House churches vs Traditional

[Encryptus]

Which is better and why?

Is either more scriptural or spiritual?

Can they co-exist or are they by nature exclusionary?

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Encryptus

Which is better and why?

Is either more scriptural or spiritual?

Can they co-exist or are they by nature exclusionary?

I think a system of "house" churches that regularly meet together as a whole would be awesome

[Encryptus]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

I think a system of "house" churches that regularly meet together as a whole would be awesome

Can you define system?

And at what point would such a system begin to resemble a traditional church that also has small group ministry?

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Encryptus

Can you define system?

And at what point would such a system begin to resemble a traditional church that also has small group ministry?

I already defined it...a serious of house churches that regularly meet together as a whole...Not sure what you were asking for...

Basically it would be similar to a small group ministry

[Rico]

I like the idea of a mix between the two. If, for example, all the apostolics in any given city were to meet in homes for their "regular" services, then meet once a month for a city wide gathering to enjoy some corporate worship then I think we'd have much more unity.

[Jack Shephard]

Originally Posted by Rico

I like the idea of a mix between the two. If, for example, all the apostolics in any given city were to meet in homes for their "regular" services, then meet once a month for a city wide gathering to enjoy some corporate worship then I think we'd have much more unity.

Bingo, but you know that would not fly in every area.

[Rico]

Originally Posted by JTULLOCK

Bingo, but you know that would not fly in every area.

Could you imagine pulling something like that off in a really big city, like Los Angeles? Holy macanoli!!! Everyone would know about the apostolic church then! They'd be renting out football stadiums for church services on a regular basis!! It's blowin my mind just thinking about it. It's a shame something like what I've described has about the same chance that a snowball has in............well, ya know.

[James Griffin]

Originally Posted by Rico

Could you imagine pulling something like that off in a really big city, like Los Angeles? Holy macanoli!!! Everyone would know about the apostolic church then! They'd be renting out football stadiums for church services on a regular basis!! It's blowin my mind just thinking about it. It's a shame something like what I've described has about the same chance that a snowball has in............well, ya know.

I would respectfully disagree that it's not viable.

It would take a special pastor. In my opinion many traditional Oneness churches do not grow because the pastor feels he needs to be in control of everything and is afraid to delegate.

From a purely evangelistic POV it makes sense. Smaller groups would make more individuals involved, and develop their own personal gifts.

Occasional large gatherings in my opinion are also necessary, there is an special atmosphere when hundreds or thousands gather. Large gatherings could also make sure the "network" for lack of a better word stayed on the same page as far as vision and doctrine.

The problem is, and always will be balance. How much control to be centralized and how much in the hands of the house leaders.

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Rico

Could you imagine pulling something like that off in a really big city, like Los Angeles? Holy macanoli!!! Everyone would know about the apostolic church then! They'd be renting out football stadiums for church services on a regular basis!! It's blowin my mind just thinking about it. It's a shame something like what I've described has about the same chance that a snowball has in............well, ya know.

Wouldn't ever happen because they all believe a little something different. That's why there are so many small churches of the same kind everywhere.

[Jack Shephard]

Originally Posted by Rico

Could you imagine pulling something like that off in a really big city, like Los Angeles? Holy macanoli!!! Everyone would know about the apostolic church then! They'd be renting out football stadiums for church services on a regular basis!! It's blowin my mind just thinking about it. It's a shame something like what I've described has about the same chance that a snowball has in............well, ya know.

You said it. It is a pipe dream of sorts. The thought is great. It might happen in our lifetime. I just think that there is and will be too much of the judging each other going on there. Look at Youth Congress and even GC. People can not go without trying to point out others problems. It is sad but true.

A side note about the house churches....
They are a good idea to cultivate immature christian believers. They are a fairly good way of talking about doctrine too. Not as a debate set up. I have thought in the past it would be good to have a group of the newbies met so you can do kinda like a new converts class. In this one you could start real basic and even use that one as an outreach method. You could also have others for the more mature believers. Those are some ideas. There are people that would go to home groups and not to a church building per se.