House churches vs Traditional

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by JTULLOCK

I do not think one is better than the other in every area of the country. Some very large churches are against cell groups, but some very large churches have gotten large numbers because of them. I think that they can co-exist. I feel that in the pastor of the church should know the area enough to know if it will work. The UPC church I go to had them for a while and they fizzled out. The pastor said that the church 'WILL' do them in order to grow. But it might not work everywhere. In the Bible belt you might not have to do them cause some people are not against visiting a church where on the West Coast they might be (examples only). I have heard the the Manguns will not do them. Not too sure but going on second hand info. It all boils to is it profitable for your church. Sometime putting the wrong people in charge of a home group is bad cause they might try to lead the people away from that local church. I believe they can work, but I have not ever seen it personally work.

I think small groups don't work with a church that is still too dependent on the "big show"

[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.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

I prefer mega churches. I like all the options, functions, and programs without the intimacy of having to be too close with people.

interesting. I don't understand how a church can BE a church without the intimacy of being "too close" with people. The programs and stuff seem nice to me but I think they ultimately take the place of real ministry unless of course those programs are centered around ministry.

[rgcraig]

Small groups are great for creating relationships in the church. Meet on Sundays corporately, then have small groups on Wednesday nights.

[James Griffin]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

I think small groups don't work with a church is still too dependent on the "big show"

True I was recently affiliated with a church which "pushed" small groups, but the leadership mantra was "It's all about Sunday morning"

Small groups where not a ministry in and of themselves their job was to funnel into the main sanctuary Sunday morning.

[James Griffin]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

interesting. I don't understand how a church can BE a church without the intimacy of being "too close" with people. The programs and stuff seem nice to me but I think they ultimately take the place of real ministry unless of course those programs are centered around ministry.

I'm sure Rhoni was TIC, she just left it off.

[Rico]

I have often thought of starting a home group, but I have to be honest with myself. I don't have what it takes to get something like that off the ground.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Rico

I have often thought of starting a home group, but I have to be honest with myself. I don't have what it takes to get something like that off the ground.

No house?

[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.

[Jack Shephard]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

I think small groups don't work with a church that is still too dependent on the "big show"

This is true. I can not remember if it was Rick Warrens church or someone elses, but there is a big church, like top five in size in the nation big, that was built doing cell, life, home groups-whatever you call them. I think that many of the large churches have a big church talk with a small church mentality. The thought is good cause it can work very well.