MANY have asked by comment/email how to start a house church. Here is the first video in a series I am doing to answer your questions and get you on the path to starting a house church. God bless you all! ua-cam.com/video/Zd-FcCBoh1A/v-deo.html
Pray, petition and intercede for workers for sure; not just for you but that the Lord of the Harvest will send them out world wide. He oft will make the one who has His heart for those workers and the harvest ... become one. The nice thing about workers is they come to do a job. If they don't do it the Lord fires them and sends another. Lovem servem regardless. Workers aren't a shopping "diner visiting" christian who is critical of the food or menu. Workers "work".
We are worshipping at home when all of our pastors did not show up to church during pandemic for 18 months. Everyone should be scared when all of our pastors basically denied what the Bible said by not showing up to church.
This gave me peace. My elderly sister and I live together, we are very rural, have health issues and it is hard to get to church. We have church here, together each week, pray together daily. I believe the Lord hears and is in our midst.
Goats are beautiful too, so do what ya can do,,, Spurgeon realize how difficult sheep are to work with haha guess I had difficulty in my youth pushing up alley way haha not like cattle for sure
@@user-gk5rm3co2v though you're right about earthly sheep and goats, I believe Spurgeon was talking about the biblical comparison of the sheep and the goats in Jesus' parable in Matthew 25:31-46, and that's not a pretty picture. God bless!
I studied Acts and actually went over it several times. That book touched me in a way I cannot describe. One of the things that I fell in love with was the worship, the church. There were no time restraints and schedules to keep; Just ministering God Word, fellowship and worship. It was a family that came together. I’ve been looking/praying for a house church. I want that church that continues on as long as the Spirit is leading, the one when a man falls asleep and falls out of a window, he’s healed but it continues on. If you look at the early church in the Bible, it is beautiful in all its persecution and imperfections. All that to say, I hope more take your message to heart.
I almost cried reading your comment and I haven't even began watching the video yet🥹you touched my soul May God's will be accomplished in your life, in Jesus' mighty name!
I love this comment so much. As someone who has been working in the big traditional church for years and who has grown very tired of it, I resonate with your comment a lot. No schedules, no time constrains, love and worship, that's what I long for. The big trad churches have gotten to a place where they're not concerned about the right things anymore.
I have also been transformed by studying the book of Acts. Early church was all about living in community, something we have lost in traditional buildings. Christian’s tend to look at a building and think about possibilities of what can be offered. I’ve have been a part of a church plant the last few years. Convincing people that not having our own building provides so much more opportunity to serve God is difficult. We have been conditioned to think a building and service structure is necessary for worship. There are wonderful opportunities for spiritual growth and experiences when we let go of tradition and let the spirit lead us!
@@53andMEI guess the first Christians and apostles were wrong about church in homes too. Is that right? If you are going to say I am wrong or it is wrong...please explain why you believe that. Show your work, please.
At age 65, I have “aged out” of being able to serve on the worship team of our large BSSJSM (Big Screens, Skinny Jeans & Smoke Machines) church. I’d love to be plugged into a small fellowship where I could feel like I had something to contribute.
ME TOO! (hate to say that phrase nowadays) I feel like all the churches are a Dead Sea experience: If you're not teaching SS or selected to give Bible Studies/preaching from the pulpit (Pentecostal churches select a few well-spoken members to preach occasionally) then all you can do is fellowship with the backs of peoples' heads.
BSSJSM 😂😂 I am definitely stealing that! The American church has sadly lost its way. Home fellowships in the mold of the Book of Acts are the future of pastoral ministry in the USA and all over the world due to the coming persecution. I pray that you find a fellowship like you are seeking. We have been doing that for years here in Tyler TX even though this is one of the most “churched” communities in the nation.
Oh My! As we age (I'm 76) we actually have more experience & have gained wisdom. WE "olders" are actually the ones who have much to offer & should be participating MORE.
We meet at my father's home. He's our preacher/ Bible teacher. Since 2021 ❤ i look forward to it every Sunday. We take communion together and worship together. It's a beautiful time
@maryhirst9127 we volunteer at women's resource centers, we pick up trash in our community wearing John 14:6 Bible verse imprinted on our shirts. We visit the elderly at nursing homes as a homeschool family. We take Jesus everywhere we go, not just to a building. Not just on Sunday
I meet others for Bible study at a small local hardware store after business hours. I love it. The church is not a building. It’s a worldwide body of born again believers. Thank you for video. God bless
I feel our rural church of 70-80 people already has most of the benefits of a house church as you described them. Plus we have the church building available for women’s Bible study on Monday, prayer meeting on Tuesday, Awana (kids program) on Wednesday, men’s Bible study Thursday and Sunday is Sunday school for all ages with a worship service following. We often have family groups lead the worship singing. We have space for Weddings, funerals and baptisms. We do not have a pastor but are searching. We do not have air conditioning but would like one. We are not perfect yet but working on it 🤭
nothing wrong with a small congregation. prefer it to a mega church. a "church" building just provides its users with a convenient place to meet on sunday mornings and other times of the week for other groups/functions. also good to get out and fellowship with others in your congregation. fellowship is very important. that is also spoken of in acts.
there is nothing inherently wrong with a building unless it costs to astronomically much that the poor are going underserved by our desire for BIG - @@lindsaynichols3175
I was led to the Lord in a small no "pastor" charismatic church meeting that did not last very long. All that they needed was a good pastor and teacher and they would have grown strong because the love and dedication was in the right place.
I think you are correct. I was pondering starting a home church just a hour ago. I go to a large Baptist church in my town, we have a big concert every Sunday. We have pastors galore, to minister to ourselves & our kids. They have a moderate mission budget. The word taught is milk & short 20 minutes long. Jesus would be better served in a smaller less flowery setting where the meat of the Word could be lived out. I'm for it!
I feel the same way about the big Baptist churches in my area and yet I hope you will have the wisdom to continue attending your current church. You are needed in that church, and despite all its shortcomings, you have a place there. Do you have a small group that meets in your home? Can’t you do the same things in that group when you gather as what you’re imagining in a house church? You will find that any group of Christian has a lot of sin problems and as those crop up in your house church, you won’t have the organization and structure to respond in the best way. I hope you won’t break away entirely from a traditional church body.
I feel the same. I just can't sit there anymore. We are in end times and God's people need more, need equipped and they spend 10 to 15 minutes talking about nonsense and then a milk toast message. I was checking out another local church that someone recommended and watched a few of their sermons. The morning after Israel was attacked, The message was on that Jesus was "better" than the old covenant, great, but then went onto illustrate the meaning of the word better by having people shout out which restaurant has "better" tacos. Unless they didn't know the horrible thing that just happened, how can you stand in front of people talking about tacos instead of praying for Israel. I just don't get it. My heart's desire is for a local church, but I can't do it anymore. There are pastors online that I love and Christians that I gather with.
@@nicolewright8833 Ironically, I just pulled a book off the shelf called Pagan Christianity. The authors go through all of the components of Protestant worship services and where they came from and how many of them are not even based in the Bible. So very thankful that my son has found a group that is trying to do Christ centered, Spirit lead house church like the first century. He loves it.
My Name is Bernhard, I am from Hagen in Germany. We Start with House Church in the Corona Time, when Great Churches are closed for a long time. After the Corona time, a lot of members leave their Fellowships. So the House church is a very good Option for the coming time, when old churches in Germany break down. Be blessed for your good teaching, May our Lord Jesus bless you
I’m apart of a house church! It’s so beautiful and we hang out and go out to eat together. We truly fellowship together. I’ve always struggled with the formal layout of buildings. I’ve been to great churches but being apart of a house church has been the biggest blessing in my life. I love the intimacy and the closeness with everyone.
I left a large church after covid. The church offered a rock star worhiip including the fog machine. They had lots of programs and also watered down teaching, so as not to offend anyone. I never found out what the total was for all the staff and building upkeep. Found a new body with a very simple worship and direct preaching from a Pastor who knows how to bring The Word. So I didn't leave church I just relocated to a body that truely lives out the Great Commission!
We have been attending a house church for all the reasons you have described. The relationships are deeper and more fulfilling. Everyone has the opportunity to exercise their gifting.
My only concern with a house church is that people with whom members share Jesus can be welcomed and decipled especially those of different social groups... ?
I think this happens more naturally in a home than in a church building. Discipleship.org did a study of traditional churches and found that less than 4% were making disciples in a meaningful/substantial way. That's sad!@@arlenefisher1164
During the lockdowns, my old church shut down. When I found a church that was open, I weeped during worship. We are told OVER AND OVER to gather together. We are supposed to be with our church family. We are not meant to walk with Christ alone.
Good for you. The Bible does not dictate that we gather together in a church building. The Bible does not dictate denominations. The Lord is close to many of His people who are unable to gather together in a church building for various reasons. And sometimes we do walk alone with The Lord. As Martin Luther said, "One with The Lord is a majority."
It would be great to do a follow up video describing the pitfalls of home churches, hopefully you would go all the way and explain what the NT model of a home church was. The greatest danger of home church is the lack of qualified elders according to Timothy and Titus and we find eager teachers who interpret the word according to what they ‘feel’ or what God ‘told’ them. Perhaps you agree with Jesus, the greatest danger we as His Church face in our day is not from outside the church, but from false teachers and false prophets.
You bring up very valid points, I was wondering myself how you keep things grounded in the Word, and not people's opinion or feelings. There are also different doctrinal beliefs that may not be compatible with the way you understand scripture. Same with singing...hymns, praise music, contemporary... praying in tongues versus not praying in tongues...women speaking versus women being silent...ETC... I would be interested to know how you create unity in the body, to be inclusive without compromising TRUTH!
We are grounded in the word...reading/hearing it...understanding/interpreting it...living/applying it...and then talking about what God is doing as we live out what He said to do. That creates unity around our BIG God who is working mightily around us and in us. Pair that up with fasting/prayer/total surrender...get ourselves out of the way...seek God with all our hearts! You can find true unity with the Spirit's help like that.
I get your point. But it assumes that bad teaching is more of a problem in a home church setting. My view is that bad teaching is endemic within traditional institutional churches! And it is only getting worse. Wokeness, heresies and milktoast irrelevant sermons are common fare in most churches. In home churches people are encouraged to share what God has put on their hearts. Their motivation is pure. In traditional churches pastors recite sermons because they are paid to - it's part of their job description. They aim not to offend their employers in the pews. In a home church if someone teaches error someone across the room will most likely question it. Point 10 of the video - priesthood of believers.
@@harvestvillage695 House churches tend to have less false teaching that traditional churches if those house churches are in the word, committed to living the word and have some level of accountability.
I completely agree with so much you had to say. Just a few days ago my aunt and I were discussing persecution possibly causing people to start having house churches again. Also, I love how you explained what happens to children who are sent to children's church when they instead ought to be sitting under the anointing of the Word of God that is being preached by the Pastor.... I used to attend a church who had "Children's Church". The pastor's wife came up to me one day and asked if I would help with the children. I told her to let me pray about it first. Then during prayer the Lord reminded me of my son who got saved at a very young age sitting with the congregation listening to the Pastor preach. He was around 6 years old I believe. Please listen to what happened.... I raised my 3 children in church and they knew how to behave. I normally didn't have any issues with their behavior but one particular evening we had just arrived at church and I was sitting down waiting for service to begin. However, all 3 of my children started becoming very rowdy. It was sooo bad that I was literally about to walk out the door with them and go home, but instead I began to cry to Jesus and ask Him for help. My heart wanted to be in church. Then all of a sudden each one of my children took a seat and settled down. Jesus had answered my prayer! My youngest son, who I believe was around 6 years old at the time, was sitting next to me. I handed him paper and a pen to draw with that night to give him something to do during service. The Pastor preached that night and when he was through he gave an altar call for anyone who needed salvation. My little boy looked at me and said "Momma, how do I get saved?" I asked him if he wanted to get saved and he said yes. I then took him to the altar where so many others were gathered around. We knelt down and I got to lead my son to the Lord! When we were finished praying he raised his little head with tears streaming down his face, and I KNEW that Jesus had saved him! .... I realized something that night. I believe Satan knew he was going to get saved that night, and he worked through my children causing them to become rowdy and unruly so that I would leave with them. I was literally about to walk out the door, but I am sooo thankful that I prayed first and that Jesus caused a peace to come over my children. Had I left, or had my children been sent to children's church, he would not have gotten saved that night. When a Pastor is called of God to preach the gospel, then he is anointed of God, and God's Word is alive! Children are being neglected spiritually because parents and pastors don't want them disrupting service. Back when there was no such thing as Children's Church parents made their kids mind. That's just how it was.... I went back to the pastor's wife and explained that I didn't feel led of God to help with children's church and I explained to her why, but I did offer to help with Sunday school if I was needed. However, she got very offended over it.... I now have a 5 year old granddaughter who attends church with me. At first she didn't like not getting to go play with the other kids during service, but she soon was at peace about it. She stands during praise and worship, she claps her hands at times, and when the Pastor reads God's Word she gets her Bible out and pretends to read it along with the Pastor. She draws on paper during service, but she listens and she knows to behave. It has blessed my heart to watch her, and I thank God! She even has elders in the church come up to her and want to talk with her. We MUST raise our children and grandchildren in the nurture and admonition of the Lord! .... One more thing. If your children are brought up to sit under anointed preaching and praise and worship, they will KNOW where the Spirit of God is, and where it is not.
