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We are a new house church. We are struggling with some religious baggage as we attempt to differentiate between forms and functions of the church. What forms, rituals, ceremonies do we practice as a group that remain true to our function as God's people of being salt and light. What is more important? If we focus on forms, then have we slipped into the same trap as the ceremony-rich institutions we just left? Do we exchange the true function of the church by focusing on "doing church" correctly? What forms are essential to function? What forms get in the way or even contradict function, if that is possible? Any experienced, long-timers out there with advice?
My experience is that form should follow function. Do an indepth study of the NT and let God lead you on what types of things should be happening as believers gather. I do not want to give too much but some things that I see are:
* Open, participatory gatherings by everyone, including children * Teaching / preaching * Praying * The Lord's Supper celebrated in the context of a full meal * And so on
The form will follow these functions as God leads. I don't think God is so much concerned that church "look" at certain way as much as he is concerned that we make room for Him to work in a way that is consistent with His Word.
By the way, I see you are from Marysville. Their is a family attending our fellowship (Ed and Rachel B.) that recently visited a new house church in Marysville...are you the same church?
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Thank you. Good advice. No, the couple you mentioned are not meeting with us but we would love to contact more folks locally who attend home churches. Please let them know we would love to meet.
I will speak with my friend who visited a start-up house church in Marysville and see if somehow we can help out. Our fellowship will pray for you as well.
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