Do any Baptists....

Our convention, WVBC, has been tossing around the idea of a house church in Keyser WV. Near Maryland...

We have had a few meetings with our association (which it would be a part of) and the state convention , along with some from Keyser... but so far, God has not moved yet to make it a reality.

I do see the trend of the church moving away from the standard 3 board system, and toward house church...

There are a few people on here (bb)that are part of a house church... but I can't remember who they are.

 

What exactly is this your talking about? I've never heard of it.

 

I'd like to comment but I don't know what a house church is.

 

Hey, Tim, help me out. What is the standard three board system?

 

Board pastor, board deacons and board members.



:smilewinkgrin::laugh:

 

Some churches have begun using what they call small groups or cell groups. These meet in people's homes and are used for spiritual growth/discipleship in a setting away from an institutional/tradition church building. These groups may consist of different social mixes. But they are still connected back to the main church. Some may consider this to be a house church of type.

However, House or Home Churches in the truer sense are the church and are not connected to another assembly. They generally consist of several families meeting together with the men representing a plurality of eldership, as opposed to a single pastor. Their services are generally fluid versus rigid, that is they have no particular order of service but move as the spirit leads.

 

I just got back from my cell group a little bit ago...It was great!!! :godisgood:

 

Amen, glad to hear it is working well.:applause:

Concerning the structure of your cell group:

Is there a designated leader, moderator, or facilitator?

Or, is the responsibility shared? If shared, do they take turns (i.e. weekly or programatically), or is it dynamic?

Is the group using a particular workbook or is it a self-designed Bible study?

 

Xenos Christian Fellowship, Ohio [LINK] is a home-church based fellowship based upon small home units and a large "central teaching" time.

As I understand it, "Central Teaching" occurs at various times during the week.
The home churches meet for services, fellowship, discipleship
... I've heard that the home church leaders are able to preach, marry and bury (what more do you need??? :smilewinkgrin: ).

There are lots of resources on this site; check them out.

Rob

 

Due to my crazy work schedule, I'm not always able to attend just one particular cell group. Each one that I have attended has its own personality and demographic.

While one cell group may have just one leader, another may have more than one leader.

As to what is studied, that too can vary from cell to cell. Most cells will focus on what was covered on the previous Sunday's message and reinforce the main points of the message. A few will choose to focus on a book (and/or workbook).

You may wish to visit my church's website at
www.lighthouseministries.org

 

My church's cell groups are in addition to our regular church services.

Please see my post in response to rdwhite's questions.

Also please visit our website at www.lighthouseministries.org

 

Sorry, I have been away a few days...

Trustee board
Deacon board
Christian Ed board...

 

The house church movement is born out of rebellion. It is similar to Numbers 16:

Num 16:3 They assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said to them, "You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?"

What kind of building we hold worship in is irrelevant. The house setting holds no more a true worship experience than a conventional church or a store front.

The house church movement is also idolatrous as it is focused on what man wants rather than unconditional worship of God. Focusing on man and his experience cannot be done in conjuction with true worship of God. You can have one or the other. Not both.

As far as having the 3 board system well that system can be mplemented in any building or setting. Moving to a house doesnt protect form that. And holding services in a home, conventional church building or store front are no more biblical than the others. In the end the whole movement is nonsensical.

 

That it is an act of rebellion may not be true in all cases RM. It may be a reaction to a bad church situation (pharisaism, legalism, apostacy) and done in ignorance.

Ignorance is not an excuse-all but :

Luke 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

HankD​

 

The house churches that I personally know of have:
*An over emphasis on the man being the head of the house
*Women not allowed to: cut their hair, wear pants, wear make up, even to pray out loud in the fellowship...
*Saturday Sabbath worship
*Anti Christmas, Easter, etc.. (you know, your Christmas tree and easter eggs are pagan.)
*A strong aversion to public school (I'm not a fan of the public school system either but I'm not going to preach from the pulpit that it's a sin to send your kid to the local public school)
*Tend to grow more on disgruntled traditional church members than actually reaching the lost in the community

Before you clean my clock let it be noted: Not all house chruches are like this. Even in my own church we are prayerfully considering starting cell groups on Sunday nights with an emphasis on discipleship. The traditional Sunday night thing isn't working anymore.