Question about home churches

[TrustingmyLord]

I was wondering if anyone can tell me a little bit about home churches. Just the basics... well, maybe its a bit more than the basics, but here's what I would like to know..

About how many people are in an average home church?

How does one get started doing this, and why?

Is it organized like a regular church, with a hymn, announcements, preaching, communion? Or is it more like a low key Sunday school class where everyone just reads the Bible and talks about it?

What is one thing you miss about attending a "regular" church?

What are the main things you like about having a home church?

What about the children? Any seperate classes or such for them?

Do you have a leadership system, with either a pastor or elders? If not, how do you decide what part of the Bible to read, what to study, etc.?

Do you always worship in one particular home, or do you rotate?

Are their any types of people you would recommend to NOT join a home church? (Besides maybe new believers wanting to start their own.)

Do people dress up, come casual, or wear whatever they want?

Do you have music? A meal? Extra activities or community involvement?

I have just recently become more aware of home churches and I am very curious about this idea. Anything else anyone would like to tell me would be much appriciated!

 

[GK]

Home churches can be 3 or 4 people or they can be 30 or 40. Most probably fall somewhere between 8 and 18. Once you get to 20, it's good to break up into two groups and keep multiplying.

There's no such thing as a typical gathering. Each one is unique. Some will do all the same stuff, others will use pared down versions. Most gradually learn to do their own thing.

Many (most?) tend to have a "regular" meeting place and time, but with flexibility. Some travel from house to house. Mine doesn't even meet at the same time every week, much less location.

All the house churches I've visited have been casual. Many have included food, but not all have been full meals. Community involvement is often high, though not necessarily as a "church group." Often, involvement means members are joining existing community action/service groups and working through them.

We do have a leadership system, but it's more organic and we recognize everyone is a leader of some sort. As the group grows, current leaders are working with one or two guys/gals to help them grow as leaders. By the time we're ready to multiply, the hope is that leaders are available, as well. We have one guy who is the recognized leader of the larger network. Leadership isn't dicatorial, though. It's more a matter of recognizing we all have our part to play in community.

I don't think there's any "type" of person I would recommend away from a home church. Some people who have grown up in the "culture of church" might prefer a more rigid religious system, but that doesn't mean housechurch would be bad for them.

 

[Johnnz]

For us there are two key factors in belonging to a home church.

a) We want relationship and mutual contribution. This contrasts with programmes and a professional/laity basis for most churches.

b) Leadership is non authoritarian, seeks to maximise growth and participation by all members ratherthan monopolising it, and is self supporting, keep leaders to a relevant lifestyle.

John
NZ

 

[New_Wineskin]

I was wondering if anyone can tell me a little bit about home churches. Just the basics... well, maybe its a bit more than the basics, but here's what I would like to know..

About how many people are in an average home church?

No idea . It isn't as if many have been aailable for submitting statistics . My guess is 6 to 10 .

How does one get started doing this, and why?

Many different ways for many different reasons . Some attempt to be like the traditional groups but in a home setting . So , they do things in a scheduled and set way . Many find friends or aquaintances who are looking for something and simply start a bible study group and go from there . Some simply want to be with other Christians to hang out and be friends .

Is it organized like a regular church, with a hymn, announcements, preaching, communion? Or is it more like a low key Sunday school class where everyone just reads the Bible and talks about it?

Some are like those . Some like to be as different from those as they can be . Some don't want to be reminded of what they came from and so remake the whole idea .

What is one thing you miss about attending a "regular" church?

I can't think of a thing .

What are the main things you like about having a home church?

Freedom . Opportunity for everyone to have input .

What about the children? Any seperate classes or such for them?

Some seperate them and some include them as any other family activity .

Do you have a leadership system, with either a pastor or elders? If not, how do you decide what part of the Bible to read, what to study, etc.?

Some do and some don't have a designated leadership structure . For those that study the Scriptures and don't have leadership , people bring what they want . Many times , sevearl people will have suggestions . Some will take turns making those decisions .

Do you always worship in one particular home, or do you rotate?

Some rotate and some do not . I would say to beware of groups that have a leadership structure and alwyas meet in the homes of the leaders .

Are their any types of people you would recommend to NOT join a home church? (Besides maybe new believers wanting to start their own.)

The only type would be those who like to have auhority and need to have things their way as opposed to a way with which everyone agrees .

Do people dress up, come casual, or wear whatever they want?

I personally don't know of any that dress up . But , I would assume that some do . A lot of groups are informal and casual .

Do you have music? A meal? Extra activities or community involvement?

Some do - some don't .

I have just recently become more aware of home churches and I am very curious about this idea. Anything else anyone would like to tell me would be much appriciated!

I might suggest that you get a piece of paper and ask the Lord what you have in your heart for the situation . Write down what you would like and what you would not like . Ask any others interested to do the same . Compare notes and go from there . Do not be afraid to change things if they don't work and make things flexable .

 

[TrustingmyLord]

I want to thank everyone for the replies. Lots of great answers.

I do have one question...

I would say to beware of groups that have a leadership structure and alwyas meet in the homes of the leaders .

Why is that? Do you think it can easily become a situation where a leader has too much authority? As I said, other than what I have heard here and on a few sites, I know pretty much nothing about this.

