House Churches and reaching the world
No evangelism nor Bible study or discipleship programme, no matter how excellent and sound, will ever achieve what only the local body of believers can do: to disciple each other and their neighborhood in real life, teach each other how to live in spirit and truth, change each other’s values and life-styles, offer accountability, correction, love, grace and forgiveness, and to be an ongoing mutual encouragement to each other. Only this will make Jesus transparent to each other and the world around us, so that people will not only hear and read about, but truly ”see and understand” the Gospel, so that all know and see what there is to know and see about Jesus.
-- Wolfgang Simson, Houses that Change the World, p.287.
-
Hey Rich, welcome to the site. We're glad to have you contributing.
I've come to the belief that there are at least two kinds of house churches. Many that you see appear to be "lite" versions of the institutional church. They still have all of the rules and institutional structures. Some even have paid staff like pastors. The only real difference is that they are smaller and meet in homes. The second kind of house church is one that follows the principles of 1 Cor 14 where each person brings their God-given gifts to the table for the purpose of edifying one another. In this fully Biblical model, there is no central authority nor focus of the assembly. Church leadership, what little there is, is committed to creating disciples of Christ, not disciples of a specific denominational system or theology. All of those present bring what they have to the body of believers and it's up to the individual to test what is said against Scripture, much like the Bereans
Sadly, I have not yet been able to locate the second kind of house church locally here in the Seattle area. I found two gathering claiming to be house churches, but as far as I can tell neither one views all believers as having a place in the gathering. Instead, I have found this kind of fellowship online. The online version has its plusses and minuses. I think that its biggest plus is that I have good fellowship every day without the expectation that gatherings are limited to Sunday mornings. And some of the discussions last several days or weeks (or months) as the conversations develop. There are no timelines to be met or the need to finish by a set time. It is very, very organic.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
--------//--------
-
-
That is weighty quotation! Thank you for providing it, Rich.
Simson has worked and prayed for revival in Europe for many decades. At last there are some stirrings. Making me to think of Ezekiel's vision of the valley of dry bones which slowly came to life.
The demographics of Europe are a rapidly moving target with mass immigration underway. So, these also must be reached with the Gospel too.
The good news is that the new-comers are not steeped in any false, suffocating Christian traditions.
Also. Many Islamists are becoming Christians from all around the world. Many claimed to be reached through dreams.
The Almighty is at work among us! May we be vessels, willing and fit for his Kingdom service.
(This video, is not an endorsement of any group, person, or practice. Just to demonstrate the undeniable, recent upsurge of interest in Europe.)
