House churches/Organic church, your opinion? - Page 10

Aquila · #91 10-26-2011, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nitehawk013

Most churches I see don't do testiomony service at all. Afraid that Bro or Sis So-and-so will getthe floor and say something ignorant. We had one thank god he found a full case of beer. Then there are always those who are incapable fo jsut getting to the point and want to give a 20 minute sob story of how bad their life is, but they than kGod that they know He will take care of them.

I don't see this as a problem to be avoided, I see it as a symptom of a more serious issue.

Let me ask a question...

Are these people being properly discipled?

Jesus didn't call us to go out and make "members" of a church to sit on a pew, listen to a sermon, and give their money to us. Jesus called us to go and make "disciples". If a person would say some of the things like what you're saying above, I think they are not being properly discipled. Sure, new converts might say something that's off. You'll get that in a house church or any setting. But someone who has known the Lord for a month or more should know better and have a growing and biblical foundation for their faith.

Part of the problem is... a lot of these people have never been allowed to speak or to address the congregation. They don't know or understand that they are there to edify.

Aquila · #92 10-26-2011, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

You had a rare opportunity, Jay. Normally, they do not ask other people questions about bible. It has been my experience that they do all the bible discussion...to you and me.

They are really great people though.

They meet in homes and they do have a church hierarchy within. They have district elders who choose which person goes where.
Women may become workers. But the odd thing is that couples may not become workers. Their doctrine is that when Jesus sent the disciples out "two by two" to the cities. So...they send either two men or two women out to the cities two by two. Often there are not enough workers to come to every home church, so the married men may lead the bible study or the meeting in the home.

That's weird to me. Our house church network is rather free style.

Aquila · #93 10-26-2011, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

For the record Aquila, i don't think your reallly nots, actually think you make valid points.

Thank you!

But for the record... I am nuts. lol

Aquila · #94 10-26-2011, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ferd

I am for church. Any kind of church. Big building church with lots of people. Small building church with some people. house church with who ever you can get with.

What I am for is not forsaking getting together with believers. Its kind of biblical.

The setting is unemportant.

What i am not for is using the idea of "house church" to forsake getting together regularly with like minded christians and worshipping God.

I am also against a person going to a big church so they can get lost in the crowd and not have to "plug in". Better they go to a house church where they are involved and part of the group.

setting is not important. Outcome of the event however is vital.

Excellent points! However, I have one issue that few consider...

With regards to church gatherings Paul writes the following in I Corinthians 14...

I Corinthians 14:26-40 (ESV)
26What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. 27If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. 29Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. 31For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, 32and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.

As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. 35If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.

36Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. 38If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But all things should be done decently and in order.

While I'm sure that there is less political fallout for saying that one supports any form of church... Paul tells us in his first letter to the Corinthians how a gathering should be conducted. Paul goes on to tell us that these things are a "command of the Lord". Frankly, and I mean this very lovingly, if a "form of church" doesn't facilitate the "body ministry" that the Lord commands... it's not a biblical meeting. This is why house churchers are often very leery of one man Sunday Shows. Sure, larger celebratory gatherings for teaching and worship are fine. But the REAL fellowship that fulfills the Bible mandate of discipling and developing believers can only take place in smaller meetings where these believers are active participants and not spectators.

Aquila · #95 10-26-2011, 11:27 AM

I think another issue with the instutional church model is mentioned by John:

3 John 1:9-10
English Standard Version (ESV)
9I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.

The "one man show" of the institutional model often lends itself to this spirit. Who hasn't experienced this or at least seen or heard about it? Even good and powerful men of God that I know, love, and respect have fallen prey to this spirit on occasion.

ThePastorsCoach · #96 10-26-2011, 11:37 AM

I just love you houser's!!

Praxeas · #97 10-26-2011, 11:53 AM

Personally I don't want to be in a church where the Pastor get's wisked away after he speaks by Limo and never talks to you personally, prays for you personally....

ThePastorsCoach · #98 10-26-2011, 11:57 AM

Are you house church people denominal or non denominal or nominal or normal or well, ever how you say it!

Digging4Truth · #99 10-26-2011, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtlantaBishop

Are you house church people denominal or non denominal or nominal or normal or well, ever how you say it!

We'll have to get back with you on that one. We've just recently found out that we've been relegated to "Housers" & "House Church People".

We have to deal with these things one at a time.

Being spoken to down ones nose is a real boom for the "Housers"

ThePastorsCoach · #**100** 10-26-2011, 01:43 PM

I am thinking of finding a hmmmm, welll, uhhhh a house that people call a church or something and wondering if houser's wear house shoes when they are in one of those things? Would someone let me know if I need to wear HOUSE shoes or regular shoes to one of these house meetings. Should I ask what they will be serving afterward? How do you have room to shout and run in a little ole house?