Comment to 'House Churches and reaching the world'
Comment to House Churches and reaching the world

  • R

    Todd,

    Thanks for the welcome. It required a lot of sifting through google search results for "house church networks" to finally find this web site. It seemed like every other site described something that made me uneasy. I have a whole list that I went through.

    I agree with you-- there are at least two types that call themselves house church. I have come to the realization that a mini-institutional legacy church squeezed into a house is not like a New Testament church. But it took me a while to get to that conclusion.

    I get the impression that you are not alone, that there are many subscribers here looking for a good local house church but cannot find one. Why not just start one yourself? New Testament believers often did. And in many parts of the world house churches are springing up spontaneously. For my wife and I it did take a while. Then God had mercy on us and started miraculously bringing the people to us. He can do it.

    • T

      I appreciate your comment about starting a house church on my own. Although I would not be opposed to doing such a thing, I would not even begin to know where to start. I left virtually every Christian friend that I had behind when I left my old institutional church some three years ago, and for those few that I remain in contact with they all think that I'm off my rocker. The church background that I come from is suspicious of anything in the Christian faith that makes an emotional connection with the Gospel, so how exactly do I convince those whom I know that there is more to life in Christ than a handful of rulebooks? I think that I'd have better success with a Craiglist ad.

      • R

        Todd, You ask a good question-- where to start. My wife and I are still trying to figure that out. We moved here in 2021 and started with zero contacts and have gradually made new friends. And they range from no spiritual interest at all to true followers of Christ. This is especially a challenge for me since I am not an outgoing person. My wife is better at this. Here are some ideas to think about for meeting new people. Of course you have to be in prayer for God to connect you to the people He wants you with. We have used the first nine on this list.

        1) Take daily walks through nearby neighborhoods.

        2) Make food purchases at the weekly outdoor market.

        3) Host a holiday, birthday or Superbowl party at your place.

        4) If you are not in church Sunday mornings that is a perfect time to meet post-church people. Regularly visit a park, coffee shop, food court, etc with a Christian paperback book or NT in-hand and that might prompt a conversation.

        5) Introduce yourself and welcome new people moving to your neighborhood.

        6) Invite a new acquaintance for lunch at a restaurant or at your place.

        7) Host a movie showing at your place.

        8) Accept invitations from others even if it is not exactly your thing.

        9) Take a dance class (this took some persuasion).

        10) Take a class in a subject that does interest you.

        11) Join a club that matches your interests.

        12) Volunteer with a non-profit organization.

        13) If you are a dog person, frequent a local dog park.

        14) Use the local gym or fitness center.

        15) Hiking.

        16) Sit and read at the local library.

        17) Take a class about something that interests you.

        18) Attend a cultural event or festival.

        19) Attend an event at your community center.

        20) Meet new people at your workplace.

        21) Attend a sporting event for your favorite team.

        22) Add your own better idea here.

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