House Churches: What are your thoughts?

[Ferd]

Chris, I think there are a few folks here on AFF that either are a part of a house church or have been.

Seems to me to be a wonderful experience for many.

[Ferd]

Originally Posted by keith4him

I have much to say about this, but most if not all OP's both pastors and saint like the current model and will fight anything that trys to change them.

I have read everyone and everything written about this, it is the way to go, but sadly it will take a major shift for it ever to take roots in American and among Apostolics. We love our buildings, special services and being our fish for the week through the professionals.

Keith, if you feel strongly about it, why not start one? It might be tuff for you as you already pastor a regular church.

But I see no reason that there cant both be house churches and regular churches.

Really, the people you would reach in a house church arent already Apostolic. they are out there with no real connection to modern church.

seems to me that worring about what Apostolics think is just going to slow you down.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Kae

We attended a house church. We have 7 children ranging from the ages of 11-1, not once did they run around and play, in our home or in anyone else's home. They participated just like anyone else. Children can sit still if trained to do so.

So true.

And on the issue lad brought up concerning what you do when the groups starts to outgrow your home.... Excellent question.

In many ways house church is the antithesis of the type of church we grew up in.

In today's churches there is often talk of the "200 Barrier". How to break that 200 barrier and get more than 200 people. In house church there is what is called the "20 Barrier". Once you reach about 20 people then it is time to take some of your best families and greatest leaders and send them of to start their own work.

The "Church splits" happen often and are desirable. But, since it is a positive thing, it isn't referred to as a split. It called multiplication.

So what this builds into the house church model is an immediate and constant need to mentor others to do what you do so that you can give away your best leaders to start their own work once your work begins to reach a certain size.


You will, of course, continue to be a mentor to the leaders you send away in whatever capacity they need your help. You will, over time, be a leader/mentor/apostle really... to many different works.

You reach 20+.
You multiply to 2.
Those 2 works reach 20+
You multiply to 4.

Exponential growth by a constant process of mentor/give away, mentor/give away, mentor/give away.

It is a beautiful thing.

[Evang.Benincasa]

HOUSE CHURCH IS GREAT!

If it was good enough for old days why not today! I think small groups are going to bond closer, with a good group your going to focus more on the goal...it seems big church get so tied up in programs for everything, fund raiser constantly it really takes away from the bible study, fellowship, and unity. As to the children running around the house....if the children are included which they should be, it is church even in someones home, and not free for all!

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Sister Truth Seeker

If it was good enough for old days why not today! I think small groups are going to bond closer, with a good group your going to focus more on the goal...it seems big church get so tied up in programs for everything, fund raiser constantly it really takes away from the bible study, fellowship, and unity. As to the children running around the house....if the children are included which they should be, it is church even in someones home, and not free for all!

The children usually are running about, in any case, because of some feeling on their part that they are not a part of it.

I think the smaller groups are easier to work to make sure that they young people not only feel they are a part of something but they also get to see their parents discussing this word, being passionate about the word.

The interesting thing is... if you belong to a church of several thousand most people have a core group that they fellowship closely with of 20 or so. No matter of the size of the church it still falls into a conglomeration of small groups.

Small groups also meet together every so often for a celebration of sorts. The small groups in an area get together somewhere and worship together.

[QueenEsther]

I don't think the "idea" is wrong at all - I think the most important parts would be - what plan of salvation are they using - are they being baptized in Jesus name and being filled with the Holy Ghost believing that God is one? And why did they start the house church? Because they didn't want anyone over them? so they could do as they please? because they were bitter towards the local oneness church? If it is just because they were trying to be biblical and they believe in the Acts 2:38 salvation plan believing that God is one then I see no problems with it.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by QueenEsther

I don't think the "idea" is wrong at all - I think the most important parts would be - what plan of salvation are they using - are they being baptized in Jesus name and being filled with the Holy Ghost believing that God is one? And why did they start the house church? Because they didn't want anyone over them? so they could do as they please? because they were bitter towards the local oneness church?

I think if someone read what I quoted above in reference to someone starting a "regular" church then every single word would still be relevant.

So your points are definitely valid. And they are valid across the board. These issues are general issues and not anything that would be "house church specific" by any means.

Please do note that I am aware that you weren't trying to say that these were "house church specific".

Just using your post to point it out.

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

The children usually are running about, in any case, because of some feeling on their part that they are not a part of it.

I think the smaller groups are easier to work to make sure that they young people not only feel they are a part of something but they also get to see their parents discussing this word, being passionate about the word.

The interesting thing is... if you belong to a church of several thousand most people have a core group that they fellowship closely with of 20 or so. No matter of the size of the church it still falls into a conglomeration of small groups.

Small groups also meet together every so often for a celebration of sorts. The small groups in an area get together somewhere and worship together.

And that is intersting...because I think that the small Church's like I went to think that grouping is wrong...they call it a clique...even though its more a matter of people who find common interests...I think its normal for people to seek a few close friends rather than the whole congregation...

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Sister Truth Seeker

And that is intersting...because I think that the small Church's like I went to think that grouping is wrong...they call it a clique...even though its more a matter of people who find common interests...I think its normal for people to seek a few close friends rather than the whole congregation...

Yes ma'am.

It seems to be a God given part of who we are sometimes.