Are House Churches the Future?
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The believer quoted below is sold on the idea of house churches. He's written fairly extensively about his views. The following statement gets to the nugget of his position:
The believer quoted below is sold on the idea of house churches. He's written fairly extensively about his views. The following statement gets to the nugget of his position:
"The church that we have on Earth very much depends on the kind of God we have in Heaven. It's a reflection of who we believe He is. If we believe God to be a Professor, then Church would be very much like a classroom, like an auditorium where we listen to a lecture for an hour and then go about our lives. If we believe God is like a Judge, Church would be very much like a Police Station or a Court Room. If God is like a Doctor, our Church would look very much like an Army. But, if God would be a Father, then Church would look very much like a family."—Wolfgang Simson
Obviously, this author struck a chord with me. However, as I thought further about his statement, several questions arose. For instance, must our public corporate worship be limited by the model of home and family? Isn't there a place for formal instruction, accountability, and authority structures in church too? Is the institutional church really the enemy? And what about our men? Do they enjoy gathering for church in homes? (I'm skeptical.)
Related: "Twelve Marks of a Man-Friendly Church."
Talk to me. Describe your ideal church...
15 Comments:
My church is my family, regardless of where we meet. I think it has more to do with the spirit in the building than anything.
With that said, I do love having small groups over to our house because I think there is an intimacy built by meeting in one another's homes.
To me an ideal church does what it can to foster loving familial relationships while leaving room for plenty of spiritual and physical growth.
I've talked to a few people who have done home church in lieu of attending an established church. I love our church, it's not perfect, but neither am I. My friends who attend home church seem positive about their experience, but for the most part those experiences were short-lived and some gave up attending church altogether. As for myself, I need the accountability of other believers and the fellowship that comes from gathering together.
To be honest I think it is hard to find a church where people invest in one another, own one another beyond doing the hi/bye and the serves... not just programming people(so many programs to keep you busy)but fellowship. I think my idea church would be able to connect in unity in the Spirit of Christ no matter how different all the members are, investing in one another and loving/living for the Lord every day of the week.
At present we are attending a church and probably always will but I see the point in home churches and I think it is good to see more people desiring deeper connection in their fellowship circles.
I was raised in a denominational church (Free Methodist) and altho I am grateful for my roots in the Christian faith, and for the FM college I did my undergrad work at, I am most comfortable in the church where the Lord has us right now and have been there for 5 years. It is a "mega-church" by definition but we are highly involved in the marriage ministry, women's/men's ministry, youth group (as leaders) and our youngest has been involved in Awana, drama/dance and Sunday School. Our pastor is like a teacher, shepherd, father, guide, mentor, counselor, and evangelistic preacher all rolled into one. It is a nondenominational church where Praise and Worship is taken seriously and the Word is preached, explained, and encouraged to be memorized! I have been for most of my married life, until 5 years ago, involved in a SMALL church, inner city, charismatic and altho have fond memories, etc. not much spiritual growth occurred because once the original pastor left, the elders decided to just have elders "running" the church....that did NOT work for our family nor were there opportunities for our children to grow and form friendships with other christian teens who went to their schools. The whole home church thing doesn't sit well with me because 1. who is "in charge?", who is the head, the shepherd? and if there IS one, who is he held accountable to????
We know some people who home church and ......we are concerned.
that's all I'll say on that.
I believe we are called to be in a corporate body of believers whether it is a mega church, a rural one, an inner city one or a denominational one. organization and discipleship are key elements we look for as a couple/family.
I love both - we were in a large church in Niagara Falls for a long time in our ministry and although it was not perfect I loved to worship with my church family on Sunday mornings. Often times during our worship (singing) time I was just stand in the midst of the worshippers, silent, eyes closed and just listen to the sounds of voices rising in worship - I loved it - it gives me goosebumps - I would say "Lord do you hear this - isn't it wonderful".
I loved our smaller sunday school classes and I loved a small group of us who would meet for 'fellowship' to discuss our faith and laugh our heads off. Fun times
But to be honest - I do think that we are heading the way of the house church. In Canada I am observing people pulling away from big churches and seeking out more intimate personal worship settings. My man would be fine with either setting but I do understand the awkwardness of a small group (can't hide). A good small group leader/church leader can create a comfortable none threatening atmosphere.