Children want that connection with adults far more than we could ever know. They are going to be more and more desperate for it as families struggle to stay together in the years to come. Thank you for sharing your story.
You are welcome. If you don't mind I would like to share one more thing.... When I was around 9 years old there was an elderly couple who would come by on Sunday mornings and pick up my sister and I and take us to a Baptist church they attended. My parents did not serve the Lord, but I'm grateful that my mother allowed us to attend with our neighbors. One particular Sunday morning I remember sitting on the pew listening to the Pastor preach and I had such a strong urge and desire to go to the altar. I am 50 years old now but I still remember it so well. The urge was so strong! However, I did not know hardly anyone there and I was afraid, so I did not go to the altar. I know now that it was the Holy Spirit who was drawing me that day in that Baptist church. Thankfully, years later the Lord called me again and I got saved.... It is sooo important to pick up children, including our neighbor's children, and take them to church, and it is so important to let them sit in service with us listening to the Word of God being preached. The Holy Spirit draws children to the altar too, and the Holy Spirit does a work in their hearts that we cannot do.
This is how I began my life in the family of God , 1983 ,84 , a revival in out Peria Oruru Valley northland nz , IT was wonderful , until men became ambitious and pride dismantelled us , WE saw great things when we were humble and simply sincere , I miss those fruitful days . .
This could not be a coincidence, that I am seeing this video tonight after thinking earlier today how we will eventually be back in our homes for church, just like the early church. 🙏🏽
I agree! I have hymnals and Bibles set aside at my home because I think God wants me to have a house church in the possible near future. Our country and the world is becoming so tumultuous where we may no longer be able to even drive to church. If this becomes the case, I will by God’s leading, meet and greet my neighbors to welcome them to a precious time of fellowship and no frills worship. Our use of God’s Word will bring comfort and confidence in the security we have in Jesus.
@@lindsaynichols3175You do know they didn't have church buildings for at least 150 years, right? They also grew exponentially until the church got neutered by aligning with Rome via Constantine and then they built nice big cathedrals to kill the church in.
nothing wrong with a building or a home. that's not the church. doesn't matter where we meet. and i've never been impressed with cathedrals. it's just a place to meet, whether it's a home or a building. @@revolutionofordinaries
We started a house church 5 years ago. It's been a great experience. We now rent a space on Sunday, but sit in circles at tables and keep the essence of a house church. Nobody sees it as a church building. I see it as similar to Paul in the hall of Tyrannus or the church at Troas in an upper room.
And, the tithe was meant to help those in need w/in the church and support those who teach/preach to the congregation --- NOT as a "witnessing" tool or as a social aid for those in the surrounding community, and definitely not for the maintenance of a church building. That's not to say we should not financially support those outside of the church. I found a lack of accountability in the traditional church -- something I really needed and desired to encourage me in my faith, to grow in Christ and be fruitful.
Totally agree as my wife and I have been looking at this for a some time now and we sense that we are being led to do this, all the points you have raised are exactly what we are seeing also, so we are focusing on our area and our street and neighbours etc.
So glad you did...new series just started to help all of you who are asking about this. Here is part 1 - ua-cam.com/video/Zd-FcCBoh1A/v-deo.html Part 2 is coming out in a couple days!
We were a part of a small home fellowship about 30 years ago. We loved it. A very close knit group of believers doing life together. I think what I liked best was the simple times of praise and worship. No bright stage lights or extra effects to take your mind off Jesus. No spotlight on the singers or musicians. Also the Pastor had total freedom to teach what the Lord put on his heart, Mostly line upon line Bible study, and if he needed to take 3 or 4 weeks to teach through one chapter then so be it. The problem is that it didn't stay small for long. People would invite friends, which is what you are supposed to do ant the church outgrew the house and lo and behold we went from renting a room in a town hall. Then the cafeteria. It just kept growing.
Open Church.... The Biblical way... The way forward... Everyone participates in their gifting... Spiritual gifts can be exercised for the building up and edification of God's people 😊
My friend worries and argues against open floor house churches on the basis that the lack of a structural hierarchy will tend towards chaos. Giving everyone a voice will lead to that one crazy guy always spouting his crazy views in an interrupting manner. I don't think his arguments hold water but it's just something to think about addressing when discussing this topic
We have been doing this for about five years now-and we have gone from a building, salaries, rents, CCLI, on and on…to a small gang of folks with whom we do life! And the simplicity of our “Saticoy Saturday Supper Church” has us rediscovering the “secret sauce” of obeying the Holy Spirit!
Thank you so much for your message! My husband and I took our kids to church all their growing up lives but we’ve come to a crossroad where 29 years later, our van that held all 7 of us, broke down so we have no vehicle that can hold our handicapped sons wheelchair. Plus, he’s always had some major medical crisis so I always have to be ready for the ER. So on Sunday nights I have been watching Rejoice in the Lord On tvTwo of my kids are out of the house. I have been envisioning having church with our neighbors and at home but I felt a little guilty if we didn’t try to go to our home church which is a trek. And I’ve just read some dangerous road conditions near the church we first attended. You may have just comforted my spirit and set it free to pursue this. Also, I’ve worried about my husband always lifting my handicapped son and having an accident. So thank you so much for posting this. It really comforts my soul. If you have time, please let me know your thoughts.
I'm in Oklahoma City, I'm 53 years old and I'm not wanting to go to the church building anymore. I feel like God has taken me out of organized religion, church buildings, and I have a desire to find a home church but I don't know how to find one in my area. I don't have children, family and I don't have friends because of how I am being led by God. Please pray for me!
@@revolutionofordinaries not helpful because I have zero people in my life and the website you sent me to is confusing, I'm on SSDI due to a traumatic brain injury 🤕 I just asked for prayer and you couldn't even let me know you prayed, knowing someone is praying for you when you are lonely is extremely comforting and you 😒
Hey Stacey My name is Tracy .Lol and I'm also in Oklahoma Our stories are so similar. I left the Organizationed Churches ⛪ a few years ago. After Leaving and finding so many Christian content online through You tube and also Hearing so many other People's Stories and how Free they feel not being in a Building. I knew this was a Confromation to be at Home. I don't see myself Ever going back to these Bad Organizationed churches, but I'm single, no kids, not married so I'm just trying to figure it out along the way. But thank God He uses Videos like this to Help lead and guide us to where he wants us to be. I pray that We Will Both find us a Good House Church to Attend someday ❤❤❤.
Great insight. I'm concerned about becoming cult like. Otherwise, a small home church makes complete sense. Especially for us with special needs family members.
House church has been on my heart for sometime. We do go to a traditional building church but house church seems to be so much more fulfilling in the family ministry. Would love to know more and I’m following your page and praying for guidance here.
If "doing church" in the traditional, institutional way prevents you from living up to the Biblical guidance of how we are to function as a church group, do we change or avoid those instructions, or do we change "the way we do church." A few examples: 1 Cor 14 says several people will testify and other will challenge; Matt 18 says to resolve issues between people by eventually taking it to the church which is completely impractical in a institutional church; elders are to be shepherds of people, not administrators of a business enterprise; Jesus says not to build treasures on earth and yet we spend a HUGE portion of the money on buildings; the assembly just becomes an observational event rather than participative event. The list is actually much longer than this, but you get the point. As you said in the video, there is no Biblical instruction to spend money on building and maintaining these cost-ineffective "places of worship". So I find myself going further and further down the path toward thinking maybe this traditional, institutional approach is wrong. In violation of Revelation 22:18 maybe we've added to the Word in a way that we never should have. Some further food for thought. Thanks for having the courage to put these thoughts forward!
I appreciate your insights on this. I think traditional churches CAN be wrong but not automatically wrong in every instance. I still see God using them in some big ways...maybe the impact would be even bigger if we junked all that and came home and leveraged all our resources to a greater degree...that may well happen eventually but if it does it will most likely not be by choice but by necessity.
These large organisations indeed do some good (however inefficiently). But they are not churches simply because there is no way that every believer has an opportunity to share their Spirit given gifts (1 Cor 11 - 14). I spent ten years as the 'pastor' of an institutional fellowship until I realised that what we were doing wasn't in the Book and what was in the Book we weren't doing. Having experience since then in establishing house churches in a number of countries (including Islamic and communist countries), I am of the persuasion that the majority of Christian believers actually gather in small Biblical house churches and these 'multi-million dollar behemoths are actually trying (ineffectively) for the minority of believers.@@revolutionofordinaries
@@paulsccduff My experience is similar. Serving as an elder for several years opened my eyes to what the true priorities were and too often they didn't line up with what the Bible says they should be. I also have a UA-cam channel. Currently doing a series of videos about our relationship with God. www.youtube.com/@1Word2218
I was involved with a very close group of believers back in the early 1990's in Humble, Texas. We all knew each other, fellowshipped frequently, shared meals, had prayer meetings, gathered in each other's homes, babysat each other's kids, had older ladies that helped the young moms, men that helped the older widows and single moms. We did have a physical building, but nothing extravagant. We were a true family of believers. Everyone pitched in to help keep the church and grounds nice and clean. I haven't found that since moving away from there in 1993.
I appreciate your humility in acknowledging that regular church has a place and can be used of God. And you explained your conviction in a clear way without "burning others at the stake." I love going to my friends home church when I visit them, yes, the fellowship is very sweet. Children tend to be challenged more to maturity. I love that the family can worship God together without being fragmented into different programs - gasp, what! Have babies and children in church? Yes, absolutely, so we can say with Joshua, "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord"
Greetings, I was first exposed to the house church concept in Wichita, KS back in the mid 80's. As a result of COVID-19, I started doing this type of gathering online globally. What a blessing, not quite the same, but a blessing nonetheless. A very important element of the small group setting is the people now have a voice through which God can speak. In a traditional church, everyone just sits through the lecture and leaves. I feel that you are spot-on in your list of pluses. The traditional church is really just the business of religion, creating converts, while the house church creates disciples for Christ.
Agree 100% with your observations. I’ve been part of both small and large. By far the small gatherings are much more beneficial spiritually in my opinion because it’s closer to what we see in scripture. Having partaken in both settings I will never congregate at a big mega church ever again. God bless!
I am also looking for a house church.. currently based in Nairobi Kenya. My prayer is with this great move, may we not miss out on the most essential thing, Christ Jesus..
Had our first House Church yesterday. It was nice, but there have been some spiritual attacks. Right when my parents left, my son got hit by a car. That night, I had terrible nightmares. We are going to persevere, though, please pray for us. This is very new to us.
Prayers of healing and complete restoration going up for your son. You know you’re on the right track when the warfare is that heavy. Persevere family! No weapon formed against you shall prosper 💙
Hi Matt. Found you a few years ago. im from Prince Edward island. Tom Marshall tells me you are lecturing here at maritime christian college in may? I've been in Africa most of my ministry, but was at two traditional chuches here in canada also for a few years. Been house churching off and on for 15 years. In three countries. Simple, economical, easily repeated by ordinary people, is our mission and church planting philisophy of ministry both here and french west Africa. We have helped nine other people begin house churches. Unfortunately when you come up in may i wont get to meet you as they changed the lectures from march to may. And i am now a commercial fishing captain self supporting ministry. So im at sea for lobsters at that time. I wish you well...
Our house church near Philadelphia began a little over three years ago. I was so impressed by how this description of a house church mapped point by point with our experience and with the values we have been emphasizing.
