The House Church Movement

It's a false dilemma to present it as either homes or "million dollar plants." Is there nothing in between? That's a rhetorical question, btw.

Yes, and why did the early believers meet in homes? Because it's more spiritual? That's rhetorical, too.

There's nothing wrong with a church building to gather. I think churches that only meet in homes may end up without resources to send out missionaries and do other work those who meet in church buildings do.

Frankly, I'm tired of this superior attitude I come across from people who meet in homes and look down on us who don't.

 

Meeting in a home or a sanctuary is just geography. Nothing more

 

A good point Jim, even Paul worked not to burden, but that seems to be lost in the post these days?

 

That was written to one church. He was supported by other churches. Having said that Paul also wrote:

1Ti 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.


1Ti 5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

 

yes...

Yes, I am very familiar with false prophet, Harold Kamping, author of 1994 (or is it 1996?). My former pastor, Jim Miller, used to work for him. He told me he didn't think Mr. Kamping or his wife were saved (for very good reasons.)

I myself used to attend a messianic "house gathering" along with my regular church attendance, but I can't really call it a church. They were a disinfranchised group that decided to meet together after a church split, but the elements of church worship weren't really present and it was very informal.

I believe that a house church can be effective only if they follow scriptural guidelines. God set up his church under certain guidelines so that they would be a visible presence in the world. Are we to hide our faith or "go it alone?"

Is there a pastor? A teacher? Deacons? God has appointed His children to fulfill different positions and work as a Body and spiritual gifts are used to unify and strengthen one another.

Also, how were they appointed? Through godly observation by church leaders. They were warned not to lay hands on someone too quickly, lest they share in their sins. In other words, don't appoint those who aren't filled with the Holy Spirit. Sometimes, people just believe they can start a home church, although they really have no accountability! There is always the possibility of the blind leading the blind - in other words, scriptural inaccuracy.

Before endorsing such a movement, hold it up to scriptural scrutiny. If one thinks they have the elements of what is necessary scripturally, then much prayer is needed.

I fully endorse small groups with pastoral accountability.

 

As I noted before, meeting in homes isn't new. During the Wesleyan awakening in England in the 18th century, Evangelist George Whitfield wrote the following to his converts:
My brethren... let us plainly and freely tell one another what God has done for our souls. To this end you would do well, as others have done, to form yourselves into little companies of four or five each, and meet once a week to tell each other what is in your hearts; that you may then also pray for and comfort each other as need shall require. None but those who have experienced it can tell the unspeakable advantages of such a union and communion of souls. . .
None I think that truly loves his own soul, and his brethren as himself, will be shy of opening his heart, in order to have their advice, reproof, admonition, and prayers, as occasions require. A sincere person will esteem it one of the greatest blessings.

 

There are also the reluctant home and house church folks.

Once had friends transferred to a town in Utah with ONLY a Mormon church, and too far to drive to another town, so they home churched.

I'm sure as mentioned some opt for this out of rebellion, but I do believe some do so because they believe (rightly or wrongly) that the churches of their denomination in their area are apostate.

And I knew one lady who, after a bad fall and broken leg, could not stand for long periods or sit for long periods. She tried making as much of the local Baptist service as her leg could handle, then quietly leaving. She was publicly insulted from the pulpit. Can't blame her for "home churching" for a while.

(Hope it is ok to reply. We have found not one, but two SBC churches within driving distance now that we have an income again. So while not formally a Baptist again--yet--that technicallity should be remedied quite soon. In the meantime, I am again an attender of a Baptist church.)