House Churches: What are your thoughts?

[ChristopherHall]

I was reflecting on some points made and thought I’d share my thoughts.

I think that many truly enjoy the room to dance, large groups, music, etc. I don’t believe there’s anything wrong with these things, I’ve danced my dance, praised in the choir, and sand or shouted in the crowd on many occasions. But I think some reflection is important.

Is there a biblical or historical precedent for these things in the biblical church? While there is nothing really wrong with these things, the biblical church didn’t focus on them, nor did the historic church focus on them for nearly 300 years…and they turned Rome upside down. Not to mention our Apostolic Pentecostal history. Our movement started in homes, barns, old mansions, brush arbors, etc. No extravagant buildings, plush pews, …not even air conditioning. LOL. In many way’s we’ve forgotten the simplicity of our humble past and embraced the complexity of mainstream, “mega church Christianity”.

I think there are some concerns with some of these things. For example, can the large venue, large crowd, excellent music, and superb speakers cease to become “worship” and move into the realm of “entertainment”? With the crowd, the music, and the booming microphones is there a chance that we can mistaken “crowd dynamics” for real anointing? I’ve attended many services that were absolutely nothing but hype…sadly those unfamiliar with true depth in the anointing couldn’t tell the difference. I’m not saying that this is the problem with all conventional churches…I’m just saying that it is a concern that exists. It’s even possible to a lesser degree in house churches I’d guess.

This leads my train of thought to the subject of licensing. Licensing of ministers in house churches certainly isn’t an absolute necessity, but I feel it may provide some benefits. For example to maintain a license one generally has to have at least some experience, study, education, or knowledge of doctrine. There is the risk of Bro. Joe starting a house church and not knowing the foundational teachings of justification and sanctification, oneness, eschatology, etc. One could essentially drift into a doctrinal wasteland where truth is completely subjective to the teacher’s take on things. At least a licensed minister would have the basic doctrinal knowledge needed to keep himself/herself and others on a biblical path in their discovery of truth and Christian living.

Licensing would also provide accountability. There are strange doctrines that arise even among those who are educated in doctrine. If an unlicensed minister launched a house church he/she could essentially teach anything. They could teach adoptionism, covenantal polygamy, or even alternative lifestyle theology. But if they are licensed they are accountable to the licensing body for their teaching. If they teach something inappropriate actions can be taken to correct the mistaken minister or to officially remove him/her from fellowship for others to see. It would also assist the outsider’s perception of legitimacy. The house church pastor, elder, facilitator would be a recognized “licensed minister” though his official function and capacity may not be much different than anyone else’s in the fellowship. He could also file with state authorities to perform weddings etc. It could prevent the notion that such pastors are just “loose cannons”.

Also licensing would provide wider base of fellowship. A licensed house church ministry would keep the smaller body in fellowship with the larger body of like Christian faith. For example if a house church pastor was a licensed UPCI minister he could freely participate and fellowship with other UPCI churches in a given district. Marriage retreats, seminars, leadership meetings, conferences, etc would be excellent places to keep the smaller body in fellowship with other churches both traditional and house church. Could you imagine a house church pastor who had launched a house church movement producing multiple house churches in a major US city speaking at a district or general conference on evangelism, body ministry, and/or church growth? I can see the title of his message now, “Shrinking to Grow: Little is much when God is in it”. (Actually… I’ve preached that sermon in my head maybe twenty times already. LOL)

Those are just some of my initial thoughts. I’m sure there are other takes on it that might answer a few of the above concerns in support of licensing.

I think the current use of resources is starting to really cause me concern like it never did before. Is it morally right that over 80% of our resources go to support buildings, salaries, etc...when there is glaring need all around us? Recently I watched a speech offered by a minister who was arguing that taxation was the reason most Christians can't afford to be more charitable with their resources....could it be closer to the truth that this minister's multi-million dollar facility and programs are a glaring example as to why more Christians cannot afford to be more charitable? I don't know...just random thoughts here.