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Hello, I'm Jason from northern WV. I'm a father of 6, husband of 1 . I have filled a few roles in the past, pastor, deacon, (assistant pastor without the title). I'm currently without a church at the moment due to doctrinal reasons and studying the house church movement. I've been reading and listening to a few things over at NTRF and agree with a lot of what they say but still checking it out. Thanks!
West Virgina...it just sounds beautiful. We are visiting my folks in Apache Junction, AZ for Thanksgiving. My lovely wife, an Army Reservist, home on a mid-tour leave and our son and I have joined my folks for this holiday.
You'll probably find several former position and title holders around here. I've found a comfortble appreciatation for being simply known as "Pat" or "brother" or even "hey you!"
I hope you'll feel at home here, both edifying and being edified by others. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! May you continue to walk in peace, power and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost!
I'm Jeff from Eastern Virginia, along the Potomac river. I started out in home church but now attend an IC (SDA since 1995). I am very interested in the house church movement because I believe God is bringing many people out of the error taught in the modern American churches. So I would very much like to know what doctrinal reasons caused your separation. If you feel comfortable exposing yourself to our examining eyes please describe. But understand that you might get a little feedback. But don't take it too personally. We are all searching, aren't we? If you would be more comfortable one on one then feel free to just send me a private message (PM). Just click the icon of the two figures shaking hands beside the envelope at the top of one of my posts.
And Welcome to the Detox/Freefall part your Christian Journey! We were formerly a bit of everything, too, the Can-Do people. I'm wondering how much longer "regular churches" will be able to coast without their chief cook/bottlewasher/toilet scrubber/door-to-door evangelist teams?
What resources have you read/heard/experienced so far?
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Jeff, my doctrinal issues are a bit strange to most people but for one I don't consider myself a trinitarian, or a oneness or anything else for that matter when it comes to the God-head argument. The apostles never put a label on God and try to figure Him out, neither can I. That doesn't mean I don't don't believe in the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, it just means I'm not claiming to understand the mystery of the God head. To some that might not be such a big deal but I came out of the apostolic movement where that was a heaven or hell issue. Another point celebrating Christmas. I don't condemn those who do celebrate it but in my studies I have saw where it all (including the date)came from Roman Catholicism and paganism. Honestly there is very little Christ in Christmas. And one more would be baptism, I believe the Apostles dunked them in the name of Jesus Christ just like it says in the book of Jesus Christ so that's the way I do it. I would PM you but I would rather just show people who I am doctrinally at this point, instead of letting them wonder why I'm so weird later on. Lol, course you'll figure out that I'm just plain weird any way, but that's another story!
Laurie, your post made me laugh! That is certainly the truth of it. I've a lot of good memories from my days in old fellowship, but people do tend to get taken advantage of. As far as what I've read, pretty much anything I can. I've just ordered the book Ekklesia I believe was the name of it. Looking forward to delving into it! So far I have seen some huge pieces of a puzzle fall into place though. It's amazing, but I think maybe God was leading us in this direction a few years ago, we were always having people over for dinner just for the fellowship, but people got tired of it, having more important things to do in their own lives.
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We share much of the same background, Jason. I tend to agree and teach much of what I was taught, however, the spirit I teach in is quite different (along with the beard and non-white shirt. And tie? What tie? Ha Ha.)
Your view of baptism is the same perspective I come from concerning all things doctrinal. "In the mouth of two or three witnesses, let every word be established." If we need books, tapes, a special speaker, etc., to explain doctrines, perhaps we're going about it wrong. We should all be able to open the Word, and being led by the Spirit, expound truth. I believe there is also the need for healthy, spirited communication of the body of Christ to understand the many facets of a truth. I don't have all of it; you don't have all of it. But we should have more of it together than separately.
quote:Originally posted by strangerandapilgrim: It's amazing, but I think maybe God was leading us in this direction a few years ago, we were always having people over for dinner just for the fellowship, but people got tired of it, having more important things to do in their own lives.
Actually, the one thing that we really get out of what God is doing is a remedy for LONELINESS! Our experience was like yours, we were so busy doing ministry it was hard to make time to meet our social needs, and others weren't interested enough to overcome the obstacles! Everybody we knew had full lives, but none of what we did allowed for true companionship: so different from what the disciples had with Jesus!
While there are a hundred doctrinal reasons for leaving the IC, the "Greatest of these is LOVE". Both for our fellow believers and for the lost, all of whom we never had time for!
I was WILLING to work the way we did before - don't want to give the impression that I resented that. What bothered me was that it resulted in NO FRUIT! We were working way too hard to have absolutely nothing to show for it!