I dont even know anyone who attends a home church, nor am I aware if there are any in my area. I have thought of having a weekly Bible study and just go from there... I know maybe 2 people that might be interested. Maybe more. The thing is... I dont really have a problem with going to a regular church. I am quite happy with the one I attend. Its just that I see so many people who feel uncomfortable going to church, I feel like maybe there should be something more.

I also feel ... on my own part here, that I am very, very satisfied with my Sunday school class, moreso than with the regular service. I like it more because we all give input and are free to ask questions. We develop friendships and get to know one another.

I guess this is something I just need to pray about and wait and see.

Thanks again for all your input!

 

[New_Wineskin]

I do have one question...



Why is that? Do you think it can easily become a situation where a leader has too much authority?

Yes . However , it depends on the reason why they would always have it in a leader's home . Some are valid . Some only *sound* valid . I would see how much of the meeting is controled by the leaders . If they have the floor much of the time and need to say something about everything going on , one might as well be in a regular group .

 

[BenAdam]

I was wondering if anyone can tell me a little bit about home churches. Just the basics... well, maybe its a bit more than the basics, but here's what I would like to know..

About how many people are in an average home church?

I've seen as low as 1 and as high as 60.

How does one get started doing this, and why?

One just does it and because they want a closer walk with God. (At least that is why I did it.) I find Institutionalized Churches don't allow people to operate in the way I believe God intended.

Is it organized like a regular church, with a hymn, announcements, preaching, communion? Or is it more like a low key Sunday school class where everyone just reads the Bible and talks about it?

Some are organized, some are not, depends on the House Church. Some House Churches are just IC looking for a place to meet.

What is one thing you miss about attending a "regular" church?

Nothing

What are the main things you like about having a home church?

The closeness with others and the ability to individualize ministry.

What about the children? Any seperate classes or such for them?

Kids can sit in, ask questions, or go off by themselves.

Do you have a leadership system, with either a pastor or elders? If not, how do you decide what part of the Bible to read, what to study, etc.?

The Bible talks about each individual bringing something. We should respect those that have walked longer than we have. Some House Churches have more traditional structure with Pastors and such.

Do you always worship in one particular home, or do you rotate?

Depends, some rotate, some don't.

Are their any types of people you would recommend to NOT join a home church? (Besides maybe new believers wanting to start their own.)

Nope

Do people dress up, come casual, or wear whatever they want?

Dress as you normally dress.

Do you have music? A meal? Extra activities or community involvement?

Yes, yes, and sometimes.

I have just recently become more aware of home churches and I am very curious about this idea. Anything else anyone would like to tell me would be much appriciated!

Feel free to ask away.

 

[TheAJKMan]

Thanks for your replies as well guys, this is an area of interest to me too as I feel this may work better for me in terms of fellowship and ministry overall.

TheAJKMan

 

[IndigoRose7]

My husband is an ordained minister, fired for preaching against Gossip...after receiving a warning about preaching "controversial" sermons. They fired him that Tuesday after he preached against the Gossip that was destroying the congregation. Now, we happily worship at HOME. Most often it's just the 3 of us, but at times our extended family joins us. It has been the most spiritual worship I've ever known. We are not in a Church where games, lies, and politics block our true worship of the Lord; rather we are able to dedicate our spirits to Him in love and in truth.

 

[bithiah2]

My husband is an ordained minister, fired for preaching against Gossip...after receiving a warning about preaching "controversial" sermons. They fired him that Tuesday after he preached against the Gossip that was destroying the congregation. Now, we happily worship at HOME. Most often it's just the 3 of us, but at times our extended family joins us. It has been the most spiritual worship I've ever known. We are not in a Church where games, lies, and politics block our true worship of the Lord; rather we are able to dedicate our spirits to Him in love and in truth.

i attended a house church for a short time, it was very nice. very friendly, the pastor was very anointed. i really enjoyed going there but eventually i joined a regular church and love that also. it all depends on where you are led at the time.
it was informal although the pastor always wore a suit. people dressed comfortably and there were about 10-18 people there. eventually they will outgrow the pastor's living room and have to move into a building. but he has house church for now.
blessings
bithah2

 

[Ps28:7]

wow...that's really interesting...how do you find a home church? i'm interested in home churches other than organized type stuff in a huge church building, it sounds more involving....

 

[christandisrael]

I was wondering if anyone can tell me a little bit about home churches. Just the basics... well, maybe its a bit more than the basics, but here's what I would like to know..

About how many people are in an average home church?

How does one get started doing this, and why?

Is it organized like a regular church, with a hymn, announcements, preaching, communion? Or is it more like a low key Sunday school class where everyone just reads the Bible and talks about it?

What is one thing you miss about attending a "regular" church?

What are the main things you like about having a home church?

What about the children? Any seperate classes or such for them?

Do you have a leadership system, with either a pastor or elders? If not, how do you decide what part of the Bible to read, what to study, etc.?

Do you always worship in one particular home, or do you rotate?

Are their any types of people you would recommend to NOT join a home church? (Besides maybe new believers wanting to start their own.)

Do people dress up, come casual, or wear whatever they want?

Do you have music? A meal? Extra activities or community involvement?

I have just recently become more aware of home churches and I am very curious about this idea. Anything else anyone would like to tell me would be much appriciated!

To be short, we are a family. And the focus doesn't need to be on house churches, it is becoming a nation for Christ.