Aerialists in church???

[n david]

Originally Posted by Apostolic1ness

isnt this how churches start or is this for people who dont want a pastor in their life.

I've heard of a few churches starting this way. But there are large networks of house churches, especially overseas, which remain small, individual house churches.

I wouldn't disparage or broad brush all house churches as being comprised of people who don't want a pastor. Most house churches still have leadership, whether a single figure or a council of elders.

Understand this before criticizing house churches: one day in the future it may be necessary to have networks of house churches. There could be a time in the future when the church buildings are either too expensive to keep or regulations/laws are enacted to close them.

What happens then? How strong will people's faith be then? Will they be strong enough to continue a relationship with God without a Pastor? I fear many people are spiritually weak and without an authority figure they would drift away in the wind.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Aquila

C'mon, you've seen how they can't even call me by my handle. Also, they've gone way too personal in attacks for me to feel comfortable. Although, if it were not for that, I would trust their doctrine and probably Skype in.

You live in a fabricated world. You yourself have claimed I'm a threat to national security and an enemy of the state. You've gotten "personal" with me here on this forum going back quite awhile.

Plus, and more importantly, you prefer PC over Doctrine. You just said you don't trust my doctrine because your feelings got hurt. Thus, by your own admission, truth isn't your focus.

I've actually read Jude. You should too.

[Apostolic1ness]

Originally Posted by n david

I've heard of a few churches starting this way. But there are large networks of house churches, especially overseas, which remain small, individual house churches.

I wouldn't disparage or broad brush all house churches as being comprised of people who don't want a pastor. Most house churches still have leadership, whether a single figure or a council of elders.
hows painting with a broad brush? just asking a question
[B]Understand this before criticizing house churches: one day in the future it may be necessary to have networks of house churches. There could be a time in the future when the church buildings are either too expensive to keep or regulations/laws are enacted to close them.
[/B]Not exactly criticizing them just asking a question
What happens then? How strong will people's faith be then? Will they be strong enough to continue a relationship with God without a Pastor?
I have never met anyone yet strong enough to live for God without a Pastor

I fear many people are spiritually weak and without an authority figure they would drift away in the wind.

right this is precisely why we need Pastors and authority

[n david]

Originally Posted by Apostolic1ness

right this is precisely why we need Pastors and authority

So if there comes a time when buildings are gone and you have no congregational meetings. How will you be able to survive spiritually?

I love my Pastor, but he's not a priest or pope. I don't need him to continue living for God.

[Esaias]

America has a "house church movement" mostly comprised of people who want a slightly more Christianized version of group therapy and coffee clatch.

But there are, on the other hand, people who just want to do Bible things in the Bible way. A Biblical house church is just a community of people who are trying to serve God, according to His Word. The "house" part is simply due to not needing or desiring the unnecessary burden of a mortgage, fancy buildings and the upkeep, and franchise religion where each church must have a brand name to distinguish themselves from all the other religious franchise operations in town. Also, the focus is (or should be) more on daily fellowship and living for God than on weekend services and "worship experiences".

I've never met a house church that didn't have an overseer. But I've also never met a house church that was concerned with titles, or that needed to harp on "oversight authority". As individuals exercise their proper gifts, spiritual leadership becomes evident and recognized by the assembly.

As for doctrinal correctness, I've seen more whackadoodle nonsense propagated from behind a pulpit than I've ever seen shared in a living room. A BIBLICAL house assembly allows for doctrine to be discussed, so if you teach you better have your ducks in a row and better be able to defend your doctrine. And, you need to be able to adjust your doctrine when Scripture is brought to bear.

And this of course requires everyone to have the same mind when it comes to "How do we arrive at Truth?" That means everyone must consider church as a school where we are all learning our Teacher's Teaching from His Word.

[Apostolic1ness]

Originally Posted by n david

So if there comes a time when buildings are gone and you have no congregational meetings. How will you be able to survive spiritually?

I love my Pastor, but he's not a priest or pope. I don't need him to continue living for God.

not too much on hypotheticals, but if you think you dont need him to continue to live for God. thats a foolish thing to say.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Esaias

America has a "house church movement" mostly comprised of people who want a slightly more Christianized version of group therapy and coffee clatch.

But there are, on the other hand, people who just want to do Bible things in the Bible way. A Biblical house church is just a community of people who are trying to serve God, according to His Word. The "house" part is simply due to not needing or desiring the unnecessary burden of a mortgage, fancy buildings and the upkeep, and franchise religion where each church must have a brand name to distinguish themselves from all the other religious franchise operations in town. Also, the focus is (or should be) more on daily fellowship and living for God than on weekend services and "worship experiences".

I've never met a house church that didn't have an overseer. But I've also never met a house church that was concerned with titles, or that needed to harp on "oversight authority". As individuals exercise their proper gifts, spiritual leadership becomes evident and recognized by the assembly.

As for doctrinal correctness, I've seen more whackadoodle nonsense propagated from behind a pulpit than I've ever seen shared in a living room. A BIBLICAL house assembly allows for doctrine to be discussed, so if you teach you better have your ducks in a row and better be able to defend your doctrine. And, you need to be able to adjust your doctrine when Scripture is brought to bear.

And this of course requires everyone to have the same mind when it comes to "How do we arrive at Truth?" That means everyone must consider church as a school where we are all learning our Teacher's Teaching from His Word.

[Esaias]

If a person can't live for God without a pastor, they probably aren't living for God with a pastor, either.

Just my observation over the years.

[Amanah]

here is some house church preaching for you to listen to Apostolic1ness

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Esaias

You live in a fabricated world. You yourself have claimed I'm a threat to national security and an enemy of the state. You've gotten "personal" with me here on this forum going back quite awhile.

I want to apologize for saying that to you. Your views on reconstructionism are anti-Constitutional. I'm a vet, I swore to defend the Constitution. I became a bit reactionary. Please accept my apology.

Plus, and more importantly, you prefer PC over Doctrine.

I can be rather politically correct as it relates to society at large. I believe that civil liberties are inalienable rights, even when people choose to exercise those liberties in ways I disagree with personally. I'd die to defend a Satanist's right to attend a Satanist church... it doesn't mean I agree with his Satanism, it only means I'll defend in his freedom to practice whatever he believes. Doctrinally, he and I would be worlds apart. And I'd seek to win him to the Lord.

You just said you don't trust my doctrine because your feelings got hurt. Thus, by your own admission, truth isn't your focus.

My feelings weren't hurt. LOL I'd block you if that were the case. Your manner of communication with me reveals your attitude towards me. And clearly, you'd not have my well being at heart. So, I'd not be able to trust you as a spiritual leader. Now, that doesn't make you a bad person. That just means our differences of opinion are such that your gathering wouldn't be enriched by my presence... and my family would walk away feeling battered by you. So, it's obvious it wouldn't work. Those are just the facts.