House Church Info.

@~Cassia~ made a thread in this forum today, and may know more, if you ask.

I lived in a home ministry for about eight years. (Sort of a 'live-in' Church).
Each is different, but an important ingredient (even for those that meet once a week) is that the people want to be there...want to be discipled etc.. Prayer and solid teaching is quite important.

bèlla said:

I've felt a growing desire to fellowship at home with other believers. I envision gatherings over nourishing meals where we share the word, study, and support one another. I won't call it a house church per se, but its been on my heart for two years now.

I'd like to hear your stories.

What led to you to join or form a house church?
What are the benefits of worshiping in an intimate setting?
What challenges have you faced thus far?
Do you miss traditional church?

For those who've lead a group, what would you recommend for first timers?

Thank you for sharing.

Yours in His Service,

~bella

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We've been a home based fellowship for over 25 years. I would find it hard to go back to a traditional church permanently. Just some aspects:
We meet every day in one way or another
One important focus is prayer. One of our number is a prayer warrior. She inspires others as well.

It can be intense. No one can hide. Some could not handle the exposure and have left.

If people leave a church of hundreds, it's not such a big deal. When it is only a few, it can have quite a major effect.

We have the bread and wine most Sundays. Sometimes we visit other churches to keep in touch with the church at large.

The only conditions for coming to our group is that you be born again and not divisive.

For leaders, leadership is not about control. Believers need to be taught and helped to overcome problems that they suffer. Total dependence on the Lord Jesus is a must for the leader.

Those who come should be given the opportunity to express their gifts and calling.

It's always helpful to have a "hands on" time as well. The group helped the pastor with his gardening and maintenance. We often had a car wash day where we pitched in to wash our cars together.

Meeting in a home releases funds to help others instead of running a large building. We very much encourage giving.

Singing is a daily part of fellowship. We have a guitar and a tambourine player. We sing older songs that are often based on scripture. Personally, I find many modern Christian songs banal and repetitive.

We have few rules. We expect women to dress appropriately. We expect people to be on time.

The leader gets a day off. Every week. It's easy to get worn out, especially if the leader is working full time as well. Christians should be getting built up to the point where they don't need to be spoon fed constantly.

Halbhh said:

@~Cassia~ made a thread in this forum today, and may know more, if you ask.

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I mostly post in the house church forum because of the equalitarity aspect of the house churches in the early church.

Altho I don’t attend a house church (CF has become that to me) I’ve had some very satisfying home study groups. Making close friends in a conversation setting is great. Every birthday etc celebrated with a potluck dinner. It was the core group of a Narazene church that had split and so our ties were many. Not just meeting together once a week and for dinners but also every year we went camping together for a few days. The focus of the weekly meetings was from a study book that we’d all decided was the topic. I learned a lot from them because they were so knowledgable. All their kids went to the Nazarene college. It was an interesting group. The traditional church setting was everyone falling asleep so I don’t miss that.

I've done lots of stuff with this off and on.

1) I was exploring Meetup.com for organizing a group that would meet at public areas. e.g. - Where, I use to lived in North Carolina there was a Soul Food Restaurant two blocks away from where I lived that I was going to use for this sort of a group. I think that web site is really good for future ministry things. Right now it is mostly New Age folks that use it for this kind of things, and a few brick and mortar churches use it for things like Youth groups, young singles groups, young couples groups etc.

I actually believe this web site has a lot of value for the future when it comes to ministries etc. for the future. It's only down side is paying a small service fee and it can take a while to recruit people.



2) Charismatic prayer groups and Bible studies and anything like that seems like a good draw for strangers. And tying it in with a meal would be even better....


3) I had a bit of an axe to grind with some folks in the movement especially Frank Viola (Who seemed like they were not just promoting the movement etc. but basically proselytizing people away from their churches so they can instead sell them materials etc.) And had some other things on that guy as far as being shameless plagiarizer and writing things that were poorly researched like "Pagan Christianity".


I would actually expect on the Messianic front there would be some materials as far Seder dinner stuff...

Aussie Pete said:

We've been a home based fellowship for over 25 years. I would find it hard to go back to a traditional church permanently. Just some aspects:
We meet every day in one way or another
One important focus is prayer. One of our number is a prayer warrior. She inspires others as well.

It can be intense. No one can hide. Some could not handle the exposure and have left.

If people leave a church of hundreds, it's not such a big deal. When it is only a few, it can have quite a major effect.

We have the bread and wine most Sundays. Sometimes we visit other churches to keep in touch with the church at large.

The only conditions for coming to our group is that you be born again and not divisive.