Our church did not start because of the pandemic, but the pandemic was the final nudge that people needed who wanted to meet together to worship the Lord.
Hi Matt. Your video was a fresh boost of Kingdom air. I remember a few years ago when I was asked to be the guest preacher/speaker at a Sunday Church. It seated around 250. About 5 minutes before the official announcement to commence the service, I was waiting at the back beside the sound board. Suddenly I saw a flurry of people running around near the back whispering to each other and glancing in my direction very nervously. They looked mortified. One of them sheepishly came towards me saying, "Pastor, I am very, very sorry. I don't know how to tell you this but...um...well...the Power Point program is frozen and we don't have the IT computer tech on site. We are willing to delay the entire service and again please accept our deepest apologies." She was teary-eyed and looking dejected. Almost at that moment, it's as if a flash ran across my mind and I thought, "Lord, your people are crippled with anxiety and unable to worship because a digital screen can't project some graphics. Forgive us for our idolatry." I gently patted her on the back and said, "That's totally okay. I am capable of telling the congregation what Scripture verse I will be reading and don't mind giving them as much time as they need to find it. In fact, I can walk down and even tell them the page number from the pew Bibles." She wasn't having it and looked very offended by my advice turned and walked away. From that moment on, I began to see the waves of anxiety that wash over folks in large churches if every single minutes doesn't progress with the utmost efficiency, polish, stability, perfect sequence of exactitude of execution!
What a sad story and demonstration of what is going on out there! We gave up on being worried about how Sunday would go and just go with the flow. We have structure but don't get nervous about things going off course...often that is God doing something special if we pay attention. Thanks for leaving a comment and watching!
That is exactly what God has us doing after almost 9 years of traveling and ministering by faith here in Alabama and it has been amazing. From healings to deliverances I preach and teach His word with the occasional special speaker. Prayer of course is absolute and giving has been according to their faithfulness which we have used to meet many a need of a member. We even take care of the widows. We allow for the Holy Spirit to have His way and whatever God wants to do He has the straight away to do so it is all about Him and no one else. Many have received right on words from the Lord and one has received a home, another started their own business. This only happens with intimacy and putting the Lord first.
Long time house church member here - over 20yrs. I was raised in the c of c , attended one of their Bible Colleges, and planted a "traditional" church. Love your focus. My experience has led me to a simple strategy- lead people to Christ. Legalistic adherence to Patterns does not develop faithful christians - it only creates an atmosphere of divisision. I have witnessed the results of both models. I will take the house church without reservation.
And should we remain in the beginning stages forever? Israel began wandering in the desert with the ark in a tent. Was it God's will that they remain that way?
@@mkshffr4936 It is not that sometimes it helps us to remember how this journey started that we don't loose salvation You may ask the guidence of the holy spirit It depends on the calling
I cannot remember who said this, "Grow your Church small." However, it does make sense. I also read about a Church, and again I can't remember their name, but they split after they have 6O people, thus spreading the Church out. They don't split because of a disagreement they are planting. There are a couple of things that come to mind and that is how do you interact with other Congregations? One of the good things about a larger Congregation is having a larger voice. plus other things.
I think that's a great model. If churches would just focus on following the Holy Spirit and developing people then they would raise more leaders to plant more churches and not let their congratulations get too impersonal
I agree dear brother, I came from Cuba and also lived in Brazil, the experience in the house church was amazing, you learn a lot, more intimacy with each other in prayer and support. Become a real spiritual family blessed. The personal testimony is so great. and each other stimulated to see us in the big church as much as we can. I became a doctor here in the USA, and I did not have a lot of time to go to church to connect even poorly with my brother because everyone was running into their cars after the service was done. I miss Brazil in this aspect and want to retire there to experience again the House churches, I miss my brothers there. Thank you for your words and God bless you.
I have considered this as something I might fit into very well. I have been a part of this type of worship before. The cost of attending an average church keeps going up and they want those tithes no matter what. I also have the qualifications needed for this. People are so very distracted by everyday life that I am not sure their hearts would support it but the idea sounds so much better at least for me. Jesus did send his disciples to the people not the Godless religion of that day.
What is your experience with house church? If you are going to one, what is it that motivated you to make the change? Thanks for watching. Let's discuss!
My husband has been pastoring in a house church setting for over 45 years now. In fact, that is actually how we met. Over the years and seasons of life, our “numbers” have alternately waxed and waned; ebbed and flowed. But meeting at home has never been about “church growth” in the context of numbers. It has always been about personal development according to the Word of God… it’s been about “each-one-reach-one” in the individual homes, the everyday workplace, and the daily concourse of life. It’s been about walking out the Sunday Word of God on Monday thru Saturday, then coming together again to tell, “What God has done!” Yes; there is distinct pastoral leadership. Yes, we have those who function as “elders and/or deacons.” We have a “worship leader.”.. But it’s not about rules or role playing; about one or two taking center stage. Home Fellowship is , for us, all about letting the High and Lofty one be preeminent m. About listening for His nudge for “when to pray and when to say.” It’s about meeting together and just letting God have the day, have the day, and have His way. In us and through us. How is it when you come together, brethren? Let every one of you have a psalm, a hymn, a tongue, an interpretation… but let all things be done for edification.” To edify means to “build up,” ( as in the word edifice ) As a home fellowship we DO have a “church building program.” It’s you and me… it’s the children and marriages and families in our midst. Each one of us are “God’s treasured edifice.” Not a one of us is complete yet. But together, we are “building one another up in this most holy faith.” It works! It’s scriptural. It’s efficient. We were all created for relationship. “It’s not good that man should be alone,” said God. “Don’t forsake the assembling yourselves together as us the manner of some,” Paul admonishes. This craving for deeper fellowship, meaningful human connection, and spiritual edification is more often met face to face, than it is side by side. I believe that is why larger churches are continually pushing their “small groups” programs. Because BIG is too big, too program & too organization focused to foster intimate connection. And “just God and Me” is well, 🤷♀️ just you… neglecting an important part of Gods challenge to man: Others. A lot of the children that have grown & flown out of our midst over the years are taking their turn at experiencing that which they “missed out on.” They attend fairly large churches with much organization to facilitate. But 90% of them maintain the core faith in Jesus Christ that was established so deeply in their hearts in the intimate growth setting in which they were raised. And they are quick to gravitate toward their church’s “small groups” and, time goes on, we are watching numerous of them begin their transition toward meeting in homes.
My family went to a house church for less than a year after leaving a mid-sized congregation when we had some serious disagreement with the leadership over their handling of the illness and other doctrinal issues. The house church was small, intimate, but the people there had a lot of fear of the illness, trusted gov't too much, and had a lot of hurts and poor communication. Didn't do as much with the Bible as we'd hoped. It was pretty much a clique. We ended up leaving. I still think the house church idea is good, but it really is dependent on having healthy people. We are currently at a local nondenominational church that has cell groups. We don't agree with everything there, and it's not a perfect fit, but it's a port in the storm. I would still like to be part of a house church but it will be a while before we find one that fits I think .
Not for me. I prefer accountability when possible. In the infancy of the church it made sense as they came out of the catacombs. However we should keep in mind that even in the early church the structure was there and even church councils such as the one in Jerusalem. When talking closed societies where the faith is outlawed it also may be necessary for a time. Also I am not a big fan of the modern idea of radical discontinuity between the ecclesia of the OT and that of the new. So the example of the tabernacle and temple are not completely irrelevant to me. You are correct about family integrated worship but we practice that intentionally in our church. That is not exclusive to house churches nor do we hesitate to pause the liturgy for needs of the church.
Wow... Just Wow Matt. Thank-you for sharing this.. I have felt this for years. I have seen the decline of people attending big churches, I have NEVER felt a part of a traditional church being unwilling to jump through the required hoops to gain acceptance under the guise of 'ministry responsibility and stewardship. House churches are more intimate where we can truly show God's love (and acceptance because of salvation, not fulfilling the requirements), and care for one another as He intended. I have been a believer for 48 years, I am a musician and I worship playing music, I do not sing. I was told if I joined a church I would have to wait 6 months before I could worship with them with my instrument. Sit in a pew for 6 months, paying a 'tithe' for permission to worship God with them? I was told it is because we need to 'know your commitment before we put you in a leadership position". However.. no one on that worship team is in ANY leadership position. None are on the board, none are elders, none counsel, none make any decisions... how is that leadership? They are forbidding me to worship until 6 months have passed.. So I passed...The church is dead...(thank God), but long live His Church!!
We started a home study group about 5 months ago. Our small group (our regular church attendees) grew from a handful to over 20 now. Not only is it necessary for serious study of the word, but for fellowship. We incorporate acoustic worship of 2-3 songs, then get into the word. It's dialogue and not monologue. We are getting more attendee participation every week. I'm excited about where this will go as it relates to evangelism.
Primitive Baptist churches are like this. There might be a dedicated building, but it’s a lot smaller. There isn’t a huge staff or budget to support. Worship is congregational singing a capella, prayer, and preaching. There is often a meal. All ages are integrated and there is no Sunday School. The elder is the leader and teacher. I get so much more out of my church membership compared to the huge SBC church I left.
I think you make some really good points. There are good things about both, the traditional church centered around a physical building, and the house church centered around the family home. Me and my wife are open to both. We are currently attending a church that feels very close to a house church, and it actually started as a house church, but there have been steps to make things more programmatic, and I believe God has already been putting it on our hearts that if things get too impersonal, we would either start or join a house church.
Once it gets program oriented it kills the life of the church because the Holy Spirit is no longer allowed to lead it. I am in a church that is fairly small at the moment that is very much into being led by the Spirit. May it never cease to do so as it grows. It has been like hens teeth to find
@@geoffstokesonce a group of Christians transfer from a home setting to a public church building, the whole SPIRITUAL DYNAMIC will change! The church building itself, by its very arrangement, will stifle participation, and encourage passivity and human control!
There is a great need for the flow of The Spirit among The Body. We can grow faster & with stronger UNITY, when we are all able to share the “Bread” we have been given with each other!
I have been looking and praying for a house church. When I found myself in a life catastrophe, I was suddenly surrounded by a house church. This church is mighty and a blessing and beautiful. I am so blessed to be counted among these amazing people. ❤
Hey there! Great questions. There are various ways to set this up. You can raise funds and pay someone part time to do the work. That limits the pool of people who will do the work. Or you can use lay leadership (which is what most do) and that frees up funds for ministry and shares the work load of the teaching and pastoral care of the church. In the New Testament there wasn't a single pastor system. They had groups and those groups may have been over city areas rather than just one house church.
Read 1 Corinthians 14:26-33. You are still thinking "church" in the traditional way. Until you see the church in the light of Scripture, it won't work for you.
NO PASTOR. NO LIAR. NO FALSE RELIGION. Main advantage: 1 Corinthians 14:26: How is it then, brethren? when you come together, every one of you has a psalm, has a doctrine, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
@@revolutionofordinaries One sunday a month is better than nothing. However Paul writes: When(ever) you come together! Let all things be done unto edifying.
Yep! We walk away every week having shared our burdens, prayed for each other, heard from the word...heard testimonies of God's power and goodness. It is glorious!
I am all for house churches, I have attended several of them, they have a special "togetherness" about them....some of the best Bible studies, and services I can remember...however, they are not without their problems, or setbacks...but nothing is perfect. Pray about where God wants to place you, follow his lead.
We have a House church and have found that it’s a very effective way to help people come to faith and grow due to the strong relationships and also the fact that we can share, pray and support one another. We also speak about repentance, baptise, it all started in a park in our town during Covid Mandates when so many of us were isolated. Quite a few secular people came to Christ due to the small intimate gatherings, no one is above anyone else. We all steer each other back to the gospel and don’t follow weird near so times that aren’t biblical.
I am a southern Baptist pastor who is currently training to transition to the house CHurch model. One of the major problems that has existed is many Christians have a fundamental misunderstanding of the church, and automatically associate the church with the building and most of us pastors have not did a good job at clearing that up, it’s a big bear you’re poking and a big machine. Lord bless you.
@@revolutionofordinaries I am in a Training called Pastor to Pioneer . It is a multi denomination group from all around the country. I will be transitioning to the simple church in the Spring . Pastor to Pioneer is on the web check them out , they have been very helpful
I have tried house church groups at my church twice, but it doesn’t work well for me yet. I think part of it is that it tends to be food oriented, and for those of us with food allergies, or strict eating schedules, or food intolerances it can be uncomfortable or awkward. I’ll find the right one eventually because I do think its a good set up overall.
