House churches vs Traditional - Page 4

Sept5SavedTeen · #31 05-20-2008, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rico

You're good at spitting out what's wrong. Let's hear what you have to say about some solutions. Exactly how would Alex go about it?

If you're an active part of an assembly, why not start by inviting some people over, and keep inviting them over and be consistent. Have good food, but make the gathering more than just that. Sing before the meal, pray, have communion, while you all eat, get a Bible discussion going, pose a question, answer others questions, discuss what you've read lately in the Bible. Invest yourself in the people that are apart of your house church. Maybe have another family, who has been in the church for a while help you, maybe have another family or a small group of new believers come, they'll appreciate the fellowship you give them, and they'll get to see apostolic Christianity in practice. Grow together as a group, and see what the LORD will do!

GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex

Rico · #32 05-20-2008, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sept5SavedTeen

If you're an active part of an assembly, why not start by inviting some people over, and keep inviting them over and be consistent. Have good food, but make the gathering more than just that. Sing before the meal, pray, have communion, while you all eat, get a Bible discussion going, pose a question, answer others questions, discuss what you've read lately in the Bible. Invest yourself in the people that are apart of your house church. Maybe have another family, who has been in the church for a while help you, maybe have another family or a small group of new believers come, they'll appreciate the fellowship you give them, and they'll get to see apostolic Christianity in practice. Grow together as a group, and see what the LORD will do!

GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex

You can do all that without leaving the church building. That's what the fellowship hall is for.

Sept5SavedTeen · #33 05-20-2008, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rico

You can do all that without leaving the church building. That's what the fellowship hall is for.

If an assembly does this sort of thing on a weekly basis- great! And I'm not a house OR traditional church person, I'm a house AND traditional church person. But there is something to be said for meeting in small groups, mentoring people, and having that intimacy that you can't get in an assembly of 30, 70, 100 or 1000. I personally like groups of 10-15, this makes everyone an active participant. If you can do this sort of thing in a larger group, then great, but as someone who's part of a house church that sometimes even gets to be at 20 or so, if other people tag along, the intimacy is lost in that setting. My pastor has considered expanding his kitchen for a greater dinner table for house church, but everyone agrees that the answer is not to add more people, but to pray that other house churches get started so that the house church experience is not lost.

GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex

Rico · #34 05-20-2008, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sept5SavedTeen

If an assembly does this sort of thing on a weekly basis- great! And I'm not a house OR traditional church person, I'm a house AND traditional church person. But there is something to be said for meeting in small groups, mentoring people, and having that intimacy that you can't get in an assembly of 30, 70, 100 or 1000. I personally like groups of 10-15, this makes everyone an active participant. If you can do this sort of thing in a larger group, then great, but as someone who's part of a house church that sometimes even gets to be at 20 or so, if other people tag along, the intimacy is lost in that setting. My pastor has considered expanding his kitchen for a greater dinner table for house church, but everyone agrees that the answer is not to add more people, but to pray that other house churches get started so that the house church experience is not lost.

GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex

I am very much in favor of cell groups, house churches, weekly meetings in the fellowship hall; anything that works towards edifying and empowering God's people.

Rico · #35 05-20-2008, 04:28 PM

Some ideas I have been tossing around this afternoon:

Sing a few songs

Pray for each other

Find some good Bible studies at the Christian bookstore for discussion

Watch some good preaching from online sources

Pick a local charity to support, maybe a food bank or something

What do you guys think? I have a family in mind who might be interested in doing this house church thing. What other ideas do y'all think might help to make it interesting?

Sept5SavedTeen · #36 05-20-2008, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rico

Some ideas I have been tossing around this afternoon:

Sing a few songs

Pray for each other

Find some good Bible studies at the Christian bookstore for discussion

Watch some good preaching from online sources

Pick a local charity to support, maybe a food bank or something

What do you guys think? I have a family in mind who might be interested in doing this house church thing. What other ideas do y'all think might help to make it interesting?

GREAT! We don't watch online sermons, but if it would work for you all, then that could be a good idea. And if I could put in another idea... communion- try it! If you do it reverently, I think it's a great thing to do in a house group setting. We discussed the fact that the apostles has the LORD's Supper during their fellowship dinners, and we see it like a part of saying grace over a meal. Just some suggestions- I'm excited for you and your trying out house church. I would also, HIGHLY recommend gloriouschurch.com, they have a lot of good info there.

GOD BLESS!
Bro. Alex

bethola · #37 05-20-2008, 05:59 PM

We had Home Friendship Groups for several years at our church. In fact, my husband and I were Zone Leaders. But, they just didn't really "catch on" so to speak. We live on the Buckle of the Bible Belt and most people prefer to have church...well...at church!

I DO think that they can be and are more effective in urban areas where people must travel long distances to get to church.

Beth

Scott Hutchinson · #38 05-20-2008, 07:22 PM

I think house churches and meeting in church building are both acceptable.

Scott Hutchinson · #39 05-20-2008, 07:23 PM

I think house churches and meeting in church buildings are both acceptable.

DanielR · #40 05-20-2008, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rico

I have often thought of starting a home group, but I have to be honest with myself. I don't have what it takes to get something like that off the ground.

Don't sell yourself short. I thought that once, until I had a small convention dumped on my lap to take over. (this was never before done in my area so I ended up building the whole works myself) Small as in about 20 attending, but lasting all weekend. I didn't think that I could do it (and I was right, but I had the Lord's help) but it came off great. I'd like to start a home group now, but my problem is my job keeps me away from home to do it.