What is the difference?

[Edial]

Is there a difference between a house church and a church?
Is the difference only in a structure of a building or is there more to it than that?

Thanks,
Ed

 

[New_Wineskin]

Is there a difference between a house church and a church?
Is the difference only in a structure of a building or is there more to it than that?

Thanks,
Ed

There is only one Church . I think that you mean what is the difference between a group that considers themselves a "church" and more specifcially a "house church" and other groups calling themselves a "church" .

In a simplistic way , the main difference is that people meet in homes rather than a building meant only for meetings . But , it is more for a the idea of community being important more than being in homes .

 

[brother daniel]

There is only one Church . I think that you mean what is the difference between a group that considers themselves a "church" and more specifcially a "house church" and other groups calling themselves a "church" .

In a simplistic way , the main difference is that people meet in homes rather than a building meant only for meetings . But , it is more for a the idea of community being important more than being in homes .

Beloved brethren,
lets not get hung up on the word Church.
Each one of us who has has accepted Jesus as lord is a member of his church.

We learn in the Book of Acts that the 12 tribes of Israel that came out of Egypt with Moses were the church.

Act 7:38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and [with] our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

You could say that we on this forum are a vertual internet church.

The administrators of this forum have attempted to make a place for every style of Christian.

Those of us who come to this section do not like others lording it over us as has happned in the churches we have been part of in the past.

We are like babies and need to take little steps.

I have learned that I must study the words of Jesus in order to grow in faith.

He said come unto me all ye that are heavy laden and I will give yo rest.

Now its time for me to get some rest.

With love in Christ
brother daniel

 

[Edial]

There is only one Church . I think that you mean what is the difference between a group that considers themselves a "church" and more specifcially a "house church" and other groups calling themselves a "church" .

In a simplistic way , the main difference is that people meet in homes rather than a building meant only for meetings . But , it is more for a the idea of community being important more than being in homes .

OK. That's clear.

In this case they also have statements of faith, church goverment and are registered as church.

What do you find are the strenghts and weaknesses of a house church as compared to a community church?

Thanks,
Ed

 

[Edial]

Beloved brethren,
lets not get hung up on the word Church.
Each one of us who has has accepted Jesus as lord is a member of his church.

We learn in the Book of Acts that the 12 tribes of Israel that came out of Egypt with Moses were the church.

Act 7:38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and [with] our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

OK.

You could say that we on this forum are a vertual internet church.

The administrators of this forum have attempted to make a place for every style of Christian.

Those of us who come to this section do not like others lording it over them as has happned in the churches we have been part of in the past.

I understand that many were burned in community churches for variety of reasons.

You mentioned a virtual church.

Do you believe that the virtual church (as here at these forums) could provide all that a community and a house churches do?

If you mean that as a temporary "breather" from unpleasant experiences that one went through, I could understand that.

We are like babies and need to take little steps.

I have learned that I must study the words of Jesus in order to grow in faith.

He said come unto me all ye that are heavy laden and I will give yo rest.

Now its time for me to get some rest.

With love in Christ
brother daniel

This is true, brother daniel.

Thanks,
Ed

 

[New_Wineskin]

Beloved brethren,
lets not get hung up on the word Church.
Each one of us who has has accepted Jesus as lord is a member of his church.

We learn in the Book of Acts that the 12 tribes of Israel that came out of Egypt with Moses were the church.

Act 7:38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and [with] our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

You could say that we on this forum are a vertual internet church.

The administrators of this forum have attempted to make a place for every style of Christian.

Those of us who come to this section do not like others lording it over us as has happned in the churches we have been part of in the past.

We are like babies and need to take little steps.

I have learned that I must study the words of Jesus in order to grow in faith.

He said come unto me all ye that are heavy laden and I will give yo rest.

Now its time for me to get some rest.

With love in Christ
brother daniel

 

[New_Wineskin]

OK. That's clear.

In this case they also have statements of faith, church goverment and are registered as church.

What do you find are the strenghts and weaknesses of a house church as compared to a community church?

Thanks,
Ed

Just to make sure ... I was saying that the idea of home church was centered more on being community and fellowship than it is about being in homes .

I have no doubt that some house churches have those things that you mentioned while many want nothing to do with them .

One would need to look at a home church on an individual basis to know of their strengths and weaknesses . And , even the institutional groups have different strengths and weeknesses .

I would say that the strength of the house groups is that they have *potential* . They have potential to allow *each* person being a part of the group and not a part of an audience . Of course , there is the lack of financial overhead that most institutional groups *think* is a necessary part of being a group . For many home groups , there is greater allowance for the individual to seek the Lord for what He has for them . What He has for them as far as doctrines and do's and don'ts . The degree of importance ( if any ) on the Scriptures and how they are to be viewed .

So , they have greater *potential* not only for being a real community and friends but for their individual growth in the Lord as compared with the traditional approaches of groups - even those calling themselves "christian communities" .

 

[FLANDIDLYANDERS]

Potentially, the house church will make it easier to combine God with life, church with lifestyle, because the "sacred" and "secular" places are the same.