Simple is reproducible and sustainable. Methods have to be prayed through in order to come to some practices that the smaller group can sustain for the long haul.
@@QuietlyContemplating Nonetheless, it does tend to be. Family style dinners, women’s brunches with a teaching…I intermittent fast pretty strictly, and eat a pretty limited diet as a long term cancer survivor and the constant eating does make me feel pretty awkward and out of place.
If you do things that keep it from being sustainable you might consider other ways of accomplishing the same thing. Maybe limit it to one Sunday a month, change up the hosting, spread the work, etc.
One of the most honest videos I have ever seen about church. This has been on my heart for a long long time. I am still in a mega church in South east Asia. Great sermons and great production. Yet, not feeling connected.
Admitted! But ONE problem with some home churches is that lack of Bible knowledge leads to un-biblical practices. E.g. "let's pray for your healing from.... .. " "Oooh! You're not healed? So you certainly don't have the Spirit of God!" So sometimes church oversight helps to curb malpractices like this!!!!
There are far more "un-biblical practices" in traditional churches than in home churches. The truth is that you are already biased in your mind. Except the Holy Spirit reveals the church of Christ to you, just continue with what you have been used to. Does the church you attend currently align with 1 Corinthians 14:16-33? That should form the basis of your assessment.
The blind leading the blind is a real issue. That is not to say that other types of churches are immune but enforced standards of ordination for elders and teachers can provide some protection when done right. A church must align with the _whole_ council of God in _all_ of scripture.
@@mkshffr4936Believers in Jesus are led by the Holy Spirit. I don't know what you mean by blind leading the blind in this context. Jesus Christ emphatically said that only the Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth (John 16:12-14). It appears that you are one of those people that depend on the products of Bible Schools and Seminaries, which in the main are philosophies and ideas of so-called theologians. God gave us the pattern of the church in 1 Corinthians 14:26-33. The fact that the Catholic church hijacked the church for thousands of years and perverted this pattern does not change the truth of God.
@@pearladams4817 The claims of Being lead by the spirit without the benefit of the teachers the Lord provides have lead to all sorts of wacky Cults and to reinvent the wheel alone in our closets leaves us susceptible to scheisters like Benny Hin and Joseph Smith. Just me and my Bible and the burning in the bosom is a very dangerous approach and not supported by the scriptures. Elders were to be those able to teach. The ignorant are not qualified to teach. The original Jewish church didn't need original language and culture but the Apostles studied under the greatest theologian of all time (Christ not the spirit they felt in their hearts). Paul studied under Gamaliel, Timothy under Paul and so on. So the pattern is established to build on the saints that came before us. At this time we are so far removed from biblical times and culture there is another layer of knowledge needed. For example even as fisherman the Apostles were familiar with the language and culture of covenant. The average 21st century American has no clue of these things from living in our culture so can not understand much of the Bible on their own. I began in the Baptistic-Armino-Dispy world but as I studied the scriptures they just didn't square with what I was learning but thankfully I had been taught how to think things through so I was able to work through it with help from others and from resources current and historical so I understand and appreciate the need for individual study but just like learning to design amplifiers I also understand the need to learn from those with more knowledge and experience. A quality seminary is not all about philosophy but teaches important things such as original languages, biblical and church history, hermeneutics, and more. And like any quality education it teaches how to draw out what is in the text (i.e. exegesis).
Been planting house church for 4 decades. It takes real love and patience and obedience to let the Lord build His house; it must and can ONLY be all "His way" and all ran by Him. EVERY part of it. Regarding the mass migration of believers ... The Lord has called them out of unfaithful harlotries and unto Himself. Though He uses all things His Children need learn the power of the cross and that His Kingdom is for them right now and they need be disciples who live and gather in His name. That good news of the Kingdom has been corrupted with "Fake News" of heirarchal ministry; talking head ministry devoid of the Spirit and monetizing the Gospel. (Nicolaitanism,Jezebel and Baalam respectively) All disciples are believers and their spirit is over their soul; yet very few believers are disciples and they predominantly have their soul, mind, will "over" their spirit.
@@revolutionofordinaries Sounds more glamorous than it is. Obedience, loving the Lord and serving His people. Very much like washing feet; treating them as more important. Eph 4:2-6 for sure is the approach vector the Bride must walk. People dross up; like babies burp up. And you burp the baby; no matter which end is fluid. You minister life, truth, love and light and they either grow or show goat tendencies.
It is high time to go back to what was SIMPLY amazing, where the Holy Spirit is in complete control and God's true family are free to concentrate like you said ON THE NEEDS AT HAND. Home church makes perfect sense because it is one to one, heart to heart,,, caring, sharing, supporting, lifting and growing in the Lord,,,faithfully working together to bear good, Godly fruit, because LOVE NEVER FAILS, and in the intimate setting, it is less apt to be infiltrated by wolves in sheep's clothing. In my humble opinion, there are a million beautiful reasons (especially now) that make the home-sweetJesus-home churchs absolutely worthwhile!!!❤
@@revolutionofordinaries I will be watching them! God bless you and yours as you wisely open new doors that really need to be opened in these challenging times. I pray with all the deep rooted faith that is in me,,,that as we hear and obey Our Father's calling voice, we grow ever truer in Him, to become HIS unshakable trees of Righteousness that stand in every storm for His will to be done, to the utmost praise, glory and much deserved honor of our Almighty Creator... Kind Sir,,,,,"Keep the faith and don't lose hope though uphill you may trod, believe that from the mountain's peak, you'll touch the hand of God! -Christene Luthey
Greetings brother, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only savior. I enjoyed listening to your encouraging talk as it seems this will clearly be a big part of the future.
They go to a house church ONLY to repeat the process over again. It gets bigger and bigger. They need more rules. A larger space. Now you get more money involved. Who's going to should the full-time responsibility for all the in-fighting and the programming? Now you need more and more people to pay the bills. And suddenly, you're right back where you started. Have a nice time with that, Christians. Nobody needs a weekly book club to be a decent person who contributes to human flourishing.
I don't think what you are describing is the typical house church experience. It happens somewhere to someone but it isn't typical. House churches typically don't want to grow big...they start more churches rather than get one church to be huge. I have never experienced what you are describing.
The more important question is do you believe that Jesus is who he said he is? Sounds like you’ve been hurt by people in the church before. Don’t put their mistakes on God, He is not them.
When money or membership (which means money) isn’t the goal, and nurture and true spirituality is, it won’t become a mega church. If it gets too large for one home, someone else will volunteer to host in their home. The problem will take care of itself.
Agreed 100%. I prefer this type of worshipping. You feel more relax and accepted. No gossips when issues arise. Leaving church does not mean leaving God. Oh Some see the opportunity to threaten those who leave with hell fire! Some just purposely want to hear people announce their iniquity aloud for all to hear but it only limit to others. They don't do that themselves. Selected accusation. Evil believers with bad intention. They love to sensationalised matters which is not biblical. More get to share. Less hassles.
Some missionaries I knew in the 1970's raised $5,000,000 (when a million dollars meant something!) to build a state-of-art seminary facility. This was in Ethiopia. The proyect was finished just in time for the Communists to take over and confiscate it. The missionary learned a lesson and vowed never again to do that but to spend resources on more intangible but spiritually significant things.
Boom you hit the nail on the head. Youth ministry seperates highschool kids from their parents. Once youth ministry grabs them they no longer sit with their parents, they only sit with the youth group.
The first time I heard of church houses was from a Francis Chan talk. It touched me deeply. I once went to a very small church in Ohio and the pastor at times stopped mid sermon for healing. The end was a small prayer circle where we shared and prayed.
MANY have asked by comment/email how to start a house church. Here is the first video in a series I am doing to answer your questions and get you on the path to starting a house church. God bless you all!
ua-cam.com/video/Zd-FcCBoh1A/v-deo.html
Pray, petition and intercede for workers for sure; not just for you but that the Lord of the Harvest will send them out world wide. He oft will make the one who has His heart for those workers and the harvest ... become one. The nice thing about workers is they come to do a job. If they don't do it the Lord fires them and sends another. Lovem servem regardless. Workers aren't a shopping "diner visiting" christian who is critical of the food or menu. Workers "work".
We are worshipping at home when all of our pastors did not show up to church during pandemic for 18 months. Everyone should be scared when all of our pastors basically denied what the Bible said by not showing up to church.
This gave me peace. My elderly sister and I live together, we are very rural, have health issues and it is hard to get to church. We have church here, together each week, pray together daily. I believe the Lord hears and is in our midst.
Love it Janice! So thankful you left a comment on this and shared from your life.
that is great I like the bruderhof they live together and follow Acts 2
"A time will come when instead of shepherds feeding the sheep, the church will have clowns entertaining the goats."
Charles H. Spurgeon
Ouch!
Goats are beautiful too, so do what ya can do,,, Spurgeon realize how difficult sheep are to work with haha guess I had difficulty in my youth pushing up alley way haha not like cattle for sure
@@user-gk5rm3co2v though you're right about earthly sheep and goats, I believe Spurgeon was talking about the biblical comparison of the sheep and the goats in Jesus' parable in Matthew 25:31-46, and that's not a pretty picture. God bless!
And here we are!!
In many modern churches, it's happening now. He was right!
I studied Acts and actually went over it several times. That book touched me in a way I cannot describe. One of the things that I fell in love with was the worship, the church. There were no time restraints and schedules to keep; Just ministering God Word, fellowship and worship. It was a family that came together. I’ve been looking/praying for a house church. I want that church that continues on as long as the Spirit is leading, the one when a man falls asleep and falls out of a window, he’s healed but it continues on. If you look at the early church in the Bible, it is beautiful in all its persecution and imperfections. All that to say, I hope more take your message to heart.
I almost cried reading your comment and I haven't even began watching the video yet🥹you touched my soul
May God's will be accomplished in your life, in Jesus' mighty name!
I love this comment so much. As someone who has been working in the big traditional church for years and who has grown very tired of it, I resonate with your comment a lot. No schedules, no time constrains, love and worship, that's what I long for. The big trad churches have gotten to a place where they're not concerned about the right things anymore.
God bless you! What a great comment. God is moving and we can't stop him...best to get on board!
I have also been transformed by studying the book of Acts. Early church was all about living in community, something we have lost in traditional buildings. Christian’s tend to look at a building and think about possibilities of what can be offered. I’ve have been a part of a church plant the last few years. Convincing people that not having our own building provides so much more opportunity to serve God is difficult. We have been conditioned to think a building and service structure is necessary for worship. There are wonderful opportunities for spiritual growth and experiences when we let go of tradition and let the spirit lead us!
@@53andMEI guess the first Christians and apostles were wrong about church in homes too. Is that right? If you are going to say I am wrong or it is wrong...please explain why you believe that. Show your work, please.
At age 65, I have “aged out” of being able to serve on the worship team of our large BSSJSM (Big Screens, Skinny Jeans & Smoke Machines) church. I’d love to be plugged into a small fellowship where I could feel like I had something to contribute.
Love the acronym! lol...I hope and pray you can get plugged in where you can be used to bless others and be blessed. Take care!
ME TOO! (hate to say that phrase nowadays) I feel like all the churches are a Dead Sea experience: If you're not teaching SS or selected to give Bible Studies/preaching from the pulpit (Pentecostal churches select a few well-spoken members to preach occasionally) then all you can do is fellowship with the backs of peoples' heads.
BSSJSM 😂😂 I am definitely stealing that! The American church has sadly lost its way. Home fellowships in the mold of the Book of Acts are the future of pastoral ministry in the USA and all over the world due to the coming persecution. I pray that you find a fellowship like you are seeking. We have been doing that for years here in Tyler TX even though this is one of the most “churched” communities in the nation.
Love it @@user-tq6zn7ni3b
Oh My! As we age (I'm 76) we actually have more experience & have gained wisdom. WE "olders" are actually the ones who have much to offer & should be participating MORE.
We meet at my father's home. He's our preacher/ Bible teacher. Since 2021 ❤ i look forward to it every Sunday. We take communion together and worship together. It's a beautiful time
Love this very much!!! Thank you so much for sharing and for taking the time to share what God is doing there with the rest of us.
Sounds awesome.....
Wonderful. Where two or three are together God is in the midst to bless.