For leaders, leadership is not about control. Believers need to be taught and helped to overcome problems that they suffer. Total dependence on the Lord Jesus is a must for the leader.

Those who come should be given the opportunity to express their gifts and calling.

It's always helpful to have a "hands on" time as well. The group helped the pastor with his gardening and maintenance. We often had a car wash day where we pitched in to wash our cars together.

Meeting in a home releases funds to help others instead of running a large building. We very much encourage giving.

Singing is a daily part of fellowship. We have a guitar and a tambourine player. We sing older songs that are often based on scripture. Personally, I find many modern Christian songs banal and repetitive.

We have few rules. We expect women to dress appropriately. We expect people to be on time.

The leader gets a day off. Every week. It's easy to get worn out, especially if the leader is working full time as well. Christians should be getting built up to the point where they don't need to be spoon fed constantly.

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This sounds wonderful to me.

NerdGirl said:

This sounds wonderful to me.

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It has it's not so good moments, but overall it's more like real church than anything else I've experienced. Even when things are hard, the Lord comes through with the answers. And no one need go without help.

One needs to see that meetings in a house is not alone the Bible principle (note some places call them 'cottage meetings'). , for it is normally just following the simple way as the New Testament shows, until they grow large enough to need a building for the assembly. The fellowship I am with universal has moved from a house meeting to a building to accommodate the growth (one can read about this form at the Biblecounsel.net site which seeks to show the Bible-only way) --a worldwide fellowship. I think one first needs to value the principle of I Cor.12:25, and "unity of the faith" (Acts 15:23; Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 16:19-20; etc.). God wants us to be together in the world, not after that which pleases one's interests and ideas. That is what I learned many years ago. Keep looking up!

I can understand what you are expressing, Bella. I've been part of a couple of home fellowships and they were beneficial. In my younger years it seemed we moved every few years so I don't have history with any groups for long although I've remained close with many individuals in many places and I'm thankful for that part. I'm part of 2 other groups that meet: one is fully virtual because of distance and the other is part virtual but could be part in person meetings. The local group is strong on fellowship. They go out to eat together and go camping every year. From what I've read of things you post, it would make sense that you are feeling called to encourage others and be encouraged in the way a home church can.

Observation built with hands is shadow for spirit, the temple is in us where Christ is in man.

bèlla said:

I've felt a growing desire to fellowship at home with other believers. I envision gatherings over nourishing meals where we share the word, study, and support one another. I won't call it a house church per se, but its been on my heart for two years now.

I'd like to hear your stories.

What led to you to join or form a house church?
What are the benefits of worshiping in an intimate setting?
What challenges have you faced thus far?
Do you miss traditional church?

For those who've lead a group, what would you recommend for first timers?

Thank you for sharing.

Yours in His Service,

~bella

Click to expand...

A seeker needs to be sure the fellowship they are with is a Bible-only gathering, and not just another denominated sect in a home. God speaks of "unity of the faith" --and that means: worldwide, not our choices. I have been helped much at the Internet site: Biblecounsel.net, which is a universal gathering of the same purpose: to hold to : "all the counsel of God" for unity everywhere in the world. One can ask questions there, if they wish for more understanding of what God expects of us. See what you think, friend.

bèlla said:

I've felt a growing desire to fellowship at home with other believers. I envision gatherings over nourishing meals where we share the word, study, and support one another. I won't call it a house church per se, but its been on my heart for two years now.

I'd like to hear your stories.

What led to you to join or form a house church?
What are the benefits of worshiping in an intimate setting?
What challenges have you faced thus far?
Do you miss traditional church?

For those who've lead a group, what would you recommend for first timers?

Thank you for sharing.

Yours in His Service,

~bella

Click to expand...

I went through a crisis that shook me to the core. I left my denominational church after resigning as youth leader. I went to many other churches seeking answers. I found none. A friend kept badgering me to come and meet the leader of a home based fellowship. Eventually I gave in. It was the one of the best decisions I've ever made. That was in 1983.

I stayed for the following reasons.
You pretty much have to be yourself. You can't hide in a close fellowship.
Every person has a ministry. In big churches that is often suppressed. Small groups allow for individuals to function as members of the body, not just pew warmers.
Real needs can be met. With no building or staff to pay, there is money to help out the needy in the group or anything else that should be funded
We ate together often, including 6.00 am breakfast down the beach. That's the way to start a Sunday!
Fellowship was always on. We'd bring all our cars to one place and wash them. We would help out in each other's gardens. It breaks down the sense of isolation that many Christians experience.

