posted
From a thoughtful article by Adam Graham published today in the Phoenix paper, the American Daily.
What type of problems do house churches have? Here are a few I and others I know who've worshiped in and have dealt with:
1) Cliques: A Pastor who moved out to the area I lived in wanted to go and visit a house church. The people would not even give him the location and times of their meetings.
2) False doctrine: False doctrine is a huge problem in the normal church world. Its even bigger in a world of open ministry. As some message are totally off the wall. I've heard sermons preached on the Mason Conspiracy, of government satellites about to obliterate Christians before Thanksgiving, etc.
3) Minor Points become the main thing: I've been in fellowships where the focus is on one thing and one thing alone and sadly that's not Jesus Christ. It’s a particular doctrine like the chosen day of rest and worship, the exactly correct way to say the name of the Lord, the End Times, etc. that becomes of more prominence and importance than the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
4) Everybody wants it their way. A lot of Americans are frustrated with their pastors. If only things were done their way. Take about four or five people thinking like that, put them in a group and watch the fun begin. A friend of mine whose spent years ministering in jails used to run services out of his house but the constant battle for control ended that. He explained there were "too many chiefs, not enough Indians."
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