How do you put your faith in action in your community. Is it enough to meet on a Sunday, without any outreach. Jesus said go and make disciples
@maryhirst9127 we volunteer at women's resource centers, we pick up trash in our community wearing John 14:6 Bible verse imprinted on our shirts. We visit the elderly at nursing homes as a homeschool family. We take Jesus everywhere we go, not just to a building. Not just on Sunday
I meet others for Bible study at a small local hardware store after business hours. I love it. The church is not a building. It’s a worldwide body of born again believers. Thank you for video. God bless
We are the church!
I feel our rural church of 70-80 people already has most of the benefits of a house church as you described them. Plus we have the church building available for women’s Bible study on Monday, prayer meeting on Tuesday, Awana (kids program) on Wednesday, men’s Bible study Thursday and Sunday is Sunday school for all ages with a worship service following. We often have family groups lead the worship singing. We have space for Weddings, funerals and baptisms. We do not have a pastor but are searching. We do not have air conditioning but would like one. We are not perfect yet but working on it 🤭
Some small churches are closer in size (small) to make that work.
nothing wrong with a small congregation. prefer it to a mega church. a "church" building just provides its users with a convenient place to meet on sunday mornings and other times of the week for other groups/functions. also good to get out and fellowship with others in your congregation. fellowship is very important. that is also spoken of in acts.
there is nothing inherently wrong with a building unless it costs to astronomically much that the poor are going underserved by our desire for BIG - @@lindsaynichols3175
L@@lindsaynichols3175
I was led to the Lord in a small no "pastor" charismatic church meeting that did not last very long. All that they needed was a good pastor and teacher and they would have grown strong because the love and dedication was in the right place.
I think you are correct. I was pondering starting a home church just a hour ago. I go to a large Baptist church in my town, we have a big concert every Sunday. We have pastors galore, to minister to ourselves & our kids. They have a moderate mission budget. The word taught is milk & short 20 minutes long. Jesus would be better served in a smaller less flowery setting where the meat of the Word could be lived out. I'm for it!
Well let's dive in! Send an email to me if you want to do this - matthewdabbs@hotmail.com
I feel the same way about the big Baptist churches in my area and yet I hope you will have the wisdom to continue attending your current church. You are needed in that church, and despite all its shortcomings, you have a place there. Do you have a small group that meets in your home? Can’t you do the same things in that group when you gather as what you’re imagining in a house church? You will find that any group of Christian has a lot of sin problems and as those crop up in your house church, you won’t have the organization and structure to respond in the best way. I hope you won’t break away entirely from a traditional church body.
I feel the same. I just can't sit there anymore. We are in end times and God's people need more, need equipped and they spend 10 to 15 minutes talking about nonsense and then a milk toast message. I was checking out another local church that someone recommended and watched a few of their sermons. The morning after Israel was attacked, The message was on that Jesus was "better" than the old covenant, great, but then went onto illustrate the meaning of the word better by having people shout out which restaurant has "better" tacos. Unless they didn't know the horrible thing that just happened, how can you stand in front of people talking about tacos instead of praying for Israel. I just don't get it. My heart's desire is for a local church, but I can't do it anymore. There are pastors online that I love and Christians that I gather with.
@@nicolewright8833 Ironically, I just pulled a book off the shelf called Pagan Christianity. The authors go through all of the components of Protestant worship services and where they came from and how many of them are not even based in the Bible. So very thankful that my son has found a group that is trying to do Christ centered, Spirit lead house church like the first century. He loves it.
I couldn`t agree more with everything you said here. The era of large church denominations is coming to an end. They are melting away before our eyes.
God is speeding up the dying process and moving people home. That is where the early church grew exponentially.
So, the era begins of false believers pretending they've fixed the problems by doing house church instead of institutional church.
My Name is Bernhard, I am from Hagen in Germany. We Start with House Church in the Corona Time, when Great Churches are closed for a long time. After the Corona time, a lot of members leave their Fellowships. So the House church is a very good Option for the coming time, when old churches in Germany break down. Be blessed for your good teaching, May our Lord Jesus bless you
God bless you in the new thing God is doing there in Germany!
I’m apart of a house church! It’s so beautiful and we hang out and go out to eat together. We truly fellowship together. I’ve always struggled with the formal layout of buildings. I’ve been to great churches but being apart of a house church has been the biggest blessing in my life. I love the intimacy and the closeness with everyone.
Love this Sade! Our experience here is the same...love our people/house church!
My experience with house church was the best!!!!
I left a large church after covid. The church offered a rock star worhiip including the fog machine. They had lots of programs and also watered down teaching, so as not to offend anyone. I never found out what the total was for all the staff and building upkeep. Found a new body with a very simple worship and direct preaching from a Pastor who knows how to bring The Word. So I didn't leave church I just relocated to a body that truely lives out the Great Commission!
Love that you found a place you can thrive with others. COVID moved a lot people where they needed to be.
We have been attending a house church for all the reasons you have described. The relationships are deeper and more fulfilling. Everyone has the opportunity to exercise their gifting.
Yes!
My only concern with a house church is that people with whom members share Jesus can be welcomed and decipled especially those of different social groups... ?
I don't fully understand the question.@@arlenefisher1164
I think this happens more naturally in a home than in a church building. Discipleship.org did a study of traditional churches and found that less than 4% were making disciples in a meaningful/substantial way. That's sad!@@arlenefisher1164
During the lockdowns, my old church shut down. When I found a church that was open, I weeped during worship. We are told OVER AND OVER to gather together. We are supposed to be with our church family. We are not meant to walk with Christ alone.
Good for you. The Bible does not dictate that we gather together in a church building. The Bible does not dictate denominations. The Lord is close to many of His people who are unable to gather together in a church building for various reasons. And sometimes we do walk alone with The Lord. As Martin Luther said, "One with The Lord is a majority."
Exactly right. Thanks for the comments!
Church is RAN BY THE GOVERNMENT.
It would be great to do a follow up video describing the pitfalls of home churches, hopefully you would go all the way and explain what the NT model of a home church was. The greatest danger of home church is the lack of qualified elders according to Timothy and Titus and we find eager teachers who interpret the word according to what they ‘feel’ or what God ‘told’ them.
Perhaps you agree with Jesus, the greatest danger we as His Church face in our day is not from outside the church, but from false teachers and false prophets.
I think you are right and I will consider making that video.
You bring up very valid points, I was wondering myself how you keep things grounded in the Word, and not people's opinion or feelings. There are also different doctrinal beliefs that may not be compatible with the way you understand scripture. Same with singing...hymns, praise music, contemporary... praying in tongues versus not praying in tongues...women speaking versus women being silent...ETC...
I would be interested to know how you create unity in the body, to be inclusive without compromising TRUTH!
We are grounded in the word...reading/hearing it...understanding/interpreting it...living/applying it...and then talking about what God is doing as we live out what He said to do. That creates unity around our BIG God who is working mightily around us and in us. Pair that up with fasting/prayer/total surrender...get ourselves out of the way...seek God with all our hearts! You can find true unity with the Spirit's help like that.
I get your point. But it assumes that bad teaching is more of a problem in a home church setting. My view is that bad teaching is endemic within traditional institutional churches! And it is only getting worse. Wokeness, heresies and milktoast irrelevant sermons are common fare in most churches. In home churches people are encouraged to share what God has put on their hearts. Their motivation is pure. In traditional churches pastors recite sermons because they are paid to - it's part of their job description. They aim not to offend their employers in the pews. In a home church if someone teaches error someone across the room will most likely question it. Point 10 of the video - priesthood of believers.
@@harvestvillage695 House churches tend to have less false teaching that traditional churches if those house churches are in the word, committed to living the word and have some level of accountability.
I started going to house church a few months ago I love it we connect more share more it's awesome we love it blessings from Australia ♥️🙏
God bless you Donna!!!
Fantastic video! I think the future of the Body of Christ is going to be in the homes and neighborhoods of our communities. Amen!
Totally agree! Looking forward to seeing God move through this.
This is excellent and so true. This is how the early church met. You brought up such great points. Thank you. ❤
Thank you so much for watching and taking the time to share your thoughts! You are a blessing.
I completely agree with so much you had to say. Just a few days ago my aunt and I were discussing persecution possibly causing people to start having house churches again. Also, I love how you explained what happens to children who are sent to children's church when they instead ought to be sitting under the anointing of the Word of God that is being preached by the Pastor.... I used to attend a church who had "Children's Church". The pastor's wife came up to me one day and asked if I would help with the children. I told her to let me pray about it first. Then during prayer the Lord reminded me of my son who got saved at a very young age sitting with the congregation listening to the Pastor preach. He was around 6 years old I believe. Please listen to what happened.... I raised my 3 children in church and they knew how to behave. I normally didn't have any issues with their behavior but one particular evening we had just arrived at church and I was sitting down waiting for service to begin. However, all 3 of my children started becoming very rowdy. It was sooo bad that I was literally about to walk out the door with them and go home, but instead I began to cry to Jesus and ask Him for help. My heart wanted to be in church. Then all of a sudden each one of my children took a seat and settled down. Jesus had answered my prayer! My youngest son, who I believe was around 6 years old at the time, was sitting next to me. I handed him paper and a pen to draw with that night to give him something to do during service. The Pastor preached that night and when he was through he gave an altar call for anyone who needed salvation. My little boy looked at me and said "Momma, how do I get saved?" I asked him if he wanted to get saved and he said yes. I then took him to the altar where so many others were gathered around. We knelt down and I got to lead my son to the Lord! When we were finished praying he raised his little head with tears streaming down his face, and I KNEW that Jesus had saved him! .... I realized something that night. I believe Satan knew he was going to get saved that night, and he worked through my children causing them to become rowdy and unruly so that I would leave with them. I was literally about to walk out the door, but I am sooo thankful that I prayed first and that Jesus caused a peace to come over my children. Had I left, or had my children been sent to children's church, he would not have gotten saved that night. When a Pastor is called of God to preach the gospel, then he is anointed of God, and God's Word is alive! Children are being neglected spiritually because parents and pastors don't want them disrupting service. Back when there was no such thing as Children's Church parents made their kids mind. That's just how it was.... I went back to the pastor's wife and explained that I didn't feel led of God to help with children's church and I explained to her why, but I did offer to help with Sunday school if I was needed. However, she got very offended over it.... I now have a 5 year old granddaughter who attends church with me. At first she didn't like not getting to go play with the other kids during service, but she soon was at peace about it. She stands during praise and worship, she claps her hands at times, and when the Pastor reads God's Word she gets her Bible out and pretends to read it along with the Pastor. She draws on paper during service, but she listens and she knows to behave. It has blessed my heart to watch her, and I thank God! She even has elders in the church come up to her and want to talk with her. We MUST raise our children and grandchildren in the nurture and admonition of the Lord! .... One more thing. If your children are brought up to sit under anointed preaching and praise and worship, they will KNOW where the Spirit of God is, and where it is not.
Children want that connection with adults far more than we could ever know. They are going to be more and more desperate for it as families struggle to stay together in the years to come. Thank you for sharing your story.
You are welcome. If you don't mind I would like to share one more thing.... When I was around 9 years old there was an elderly couple who would come by on Sunday mornings and pick up my sister and I and take us to a Baptist church they attended. My parents did not serve the Lord, but I'm grateful that my mother allowed us to attend with our neighbors. One particular Sunday morning I remember sitting on the pew listening to the Pastor preach and I had such a strong urge and desire to go to the altar. I am 50 years old now but I still remember it so well. The urge was so strong! However, I did not know hardly anyone there and I was afraid, so I did not go to the altar. I know now that it was the Holy Spirit who was drawing me that day in that Baptist church. Thankfully, years later the Lord called me again and I got saved.... It is sooo important to pick up children, including our neighbor's children, and take them to church, and it is so important to let them sit in service with us listening to the Word of God being preached. The Holy Spirit draws children to the altar too, and the Holy Spirit does a work in their hearts that we cannot do.
Wonderful testimony! Thank you for sharing!
Yes!
@@janacrawford3596The Spirit is working all the time on all ages!
This is how I began my life in the family of God , 1983 ,84 , a revival in out Peria Oruru Valley northland nz , IT was wonderful , until men became ambitious and pride dismantelled us , WE saw great things when we were humble and simply sincere , I miss those fruitful days . .
Thank you for sharing. This is why fasting and praying and being accountable to the Word are so important.
So true! I am in a house church. It's great!
How long have you done that Carole?!? Love it!
