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For the last ten years I have been attempting to follow the lead of My Lord in establishing a practical application in fellowship for what already is the universal body of Christ. I cannot expound in this space just how I believe I had been led to do such- it is such a fearful and solemn task that most believers would label it someones vain imaginings. Despite this I have always believed that God can and will do exceedingly abundantly beyond when those He has prepared are ready to receive it. I am not so vain to think that my ministry idea is or will become the mainstay for Christian fellowship around the globe. I am convinced that due to the study and prayer that has surrounded my idea that it will benefit multitudes of those believers who seek His very best. Where God's Word is truthfully taught and implemented in the hearts of His children God will of certainty be glorified. I am writing this note in the hope that I can find one or two individuals willing to critique what I have placed together so far as concerns the obvious need for home and city churches. This has been a prayer of mine for some time although most of those I know are not committed believers and therefore cannot possibly grasp the vision God has given to many of us. I would very much like to share or meet with a few of you although my location in Michigan may make that difficult. Before many of you respond to this note please denote whether you merely want to 1)review some of the materials, 2)you have a desire to start a home church yourself or 3)you are willing to make a serious commitment to fill up what may be lacking or misguided in my understanding of God's will for this precious group of believers. The latter will take more than a cursory reading of my vision. I have questions like many of you although God has shown me much of what I once lacked in wisdom in the beginning and is moving me forward in His purpose. Although I will not delve into any detailed writing here I will leave you with some of the items I believe are pertinent in any house church. Many of you have echoed some of these same thoughts. Afterwards I shall note some topics I still seem a little vague about. The former I plan to include although I will refrain from explaining "why" here. The latter I would appreciate any commments or insight you may have. Thank You for listening. Although His answers are not in a collective reasoning of souls, much insight and truth can certainly be gleaned from those who walk not after the flesh but The Spirit. ITEMS INCLUDED 1)The acceptance of various foundational truths to participate(a few, not many) 2)The establishment of city churches again(all churches would be named after the locale where they are located) 3)House churches within that city would also be considered the church in that same place despite how many. 4)The only participants within these local churches would be those residing in those areas. 5)The home churches would all have outreaches which would be within their various locales. 6)All those desiring to attend must be tested prior to their possible involvement by elders- those chosen to oversee each various house church. Temporary elders prior to those in each church choosing them. 7)No more invitations to church. Any desiring fellowship must be tested for a genuine faith and the conversion of sinners takes place outside of the church. 8)A basic format for each church would be chosen which includes(An initial reading about the ministry,reading of various Tenets of The Faith and prayer. 9)The fellowship would assume a roundtable format where all members have an opportunity to share or exercize their spiritual gifts without cross talk or interruption. Each would pass or take a turn sharing in the fellowship. 10)This sharing would be primarily based upon a specific Biblical truth ot topics for which each person could relate their God given wisdom, related Bible passages and experiences related to them. No secular resources. 11)The truth or topics would be chosen by those in the church prior to the group or during the fellowship. 12)After this sharing a similar prayer circle would ensue,allowing The Holy Spirit to confirm His truth in regard to what was spoken. 13)Both the sharing time and the prayer times should last an hour each. 14)An elder can say a closing prayer. 15)Beyond two hours the fellowship can have formal teaching, giving,breaking of bread,sharing of the Lords supper or whatever The Holy Spirit leads them to.What is important is that ALL share their gifts as God commands. 16)The Tenets of Faith would be necessary to form a basic unity among the groups. Beyond that each church can alter the format as God leads. 17)Every church is to be autonomous, meaning self governing. They would answer only to each other within the various fellowships. 18)Each church group provides for their own ministry, outreach and members needs. 19)Various churches send out apostles(missionaries)to establish other churches in other locales. 20)These individual don't need titles. Those called as such merely fulfill God's calling upon their life.They take no direction from their home church but are led of the Spirit only. They return to report to their home church. 21)Peridically all local home churches in a locale would fellowship together,likely in an outside venue for teaching and public proclamation of The Word. 22)On all occasions the elders would be subject to the rule of the church as regards The Word.They lead, not lord it over others. 