House church

[jsimms615]

I am considering starting going to a house church next Sunday. I was wondering if those of you who go to one if you could tell me why you go to a house church and what the pros or cons of doing so might be compared to a church that meets in a building?

I was told that they meet and have dinner together then fellowship and worship. Don't know much more than that.

 

[1watchman]

Hello friend. See if the site at www.biblecounsel.homestead.com gives you some insight to a scriptural gathering. I believe it is very true to the Word of God, which is viewed as the only authority given by God for the Church.

You might also see the post on this page about meetings in homes.

 

[ezeric]

Howdy Jsimms615

You don't need any 'order'.
You don't even need bibles or music.

You do need HIS LOVE flowing through HIS SPIRIT.
No judgement - just mercy
No selfishness - just humility.

The message is GRACE (un-conditional love of GOD) no matter who comes, and what sins they have/haven't done - they are accepted and loved.

Encourage those in the group to use their gifts. (gifts of the SPIRIT).

Have fun together.

Ours can start on a Saturday (or Sunday) for example at 1:30 in the afternoon.
We will talk together, and then go play baseball or soccer (those that want to).

Then come back and have a drink and perhaps talk some more, as some start to perpare the dinner. (its never the same way but different each time).
Everyone brings food to share and we usually have enough that those that don't have as much can take home food - this happens often.

Then we might play a game, or sing (praise with music).

Then a study/sharing time and prayer.

Sometimes its in different orders - sometimes we don't do certain things at all.

The entire time goes from say 1:30 pm to midnight -nobody wanting to leave (although they could, anytime they want).

Say for example someone comes and its 2pm and need prayer (its urgent). Well, we would let LOVE LEAD, and get the group together and pray (lay hands) etc... thus 'any order' we might have, is thrown out the window.

Its not about having a schedule but rather 'keep in step with the SPIRIT'.

We've been seeing growth and miracles in this 'house church' for many years now!
Praise the LORD!

-eric

 

[jehoiakim]

well there is a very wide range of what you might experience.

The most important PRO for a house church I think is real fellowship and discipleship. By nature it is much more personal and discussion oriented, you can receive real encouragement, biblical advise and develop very deep friendships... I was once in an institutional (traditional) church that referred to the congregation as "an audience" that was very worrisome to me, but considering the nature of the church I wouldn't have been shocked if they actually felt that way.

CON, there is a very mixed bag of what you can get and a sometimes sadly house churches seem to be more of a place for the disgruntled ex church goers, or the headstrong opinionated and immature It can be rife with false teaching. You just have to keep your head on your shoulders, pray, consult the scriptures and listen to the Holy Spirit to determine what exactly is going on or not going on.

personally I would prefer house church, but clearly God has us in a specific traditional church for the time being, I think both can be used and it is more about where God is calling you, just be open, pay attention and pray

 

[1watchman]

Hello jsimms. There is a sound gathering in a home in Asheville, and one in Davidson (by Charlotte), one at Fleetwood, one at Gibsonville (by Greensboro). Let me know if interested further.

 

[bbbbbbb]

I am considering starting going to a house church next Sunday. I was wondering if those of you who go to one if you could tell me why you go to a house church and what the pros or cons of doing so might be compared to a church that meets in a building?

I was told that they meet and have dinner together then fellowship and worship. Don't know much more than that.

The last time I checked, a house is a type of building. All churches in North America meet in buildings if they meet on a regular basis. What goes on in those buildings ranges quite widely so that one cannot simply judge a church based upon where it happens to be meeting. Some churches start in homes with a clear vision to grow into their own building. Other churches have a narrow vision of a small little club of like-minded Christians with no desire for growth. In fact, a home is a lovely place to avoid contact with visitors who might wander in off the street.

 

[jannikitty]

Pros..closer fellowship and opportunity to grow together.

Cons..can become over controlling and out of balance depending upon the caliber of those leading the group.

Sometimes there is more safety in numbers.

If you do become part of one be sure the leaders are under some district or other authority to whom they can be accountable and not just doing their own thing without anyone to oversee them.

The early Christians did meet in homes; but keep in mind most of them in Jerusalem were Jews who already attended the synagogue. So the home meetings were for prayer, hymns, and fellowship, sharing meals, etc. Somewhat like charismatic prayer groups were in the 70's. Of course during the persecutions in the Roman Empire..it was not possible to publicly meet because of the dangers involved; so Christians in Rome met privately in homes. Such is generally not the case in the U.S. today; but likely true of countries where Christians are still persecuted.

 

[jsimms615]

Pros..closer fellowship and opportunity to grow together.

Cons..can become over controlling and out of balance depending upon the caliber of those leading the group.

Sometimes there is more safety in numbers.

If you do become part of one be sure the leaders are under some district or other authority to whom they can be accountable and not just doing their own thing without anyone to oversee them.

The early Christians did meet in homes; but keep in mind most of them in Jerusalem were Jews who already attended the synagogue. So the home meetings were for prayer, hymns, and fellowship, sharing meals, etc. Somewhat like charismatic prayer groups were in the 70's. Of course during the persecutions in the Roman Empire..it was not possible to publicly meet because of the dangers involved; so Christians in Rome met privately in homes. Such is generally not the case in the U.S. today; but likely true of countries where Christians are still persecuted.

We decided to go back to a church we had attended before and not to try the house church things right now.

 

[Naomanos]

Wish there was a house church in my area, but the closest is 50 miles away.

 

[ByTheSpirit]

The last time I checked, a house is a type of building. All churches in North America meet in buildings if they meet on a regular basis. What goes on in those buildings ranges quite widely so that one cannot simply judge a church based upon where it happens to be meeting. Some churches start in homes with a clear vision to grow into their own building. Other churches have a narrow vision of a small little club of like-minded Christians with no desire for growth. In fact, a home is a lovely place to avoid contact with visitors who might wander in off the street.

Reading a few of your posts here, you seem to be against house gatherings for some reason. The same things you describe above are true for a traditional church too.

 

[ByTheSpirit]

I am considering starting going to a house church next Sunday. I was wondering if those of you who go to one if you could tell me why you go to a house church and what the pros or cons of doing so might be compared to a church that meets in a building?

I was told that they meet and have dinner together then fellowship and worship. Don't know much more than that.

Where in NC are you? I am in Fort Bragg...