This could not be a coincidence, that I am seeing this video tonight after thinking earlier today how we will eventually be back in our homes for church, just like the early church. 🙏🏽
Praise God for making that connection...He can do ANYTHING!
I agree! I have hymnals and Bibles set aside at my home because I think God wants me to have a house church in the possible near future. Our country and the world is becoming so tumultuous where we may no longer be able to even drive to church. If this becomes the case, I will by God’s leading, meet and greet my neighbors to welcome them to a precious time of fellowship and no frills worship. Our use of God’s Word will bring comfort and confidence in the security we have in Jesus.
they met in their homes out of secrecy or because they had no other building to meet in. not because they preferred "home" church.
@@lindsaynichols3175You do know they didn't have church buildings for at least 150 years, right? They also grew exponentially until the church got neutered by aligning with Rome via Constantine and then they built nice big cathedrals to kill the church in.
nothing wrong with a building or a home. that's not the church. doesn't matter where we meet. and i've never been impressed with cathedrals. it's just a place to meet, whether it's a home or a building. @@revolutionofordinaries
We started a house church 5 years ago. It's been a great experience. We now rent a space on Sunday, but sit in circles at tables and keep the essence of a house church. Nobody sees it as a church building. I see it as similar to Paul in the hall of Tyrannus or the church at Troas in an upper room.
Glad you are doing that Mike...thankful for you and what you are doing!
Yes even churches that believe in the baptism of Holy Spirit they say they want the Holy Spirit to move but yet they grieve the spirit with time😢
Unfortunately that is true
I’ve felt at my church that if Jesus came himself and said the things he said to us, the church would crucify him again.
And, the tithe was meant to help those in need w/in the church and support those who teach/preach to the congregation --- NOT as a "witnessing" tool or as a social aid for those in the surrounding community, and definitely not for the maintenance of a church building.
That's not to say we should not financially support those outside of the church.
I found a lack of accountability in the traditional church -- something I really needed and desired to encourage me in my faith, to grow in Christ and be fruitful.
All great points! Thank you for sharing them.
Have been meeting in a home church since everything closed for covid. Love it!
That's when we started! Never looked back.
I left the building 14 years ago after 40 years in churchianity.
Been in my home group 8 years now. I have real relationships and family finally.
Love it Beth...thanks for leaving a comment!
LOVE ALL POINTS!!! Please Jesus bring it on!!!
Totally agree as my wife and I have been looking at this for a some time now and we sense that we are being led to do this, all the points you have raised are exactly what we are seeing also, so we are focusing on our area and our street and neighbours etc.
If God is leading you to do it, are you going to start one? Let me know!
Praise God on high for this message
He is worthy! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment Katie! God bless you.
Awesome video, very refreshing and edifying
Jesus bless you!
Thank you sooo much! That means a lot! Appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment.
Discovered your channel recently. The timing is amazing, as I'm wanting to explore this very thing. Thank you.
So glad you did...new series just started to help all of you who are asking about this. Here is part 1 - ua-cam.com/video/Zd-FcCBoh1A/v-deo.html Part 2 is coming out in a couple days!
Thank you for the message. My wife and I have been talking for sometime about home churches. This video was very helpful
Would you want to start one?
There is a lot of wisdom here. It makes a lot of sense, I have thought about this stuff for many years.
Thank you for the encouraging comment Jeffrey! God bless you.
We were a part of a small home fellowship about 30 years ago. We loved it. A very close knit group of believers doing life together. I think what I liked best was the simple times of praise and worship. No bright stage lights or extra effects to take your mind off Jesus. No spotlight on the singers or musicians. Also the Pastor had total freedom to teach what the Lord put on his heart, Mostly line upon line Bible study, and if he needed to take 3 or 4 weeks to teach through one chapter then so be it. The problem is that it didn't stay small for long. People would invite friends, which is what you are supposed to do ant the church outgrew the house and lo and behold we went from renting a room in a town hall. Then the cafeteria. It just kept growing.
John 17.3, John 20.17, Rev 1.5-6, Rev 3.12.
When the numbers grow we pray for a new leader for a new church and keep starting new ones.
yep...you might enjoy my reply below. Great comment!
There must be a commitment to multiplication. Intentional teaching and planning must aim to growing numbers of gatherings not numbers of attenders.
Open Church.... The Biblical way... The way forward... Everyone participates in their gifting... Spiritual gifts can be exercised for the building up and edification of God's people 😊
Exactly right! Eph 4:11ff
My friend worries and argues against open floor house churches on the basis that the lack of a structural hierarchy will tend towards chaos. Giving everyone a voice will lead to that one crazy guy always spouting his crazy views in an interrupting manner. I don't think his arguments hold water but it's just something to think about addressing when discussing this topic
Where the Holy Spirit is asked to lead the way satan and his followers flee.
Amen to that! @@slvrhrt6
@@James-ms2mxthat is a valid point
I agree with this 💯 i used to attend a church thats didnt have an actual building we met in different places, homes, parks, ect it was awesome
Love it so much!
@@revolutionofordinaries Sir how can I find a church like this?
you can check with 2414now.net
We have been doing this for about five years now-and we have gone from a building, salaries, rents, CCLI, on and on…to a small gang of folks with whom we do life! And the simplicity of our “Saticoy Saturday Supper Church” has us rediscovering the “secret sauce” of obeying the Holy Spirit!
Love this very much.
Thank you so much for your message! My husband and I took our kids to church all their growing up lives but we’ve come to a crossroad where 29 years later, our van that held all 7 of us, broke down so we have no vehicle that can hold our handicapped sons wheelchair. Plus, he’s always had some major medical crisis so I always have to be ready for the ER. So on Sunday nights I have been watching Rejoice in the Lord On tvTwo of my kids are out of the house. I have been envisioning having church with our neighbors and at home but I felt a little guilty if we didn’t try to go to our home church which is a trek. And I’ve just read some dangerous road conditions near the church we first attended. You may have just comforted my spirit and set it free to pursue this. Also, I’ve worried about my husband always lifting my handicapped son and having an accident. So thank you so much for posting this. It really comforts my soul. If you have time, please let me know your thoughts.
Love this Laura! Yes...church can happen in your home just like it can happen in a church building. Hang in there!
I'm in Oklahoma City, I'm 53 years old and I'm not wanting to go to the church building anymore.
I feel like God has taken me out of organized religion, church buildings, and I have a desire to find a home church but I don't know how to find one in my area.
I don't have children, family and I don't have friends because of how I am being led by God.
Please pray for me!
Check this out Stacey - 2414northamerica.net/get-connected/#map
@@revolutionofordinaries not helpful because I have zero people in my life and the website you sent me to is confusing, I'm on SSDI due to a traumatic brain injury 🤕 I just asked for prayer and you couldn't even let me know you prayed, knowing someone is praying for you when you are lonely is extremely comforting and you 😒
I prayed for you 🙏
@@e.b.6488Much love
Hey Stacey My name is Tracy .Lol and I'm also in Oklahoma Our stories are so similar. I left the Organizationed Churches ⛪ a few years ago. After Leaving and finding so many Christian content online through You tube and also Hearing so many other People's Stories and how Free they feel not being in a Building. I knew this was a Confromation to be at Home. I don't see myself Ever going back to these Bad Organizationed churches, but I'm single, no kids, not married so I'm just trying to figure it out along the way. But thank God He uses Videos like this to Help lead and guide us to where he wants us to be. I pray that We Will Both find us a Good House Church to Attend someday ❤❤❤.
Great insight. I'm concerned about becoming cult like. Otherwise, a small home church makes complete sense. Especially for us with special needs family members.
That doesn't happen very often and if you started noticing it you would just leave.
Agree agree agree! Many mega churches started as house meetings with bible study and prayer. Your points are very well taken.
Thank you Debra! That is exactly right...I really appreciate you watching and leaving a comment. Hope you have an amazing day!
House church has been on my heart for sometime. We do go to a traditional building church but house church seems to be so much more fulfilling in the family ministry. Would love to know more and I’m following your page and praying for guidance here.
Thank you Spencer! I am going to be providing practical helps here. You might also check out zume.training
If "doing church" in the traditional, institutional way prevents you from living up to the Biblical guidance of how we are to function as a church group, do we change or avoid those instructions, or do we change "the way we do church." A few examples: 1 Cor 14 says several people will testify and other will challenge; Matt 18 says to resolve issues between people by eventually taking it to the church which is completely impractical in a institutional church; elders are to be shepherds of people, not administrators of a business enterprise; Jesus says not to build treasures on earth and yet we spend a HUGE portion of the money on buildings; the assembly just becomes an observational event rather than participative event. The list is actually much longer than this, but you get the point.
As you said in the video, there is no Biblical instruction to spend money on building and maintaining these cost-ineffective "places of worship". So I find myself going further and further down the path toward thinking maybe this traditional, institutional approach is wrong. In violation of Revelation 22:18 maybe we've added to the Word in a way that we never should have. Some further food for thought. Thanks for having the courage to put these thoughts forward!
I appreciate your insights on this. I think traditional churches CAN be wrong but not automatically wrong in every instance. I still see God using them in some big ways...maybe the impact would be even bigger if we junked all that and came home and leveraged all our resources to a greater degree...that may well happen eventually but if it does it will most likely not be by choice but by necessity.
These large organisations indeed do some good (however inefficiently). But they are not churches simply because there is no way that every believer has an opportunity to share their Spirit given gifts (1 Cor 11 - 14). I spent ten years as the 'pastor' of an institutional fellowship until I realised that what we were doing wasn't in the Book and what was in the Book we weren't doing. Having experience since then in establishing house churches in a number of countries (including Islamic and communist countries), I am of the persuasion that the majority of Christian believers actually gather in small Biblical house churches and these 'multi-million dollar behemoths are actually trying (ineffectively) for the minority of believers.@@revolutionofordinaries
@@paulsccduff My experience is similar. Serving as an elder for several years opened my eyes to what the true priorities were and too often they didn't line up with what the Bible says they should be. I also have a UA-cam channel. Currently doing a series of videos about our relationship with God. www.youtube.com/@1Word2218
Thank you for a great video God bless 😊
God bless you and thanks for watching!
Very timely for my wife and I. I believe that the Lord may be leading us in this direction!
I am posting a followup series to help people get started and do it well - ua-cam.com/video/Zd-FcCBoh1A/v-deo.html
Thank you for this. We have had a home chapel in our home for 5 years now
That's awesome! Thanks for the comment!
You are RIGHT!
Thank you for watching!
Strange I found this clip today. I have been thinking about this.
So glad you have Judy!
I was involved with a very close group of believers back in the early 1990's in Humble, Texas. We all knew each other, fellowshipped frequently, shared meals, had prayer meetings, gathered in each other's homes, babysat each other's kids, had older ladies that helped the young moms, men that helped the older widows and single moms. We did have a physical building, but nothing extravagant. We were a true family of believers. Everyone pitched in to help keep the church and grounds nice and clean. I haven't found that since moving away from there in 1993.
Love that you had that Patti...would you want to start one where you are? That is the series I am working on now....part 1 is up!
I appreciate your humility in acknowledging that regular church has a place and can be used of God. And you explained your conviction in a clear way without "burning others at the stake." I love going to my friends home church when I visit them, yes, the fellowship is very sweet. Children tend to be challenged more to maturity. I love that the family can worship God together without being fragmented into different programs - gasp, what! Have babies and children in church? Yes, absolutely, so we can say with Joshua, "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord"
I do t want to be standing here saying God isn’t using churches if and when he really is…and he is! We all need each other! Thank you!
Greetings, I was first exposed to the house church concept in Wichita, KS back in the mid 80's. As a result of COVID-19, I started doing this type of gathering online globally. What a blessing, not quite the same, but a blessing nonetheless. A very important element of the small group setting is the people now have a voice through which God can speak. In a traditional church, everyone just sits through the lecture and leaves. I feel that you are spot-on in your list of pluses. The traditional church is really just the business of religion, creating converts, while the house church creates disciples for Christ.
Have you looked into KC Underground?
@@revolutionofordinariesNo I have not. I am about one and a half hours south of KC.
Do you still know the people going to house church in Wichita, KS?
I do stay in touch with a few.
Agree 100% with your observations. I’ve been part of both small and large. By far the small gatherings are much more beneficial spiritually in my opinion because it’s closer to what we see in scripture. Having partaken in both settings I will never congregate at a big mega church ever again. God bless!
God bless you Eric and thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to comment!
