House Churches: What are your thoughts?

[nathan_slatter]

Originally Posted by ChristopherHall

Nathan, what’s your view on elders? What part do they play according to your understanding? I believe elders are like what we traditionally call pastors or ministers. However, instead of a church assembly being lead by a single elder (pastor) it is more or less an eldership, or college of elders, who lead the church as servant leaders. They are to be called “brother” as with any brother of the church, to be men, and are to teach, rebuke, reprove, and admonish out of the Word of God as necessary, in a spirit of love.

As a rule, I traditionally only offer general admonishments in a public gathering. If there is a need for a personal admonishment I believe it should be done in private.

I don't disagree with that at all. My only real problem with the more modern model is that it has the singular model and, inherently, demeans (that's the wrong word but the only one I can come up with right now) the "saints" causing them to be weak and incapable, often only able to depend on the singular pastoral position.

Frankly, I believe that a pastor is to be more of a facilitator for others ministries. His purpose is to equip others with the ability to do their personal ministry -- no matter what that may be. And I do believe that the only difference between "elder" and "non-elder" is the spiritual maturity that one holds -- which is an entirely different conversation. I believe that it should be the goal of all elders to assist non-elders into become elders so that the church can grow/split/grow/split/grow/split, etc...

I see the ministry not as a pyramid/militarist's idea; rather I see the structure as being more circular where God is central and emanates through every person toward the lost. Where there truly is no respecter of persons, rather all are equal in the eyes of God and who's sole purpose is to love God (worship/praise/etc) and to love each other as they love themselves.