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Hello Group, Count me in as a new person in this group I have an on going interest about the "Small group, Cell, Home Church" movement sweeping the World, since 1974. .
For background, I have read Dr. Paul Cho's book on his experience in the Lord setting up Cells in the Korean Church. Also have on my desk and have read, "Where Do We Go From Here?" Written by Ralph W. Neighbour, Jr. The shear volume of the World wide Church movement toward the "Small group" speaks to my spirit, this isn't just some spoof or some person getting excited about some individual thought. My spirit acknowledges godly confirmation in this work of Christ's Church.
On this page alone, it is very easy to hear the "saints" crying out for something different from what they wittness in the, normal IC which has some "Short comings", in their opinion.
Dr. Neighbour states in, "Where Do We Go From Here? Addresses the IC question well. "Before we begin our journey together, let me give you the conclusion. With great love and affection, we shall examine the lifestyle of traditional church (IC) structures we have all known since childhood, and we shall find them wanting. Or, to put it more clearly, the Holy Spirit is finding them wanting. I repeat: we make this examination with sensitivity and compassion, in the same way a doctor examines an old friend who has a terminal disease. Sadly, I weep within, as did Jeremiah over his beloved Israel as I write about the traditional church. I also seek to withdraw form those who are filled with anger and criticism of it. Such negative spirits never become a part or what this book is about. Their motives are not pure enough for the Spirit or God to bless them." I believe while the Holy Spirit reveals to one's spirit, the church's "short commings" those enlighten need to focus attention upon how to correct the drift of the modern day church and bring it back to what Christ entended it to become.
Hearing "Bits and pieces" here and there, I would like to hear from you folks, details of (1) your understanding of the operational structure of this "New" type Home Church structure. (2) Your impression of how HC differs from Cell group ministry. (3) What leadership functions among the "saints" used? (4) How would you describe, how does the HC conduct it's self for the purpose of doing all thing in order during the services? (5)How are question or church directionI handled? I believe, that as the Lord reveals thrugh you, your positions about HC, my spirit, can and will gather enlightment of the direction the Holy Spirit is moving in this movenment.
I ask myself, Ok the Lord is doing a "New Work" in His Church, how can I become involve in this movement? Does my spirit receive and agree with others moving in this "new" direction"? Am I to be just a "Bench warmer" as i feel so often in the IC or will as the Spirt leads be doer of the Word instead of a hearer only.
Being a retired U.S. Army, Senior Non-Commissioned Officer, Chaplain's Administrator, I am quite familiar with, authority and a chain of command and with the function of the IC, where I have witnessed far to much control of believers by church leaders. So if the HC is moving away from this type "control" how is order maintained. Is the HC, left to one's understanding of the moving of the Holy Spirit? Being new to the group, I'm not sure I have proper understanding of the HC to ask intelligent questions. Therefore, the contribution of your position on HC will certainly enlighten my spirit and understanding. Thank you for your effort here. Ken Butler A Servant of the Lord
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Ken, I'm new to this group too! But I'm surprised that no one has responded to your question in over a month and a half! My wife and I and two children (18 & 20) have been privileged to be part of a house church since March of this year. About 9 months now. I believe the best place to start in addressing some of your questions is to go directly to scripture to see what the Holy Spirit says about this "thing" called "church"! The New testament uses the word church (as in gatherings of Christians) in 3 ways. If we are going to understand scripture and function as God intended, we must understand the 3 aspects of then church. (1)First there is the church which is Christ's Body. Ephesians 1:22,23 It includes every regenerate person, everyone who is born again, everyone who is in Christ. Thus every believer is a member of this church and this is the only church in scripture which has members! (I Cor.12:13-30)So if you are a member of this church, that is all the church membership you need be concerned about! (2)The second is "the church of God". With a good concordance (i.e. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance) check out every time this expression is used (singular and plural) in scripture. It ALWAYS refers to a church in a city. i.e. the church of God at Corinth, at Jerusalem, at Philippi etc. There is a church of God in every village, town or city where there are genuine believers. Every church of God includes ALL THE SAVED ONES, (saints) in that community. See I Cor.1:1,2 etc. Since it is the church of God, God is the one who adds to it Acts 2:47, owns it and appoints shepherds/elders to care for it Acts 20:28, regulates its' gatherings (whenever those who belong to it are willing to get together with each other!) I Cor.14:23-40 and I Tim.2&3 see especially 3:14,15. (3)Churches in houses (may be many of these in each city) include all the saints who meet in that particular house. For examples see Romans 16:5, Philemon 1:2 etc These gatherings are the most common and are marked by mutual ministry which is interactive and are guided by N.T. instructions marked out by the words "every man", "every one", "one another" etc. For example see Hebrews 10:24,25; I Peter 4:10,11.
These churches have no need of "clergy" who have titles, special education, require salaries etc because the N.T. teaches that all believers are: ORDAINED to bear fruit that remains (John 15:16), all are MINISTERS (I Peter 4:10,11) and all are CLERGY! In I Peter 5:3, Peter, who is also an elder, exhorts other elders not to lord it over God's "heritage". (KJV) The Greek word translated "heritage" is the word KLEROS, from which our English word "clergy" is derived! If elders are not to lord it over God's clergy, who are the clergy? None other than you and I, brother and sister who know Christ as our Saviour!
There are many other distinctive features of N.T. churches, but this will suffice for now. I look forward to meeting and interacting with many others on this forum!
It is good to read your self introduction and background. I just registered today and was starting to read other people's experiences when I came across this letter. I am grateful and humbled by the amazing power of the Holy Spirit to lead people from all over the world to bring them to the same understandings, observations and conclusions. Thank you for your honesty and openness. I look forward to reading more from you and finding out what the Spirit is leading you to do as you begin leading a House Church. If you would like to see my first communique to the HC community, look for my posting in the community-new members section. I hope you too find the sililarities interesting.
In Christ,
Don Moorehead McKinney, Texas
-------------------- Don Moorehead McKinney, Texas
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