The House Church:

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I believe we will need both house churches and traditional churches to reach our world. Many will prefer the traditional model over the house church model. That’s fine really, there is more than enough people to reach to facilitate both. Sadly churches get possessive of their “turf” and thereby severely limit multiplied efforts to reach the lost in their communities. I believe we need traditional pastors who are willing to release men of God who have a burden for house churching, recognizing them as legitimate ministers of the gospel and maintaining fellowship with them. While churches are popping up in the suburbs, masses of humanity are left unreached in the densely populated cities where it is difficult to build or maintain a church building. House churches can be established anywhere and are perfect for establishing inner city fellowships. Traditional pastors need to just let the house church pastors follow their call.

I drive about 30 minutes (highway) to church way out in boonyville. During this drive I pass blocks and blocks of inner city neighborhoods that are still unreached. I talked to my pastor about the burden I was feeling to begin a house church and he refused to acknowledge the house church as a legitimate form of church for America in this era. He emphasized getting these individuals to come to our church. But most have never heard of us and for many the idea of driving 30 minutes or so to church isn’t appealing. Many of these individuals aren’t financially secure and I doubt they would even feel comfortable attending our “Sunday best” services. Don’t get me wrong, we have a fantastic church! I love the church we attend but I’m increasingly feeling a call to something far less glamorous in the trenches of the neighborhoods of my city. I was going to begin Bible studies in my home and just operate as a Bible study group but the services and obligations of the church we attend really gives us little time to properly serve the work. I’m very frustrated and feeling like it’s all becoming rather meaningless.

The current church model will still be needful to reach those who have been acclimated to said church model. Many have been raised with these expectations and some have trouble functioning outside the environment that they have been raised in.

By the same token there are many who are not and will never be comfortable with that very same church model.

As things stand now the best thing that could happen in the body of Christ is for each model to see the importance and legitimacy that the other model brings to the goal of reaching our current world.

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

<snip>
You are invited to become part of this movement and make your
own contribution. Maybe your home, too, will become a house that changes
the world.

Excellent, thanks for posting that. That is one of my favorite books.

Originally Posted by brotherjason

Those are some powerful words to think about. I think if most people actually looked at what gets called "Christian" and saw it for the paganism it really is, it would make them sick! Christmas has nothing to do with Christ, steeples have nothing to do with worshiping the true and living God, they have been artificially placed years ago into Christianity and we just accept it. Lol, usually I'm pretty unpopular for my view on the "religious" holidays.

I agree whole-heartedly Brother Jason. I tend to fall into that category as well. I just had a conversation yesterday with a dear sister about what a shame it is that people who believe the bible (and live it) are shunned and criticized by those who say they believe the bible.

[Digging4Truth]

I could interject here that my family and I do not participate in the holidays. We haven't done so for about a dozen years or so.

But I have also gone through a change in the manner in which I address people on these issues.

I do not feel that I was lost all those years that I had participated in said holidays. The state of others is not mine to judge or change except that I pray for others, discuss things with others as much as I can while still maintaining the scripture that asks me to keep peace with all men as much as I can.

I think much of the rejection that non-celebrators receive sometimes comes from the manner in which they present their beliefs. Even a oneness individual speaking to a trinitarian can totally ruin anyones ability to see the beauty of the doctrine by approaching others with a less than stellar attitude.

Just a thought.

[brotherjason]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

I could interject here that my family and I do not participate in the holidays. We haven't done so for about a dozen years or so.

But I have also gone through a change in the manner in which I address people on these issues.

I do not feel that I was lost all those years that I had participated in said holidays. The state of others is not mine to judge or change except that I pray for others, discuss things with others as much as I can while still maintaining the scripture that asks me to keep peace with all men as much as I can.

I think much of the rejection that non-celebrators receive sometimes comes from the manner in which they present their beliefs. Even a oneness individual speaking to a trinitarian can totally ruin anyones ability to see the beauty of the doctrine by approaching others with a less than stellar attitude.

Just a thought.

Oh my, I hate to think of all the people I have chased from the truth with my "new believer zeal" when I first got the Holy Ghost. I was as blunt as a sledge hammer, and if you didn't believe what I did you knew nothing! God coupled with experience has given me more wisdom than I had then (thankfully!), but I truly with I could go back and fix all mistakes. Unfortunately (in my mind) God doesn't give us a re-wind feature, all we can do is learn.