I am also looking for a house church.. currently based in Nairobi Kenya. My prayer is with this great move, may we not miss out on the most essential thing, Christ Jesus..
Some are looking for a house church...others are called to start one. Which one is the path?
Had our first House Church yesterday. It was nice, but there have been some spiritual attacks. Right when my parents left, my son got hit by a car. That night, I had terrible nightmares. We are going to persevere, though, please pray for us. This is very new to us.
Prayers of healing and complete restoration going up for your son. You know you’re on the right track when the warfare is that heavy. Persevere family! No weapon formed against you shall prosper 💙
@Bondservant24 amen!
Please pray I find a good house church. One where the Holy Spirit is operating.
check out 2414now.net to see about finding one.
Hi Matt. Found you a few years ago. im from Prince Edward island. Tom Marshall tells me you are lecturing here at maritime christian college in may?
I've been in Africa most of my ministry, but was at two traditional chuches here in canada also for a few years.
Been house churching off and on for 15 years. In three countries.
Simple, economical, easily repeated by ordinary people, is our mission and church planting philisophy of ministry both here and french west Africa.
We have helped nine other people begin house churches.
Unfortunately when you come up in may i wont get to meet you as they changed the lectures from march to may. And i am now a commercial fishing captain self supporting ministry. So im at sea for lobsters at that time.
I wish you well...
So nice connecting with you! So sorry I won't get to meet you in May! I love what you are doing!!!!
Our house church near Philadelphia began a little over three years ago. I was so impressed by how this description of a house church mapped point by point with our experience and with the values we have been emphasizing.
Love it! Must have been a pandemic house church!
Our church did not start because of the pandemic, but the pandemic was the final nudge that people needed who wanted to meet together to worship the Lord.
Hi Matt. Your video was a fresh boost of Kingdom air. I remember a few years ago when I was asked to be the guest preacher/speaker at a Sunday Church. It seated around 250. About 5 minutes before the official announcement to commence the service, I was waiting at the back beside the sound board. Suddenly I saw a flurry of people running around near the back whispering to each other and glancing in my direction very nervously. They looked mortified. One of them sheepishly came towards me saying, "Pastor, I am very, very sorry. I don't know how to tell you this but...um...well...the Power Point program is frozen and we don't have the IT computer tech on site. We are willing to delay the entire service and again please accept our deepest apologies." She was teary-eyed and looking dejected. Almost at that moment, it's as if a flash ran across my mind and I thought, "Lord, your people are crippled with anxiety and unable to worship because a digital screen can't project some graphics. Forgive us for our idolatry." I gently patted her on the back and said, "That's totally okay. I am capable of telling the congregation what Scripture verse I will be reading and don't mind giving them as much time as they need to find it. In fact, I can walk down and even tell them the page number from the pew Bibles." She wasn't having it and looked very offended by my advice turned and walked away. From that moment on, I began to see the waves of anxiety that wash over folks in large churches if every single minutes doesn't progress with the utmost efficiency, polish, stability, perfect sequence of exactitude of execution!
What a sad story and demonstration of what is going on out there! We gave up on being worried about how Sunday would go and just go with the flow. We have structure but don't get nervous about things going off course...often that is God doing something special if we pay attention. Thanks for leaving a comment and watching!
No ways! Can't have this, how is kenneth copeland going to buy another jet this way?
LOL
Or ALOT of other pastors…..
If it wasn't for small groups I believe even more churches would close
That is exactly what God has us doing after almost 9 years of traveling and ministering by faith here in Alabama and it has been amazing. From healings to deliverances I preach and teach His word with the occasional special speaker. Prayer of course is absolute and giving has been according to their faithfulness which we have used to meet many a need of a member. We even take care of the widows. We allow for the Holy Spirit to have His way and whatever God wants to do He has the straight away to do so it is all about Him and no one else. Many have received right on words from the Lord and one has received a home, another started their own business. This only happens with intimacy and putting the Lord first.
I love this VERY much! We are in Auburn...where are you located? Feel free to email me if you don't want to say here - matthewdabbs@hotmail.com
Long time house church member here - over 20yrs. I was raised in the c of c , attended one of their Bible Colleges, and planted a "traditional" church. Love your focus. My experience has led me to a simple strategy- lead people to Christ. Legalistic adherence to Patterns does not develop faithful christians - it only creates an atmosphere of divisision. I have witnessed the results of both models. I will take the house church without reservation.
Wow...this is such a great assessment of things Phil! Thank you!
Christianity began as house churches
Yes! And it exploded there!
And should we remain in the beginning stages forever? Israel began wandering in the desert with the ark in a tent. Was it God's will that they remain that way?
@@mkshffr4936 It is not that sometimes it helps us to remember how this journey started that we don't loose salvation You may ask the guidence of the holy spirit It depends on the calling
I cannot remember who said this, "Grow your Church small." However, it does make sense. I also read about a Church, and again I can't remember their name, but they split after they have 6O people, thus spreading the Church out. They don't split because of a disagreement they are planting.
There are a couple of things that come to mind and that is how do you interact with other Congregations? One of the good things about a larger Congregation is having a larger voice. plus other things.
It is strategic. Yes! That's basically what we are doing with a few differences. We don't want a big church.
I think that's a great model. If churches would just focus on following the Holy Spirit and developing people then they would raise more leaders to plant more churches and not let their congratulations get too impersonal
I agree dear brother, I came from Cuba and also lived in Brazil, the experience in the house church was amazing, you learn a lot, more intimacy with each other in prayer and support. Become a real spiritual family blessed. The personal testimony is so great. and each other stimulated to see us in the big church as much as we can. I became a doctor here in the USA, and I did not have a lot of time to go to church to connect even poorly with my brother because everyone was running into their cars after the service was done. I miss Brazil in this aspect and want to retire there to experience again the House churches, I miss my brothers there. Thank you for your words and God bless you.
God bless you Julio! Love your story...I hope you can make it back. You are a blessing!
I have considered this as something I might fit into very well. I have been a part of this type of worship before. The cost of attending an average church keeps going up and they want those tithes no matter what. I also have the qualifications needed for this. People are so very distracted by everyday life that I am not sure their hearts would support it but the idea sounds so much better at least for me. Jesus did send his disciples to the people not the Godless religion of that day.
What is your experience with house church? If you are going to one, what is it that motivated you to make the change? Thanks for watching. Let's discuss!
My husband has been pastoring in a house church setting for over 45 years now. In fact, that is actually how we met. Over the years and seasons of life, our “numbers” have alternately waxed and waned; ebbed and flowed. But meeting at home has never been about “church growth” in the context of numbers. It has always been about personal development according to the Word of God… it’s been about “each-one-reach-one” in the individual homes, the everyday workplace, and the daily concourse of life. It’s been about walking out the Sunday Word of God on Monday thru Saturday, then coming together again to tell, “What God has done!”
Yes; there is distinct pastoral leadership. Yes, we have those who function as “elders and/or deacons.” We have a “worship leader.”.. But it’s not about rules or role playing; about one or two taking center stage.
Home Fellowship is , for us, all about letting the High and Lofty one be preeminent m. About listening for His nudge for “when to pray and when to say.”
It’s about meeting together and just letting God have the day, have the day, and have His way. In us and through us.
How is it when you come together, brethren? Let every one of you have a psalm, a hymn, a tongue, an interpretation… but let all things be done for edification.”
To edify means to “build up,” ( as in the word edifice ) As a home fellowship we DO have a “church building program.” It’s you and me… it’s the children and marriages and families in our midst. Each one of us are “God’s treasured edifice.” Not a one of us is complete yet. But together, we are “building one another up in this most holy faith.”
It works! It’s scriptural. It’s efficient.
We were all created for relationship. “It’s not good that man should be alone,” said God. “Don’t forsake the assembling yourselves together as us the manner of some,” Paul admonishes.
This craving for deeper fellowship, meaningful human connection, and spiritual edification is more often met face to face, than it is side by side.
I believe that is why larger churches are continually pushing their “small groups” programs. Because BIG is too big, too program & too organization focused to foster intimate connection. And “just God and Me” is well, 🤷♀️ just you… neglecting an important part of Gods challenge to man: Others.
A lot of the children that have grown & flown out of our midst over the years are taking their turn at experiencing that which they “missed out on.” They attend fairly large churches with much organization to facilitate. But 90% of them maintain the core faith in Jesus Christ that was established so deeply in their hearts in the intimate growth setting in which they were raised. And they are quick to gravitate toward their church’s “small groups” and, time goes on, we are watching numerous of them begin their transition toward meeting in homes.
My family went to a house church for less than a year after leaving a mid-sized congregation when we had some serious disagreement with the leadership over their handling of the illness and other doctrinal issues. The house church was small, intimate, but the people there had a lot of fear of the illness, trusted gov't too much, and had a lot of hurts and poor communication. Didn't do as much with the Bible as we'd hoped. It was pretty much a clique. We ended up leaving. I still think the house church idea is good, but it really is dependent on having healthy people. We are currently at a local nondenominational church that has cell groups. We don't agree with everything there, and it's not a perfect fit, but it's a port in the storm. I would still like to be part of a house church but it will be a while before we find one that fits I think
.
@@SymphoniasStories what if you started one that was healthy instead of looking for one that is healthy?
Not for me. I prefer accountability when possible.
In the infancy of the church it made sense as they came out of the catacombs. However we should keep in mind that even in the early church the structure was there and even church councils such as the one in Jerusalem.
When talking closed societies where the faith is outlawed it also may be necessary for a time.
Also I am not a big fan of the modern idea of radical discontinuity between the ecclesia of the OT and that of the new. So the example of the tabernacle and temple are not completely irrelevant to me.
You are correct about family integrated worship but we practice that intentionally in our church. That is not exclusive to house churches nor do we hesitate to pause the liturgy for needs of the church.
Been in home churches for 3 decades
Go home!
Love this video.
So glad! Thank you for taking the time to comment...that means a lot Jillian!
Wow... Just Wow Matt. Thank-you for sharing this.. I have felt this for years. I have seen the decline of people attending big churches, I have NEVER felt a part of a traditional church being unwilling to jump through the required hoops to gain acceptance under the guise of 'ministry responsibility and stewardship. House churches are more intimate where we can truly show God's love (and acceptance because of salvation, not fulfilling the requirements), and care for one another as He intended. I have been a believer for 48 years, I am a musician and I worship playing music, I do not sing. I was told if I joined a church I would have to wait 6 months before I could worship with them with my instrument. Sit in a pew for 6 months, paying a 'tithe' for permission to worship God with them? I was told it is because we need to 'know your commitment before we put you in a leadership position". However.. no one on that worship team is in ANY leadership position. None are on the board, none are elders, none counsel, none make any decisions... how is that leadership? They are forbidding me to worship until 6 months have passed.. So I passed...The church is dead...(thank God), but long live His Church!!
Isn’t that the craziest thing? So sorry! The emperor has no clothes.
We started a home study group about 5 months ago. Our small group (our regular church attendees) grew from a handful to over 20 now. Not only is it necessary for serious study of the word, but for fellowship. We incorporate acoustic worship of 2-3 songs, then get into the word. It's dialogue and not monologue. We are getting more attendee participation every week. I'm excited about where this will go as it relates to evangelism.
Love it...check out the prayer walking videos on this channel if you want to see one way to reach into your neighborhood.
Primitive Baptist churches are like this. There might be a dedicated building, but it’s a lot smaller. There isn’t a huge staff or budget to support. Worship is congregational singing a capella, prayer, and preaching. There is often a meal. All ages are integrated and there is no Sunday School. The elder is the leader and teacher. I get so much more out of my church membership compared to the huge SBC church I left.
Lots of similarities between that and how I grew up.
I think you make some really good points. There are good things about both, the traditional church centered around a physical building, and the house church centered around the family home. Me and my wife are open to both. We are currently attending a church that feels very close to a house church, and it actually started as a house church, but there have been steps to make things more programmatic, and I believe God has already been putting it on our hearts that if things get too impersonal, we would either start or join a house church.
The programs typically don’t actually mature disciples.
Once it gets program oriented it kills the life of the church because the Holy Spirit is no longer allowed to lead it. I am in a church that is fairly small at the moment that is very much into being led by the Spirit. May it never cease to do so as it grows. It has been like hens teeth to find
@@geoffstokesSo true!
