that principle you must always open new churches and always make disciples in order to be leaders too.
I know a movement that is growing in this manner. Although i am not a part of them.https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...dro0Kt_6wM0kv_

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

I agree with much that has been said about house Churches here. In the early days of this movement in the modern times it was the "Jesus Movement" of the 1960's and 70's that made good use of the house Church.

I was part of one such group form 1975-1977. Our emphasis in those days was street evangelism. We would take to streets on weekends (usually after dark) and search the streets of Dayton Ohio for sinners.

We went to the streets, the airport, bowling alleys, stores football games and bars. Practically anywhere you might find people! This made for quite a dynamic when when we would return from off the streets.

We all would bring back testimonies what had happened while we were out. We baptized some, prayed for some to receive the Holy Spirit baptism. We prayed for the sick right out on the streets.

We became a very close knit group in those days. We spent time at each others homes fellowshipping and discussing doctrine. At one point we rented a building close to downtown. From there sinners would come in off the street asking about Jesus. Yet we still went on the streets as I recall even at 10 degrees!

How sad I was when our leader left the group and the fellowship scattered in different directions. So in summation I agree with much that has been said in this thread already, just adding to it the joy of evangelism.

[Aquila]

I had an interesting experience this weekend. We opted out of doing "trick-or-treating" this year. Instead, I took the kids to a "Trunk-or-Treat" at a rather large church right outside Vandalia, Ohio. This church was enormous. My son, Noah (11 years old), really enjoyed himself. But as things were winding down he said, "Dad, what is this place?" Is it a school? I laughed and said, "Noah, it's a church." He said, "No way!" I had to convince him it was a church. I asked him why he was so convinced that it wasn't a church, and he said, "It just feels so big. I could get lost." I explained that there are so many different kinds of churches in the world and that when he grows up he can choose what suits him best. But I began really reflecting on what he said, "It's just feels so big. I could get lost." I remember attending a growing Apostolic church of over 700. I remember what it felt like to attend church and feel "lost" in the crowd. I remember what it was like to suddenly notice that you hadn't seen a family, or two, in a while and when you ask about the you hear how they've not been attending or backslid weeks ago. As I reflected upon this, I found myself being rather thankful for my house church.