starting a home group

[cherokeehippie]

I feel so frustrated. I'm not happy with the conditions of the body of christ in the town I live in. I want to start a home fellowship that is contemporary oriented(believe it or not there's still places such as the town I live in, where it's real traditional, etc) and where we can sit on the floor and take turns praying for each other and just minister to each other and worship Abba to "Enter the Worship Circle" cd's or Vineyard, etc. I have an acquaintence who came out of a Jehovah Witness church(They disfellowshipped her for having a blood transfusion). (She also is dealing with a rebellious daughter that's messing around with the wrong crowd, drugs, etc, Last night the daughter actually HIT and knocked her down!!). I know she would not feel comfortable in a traditional church. I feel that a home group would be the best way of ministering and bringing people like her into the Kingdom. To be honest, I'm not in a church right now. I myself feel very uncomfortable at the most spirit-filled church that I know of here in town. It's real prosperity-oriented, etc, plus I was briefly in their ladies prayer group but often felt like I couldn't get my prayers in, I felt uncomfortable around some of the ladies for some reason I can't put my finger on. Especially if they think they have to 'disciple' this indian hippie girl" when I have been a christian for 15 yrs already!! And some of them feel uncomfortable around me(some might even think I'm some sort of witch, or something.) I told Abba that I want to love Him and not be a part of religious games.(I went thru an abusive fellowship some years ago) I just want to love Him outside of the religious box. I'm thinking of putting an ad in the local paper(only 2 to 3,000 people here in Mt. View and about.) and I've prayed about this. I want to make sure it's His Will, I don't want it to be tedious. I'm at a period in my life where I had to shake religious junk off of my life. And I make pine needle baskets and listen to Folk music, enjoying the simple things in life--in His Creation, instead of heavy stuff. Actually, I feel so out of place anyway, myself--I don't fit in anywhere--especially I'm too hippyish for the christians here, and too christian for the hippies. I'm Indian hippie christian. And no, I'm not 20. I'm almost 37! Lara

 

[reAsonX]

I feel so frustrated. I'm not happy with the conditions of the body of christ in the town I live in. I want to start a home fellowship that is contemporary oriented

Hi Lara!
I tried the same thing some years ago. It was a flop. I found that I had to deal with my own problems before I could deal with those of others. Until I am straight myself and have something to offer others, I don't think I will try this again.

Good luck.
RX

 

[flyfishing]

I feel so frustrated. I'm not happy with the conditions of the body of christ in the town I live in. I want to start a home fellowship that is contemporary oriented(believe it or not there's still places such as the town I live in, where it's real traditional, etc) and where we can sit on the floor and take turns praying for each other and just minister to each other and worship Abba to "Enter the Worship Circle" cd's or Vineyard, etc. I have an acquaintence who came out of a Jehovah Witness church(They disfellowshipped her for having a blood transfusion). (She also is dealing with a rebellious daughter that's messing around with the wrong crowd, drugs, etc, Last night the daughter actually HIT and knocked her down!!). I know she would not feel comfortable in a traditional church. I feel that a home group would be the best way of ministering and bringing people like her into the Kingdom. To be honest, I'm not in a church right now. I myself feel very uncomfortable at the most spirit-filled church that I know of here in town. It's real prosperity-oriented, etc, plus I was briefly in their ladies prayer group but often felt like I couldn't get my prayers in, I felt uncomfortable around some of the ladies for some reason I can't put my finger on. Especially if they think they have to 'disciple' this indian hippie girl" when I have been a christian for 15 yrs already!! And some of them feel uncomfortable around me(some might even think I'm some sort of witch, or something.) I told Abba that I want to love Him and not be a part of religious games.(I went thru an abusive fellowship some years ago) I just want to love Him outside of the religious box. I'm thinking of putting an ad in the local paper(only 2 to 3,000 people here in Mt. View and about.) and I've prayed about this. I want to make sure it's His Will, I don't want it to be tedious. I'm at a period in my life where I had to shake religious junk off of my life. And I make pine needle baskets and listen to Folk music, enjoying the simple things in life--in His Creation, instead of heavy stuff. Actually, I feel so out of place anyway, myself--I don't fit in anywhere--especially I'm too hippyish for the christians here, and too christian for the hippies. I'm Indian hippie christian. And no, I'm not 20. I'm almost 37! Lara

Praise my LORD.. Go for it. What this world needs is people willing to pay the price.

Seek the LORD. Revival is coming!! Amen! Not in some little box called "the church" but to those obedient blood washed servants of the MOST HIGH GOD.. He wants us to not fear the face of man but operate in the truths of His word. You are an ambassador, do your best to represent him in a way that glorifys HIm and learn to hide you behind the cross so others dont see you but see HIM WHO ALONE IS HOLY!!!

 

[Lottedah]

Good idea lara.. I liek that!
I dont think your too hippie or too christian for me! God bless. if you want any help prayers or sharing or anything pm me.