@@geoffstokesonce a group of Christians transfer from a home setting to a public church building, the whole SPIRITUAL DYNAMIC will change! The church building itself, by its very arrangement, will stifle participation, and encourage passivity and human control!
@@Steve-og4iiI think it depends on how large the number of people gets
There is a great need for the flow of The Spirit among The Body. We can grow faster &
with stronger UNITY, when we are all able to
share the “Bread” we have been given
with each other!
Amen to that but on scale we have to orchestrate things and that quenches the Spirit.
I have been looking and praying for a house church. When I found myself in a life catastrophe, I was suddenly surrounded by a house church. This church is mighty and a blessing and beautiful. I am so blessed to be counted among these amazing people. ❤
I LOVE THIS! Thank you for sharing and commenting!
How do you go about starting a house church and who works as the pastor and how do you find a pastor?
Hey there!
Great questions. There are various ways to set this up. You can raise funds and pay someone part time to do the work. That limits the pool of people who will do the work. Or you can use lay leadership (which is what most do) and that frees up funds for ministry and shares the work load of the teaching and pastoral care of the church. In the New Testament there wasn't a single pastor system. They had groups and those groups may have been over city areas rather than just one house church.
Read 1 Corinthians 14:26-33. You are still thinking "church" in the traditional way. Until you see the church in the light of Scripture, it won't work for you.
NO PASTOR. NO LIAR.
NO FALSE RELIGION.
Main advantage:
1 Corinthians 14:26:
How is it then, brethren?
when you come together,
every one of you
has a psalm,
has a doctrine,
has a tongue,
has a revelation,
has an interpretation.
Let all things be done unto edifying.
We practice this verse one Sunday a month and call it "Potluck worship" - everyone brings something to share.
@@revolutionofordinaries
One sunday a month is better than nothing. However Paul writes:
When(ever) you come together!
Let all things be done unto edifying.
Yep! We walk away every week having shared our burdens, prayed for each other, heard from the word...heard testimonies of God's power and goodness. It is glorious!
Only Pastors lie? Only Pastors teach false religions? That doesn't seem to be the history of Cults in America at least.
I am all for house churches, I have attended several of them, they have a special "togetherness" about them....some of the best Bible studies, and services I can remember...however, they are not without their problems, or setbacks...but nothing is perfect. Pray about where God wants to place you, follow his lead.
Amen to that! That is right. Thanks for your comment.
This is very good. Let’s get back to the early church.
Agreed.
Becuz God is calling His Body out of the stank and into the Light
At Home
Amen...we are part of an amazing spiritual family!
We have a House church and have found that it’s a very effective way to help people come to faith and grow due to the strong relationships and also the fact that we can share, pray and support one another. We also speak about repentance, baptise, it all started in a park in our town during Covid Mandates when so many of us were isolated. Quite a few secular people came to Christ due to the small intimate gatherings, no one is above anyone else. We all steer each other back to the gospel and don’t follow weird near so times that aren’t biblical.
Love this so much...I hope many will read it.
Oh how I LOVE this video!!
So glad you do Libby J! Thanks so much for watching!
I am a southern Baptist pastor who is currently training to transition to the house CHurch model. One of the major problems that has existed is many Christians have a fundamental misunderstanding of the church, and automatically associate the church with the building and most of us pastors have not did a good job at clearing that up, it’s a big bear you’re poking and a big machine. Lord bless you.
So glad you are making this shift. What is your process for doing that?
@@revolutionofordinaries I am in a Training called Pastor to Pioneer . It is a multi denomination group from all around the country. I will be transitioning to the simple church in the Spring . Pastor to Pioneer is on the web check them out , they have been very helpful
I have tried house church groups at my church twice, but it doesn’t work well for me yet. I think part of it is that it tends to be food oriented, and for those of us with food allergies, or strict eating schedules, or food intolerances it can be uncomfortable or awkward. I’ll find the right one eventually because I do think its a good set up overall.
Simple is reproducible and sustainable. Methods have to be prayed through in order to come to some practices that the smaller group can sustain for the long haul.
@@QuietlyContemplating Nonetheless, it does tend to be. Family style dinners, women’s brunches with a teaching…I intermittent fast pretty strictly, and eat a pretty limited diet as a long term cancer survivor and the constant eating does make me feel pretty awkward and out of place.
If you do things that keep it from being sustainable you might consider other ways of accomplishing the same thing. Maybe limit it to one Sunday a month, change up the hosting, spread the work, etc.
One of the most honest videos I have ever seen about church. This has been on my heart for a long long time. I am still in a mega church in South east Asia. Great sermons and great production. Yet, not feeling connected.
Thank you so much for saying that. God is touching hearts and moving us into more authenticity. Appreciate you taking the time to comment!
@@revolutionofordinaries thank you very much for telling the truth about the Bible.
I have a great church and they are transparent with where the funds go, still, I have longed for, prayed for a house church.
So glad they do that!
Admitted!
But ONE problem with some home churches is that lack of Bible knowledge leads to un-biblical practices.
E.g. "let's pray for your healing from.... .. "
"Oooh! You're not healed? So you certainly don't have the Spirit of God!"
So sometimes church oversight helps to curb malpractices like this!!!!
That happens sometimes but there are some great models out there that prevent this sort of thing!
There are far more "un-biblical practices" in traditional churches than in home churches. The truth is that you are already biased in your mind. Except the Holy Spirit reveals the church of Christ to you, just continue with what you have been used to. Does the church you attend currently align with 1 Corinthians 14:16-33? That should form the basis of your assessment.
The blind leading the blind is a real issue. That is not to say that other types of churches are immune but enforced standards of ordination for elders and teachers can provide some protection when done right.
A church must align with the _whole_ council of God in _all_ of scripture.
@@mkshffr4936Believers in Jesus are led by the Holy Spirit. I don't know what you mean by blind leading the blind in this context. Jesus Christ emphatically said that only the Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth (John 16:12-14). It appears that you are one of those people that depend on the products of Bible Schools and Seminaries, which in the main are philosophies and ideas of so-called theologians. God gave us the pattern of the church in 1 Corinthians 14:26-33. The fact that the Catholic church hijacked the church for thousands of years and perverted this pattern does not change the truth of God.
@@pearladams4817 The claims of Being lead by the spirit without the benefit of the teachers the Lord provides have lead to all sorts of wacky Cults and to reinvent the wheel alone in our closets leaves us susceptible to scheisters like Benny Hin and Joseph Smith.
Just me and my Bible and the burning in the bosom is a very dangerous approach and not supported by the scriptures. Elders were to be those able to teach. The ignorant are not qualified to teach. The original Jewish church didn't need original language and culture but the Apostles studied under the greatest theologian of all time (Christ not the spirit they felt in their hearts). Paul studied under Gamaliel, Timothy under Paul and so on. So the pattern is established to build on the saints that came before us. At this time we are so far removed from biblical times and culture there is another layer of knowledge needed. For example even as fisherman the Apostles were familiar with the language and culture of covenant. The average 21st century American has no clue of these things from living in our culture so can not understand much of the Bible on their own.
I began in the Baptistic-Armino-Dispy world but as I studied the scriptures they just didn't square with what I was learning but thankfully I had been taught how to think things through so I was able to work through it with help from others and from resources current and historical so I understand and appreciate the need for individual study but just like learning to design amplifiers I also understand the need to learn from those with more knowledge and experience.
A quality seminary is not all about philosophy but teaches important things such as original languages, biblical and church history, hermeneutics, and more. And like any quality education it teaches how to draw out what is in the text (i.e. exegesis).
Been planting house church for 4 decades. It takes real love and patience and obedience to let the Lord build His house; it must and can ONLY be all "His way" and all ran by Him. EVERY part of it. Regarding the mass migration of believers ... The Lord has called them out of unfaithful harlotries and unto Himself. Though He uses all things His Children need learn the power of the cross and that His Kingdom is for them right now and they need be disciples who live and gather in His name. That good news of the Kingdom has been corrupted with "Fake News" of heirarchal ministry; talking head ministry devoid of the Spirit and monetizing the Gospel. (Nicolaitanism,Jezebel and Baalam respectively) All disciples are believers and their spirit is over their soul; yet very few believers are disciples and they predominantly have their soul, mind, will "over" their spirit.
40 years! Wow!
@@revolutionofordinaries Sounds more glamorous than it is. Obedience, loving the Lord and serving His people. Very much like washing feet; treating them as more important. Eph 4:2-6 for sure is the approach vector the Bride must walk. People dross up; like babies burp up. And you burp the baby; no matter which end is fluid. You minister life, truth, love and light and they either grow or show goat tendencies.
It is high time to go back to what was SIMPLY amazing, where the Holy Spirit is in complete control and God's true family are free to concentrate like you said ON THE NEEDS AT HAND. Home church makes perfect sense because it is one to one, heart to heart,,, caring, sharing, supporting, lifting and growing in the Lord,,,faithfully working together to bear good, Godly fruit, because LOVE NEVER FAILS, and in the intimate setting, it is less apt to be infiltrated by wolves in sheep's clothing. In my humble opinion, there are a million beautiful reasons (especially now) that make the home-sweetJesus-home churchs absolutely worthwhile!!!❤
Amen Christene! I am starting a series on how to get one started...it is going to be specific and practical.
@@revolutionofordinaries I will be watching them! God bless you and yours as you wisely open new doors that really need to be opened in these challenging times. I pray with all the deep rooted faith that is in me,,,that as we hear and obey Our Father's calling voice, we grow ever truer in Him, to become HIS unshakable trees of Righteousness that stand in every storm for His will to be done, to the utmost praise, glory and much deserved honor of our Almighty Creator... Kind Sir,,,,,"Keep the faith and don't lose hope though uphill you may trod, believe that from the mountain's peak, you'll touch the hand of God! -Christene Luthey
Greetings brother, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only savior. I enjoyed listening to your encouraging talk as it seems this will clearly be a big part of the future.
God bless you! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!
They go to a house church ONLY to repeat the process over again. It gets bigger and bigger. They need more rules. A larger space. Now you get more money involved. Who's going to should the full-time responsibility for all the in-fighting and the programming? Now you need more and more people to pay the bills. And suddenly, you're right back where you started. Have a nice time with that, Christians. Nobody needs a weekly book club to be a decent person who contributes to human flourishing.
I don't think what you are describing is the typical house church experience. It happens somewhere to someone but it isn't typical. House churches typically don't want to grow big...they start more churches rather than get one church to be huge. I have never experienced what you are describing.
The more important question is do you believe that Jesus is who he said he is? Sounds like you’ve been hurt by people in the church before. Don’t put their mistakes on God, He is not them.
When money or membership (which means money) isn’t the goal, and nurture and true spirituality is, it won’t become a mega church. If it gets too large for one home, someone else will volunteer to host in their home. The problem will take care of itself.
Denominations are unbiblical.
True that God doesn't want division.
Sounds organic and authentic. Never heard of this before - i come from a Catholic background but left a long time ago.
Glad you watched it Suzanne!
Agreed 100%. I prefer this type of worshipping. You feel more relax and accepted. No gossips when issues arise. Leaving church does not mean leaving God. Oh Some see the opportunity to threaten those who leave with hell fire! Some just purposely want to hear people announce their iniquity aloud for all to hear but it only limit to others. They don't do that themselves. Selected accusation. Evil believers with bad intention. They love to sensationalised matters which is not biblical. More get to share. Less hassles.
Agree on all points! Thanks for watching and thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts on this. God bless you.
Some missionaries I knew in the 1970's raised $5,000,000 (when a million dollars meant something!) to build a state-of-art seminary facility. This was in Ethiopia. The proyect was finished just in time for the Communists to take over and confiscate it. The missionary learned a lesson and vowed never again to do that but to spend resources on more intangible but spiritually significant things.
What a story Jonathan! Wow!
Many house Churches are springing up here in Accra, Ghana.
Loving it, the intimacy is the Reality of living the Body life !! Thank You Lord Jesus !!
Are you familiar with the Village of Hope?
Praise God brother. I love your video. GBU
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching...that means a lot to me.
Boom you hit the nail on the head. Youth ministry seperates highschool kids from their parents. Once youth ministry grabs them they no longer sit with their parents, they only sit with the youth group.
That was one of the more detrimental moves we ever made.
The first time I heard of church houses was from a Francis Chan talk. It touched me deeply. I once went to a very small church in Ohio and the pastor at times stopped mid sermon for healing. The end was a small prayer circle where we shared and prayed.
Love it arelene!