I hope to learn from this site. My husband and myself have been fellowshiping at home with our three young children now for almost a year. I must say, I do love the freedom and challenge of living and resting IN my Savior seven days a week. At first, it was a bit scary almost....the first few weeks of not going to "church".....but as time has gone by, our lives reflect an increasing walk in Him, dependent on Him.

One question though....why does home fellowship seem to offend people still in the more structured churches....has anyone else found folks adversely reacting to you, as if you have backslid because you are no longer "attending" anywhere?

Be assured you are not alone in discovering that others who are unfamiliar and thus wary of "house church" think that those of us who do not "go" to institutional church anymore have "backslidden"!

In my experience, whenever this sort of discussion arises, I like to refer to Hebrews 10:24,25 - the passage about "not forsaking thew assembling of ourselves together" which many use to claim that "good Christians" must "go to church"! Yes, it is true that we are to assemble together, BUT what does this passage teach that we are to do when we gather??? Two things: (1) provoking or stirring up ONE ANOTHER to love and good works, and (2)exhorting ONE ANOTHER!

How many people that you know who "go to church" can do any ONE ANOTHERING when they get there??? But this is what "church" is all about! It is relating to one another! Loving one another, edifying one another, praying for one another, exhorting one another, ministering to one another, rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with thiose who weep, confessing our faults one to another etc etc. You simply CANNOT do these things while staring at the back of other people's heads while you watch a religious performance!

I look forward (and know that others do as well) to hearing more from you in the future!