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I have been a key leader in a large church for over 21 years believeing very much in the five fold ministries, baptisim in the Holy spirit, healing etc.
On reading the book 'Houses That Change The World' by Wolfgang Simson my old concept of church has been smashed. I truly believe the only way forward is Home churches knitted together through the five fold ministries coming together at times to celebrate Jesus.
I have resigned my leadership and have found myself-so that I have some fellowship-in another large church in the City.
I see clearly the home church set up and utterly believe it is what God wants in our city. I have searched on the internet and looked for home churches but there are none in this area. Which is amazing because the City has 2.75 Million people.
I am married with teenage children and currently working in education.
I am seeking god but also what advice would you give to take the first steps in seeing a home church established and multiplied
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Welcome David, I have travled to both Ireland and England with a group called Teen Missions. This was back in 1993. You live in a truly beautiful country!
I know this may sound like "proselytizing" for home church, but are there any of your church that have come to you to ask what has happened? Invite them over for simple fellowship, with no agendas, and see what happenes. This may be The Lord's way of you finding likeminded believers. Also, do you have any brothers and sisters in Christ who you suspect may be open to what The Lord has shown you? Maybe you should approach them, as The Lord leads ...of course. Most folks here consider "The Church" simply believers. If two of you are fellowshipping, that's Church to us.
The truth is, this is all pretty new to my wife and I. I found a home church here in the United States after I had looked for months. Are there any Christian hostels or coffee houses around your area? Maybe they would know where you could go or who you could contact... I'll pray that The Lord give you His wisdom in this matter.
May God bless you, It's time for tea here, Feeling right at home, Matthew
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Thanks Matthew for your advice and prayers. There are a few Christian book and Coffee shops in the area. I will visit them to see if they have any contacts. God Bless David
Call me a maverick, but any two or more people such as you and a friend can meet anywhere, anytime as the church.
Any of the five-fold ministries can and should be exercised anytime, anywhere. They, imo, are not limited to a local church or house church.
Scripture never speaks of churches being planted, established, or multiplied. Rather, as reported in Acts, converts are simply "added to the church." Now that's "simple church."
May the Lord soon bring others into your path with similar interests. Keep us posted, please.
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Welcome to to the Journey of the Freefall, David!
We, too, did everything the church said to do for over 20 years. After a particularly "successful" season of ministry, I looked at the absence of real fruit, and cried out to God "You must have a different plan, 'cuz at this rate the nations are NEVER gonna hear the gospel!
Then I read Simson, and got a glimpse... then I read the Bible with my Church spectacles removed, and it all became clear that we are supposed to do ALL and ONLY what the followers of Jesus did, and with his understanding of the Kingdom (not on this mountain or that mountain, but in spirit and in truth, or "God left the Temple made by human hands to live in the Hearts and Homes of Men!).
"Religion" James said, is "to visit orphans and widows". Wow! And I thought religion was to go listen to a preacher! "The Kingdom of God is Within/Among you." So, look in the mirror and at the people at the breakfast table. That's the Kingdom ! Here and Now!
I'm sure you have basic Bible literacy, so the first place I'd start is to re-read Acts and write notes on, "What did the church do, and how did it fulfill the Commands of Jesus". for example, Chapter 10 records Peter exactly doing the strategy Jesus gave the 72 he sent out. I had never seen that before!
If you can, also get Brian Hogan's CD for computer called Church Planting Training at http://www.cafepress.com/cpcoaches/753261 . This is his 30 hour seminar on Frontier Church Planting, and its simple "do what Jesus did" strategy IS working for us. It has reproducible sheets of lists like "The 7 commands of Christ" and "Essentials and Non-Essentials of Church Planting".
His stuff is the best I've seen or heard for us ex-professionals to get our minds around what Not to do anymore!
One of my current meditations is "Clear away the Clutter to make room for Him and His agenda!!!
Amen! Let it be so! If we can just do that, the day will be very full indeed!
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