 

[cherokeehippie]

Hi! Thanks Lottedah and everyone! Yes, I very much plan to let Him be the glory in the group! It's going to be set up Native style--in Native culture no man is a leader--the whole traditional church setting of a stage and podium up front and pews or seats facing the front is totally westernized where man is set up on a stage, etc. In fact, that's totally foreign not only in Native American but also ancient Jewish custom. In Native culture, everyone is in a circle and a 'talking stick' or feather is passed to each person, and whoever holds the talking feather/stick, talks, then pass it on to the next person. That's how I'm going to have the fellowship--and let whoever has a word from Abba or whatever's on their heart share. Then we're going to pray for Mt. View and each other and however the Spirit leads. The Lord may have something totally unexpected planned for the group! And if it fizzles then I know that it's not time, or that Abba wants me to just spend time with Him, or whatever. I'll ask Him to send whoever He wants in the group and to keep the wolves out. Mt. View is a folk music town, so He might lead musicans into the group--Native style, folk style, whatever. Today I headed over to visit some acquaintances but they weren't home, but their place is sooooo awesome and I was thinking, "Oooooh I wish I lived around here!" There were pine trees and cedars all over the place---you could smell the cedar in the air! It was such a special feeling--I feel close to the Lord in settings like that! It made me think, if I lived smacked in the middle of pine trees and cedars, it would be an awesome place to have a prayer circle gathering. The couple built their own home! It's just an itty bitty place and they're adding a room to the house, and they use solar energy, they had a solar energy shield thing(or whatever they're called). They are VERY self-sufficient! They're also old hippies! He quit the corporate world back in 69 and they're been on their own since--they grew their own food, built their own home, etc! I wish I was like them! They weren't home so I didn't get to visit with them, but Ooooooh I love the area and I want a little place sooooo bad! I want to build a cob house!(same materials as adobe, except the brick making part). Ooops, I got off the topic. Oh well, blessings, Lara

 

[mle]

Cherokeehippie

I think a home group sounds like a wonderful idea. More important than what you, or I think about it is what God thinks about it. Ask Him and wait for His response. He will tell you what to do.

As a home group facilitator myself, I can share with you what our meetings are like. We gather in our home. sometimes there are three people and sometimes not enough seats for everyone. We live in a one room cottage so it is very cozy, praise God! When we start we open in prayer. Then we have a praise and worship service with music from cds or tapes. To enhance this part of the meeting for people who do not know the songs I have the words written and displayed on our TV set. Thanks, to modern technology and a dvd player. Then, we have prayer requests and praise reports and minister to each other accordingly. At this point, we have a tea and coffe break. Then we come back for the word. This can take on many forms. A bible passage and discussion, a teaching tape, video or dvd. Are mediums we have used. Right now we are listening to a series on the ten commandments. We close in prayer.

I have seen God work in our home group. There are times when we have thought that we should not have it anymore because no one was coming. So we would pray and ask God what to do. We would wait for an answer. The next meeting many people would come and tell us how important the group was to them. What a blessing!

I am sorry that there is not a church in you area that you feel comfortable in. We will pray for you that something would change and you would find a place you are welcome and loved.

I am so blessed to be in such a loving church. When we first came to town we were a mess. We smelled of fish from working in a fish plant and all our clothes stunck of smoke form living in a bus in the bush for six months with a wood stove for heat and to cook over(that was way better than the tent we lived in before that!) So maybe I'm a little bit of a hippie too. God bless You!

 

[cherokeehippie]

mle, blessings! Thanks for your reply!

You know, I was just now thinking and talking to Abba, while fixing an artichoke in my kitchen, it could be that what the Lord has me start--the fellowship, I may not be the one who finishes or lead or whatever, that, for example, one person may say, "Hey, lets have it at my place--I have awesome trees, etc. And it will be at their place. Then the Lord will bring another person in, who teaches, and another does music, etc. I may be the one who starts it but don't lead it. But just a servant who obeys abba in starting the fellowship---an Apostle! I'll see how He leads it! It's not really biblical anyway, the idea of a pastor who does everything--that's why pastors and their wives get burned out--the Lord meant for everyone to be ministers(servants!) to each other in the Body.

 

[P_G]

How do you start it?

1 Tell the people you think might want to come what time and where

2 Let the Holy spirit take control on that day and time

Now I would say only this to have those more mature in the faith sort of steer the meeting but that does not mean that an appropriate word will not be given to a very new beleiver.

The only ad-provision I would give you is to be careful not to fall in to apostasy or false teaching - test the spirits in all matters.

Much Love
Blessings

Pastor George

 

[mle]

mle, blessings! Thanks for your reply!

You know, I was just now thinking and talking to Abba, while fixing an artichoke in my kitchen, it could be that what the Lord has me start--the fellowship, I may not be the one who finishes or lead or whatever, that, for example, one person may say, "Hey, lets have it at my place--I have awesome trees, etc. And it will be at their place. Then the Lord will bring another person in, who teaches, and another does music, etc. I may be the one who starts it but don't lead it. But just a servant who obeys abba in starting the fellowship---an Apostle! I'll see how He leads it! It's not really biblical anyway, the idea of a pastor who does everything--that's why pastors and their wives get burned out--the Lord meant for everyone to be ministers(servants!) to each other in the Body.

I think you have the right idea. Be a servant in whatever capacity the Lord wants you to be. I do not lead our home group. I do however, pray and ask the Lord by His spirit to show me what music to provide the group for worship. I make sure the coffee is hot and other hospitality duties. Another area of my service to the Lord is driving. I pick up and drive people home. After all, it is not my car. The Lord gave it to us a couple of years ago. It is by His grace that it still runs. I'll keep driving it until He gives me a new(er) one.

Within a home group there may be people who tend to rock the boat and cause tension in the group from time to time. Love them and God will take care of the problem, in my experience.

I love the traditional Native appraoch you wil bring to your group. Dwayne, our Native leader has spoken of the same things you have mentioned in your previous posts: fellowship circle and talking stick or feather. We sit in a circle in our group too. It is nice to look upon each face when they are speaking and see facial expressions that add so much context to dialog.

I am so excited for you. It really is a blessing when God gives you people to care for and minister to. I encourage you, if God has given you the go ahead, go for it sister!