I am really glad that there are people here that believe like I do though, I usually don't stick around long on a forum because I'm the only one. Glad to meet you folks and praise the Lord for you!

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by brotherjason

Oh my, I hate to think of all the people I have chased from the truth with my "new believer zeal" when I first got the Holy Ghost. I was as blunt as a sledge hammer, and if you didn't believe what I did you knew nothing! God coupled with experience has given me more wisdom than I had then (thankfully!), but I truly with I could go back and fix all mistakes. Unfortunately (in my mind) God doesn't give us a re-wind feature, all we can do is learn.

I am really glad that there are people here that believe like I do though, I usually don't stick around long on a forum because I'm the only one. Glad to meet you folks and praise the Lord for you!

I too have learned much wisdom since the early days. I could have saved much strife and turmoil had I understood then what I understand now.

But... it was those zealous days that have provided me with my current understanding so I suppose that, in everything, I am compelled to give thanks.

Blessings...

[Aquila]

I have a question for some of you who house church. It's in regards to delivery of the Word. When you preach the Word I assume it's more conversational as opposed to being "preachy". But when you teach do you deliver a "sermon" with a title, points, analogies and applications..... or do take a passage the Lord has laid upon your heart and then read and discuss it together?

[Rudy]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I have a question for some of you who house church. It's in regards to delivery of the Word. When you preach the Word I assume it's more conversational as opposed to being "preachy". But when you teach do you deliver a "sermon" with a title, points, analogies and applications..... or do take a passage the Lord has laid upon your heart and then read and discuss it together?

Those outside of the I.C. respond on a daily basis the operation of the spirit concerning the needs of the Body (the church). Always ready to teach, preach, encourage, nurse, and feed the natural body. It is not bound by a specific time or date.

Assembly could take place often, even everyday. The atmosphere could be one of instruction in righteousness, healing, both physical, mental, and spiritual.

The I.C. approach has roots in ancient Greek rhetoric where crowds gather to be awed by a speaker. The Church building itself is designed as to show a separation of clergy and the common believer. Example: elevated platform, special chairs, special places to sit for the clergy and his staff. Special attire we see now even in the O.P. movement.

There may be a time where a type of teaching may require a use of charts where one stands for example. Or the use of a rented building to fellowship and be blessed by a visiting missionary or evangelist.

Home assembly is nothing new but fairly new in the U.S. If you use google alert and type in "House Church" you will almost daily get resources and articles concerning it delivered to your email. Home assembly among Gods people has never stopped, just being reborn in the U.S.

I.C. Apostolic Oneness Orgs resembles it's mother the Assembly of God and it's mother the Catholic institution. Resembling them in the building (temple) approach in worshiping God. Using a special one (pastor type priest) to connect to God and pay tribute to (tithing money).

A pastor in the biblical example is one who has that capacity or gift to pastor. One who serves the needs of those in the Body, specifically new-Born's. The Body of Christ is monitored by a plurality of elders to serve and instruct. Apostles, Bishops, teachers, pastors, and Elders are servantile positions and one may be used inter-changeably.

The I.C. uses those positions as in a pyramid fashion which requires eventually a type of Pope if you will. They can't get around that even though they may deny it.

[Aquila]

I have a question for some of you who house church that wasn't answered. I want to know how some of you do it so I'll ask again. When you preach the Word in a house church setting I assume it's more conversational as opposed to being "preachy". But when you teach do you deliver a "sermon" with a title, points, analogies and applications..... or do take a passage the Lord has laid upon your heart and then read and discuss it together?

[brotherjason]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I have a question for some of you who house church that wasn't answered. I want to know how some of you do it so I'll ask again. When you preach the Word in a house church setting I assume it's more conversational as opposed to being "preachy". But when you teach do you deliver a "sermon" with a title, points, analogies and applications..... or do take a passage the Lord has laid upon your heart and then read and discuss it together?

Well, we have tried it both ways. But seeing how it is just my wife and kids right now I don't know how it would go with a larger crowd. Right now I am pretty well stuck in a seated position (need prayer, just haven't asked for it) so it works best at the moment just around the table.
Although I'm definitely no authority on HC or how people learn, it seems they learn best when they participate. But that's just my .02. Hope this helps.