Your observation is true, Dan. House churches have been oversold and buyer's remorse often followed. Looking back, the motivation seemed to be more from rebellion (defined as freedom or revolution). These aspects do have considerable merit but eventually can wear thin.

Another big pull factor, also legitimate, was that many saints got badly hurt and even battered in the institutional churches.

The best motivation - which is never perfect in this life - should have been maturity in Christ and ministry to others. But as you know, people would rather complain and be lazy rather than serve one another and win the lost.

Ephesians 4:11-13 – And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

Perhaps, in the providence of God, some churches were meant to be seasonal or short-lived. I cannot say. The longing of the heart, in most people, is to belong to a larger group beyond the home. It's just in their DNA. So it seems.

By the way... Years ago, maybe 25 or 30, we visited a home meeting at your address in Ohio. Before arriving there, I remember seeing the vast farmlands as far as the eye could see. I am from the South, as you are aware. It was at that point I was reminded that the supposed justification of slavery on the basis of southern farms being too big to manage without black labor - was a very lame and cruel excuse indeed.

Brother, you have left a clear testimony and a pathway with many blessings to others. I thank you for your friendship. And with you, I long for members of every ethnic group to join hands and bow together at the cross of Christ. Then to arise and declare his glory and preeminence in all things.