PS I need to add that my fear with small group settings is that it can become a 'what do you think' type of teaching. Which is OK as long as there is a teacher/pastor who is there to teach/lead in truth. But if that is in place then it's all good.
Glowin' Girl: An email reply is on its way to you... :~D
April: It sounds like your experience is similar to mine. I like the intimacy of small church-related home groups, but like you, I think there's a place for more formal teaching, accountablility and worship.
Mac An: I enjoyed your statement: I think my idea church would be able to connect in unity in the Spirit of Christ no matter how different all the members are, investing in one another and loving/living for the Lord every day of the week.
Faith: I've really enjoyed getting to know your church through your photos and other blog posts about your involvement there. Sounds terrific!
I agree with your concerns: The whole home church thing doesn't sit well with me because 1. who is "in charge?", who is the head, the shepherd? and if there IS one, who is he held accountable to????.
Some church plants do begin as house churches and ultimately grow very large. (I'm thinking of Hillsong Australia, and Saddleback, CA.) However, anyone who is considering joining a home church should ask your questions, and also carefully check out the credentials of the leadership.
It's interesting that you went from denominational to charismatic, then to mega-church. Same route we've taken! Nice to know what goes on in more than one church setting, isn't it? :~D
Shelley: Methinks you have a gift of music? Thanks for your beautiful descriptions of your corporate worship in Niagara Falls!
I do think there's a place for small home group ministry within the context of the larger church.
Your observations about Canada's church trends are interesting. Many evangelical Christians are dissatisfied with the status quo. Church plants and new churches often do begin in people's living rooms. Any Spirit-led group will find itself growing... ultimately a larger facility than a personal residence is needed.
I agree with your PS. There must be a strong (male) leader in place who is accountable and committed to teaching biblical Truth.
Also, in the small house churches that I have visited and been part of I find the men are very comfortable. I think home churches need to be judged the same as institutional churches, group by group. I have been to many types of organized churches and many of the same denominations and everyone was completely different.
Hey on another more "personal" note I sent you an email with photos of my house for your critique
Mac An Rothaich: I confess, I've never been to a house church... only home group meetings, fellowships, and Bible Studies. But none of those intimate settings billed themselves as "church."
I believe you're right. Home churches are probably as diverse as any other kind of institutional church. I'm glad you've had a chance to sample a variety of settings! :~D
Of course, a church should be the group of people, no matter where they are, and not the building!
So a good, supportive group of people who are like a second "family". People who are on your side but who also want to stretch you. With a kindness and tact not many families have :0
I can't help thinking of a church as a building too though. Surely if you believe that what you do here (worship) is important then you will want somewhere beautiful. I love historical churches (as long as they are not too big and cold) because of the feelings of timelessness they offer.
One that is fully focused on the HOLINESS of God! I believe in corporate worship where we call come together to worship God and learn. I just don't like the man made rules and regulations that have come into the church.
Buffy: Well said: a church should be the group of people, no matter where they are, and not the building! Yes, the people should be the most important focus, not the building. :~D
Kim: Wonderful: enjoying God's HOLINESS!
I'm not sure that I can tell you what my ideal church is but I do know what it isn't.
It isn't a big building that costs a lot of money where the only people allowed to come are ones dressed in expensive clothes that are deemed "appropriate" by some committee.
It isn't carpeted with $35 a square foot carpet so that those who have no shoes and dirty feet are not allowed to enter in and worship.
It isn't decked out with stained glass windows that are so expensive that no help is available for the local homeless people.
It isn't pastored by a shepard whose salary is so high that the local poor cannot be helped to pay their utilities to have running water, electrity to run their refrigerator, etc.
It isn't pastored by a shepard that requires a parsonage so grand that the local poor cannot be helped with food to put on their tables for themselves and their children.
It isn't pastored by a shepard that drives a big fine new car every year and wears tailor made clothes while there are people in his town who go around without decent clothes and no coats during the winter.
I guess I don't think of the church as a place at all. I am the church. You are the church. We, the Christian people are the Church. We are the Bride of Christ and we are to fellowship and do the work of God, not build buildings to meet in.
The Bible says "where two are more are gathered together" He is in the midst of them. Well, He is here, on the internet with us, because we are gathering together here. And we are fellowshipping here. So I guess we are "a church"!
PhoenixPhire: Thanks for sharing your well-crafted thoughts! You should turn this comment into a blog post. :~D
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