Leaders should not be domineering or controlling. Let people share testimonies, prayer and personal needs and bring the word sometimes. There is a place for formal teaching and study, but the home group should be a place where people can express the life of Christ within. I used to preach one week and invite one of the group to speak the next. Sometimes it was a fizzer, but so what? At least that person had an opportunity. They will do better next time.

Above all, leaders must stay humble. Remember that God chooses the mundane and ordinary. And it is vital that those in the group respect the leader without putting them on a pedestal. Leaders are servant as well.

Our group has pretty much dissolved now. People relocated after getting married, for work commitments, and because it got too uncomfortable for some. The COVID restrictions have made it impossible to meet anyway.

I go to Sunday meetings from time to time, if restrictions permit. I find it pretty shallow and boring after decades of close fellowship.

If you want to start a group, be prepared for criticism from church goers. Many are deceived into thinking that it's not real church if you don't pay a trained clergyman to lead. If anyone can show me that in God's word, I'll repent. The church is the body of Christ, denominations are wrong and the meeting of the church is where two or three are gathered in Jesus name.

I first heard about house church in the mid 90s. I called up those listed on a HC directory for our city and thought I would look into it. I discovered that some groups were cells of denominations looking to recruit new members. Some others were like refugee camps where Christians who experienced what might be called church abuse gathered to lick their wounds (one of these was a group of ex-charismatics who said they would not tolerate anyone teaching).

My heart was touched by so many with bad experiences. However, I did not find any where I thought my family could contribute anything helpful or where we could learn and grow. We started our own house church and in a metro area of about 3 million got about two inquires a year.

My observation is that most who call themselves Christian prefer a sort of “easy Christianity” where they can breeze in and out of church with little or no investment in the lives of other Christians. This is understandable in that real Christianity seems to require relational entanglement with others. We are told often in the bible to love one another. I suspect that this frequent admonition is because we are so un-lovable.

Another aspect of “easy Christianity” is that one is provided with a denominational “package” of doctrine. Bible study is sometimes even encouraged as long as it always leads back to what has been established. However, frequently inquiry is even discouraged as it can be seen as impuning what has already been declared. Those who would question often have to pursue their inquires outside of denominational restraints.

Most of us who have raised children know how “messy” that can be. I see an environment where Christians are encouraged to mature having similarly awkward developmental stages. People who are not allowed to make mistakes seldom grow. Many churches are administered in an attempt to prevent error rather than correct it.

If you search to find a house church with everyone seeking to grow deeper in the word and showing love towards each other, I wish you well. I would expect you would more likely find a collection of misfits (of which I consider myself one). That would tax your ability to show Christian love.

You might seek out someone within your current circle of Christian friends who might enjoy the path of discovery you would like to undertake.

Most prefer to avoid a path of discovery as it often involves questioning and this can be unsettling and even open the door to disputes. I find that this ground is more easily tred with a sort of academic approach. If you put forth a hypotheses, you can then examine what in the bible would support or refute it. It should be considered that many things will not be resolved to the point of certainty and remain for future inquiry.

One can consider the path of biblical inquiry like approaching a jigsaw puzzle. Each piece of the puzzle may be fitted with others yet still not be able to make a complete picture. This can be pleasurable for those incline to tolerate a degree of ambiguity. However, for those more in need of certainty, it can be unsettling to the point of shouts of heresy.

Consider the subject of spiritual gifts. One might come to see that all of the gifts described in the bible still operate and serve today as they did back them. One might come to see only some of the gifts still function today. Still others might see that none of the gifts still function today. People can get very passionate about their views and the potential for conflict can become high.

In addition to dealing with difference of doctrines and personalities, if you attempt to lead a group, you may quickly discover that most people are not interested to the point of doing any work or research.

I found that if I am going through a book of the bible, I group verses together that seem to be relevant to each other. I then posit questions that seem to be natural and include verses that might bear on the questions one way or another. With this in hand, most simply need to read what is in front of them and discussion can be guided more towards what the bible has to say about a certain subject. For example;

Mat 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

Does this verse apply to all believers?

Act 3:6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

If it is future tense, when will it apply?

Heb 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

I only included one verse for each question, but you can see how one might find an interesting discussion.

I just reread the thread and only now noticed that it was an older thread and that you were less interested in bible study than the social aspect.

I don’t think I want a bible study. I know I want couples for dinner and women for the circle. But I don’t want busyness. Or the sense that gathering = doing.

It may be that you would prefer to have social engagement with those who have already achieved Christian maturity. Given that most Christians are not even aware that there is maturity much less seek it, I would be surprised if you could encounter some at all much less find enough for a social event. However, if you live in an area abounding with mature Christians, good for you.

