I really long to find others in my area who have similar thoughts about 'church' to me - and I'm quite thrilled to come across this web-site, along with the www.house2house.tv site. I suppose I'm a bit disappointed that there are not more people from the UK contributing to the site, but I guess these things take time. I'd love for anyone to get in touch with me, even just to say 'hi' - and I will definately try to reply.

Meantime, I have one or two queries about the whole 'house church' set-up. I guess it's easy to idealise the issue, to think it will work smoothly and perfectly, without the problems of larger church structures. But surely in practise, many of the same problems are still very likely to emerge - such as dominant leadership, people falling out, disagreement over who's house to have different meetings in, who decides what, who is accepted as a true Christian brother/sister, etc etc. I mean, is it really gonna work out so much better than the denominational churches we're all so used to? I would love to think it would, but I do wonder sometimes. And what if there just aren't any 'prophets', 'apostles' or whatever in the immediate or distant area - how do things operate without them? What if someone thinks they have a particular gifting, and others don't? I'd love to know your discerning thoughts on this. What I do know is that the whole house church style, as so wonderfully advocated by Wolfagang Simson, really strikes a most exciting chord in my heart and spirit.

thank you so much, and every blessing to you in Christ,

love,

Just invite some Christian friends over for dinner one day. Then invite them over next week. And the week after. There's your home church.

It's not about joining a group. It's about fellowship.

my 2cents.

Also like you, I had been exploring some of the websites on housechurches and had been frustrated by the lack of interest/input from the UK. It is really interesting therefore to know that someone else in Scotland has read and been so blessed/blown away by this book.

I don't know if you have heard of Gene Edwards, but he is apparently "big" in the house church scene in the US. There is a website - I think just the name Gene Edwards will get you there. There are a few people in Edinburgh in touch with this gentleman and he is coming to Edinburgh for a conference in early March. I can get you the details if you are interested - they are to be produced in the near future. It would appear that not everyone involved in house churches in the States is totally happy with Gene Edwards' approach. As you say, this scene is probably vulnerable to "control freaks", diasgreements etc. However, what is new where church is concerned?!

I must say that I share a lot of your reservations about the whole concept/structure and so on, but I still feel a very big "YES" to the overall approach taken by Wolfgang Simson.

Anyway, it is good to know that there is some kind of kindred spirit in Scotland, even if in the "far north". I'd love to dialogue with you further on this matter, perhaps even to chat over the phone. In the meantime, I'll look forward to noting your thoughts on-line.

This is another David, from across the big blue pond.

Our Lord is surely at work in your minds and in your lives. We long to hear more from you as time goes on. I can tell that you two (and Psostre!) have been doing a lot of thinking. :-D

So, I want you to post your specific questions one at a time in the relevant places on this forum. And your comments, of course.

That's an order ...

... well actually, just a friendly invitation.

Most folks come through and read without participating. Ratio of readers to writers is about 50 to 1.

So, this is to thank you in advance for the excellent content you will be providing for us all.

warm blessings in Christ Jesus, the Lamb of God,

David Anderson
Bristol, TN USA

The Lord Bless you all with His presence and love..........

Terry K.