WPF Fears not realized, it was Relevancy, Stupid?

[jrpreacher]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Most who do the house churching thing do try to meet as a large group in a rented facility every so often.

That nice. Does this brother have a web site on this ministry?

[RevDWW]

Originally Posted by Edward Anglin

Being relevant to our generation should be our goal. Relevance - to me - means bringing the GOSPEL forward in an understandable manner. It does not mean capitulating to the unbiblical lusts of backslidden preachers.

Methods may change but God's Word does not.

Well stated.

Being relevant to this generation does not mean compromising the Truth, it's getting this generation to accept The Truth of the Gospel and growing to Love the Truth.

Could it be that some Pastors are against the home church thing because it might cut into their livelihood.

Shouldn't we be reaching the Whole World with the Whole Gospel with every means at our disposal?

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Last time I spoke to him he was in a home in the Dayton area on a street right off Wyoming.

I was just wondering if maybe he was in the Cincinnati area.
I live north of Cincinnati, a few mile south of Hamilton.

[stmatthew]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I have a good friend named Scott who is a "simple church" pastor. They meet in his home at least twice a week, and they have a meal on Sunday evenings in which they partake in the Lord's Supper. He has roughly 15 people meeting in his home. They have one member who plays an acoustic guitar and they sing and worship together until they feel the Spirit move them on to the Bible study. The study is typically a reading from a chapter or sometimes an entire passage. Then Scott shares what he felt the Holy Spirit impress upon him about the passage, then the floor is opened up for group discussion and everyone shares how the passage spoke to them. Often people open up and weep and are prayed for. It's very informal, jeans and casuals are fine. They often have a snack and pastries on the coffee table throughout the study and the smell of fresh brewed coffee permeates the house. They don't take up a tithe, Scott doesn't believe in it. When asked about it he says, "I work for a living, just like everyone else." He works for a trucking company and puts in at least 40 hours a week and supports his family. When they take up an offering it's always for a specific purpose. For example there was a sister who's car broke down and she couldn't afford to have it fixed. He called the group to take up an offering to help her pay for the necessary repairs and she didn't have to worry about a rental or catching the bus to get to work. They take care of their own. Scott is blasted for being in the Relevancy movement.

On the other hand I know a wonderful traditional UPCI church of about 150-200. They have several wonderful programs launched occasionally throughout the year. The pastor doesn't like Scott. He say's Scott's group is just "Dunking doughnuts for Jesus."

Here's the deal, the traditional church has been running only 150-200 people for nearly 11 years. Scott's group is only 3 years old and they have multiplied into 8 different home based church meetings averaging at least 10 people each. In three years time Scott went from a 10-12 member house church to overseeing 9 different meetings in the network averaging at least 10 people each. That's nearly 90 people now. Scott states that there are about 5 new pastors being raised up and will be trained to start house church meetings in their homes within the next couple months. Typically they branch off with about 4 or so members and multiply rather quickly. Scott predicts that within then next 4 months the 90 people he's overseeing in network will be 140 easy when these new works get going. But here's the deal, by that time a hand full of new simple church meetings will be ready to be launched. He envisions a day when each house church will be ready to launch another, doubling their number overnight. The potential to have well over 1,000 people in network in roughly 5 to 10 years is very real.

Scott's group appears to be growing quickly and there is an excitement and enthusiasm that they have. It's very simple and isn't much like the institutional church. However, he used to attend a UPCI church and teaches Acts 2:38. Which is truly advancing the kingdom? Our "Relevant" brother or the traditional church?

I am currently holding services in my home, and have a similar vision in mind. I would love the opportunity to talk with Bro Scott and pick his brain on this subject. Do you think he would be willing to come online here and share some?

[jaxfam6]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

Yep those stnad's make a difference!

I guess I will never know what a difference St Nad will make seeing as how I don't know him