Unfotunately, this dualism does persist for many house churches, combined with the western notion of a house being private, you end up with another "secular"/"sacred" divide!

So, you cant really guarantee any one group being more christlike than any other... it's down to people... and we all royally mess up and excell fom time to time!!!!

But this, I think, is an important distinctiv and difference between house and institutional church... questioning the divide btween "sacred" and "secular" - whether it be "sundays", "places of worship", "work" or our very lifestyle.

 

[brother daniel]

Potentially, the house church will make it easier to combine God with life, church with lifestyle, because the "sacred" and "secular" places are the same.

Unfotunately, this dualism does persist for many house churches, combined with the western notion of a house being private, you end up with another "secular"/"sacred" divide!

So, you cant really guarantee any one group being more christlike than any other... it's down to people... and we all royally mess up and excell fom time to time!!!!

But this, I think, is an important distinctiv and difference between house and institutional church... questioning the divide btween "sacred" and "secular" - whether it be "sundays", "places of worship", "work" or our very lifestyle.

Brethren in Christ,
I consider us to be in church now. Since we are all members of the body of Christ. Jesus says wherever two or more are gathered together in my name their I AM.

As Christians there is at least two of us so we are conferming that we are members our Lords church on line. It does not matter what school we went to, or where we first learned about Jesus and his gospel.

As Christians we know we are one with him.

I would love to be living in unity with brethren they are just few and far between. I live in a small rural community in the Catskills. There is nobody I can fellowship with daily in Christ. I am not a one day a week Christian.

As it is I live alone on 40 lovely wooded acres I am caretaking. The owner has provided me with electricity and a phone line so I can study and fellowship with others in Christ.
Here is an exchange I had with a sister this morning concerning the Emerging Church Movement.

I checked it out

Originally Posted by merryheart
For those who would like to explore "what is EC" and who identify with the movement to a greater or lesser extent, here is a new forum request. Maybe this name will get more traction than PostCharismatic did.

http://www.christianforums.com/t3877...nt-church.html


All believers are missionaries


Quote:
Originally Posted by merryheart
From Wikipedia:
Emerging Church Movement

Missional living
All believers are missionaries who are sent to be a blessing to the culture around them through a lifestyle that brings God's kingdom here on earth through verbal evangelism [citation needed], social activism and however God has gifted the individual..

Generosity
Originally Posted by merryheart
[6] This generosity also extends to dialogue with non-Christian religions and non-religious people for some like Brian McLaren but not others, like Mark Driscoll.
Christ-centered

I am persuaded to know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified.


Originally Posted by merryheart
A commitment to emulating Jesus' way of living, in particular his loving of God, neighbors and those normally considered enemies. An understanding of the gospel as one centered on Christ that is a message about the Kingdom of God and reconciliation between God, man and creation.[5]

I can agree to the above.

Quote:
Originally Posted by merryheart
Biblical Interpretation
An openness to consider a plurality of interpretations as well as the impact of the reader's cultural context on the act of interpretation in contrast to the primacy of the author's intent and cultural context. The influence of postmodern thinkers such as Jacques Derrida and Stanley Fish can be seen in the emerging church approach to interpreting Scripture.


Sounds questionable.


Originally Posted by merryheart
Authenticity
Favouring the sharing of experiences and interactions that are personal and sincere such as testimonies over scripted interactions


There is power in our testamony

Quote:
Originally Posted by merryheart
such as propositional, formulaic evangelistic tracts and teaching. Emerging Church participants are thus true to the social constructs of their local narratives rather than to any absolute, ahistorical, cross-cultural authority.

sounds good

Originally Posted by merryheart
Conversation/Dialog
Creating a safe environment for those with different opinions to talk and listen with an attitude of grace when there are disagreements as opposed to the dogmatic proclamation found in historic Christianity.

AMEN

Originally Posted by merryheart
Emerging Church groups also typically emphasize the following elements:

* A flexible approach to and continual reexamination of theology which causes them to see faith as a journey rather than a destination, and to accept differences in beliefs and morals.

Not acceptable among disciples of Jesus Christ.

Quote:
Originally Posted by merryheart
* A belief in creating communities built out of the creativity of those who are a part of each local body.

Originally Posted by merryheart
* A holistic view of the role of the church in society. This can mean anything from a higher degree of emphasis on social action, building relationships with the surrounding community, or Christian outreach.
* Creative approaches to worship and spiritual reflection. This can involve everything from the use of contemporary music and films to liturgy, as well as more ancient customs, with a goal of making the church more appealing to postmodern people.

This plurelism is the broad way and leads to distruction.


Originally Posted by merryheart
* Use of the internet is a dominant medium of communication through various blogs, websites and online videos.

We are doing that now.
Beloved I can relate to the "emergent village" with multi media linkup.

With love in Christ
brother daniel

 

[FLANDIDLYANDERS]

Online is only one aspect of church. It can never fulfill al aspects of church because, for one, it is too easy to conceal oneself. I hide from myself, let alone others!