I guess this post of mine is not well suited to your original inquiry, but I think I will post it anyway because like Aussie Pete, there may be others “down in the trenches” like us that could benefit from it.

bèlla said:

I've felt a growing desire to fellowship at home with other believers. I envision gatherings over nourishing meals where we share the word, study, and support one another. I won't call it a house church per se, but its been on my heart for two years now.

I'd like to hear your stories.

What led to you to join or form a house church?
What are the benefits of worshiping in an intimate setting?
What challenges have you faced thus far?
Do you miss traditional church?

For those who've lead a group, what would you recommend for first timers?

Thank you for sharing.

Yours in His Service,

~bella

Click to expand...

Hi Bella,

I do oversee a Home Fellowship / Bible Study for over 12 years now.

Just thought I'd throw in my two cents and answer your questions.

I was asked by my Pastor at the time to teach a class, and when asked, I decided to do it out of my home instead of at the Church. The reason I did this, was it gave me some measure of insulation and autonomy from the establishment Church structure, while still providing a Church based supplement to the greater Church body, both the congregation I was with at the time and the entire Body of Christ. Since then it has grown and has members from three different local congregations plus an online following since we livestream our sessions now, as of late 2019.

The benefits of worshipping and studying together in an intimate setting are many. People grow much faster in smaller fellowships. We've grown very close in our prayer support and love for one another, and people are really invested and paying attention to the teaching and preaching. The closeness we have for one another can't be beat.

Challenges are few, because it is out of a home, financial needs are essentially eliminated, but one serious challenge was we had an infiltration by some people who came initially it seemed to be blessed and to bless the fellowship, but ended up being disruptive and very hurtful and wanted to take over the direction and everything else. Dis-fellowshipping them from us was a painful growing pain, and a lesson learned about who gets invited.

As to your question about missing traditional Church, no not at all, because every single person in our Fellowship is still an active and fruitful member of established congregations, in fact three different Churches, so we all go to a brick and mortar establishment Church, and we all come together in our house Church on Monday as well. My Scripture for the theme of our attitude towards it is Acts 5:42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and preaching the good news of Jesus as the Christ.

So we all still go to Church, including myself, and we meet in my house on Mondays. Some of the group also meets in other home fellowships on different days of the week. This way, our Church culture is our life, and our lives are Church culture. Very little room for the world that way.

I would say to your point about not wanting a Bible Study might be challenged by Acts 5:42 above. The purpose for the meeting should be to teach and/or preach Jesus as the Christ.

We do a little praise and/or worship with some short praise or worship songs, pray, have Bible Study, occasionally we share communion with each other, and also, we do prayer requests. Then after it is over we have time for sharing and Fellowship and usually share a Fellowship snack, or in some instances share a Fellowship meal with one another. Everything except the sharing / fellowship meal is live streamed on our YouTube channel, if you want to ever check it out:

https://www.youtube.com/c/DustinBlystone

God Bless you on your progress and your research and your pursuit of this unction, and that it would manifest into the beautiful group you are looking to gather and facilitate.

Your brother in Christ,

Dustin

Aussie Pete said:

We've been a home based fellowship for over 25 years. I would find it hard to go back to a traditional church permanently. Just some aspects:
We meet every day in one way or another
One important focus is prayer. One of our number is a prayer warrior. She inspires others as well.

It can be intense. No one can hide. Some could not handle the exposure and have left.

If people leave a church of hundreds, it's not such a big deal. When it is only a few, it can have quite a major effect.

We have the bread and wine most Sundays. Sometimes we visit other churches to keep in touch with the church at large.

The only conditions for coming to our group is that you be born again and not divisive.

For leaders, leadership is not about control. Believers need to be taught and helped to overcome problems that they suffer. Total dependence on the Lord Jesus is a must for the leader.

Those who come should be given the opportunity to express their gifts and calling.

It's always helpful to have a "hands on" time as well. The group helped the pastor with his gardening and maintenance. We often had a car wash day where we pitched in to wash our cars together.

Meeting in a home releases funds to help others instead of running a large building. We very much encourage giving.

Click to expand...

This is an excellent reason to meet at home.

Singing is a daily part of fellowship. We have a guitar and a tambourine player. We sing older songs that are often based on scripture. Personally, I find many modern Christian songs banal and repetitive.

We have few rules. We expect women to dress appropriately. We expect people to be on time.

The leader gets a day off. Every week. It's easy to get worn out, especially if the leader is working full time as well. Christians should be getting built up to the point where they don't need to be spoon fed constantly.

Click to expand...

So you gather every day?