House Churches: What are your thoughts?

[lad]

What if the group starts to outgrow your home? I know the answer most likely to come is..... start another one! But what if they are happy where they are at?

Just a side note: I know from experience in dealing with people in our church, some can only tolerate other children running around and playing in their homes just so long.

We do have what we call "Vineyards" in our church - our city is divided into quadrants and those that live in the area ("Vineyard") take responsibility for their vineyard or area of the city. Some Vineyards have been very successful and have grown very close -- They love the close fellowship and look forward to being together. Some of the Vineyards can't seem to get it together on a consistent basis - and wonder what they are doing "wrong".... sounds kind of like some of the churches I seen - just on a smaller scale?!?!?

I think what most of the "church" world is looking for is a place to go for fellowship and learning that is safe and godly. A "community" - for lack of a better word - where we can play together, laugh together, eat together, learn together, worship together, marry, raise children, befriend one another, cry together and sometimes just talk... (my husband mentioned this in passing awhile back and a few days later got a call from some of the young men in our church -- they were at the annex having coffee and just talking.... they invited him (if he had the time).... He said that they really enjoyed it.

We need to get our focus off of "cathedrals" and create "safe havens" for our children and "the lost".... not so much focus on the sanctuary and "church" services, but on a facility that is conducive to the things mentioned above. I do agree that the HOME was first instituted by God and as families from strong homes come together they create a stronger "church" family/community where our children can find good friends, fellowship and someday a godly spouse.