23)Elders have the final say who can and cannot participate within the fellowship. They also retain and distribute funds according to the members of the church. 24)The ministry itself is not a 501C or tied to the state or government. This is important. 25)The ministry pays no salaries to anyone whatsoever.The only revenue derived and paid to individuals is through a newsletter subscription which has a separate ministry from the local churches.It would be used to help keep the ministry site updated and to inform all local churches of pertinent news and monthly encouragement. 26)As always, Christ remains the Head. Needlesss to say there is more although this relays the basic ministry structure. I have written other documents that explain and support Biblically this format. STILL SEEKING HIS WILL 1)Membership in the local body as in the universal body of Christ. 2)Difficulties in apostolic ministries. 3)The need to keep the churches open to believers and yet retain integrity & discipline. 4)The need to keep the local house churches small for obvious reasons. 5)How to safeguard from heresy etc. I have some ideas. The primary reason for this ministry is the establishing of the saints. This is accomplished by providing a specific avenue towards growth(Tenets of The Faith)which shows believers how to grow from A to B to C etc. These tenets include- 1)Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior 2)Justification by faith 3)Acceptance by faith 4)Gods security for the believer 5)Total depravity 6)Completeness in Christ 7)Identification with Christ in His death & resurrection 8)The Holy Spirits leading for our lives 9)Becoming and making disciples 10)Embracing His sufferings and ours 11)Evangelism MOST IMPORTANTLY THE DESIRE TO ESTABLISH LOCAL CHURCHES AND SAINTS IS BASED UPON THE CROSS OF CHRIST WHICH MUST REMAIN THE FOCAL POINT OF ALL LIFE AND MINISTRY. EVERY PROBLEM IN THE MODERN DAY CHURCH AND EVEN OUR FELLOWSHIPS IS A DIRECT RESULT OF SAINTS REFUSING TO ACCEPT GOD'S DEATH SENTENCE UPON ADAM'S NATURE WITHIN THEM.THIS IS THE CRUX AND CROSS OF THE MATTER. NO MATTER WHAT YOUR DESIRE OR AVENUE OF SERVICE, EVERY QUESTION OF TRUTH,UNITY,OUTREACH AND PERSONAL GROWTH RIDES ON THIS ALONE- DO I KNOW HIM? MERELY IN THE FACTS OR IN ACTUAL EXPERIENCE? This ministry is a gift to those in the body of Christ. If you desire to know Him or make Him known please contact me. I will surely lift you before Our Master before and after you do. We are blessed my friends. We truly are. "I am telling the truth in Christ,I am not lying,my conscience testifies with me in The Holy Spirit,that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart...(despite this)He comforts us in all our afflictions so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves have been comforted by God" I know many of would testify to these truths as well. Take heart in the unity we possess through His Spirit.
It appears that you are taking bits and peices from many denominations and melding them into one.
You have the parish of the Catholic/Anglican/Luthren church. Hierarcy like that creates a paid priesthood to run it all. Unless you are modelling this on long the Amish lines, in that case a city church would never exist. Each church is fairly autonomous, with in the conference.
Take a look at the River Brethren, which are now, I believe, the Church of the Brethren. They use to, and in some areas may still practice this, have what was called 'The Love Feast', which was a weekend long worship service involving communal food preparation, meals and worship.
If I recall correctly the reason for testingin the early church was to exclude those who would deliberately try to wreck the fledgling church. While I know that there are those people who would do that still, I would be reluctant to pick and choose who would attend my church.
I am intersted in continuing this, so please continue.
Shalom
-------------------- Chewy
"And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" -- Micah 6:8
I think the main problem is that men try to "establish" the church instead of letting it take it's course under the direction of the Lord. He's the only one who can add to the church or decide who's in and who's out. Where does scripture demand a membership roster? Your list conveys much Calvinism after the traditions of a man. I believe there are saints on both sides of the Calvinsit debate. Who are you to judge Christ's servants?
Acts 2:47 (KJV) Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
-------------------- 1 Thes. 5:21 (KJV) Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
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Hi brother - we need your wisdom, too. Thanks for writing. May God direct our steps.
Faith, I appreciated your remark about the Lord having people on "both sides."
Whitfield and Wesley parted company over some "Calvinistic" points. They had been touring together as "field evangelists" until then. Years later, Whitfield was asked if he expected to see John Wesley in heaven. The humble George Whitfield paused and said: No, he'll be so much closer to the throne than I...
May God make us in the house church community to be promoters, where possible, of unity.
There is but one Lord, one faith, one baptism, Amen.
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