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I tendered my resignation this week to our local institutional church. My husband and I were deeply involved in every aspect of the church, so I know a huge void will be left in the volunteer force. I hurt for them. But, the more I looked, the more I realized that the institutional church wasn't working.
I have been saved about 29 years and have always enjoyed the safety net of the church as I had known it. But 8-9 years ago, things started to unravel. It's then that I repeatedly saw the institution hurting people. This included us. We changed churches repeatedly to find that "safe haven" but were unable to find it for very long.
The more we became involved with the politics of the church, the more it broke our hearts to see the problems that were manifested.
So I found this site. I so desire to find a "safe place" to fellowship. Yet here, I am seeing repeated postings of problems and confusion in the house churches. Now I'm becoming a bit nervous. How will I find one of these fellowships?
On this site I see much animosity toward the institutionalized church. I think this is incorrect. We should not be leaving the institution out of rebellion, but because we are seeing a better way, not because we have animosity toward the IC. God still loves the IC. He blesses them repeatedly with revivals. We must not speak against the Bride of Christ. And our brothers and sisters in the IC are still our brothers and sisters - and they are still part of the Body and the Bride of Christ.
I will not leave our IC with hard feelings. I love them very much. It is not an easy step I take, but, I believe, a necessary one.
I am looking for more information on what a HC looks like. I don't want the IC trappings of formality. Is this something that differs from church to church - house to house? The little bits I've gleaned through this site have been very encouraging.
Many postings though are still talking about "Pastors". I was hoping that that would be one of the things left behind in the fellowshipping of believers. I had hoped maybe we would all share equally in that role - saving us from the heirarchy and pride that comes from it.
I would love to have more correspondence with others that can help me figure this all out and get a start.
If I cannot find a house church, how might I start one? I will not attempt to pull them away from the IC. If they are happy and fed there, let them be. I seek those who are looking for less formality.
Thanks to all of you who share here so freely. Help me to figure it all out, okay?
-------------------- I live to light the paths of others, love broken people and to live each day as a dee-dah day.
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Greetings fellow traveler! We are at a similar juction, very new. I appreciate your heart concerning our ICs. They're still part of the Bride, and still our brothers and sisters! I'm responding to your request for help, guidance and understanding about the how's and what's in the HC. I don't know how the Lord talks/works with you, but I've found God gives me "a little here, a little there" Probably because I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed and can only handle a little at a time. I would encourage you to read that article entitles "The Last Church Manual" or something like that. I think God has been answering my prayer about the HC How's, why's etc., becuase right now it's just our family (congregation size: 3) I asked the Lord for the blueprints of His church according to the Word. And He's answering that question by not answering. He's quietly pointing to the Word. "There it is. Find the answer. Be able to answer anyone asking about your hope, and why you're doing what you're doing, according to the blueprints, book, chapter and verse." If we really believe that Christ is in the midst of 2 or 3 gathered in His name...then...well...prove it. ME: "But, Lord, there's only 2 of us" LORD: "Uh huh - Your point is...?" Anyway, I'll cut this novel short by ending with I Cor. 15:58. We are going through the hardest part of any journey, but this labor is not in vain! Thanks for reading!
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I was about to respond but read your post Pat, and wow, that was beautifuly put. My prayer after praying and looking for a church/Bible study and that wasn't happening, I switched my prayer to "Lord, send those of like mind...and He did. Anyway, my name is Marie and I'm new to R.C.C. I'm looking foreward to hearing what you folks have to say. Oh, just bear with the many folks who may have been wounded by organized religion and as a result, need to bounce things off one another. I think we just have to be reminded to focus on Jesus and not the problem. It's hard sometimes. Marie
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Hello ShilohsChild, Thanks for sharing your concerns, today.
I know that it took great courage to do what you have just done and I pray that God will now direct your steps and increase your faith as you head into the future - His future.
Couple of thoughts as I head out to work: First, I would not view churches as being started or planted but rather any number of Christians meeting as the church, anytime, anywhere. Belief of this fact takes a huge burden away. Instead of organizing something, we are leading individuals to Christ and opening our doors to fellowship with them.
Second, I am also offended by the modern version of the "pastoral office" and will always seek to gently refute it where possible. Shepherding or pastoring is just the informal caring for your fellow brothers and sisters. Though it is specifically and naturally enjoined upon the older ones (the elders of Acts 20, 1 Peter 5. etc), certainly those of other ages can and should be engaged.
Your signature, btw, provide us with an excellent picture of selfless love for others: "I live to light the paths of others, love broken people and to live each day as a dee-dah day."
Amen!!! Looking forward to receiving more from you and learning from you, too, brother.
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Hello ShilosChild - are you still there? Pat again, obiviously. Anyway, I wanted to share what I've felt as far as our direction here (which may differ greatly from what the Lord wants for you). I've been talking with my wife about this and I believe we're in agreement, though this is quite different from what we're used to as well. We plan to have church in our house. And we've talked about inviting folks over for dinner and purposely sharing fellowhip and the goodness of God with them. The hope is that people will sense God in our midst and want more, and keep coming back. No "service", no sermon, just godly edifying according to the scriptures. We are overcomers by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. And offering our hospitality, fellowship and according to their openness, the Gospel, I think we will be reaching out as best we can. I'm not a "street preacher." I've knocked on doors, handed out tracts and even sung in a gospel choir group in a parking lot. Looking back I cannot point to any fruit. Those "works" didn't work nor did they fit with how God made me. What does make sense to me and my heart is to open up my house, family and my heart by inviting those outside of family of God, and those looking for the fellowship of their brothers and sisters, to our house for that needed fellowship. And quite franky, if that's not the right way, we'll change. But we are going to assemble and reach out somehow and this seems like a pretty biblical way to do it. Anyway, that's where we're at. Should I keep you posted to our progress? Have a blessed day/week/life!
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I think if the two of you are "one" as far as Christianity goes (I'll explain), then why not have folks over and find out where they're at? If you can get right to meeting together at some point and set something up in the near future, well, great. I personally would forget grunting...it need'nt be so contrived because you want to build up a bridge first-so relax. I think this is where O.R. has gone off track. Explaination: I said "if the two of you are one"...because some of us have gone in A.Backwards in this life (sorry) for one reason or another and wind up in a relationship where one couple is committed to Christ and the other isn't...they MAY just as soon take the opportunity to say something that would derail the whole conversation...imagine you at the table with your neighbor? "Cough cough", you'd have to sweep up afterwards...I couldn't help but throw that in!! I need a smily face..
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Marie, I don't think I caught all the great humor of your post. As I mentioned we're open for however the Lord leads as far as interacting with people. If directly is the way - we'll do it. However, if building a bridge of relationship is better, then so be that. Nichodemas was a slow convert and he had a one on one with Jesus himself. Some folks are fairly skiddish with anything Christian. But if they see a very real Christ in us being our real selves, they be more open to continuing to meet under low key circumstances. And I'm totally okay with that. I don't view that as "grunt" work, but bridge building. Paul became all things to all people in order to save SOME (knew he wouldn't get everyone, but was still all things to all people).
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