The point of "where one or two" is that we are all tamples of the Holy Spirit. Church just means "mob". Church is just a communal expression of us individual temples. Online is one aspect, yes, and for some - particularly in rural areas - maybe an important one.

 

[New_Wineskin]

Brethren in Christ,
I consider us to be in church now. Since we are all members of the body of Christ. Jesus says wherever two or more are gathered together in my name their I AM.

He said whenever three or less are gathered .

As Christians there is at least two of us so we are conferming that we are members our Lords church on line.

Only if there are no more than three .

 

[Edial]

...

I would love to be living in unity with brethren they are just few and far between. I live in a small rural community in the Catskills. There is nobody I can fellowship with daily in Christ. I am not a one day a week Christian.

As it is I live alone on 40 lovely wooded acres I am caretaking. The owner has provided me with electricity and a phone line so I can study and fellowship with others in Christ.
...

Aah.
You definitely have a case for participating in a virtual church.

40 acres? I am coming over. .

Thanks,
Ed

 

[New_Wineskin]

Originally Posted by merryheart [URL]http://www3.christianforums.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif[/URL]
For those who would like to explore "what is EC" and who identify with the movement to a greater or lesser extent, here is a new forum request. Maybe this name will get more traction than PostCharismatic did.

http://www.christianforums.com/t3877...nt-church.html


All believers are missionaries


Quote:
Originally Posted by merryheart
From Wikipedia:
Emerging Church Movement

Missional living
All believers are missionaries who are sent to be a blessing to the culture around them through a lifestyle that brings God's kingdom here on earth through verbal evangelism [citation needed], social activism and however God has gifted the individual..

Generosity
Originally Posted by merryheart
[6] This generosity also extends to dialogue with non-Christian religions and non-religious people for some like Brian McLaren but not others, like Mark Driscoll.
Christ-centered

Originally Posted by merryheart
A commitment to emulating Jesus' way of living, in particular his loving of God, neighbors and those normally considered enemies. An understanding of the gospel as one centered on Christ that is a message about the Kingdom of God and reconciliation between God, man and creation.[5]


Quote:
Originally Posted by merryheart [URL]http://www3.christianforums.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif[/URL]
Biblical Interpretation
An openness to consider a plurality of interpretations as well as the impact of the reader's cultural context on the act of interpretation in contrast to the primacy of the author's intent and cultural context. The influence of postmodern thinkers such as Jacques Derrida and Stanley Fish can be seen in the emerging church approach to interpreting Scripture.


Originally Posted by merryheart
Authenticity
Favouring the sharing of experiences and interactions that are personal and sincere such as testimonies over scripted interactions


Quote:
Originally Posted by merryheart
such as propositional, formulaic evangelistic tracts and teaching. Emerging Church participants are thus true to the social constructs of their local narratives rather than to any absolute, ahistorical, cross-cultural authority.


Originally Posted by merryheart
Conversation/Dialog
Creating a safe environment for those with different opinions to talk and listen with an attitude of grace when there are disagreements as opposed to the dogmatic proclamation found in historic Christianity.

Originally Posted by merryheart
Emerging Church groups also typically emphasize the following elements:

* A flexible approach to and continual reexamination of theology which causes them to see faith as a journey rather than a destination, and to accept differences in beliefs and morals.


Quote:
Originally Posted by merryheart
* A belief in creating communities built out of the creativity of those who are a part of each local body.

Originally Posted by merryheart
* A holistic view of the role of the church in society. This can mean anything from a higher degree of emphasis on social action, building relationships with the surrounding community, or Christian outreach.
* Creative approaches to worship and spiritual reflection. This can involve everything from the use of contemporary music and films to liturgy, as well as more ancient customs, with a goal of making the church more appealing to postmodern people.


Originally Posted by merryheart
* Use of the internet is a dominant medium of communication through various blogs, websites and online videos.

I wouldn't subscribe to being pat of EC but those sound pretty good .

 

[Edial]

He said whenever three or less are gathered .

Only if there are no more than three .

MT 18:19 "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."



Thanks,
Ed

 

[Edial]

Online is only one aspect of church. It can never fulfill al aspects of church because, for one, it is too easy to conceal oneself. I hide from myself, let alone others!

...

I agree.

Mutual accountability is certainly needed.

Thanks,
Ed

 

[New_Wineskin]

MT 18:19 "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."



Thanks,
Ed

*That's* my point .

Where were you when the other person wrote what *they* wrote ?

 

[Edial]

*That's* my point .

Where were you when the other person wrote what *they* wrote ?

I was thinking how to get to the 40 acres of property that he's taking care of ... and to have a barbeque.

 

[New_Wineskin]

I was thinking how to get to the 40 acres of property that he's taking care of ... and to have a barbeque.

There is something else going on but I have already written wbout it a few times and will just let it drop this time .

 

[Edial]

There is something else going on but I have already written wbout it a few times and will just let it drop this time .

Thanks,
Ed

 

[FLANDIDLYANDERS]

Jesus is already in the midst of us. We dont need exactly 2 or 3 of us.

I'll bring some kebabs and beers.