(If you are interested you might take a look at my self-intro at Introductions forum. It may resonate with you as well.) Blessings, Laurie Ann (PS: Don't worry that jq represents any of the rest of us here. As he said, he's an unapologetic Seventh Day Adventist, and hangs out here for reasons unknown. Right Jeff?)
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Probably no one is perceived to be any stranger than I am, Jason. As you can tell from Laurie's remarks. (I think she's a little sore because she is loosing a debate.)
I think part of the reason I "hang out" here is that I've been part of the forum for a very long time. I joined in the mid 1990's during my experience with home church. I've seen so many come and go during these many years--many which I miss. Each time I think about leaving the Lord seems to urge me to hang on. Much in the way he led me to the Adventist faith--something I am very thankful for.
Something else very curious to me is that the house church movement is following in much the same way the Adventist church began. Perhaps most churches started in a similar fashion. But I am not familiar with any story but that of the Adventist church which goes something like this...
During the preaching of a Baptist minister name Wm. Miller many who embraced his teachings were forced from the various denominations because of their beliefs. They banded together meeting in homes but with many different ideas about truth because they came from many different churches. They studied their Bibles and prayed about things on which they disagreed until the Lord revealed his truth and they could agree. They struggled with tithe, organization, leadership, and many of the same subjects the HC struggles with now. Finally after growing to considerable size they voted to organize in order to better coordinate the work and thus became known at the Seventh-day Adventist Church--an appellation that describes their key doctrines: A belief in all of God's commandments and the soon return of Jesus.
So it is so very interesting to watch as the HC deals with these same issues. It's interesting to see how they handle them.
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Jeff, let us leave it to others to determine our success or failure in presenting our views. Good.
Jason, I am quite fond of WV as my mother - Brother Mother - was from Fayetteville. She introduced me to couple of great things which I never got over: House church (aka Children's Bible Club). Pizza (aka cheese toast).
May the Lord establish your steps as you continue in the journey.
Everyone, feel free to start new threads upon any subject.
I regret accusing Laurie of any retaliation and suggesting that she was loosing a debate. And I apologize for my words which I did not think were intended to hurt. At the time I perceived her comments to be hostile towards me so I was not quick to reply. However, it would appear that I did not consult with the Lord before responding. And, although the format resembles that of a debate we are not here for personal victory but rather to seek after truth which sets us free. As scripture states we are to cast down every thought that opposes God. The Word of God alone determines truth. Let His Word be exalted.
I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.--Psalm 138:2
quote:Originally posted by D Anderson: Jeff, let us leave it to others to determine our success or failure in presenting our views. Good.
Jason, I am quite fond of WV as my mother - Brother Mother - was from Fayetteville. She introduced me to couple of great things which I never got over: House church (aka Children's Bible Club). Pizza (aka cheese toast).
May the Lord establish your steps as you continue in the journey.
Everyone, feel free to start new threads upon any subject.
I personally think you live in one of the most beautiful states in the union. I've worked in Oak Ridge, Kingston, and Cumberland City TN, I love your state! I also has an uncle that lived in Nashville most of his life and my late brother lived in Murfeesboro until he passed away. If I was going to pick a state to live in just because I liked the state it would be TN. Lol, course body wise I need to be in Arizona or Mexico, this moist air kills me!
I am fairly new here as well, but have enjoyed this little family imensely! To answer your origonal question, my husband, 4 kids and I began having church in our home 2 years ago this april. I always tell people that we began having a house church in July of 2006 because thats when we began meeting regularly with other believers in our home. Now, I am realizing, that we beagan a few months before that with just our family. Those were a precious few months when we began to become much more spiritualy in tune with our kids and with each other! As we have added others, this connection has deffinately continued, which is funny as this was one thing we worried about- how house churching would affect our kids- the affect has been a wonderful one! If any more were to be added to our church, it would definately be time to multiply in some way to maintain the interactive nature of our times together. I am definately loving this house church journey!!!!
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oops- I wrote this entry at the end of the wrong thread- I was answering Jasons question about if anyone has met as a house church with just their family.
quote:Originally posted by JeanneH: oops- I wrote this entry at the end of the wrong thread- I was answering Jasons question about if anyone has met as a house church with just their family.
My husband and I started a house church this past September. We felt God call us to start a work in our area and it has been wonderful! We are 5 members strong now and growing. Just wanted to say hello to others in the house church movement. We are in the great state of Alabama!
Email this page to someone.
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. I have filled a few roles in the past, pastor, deacon, (assistant pastor without the title). I'm currently without a church at the moment due to doctrinal reasons and studying the house church movement. I've been reading and listening to a few things over at NTRF and agree with a lot of what they say but still checking it out. Thanks!
