House churches/Organic church, your opinion?

[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.

[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.