Sometimes it’s helpful to step back and ask the question: “Why are we doing this house church / simple church thing?”
Fame? Fortune? Prestige? Probably not!
Is it because this is the “Scripturally correct” thing to do? Well… I do think Scripture has something to say about the primary church gathering being small, simple, family-style, and home based. Paul repeated this type of statement a number of times: “Please give my greetings to the church that meets in their home.” (Romans 16:5)
And, well, I do see Scripture pointing significantly to participatory gatherings, as per 1 Corinthians 14:26.
On the other hand, I do not see the overall tenor of the New Testament church as being one that focused heavily on “the form” or “the model” of church. Church, the people of God, is simply believers living an everyday lifestyle of worship, service, obedience, loving others, etc, etc. Yes, they gathered to bless and encourage one another, but, honestly, the form of these gatherings was not addressed with great emphasis. I think it was assumed that if Christians lived passionately for God, then gatherings would happen quite easily, organically, and… often very simply.
So… why do we do this house church / simple church thing?
Alan Creech says that we need to understand and do church differently because there is a “deep lack of real transformation going on in the Body of Christ.” I think this statement sheds some additional light.
But, I would add more. Yes, there is a Scriptural basis for small intimate gatherings. Yes, there is a need for deeper transformation in the Body of Christ.
And… overall… we want to participate with God in His life and in His purpose on the earth.
So… here is my list:
I believe in gatherings that are small, because we need the support, encouragement, and deeper growth that comes from this type of community.
I believe in gatherings where everyone is known so that no one gets lost.
I believe in gatherings where we can learn from each other’s personal lives and stories (not just head knowledge) so that growth and discipleship takes place in the context of genuine, healthy relationship.
I believe in gatherings that are participatory because this involves and engages the entire body of Christ.
I believe in gatherings that call the body of Christ to take responsibility for its own spiritual life and stop relying on mediators, events, or someone else to “bring us the goods” because we need to grow up.
I believe in gatherings that are simple so that we are free to spend time with nonChristians and have the time to invite them into our lives.
I believe in gatherings that are easily multiplied, so that we can see people released to reach people anywhere, disciple people everywhere, and start “churches” at any time in any place.
I believe in gatherings that are inexpensive so that money is freed up for apostolic workers and the needs of the poor.
I guess that’s it!
Is there one particular “model” that all of this fits into? I think God will constantly challenge, stretch, and re-shape our man-made attempts to “do” church gatherings. And I think that is okay. The point is to keep focusing on maximizing our life with Him, our partnership with His purposes, and our spiritual growth.
And, for me for now, this means keeping the whole dog-gone thing simple, simple, simple.
Comments
7 responses to “Why Are We Doing This?”
Very good list. It is important to keep these in mind so that the “form” doesn’t turn into a religious tradition the way buildings have for many.
-Alan
Amen. Very good thoughts.
I think you are right that form is not mentioned directly in the NT. For me simple church is about being abe to respond biblically in my life. It is more about walking with GOD and going to meet GOD at a Sunday gig.
great thoughts! I’m new to blogging and this is my initial comment here, but I’ve been reading your posts and looking at your list of HC basics. good stuff and helpful in my journey toward a new way of doing church as a pastor who’s been in professional ministry for over 20 years. Looking to do a HC and all that results from this kind of endeavor. Makes good sense related to scripture and in a diverse context like Miami, where I am currently serving. The flexibility, economics and stewardship of House churches directed toward missional efforts is very attractive in a place where the traditional church has limited reach and engagement. Thanks for the affirmations in this post – “I believe …” These are helpful to give flesh to a dynamic process in a developing community of faith, rather than a model for cookie cutting.
Said enough for my first time … appreciate you sharing your thoughts and experience with those of us beginning the journey.
It is always good to go back to the basics and this post is a great reminder of that. Thank you for posting your thoughts and questions – they are engaging and encouraging.
Roger,
These are good words. When I first began the journey toward a more “simple” approach to Church I was way too focused on the form of the meeting. I wanted everything to be “Biblical” in the sense that it looked just like the early church meetings of the first century. However, I noticed that I was more concerned about getting it right everytime and making sure I could argu for my perspective over and against what traditional congregations practice. However, I was quickly leading us into a traditional mindset with the constant emphasis on form rather than koinonia.
It is still difficult to not focus on the form of the meeting. Everytime new people join us it seems like we have to go over again the reasons why we do what we do and why we don’t do what more traditional congregations do. We are working on not thinking of having “meetings”, but rather living life together. It is difficult though because we all live so far away from each other, we have a difficult time being spontaneous. We have to schedule get-togethers so they often feel like a meeting.
Anyway, blessings to you brother.
Your Brother,
Brent
On point as usual…I would add one additional observation (I’m waaay too wordy to put it simply!) I LOVE the fact that in house church I stand “naked” when I have nothing to offer or bring to the group because I have been distracted from by primary purpose-which is to KNOW HIM!
More than once the dynamic of small house church has allowed the Holy Spirit to do what He does best – lead me into truth. In institutional church I never noticed (unless I occassionally felt guilty after a sermon) that I was naked; I never had to “prove up” so to speak; I never had to deliver in that setting.
Now, in the best of ways, the dynamic of sharing our lives requires that we all go to the well (who is Christ Jesus)to be filled up for our own sake, but also so that the diversity of His revelation in each one is brought to our corporate gatherings. In this way, we are all made richer.
Probably most of all, I have learned that I am encouraged and challenged in the best of ways, by the deep revelation of Christ that I see in the members of our house church when we gather. It makes me want to know Him and them better, and isn’t that what we’re supposed to be about?!
All of that to say: I believe in gatherings where our nakedness (as revealed by the Holy Spirit) draws us closer to Him and His Body.
Every time I start questioning what the heaven we’re doing, I look at the fruit and look at the opportunities to tweak the friendships for the better and then I re-engage.
Good list!